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Invention and Design Report

The document describes an invention and design report for an aquaponics system to help the arctic nation of Nariz Azule grow its own food. Key details include: - Research was conducted on aquaponics and its history of combining fish and plant production. - Several design sketches were created before deciding on a design featuring individual bio-cups for plants seated above a 30-gallon aquarium. - Calculations, schematics, programs, bills of materials, and construction photos were included. - Testing revealed issues that were addressed, like waterproofing the wood and stabilizing supports.

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57 views

Invention and Design Report

The document describes an invention and design report for an aquaponics system to help the arctic nation of Nariz Azule grow its own food. Key details include: - Research was conducted on aquaponics and its history of combining fish and plant production. - Several design sketches were created before deciding on a design featuring individual bio-cups for plants seated above a 30-gallon aquarium. - Calculations, schematics, programs, bills of materials, and construction photos were included. - Testing revealed issues that were addressed, like waterproofing the wood and stabilizing supports.

Uploaded by

api-531980302
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Invention and Design Report

Problem Statement:
You are a biologist working for AgSCo, Agricultural Solutions
Comany. The arctic nation of Nariz Azule has hired AgSCo to help develop an agricultural
solution to their problem. Nariz Azule is covered in snow all 365 days of the year. In
addition, their nine-month winter brings a long period in which there is no sunlight. Until
now, they have imported all of the food they need. However, their growing population
makes this more and more difficult. You have been assigned to develop a solution so that
Nariz Azule may grow its own food.

Description of Research Collected:


We collected research involving the operation, application, history, impacts, individual
and organizational contributions, global market, and industry cases. We learned that
aquaponics is a focus of engineering that deals with The relationship between plants and
animals through human manipulation. It also is best applied in urban areas, and areas with short
growing seasons. The field is mainly influenced by contributors from individuals like Dr. Mark
McMurtry, Tom and Paula Sperano, Wilson Lennard, and organizations like Portable Farms
Aquaponics Systems. As for history, the idea of combining fish and vegetable production into a
symbiotic relationship has been around for a very long time. This includes the chinampas of
Mexico and the integrated rice paddy systems across parts of Asia.The earliest example of an
aquaponics system is the lowland Maya, followed by the Aztecs, who raised plants on rafts on
the surface of a lake in1,000 A.D. The need for modern aquaponics systems came about due to
fish farmers wanting to find more efficient uses of their land while decreasing the use of
resources, land, water, etc. Before the introduction of modern aquaponics systems, fish were
raised in large ponds, or kept in artificial saltwater ponds netted off from bays and ocean. The
modern system’s name is the Recirculating Aquaculture System, also known as RAS. This
impacted agriculture because it uses 1/10 of the water, avoids pests, and more food can be
grown per square foot. Globally, the market for aquaponics is around half a million dollars, but
its projected growth places it at around 2 billion in the next 4 years. Lastly we interviewed
Pentair Eco systems and learned that they have manage to become incredibly successful
designing and building aquaponics systems and continue to grow.
Sketches and descriptions of possible solution:

Possible designs included using a PVC pipe for the water to filter through then drain
back, a simple boxed grow tray with an intake and return pipe, and a design featuring individual
bio-cups that the water would enter and then drain through the bottom.

Explanation of process and reasons for choosing final design and how the
chosen design works:
We chose the last design because we thought it would be the most effective and simple
to build. The last design features ​a 30 gallon long aquarium seated on a hand-crafted table. The
aquarium is topped with a removable grow-tray that fosters bio-cups. Clay pebbles act as the
substrate for your seeds, and water and nutrients are pumped from the aquarium up to the
plants. An adjustable UV light hangs over the grow-tray, helping the plants photosynthesize.
Developmental/Analysis work including:
Calculations with explanations:
The pump’s voltage was 115 volts, therefore the relay we used had to be able to sustain
this without blowing a fuse. We also did calculations to determine the proper dimensions of the
parts.

Schematics with explanation:


The schematics depict how the electronics were connected to the arduino to perform the
encoded task. The water level sensor tells the arduino when the water level is too high,
triggering the relay to switch, shutting off the pump.

Design Drawings:

Programs:
We wrote two programs, one for the CNC machine to cut out our logo, and one for the
arduino to control the overflow protection system.
Bill of Material:
1. 45 x 45 inches of particle Wood (1x)
2. 3.5x3.5x 28 inch planks (4x)
3. 2x4 planks (1x)

Descriptions of problems encountered during design and any changes


made as a result:
- The table wouldn’t be able to support the aquariums weight, we added a support rim
around the exterior of the table
- The bio-cups wouldn’t fit into the grow-tray without sitting above the the base of the tray,
cut holes in the sides of the cups so that the water could flow into the cups without
having to sit in the bottom of the tray
- The tray would mold if it couldn’t drain properly, drill small holes throughout the tray to
ensure that all the water drains

Description of Prototype Construction


How materials were obtained:
All materials were obtained from Dr. Sweigarts classroom. Arduino pins were supplied by
Greg Fotos. Grow tray liner was supplied by Audrey Brinser.

How parts were made with photos of process:


The table was made by pre- drilling holes in the legs so that the screws could reach and
attach to the support frame. We attached the table top by screwing done from the table top in
the legs of the table. To make the grow tray, we attached 2x4 planks to the top of a square of
particle wood, then drilled holes into the board for the bio-cups to fit into. Lastly we attached
stilts to the bottom to support the tray. For the light, we created a stand using .5x4 inch planks
and secured it to the table. A diagonal support allowed us to attach the light to the pulley without
the stand collapsing.

Problems encountered with design and any changes made as a result:


- Particle wood dissolves when exposed to water, we added a tarp to waterproof the wood
- Didn’t have 2.5 drill bit, used a jigsaw to make bio-cup cut outs
- Grow light stand wasn’t sturdy, reinforced with a diagonal support, and secured under
the tables lip with extra planks

Testing and Evaluation


To test our table, we had Maxwell sit on it to see if it would hold. We tested the overflow
protection system by placing the water level sensor in a cup of water to ensure that the relay
would shut off the pump when the water level got too high. We tested the light and pulley
system by plugging it in and checking its mobility. The grow tray was tested by turning on the
pump and pumping water directly through the grow-tray.
These tests resulted in our discovery of view problem areas we needed to deal with. The
table held up under weight. The overflow protection system worked, but was inconsistent, so we
replaced the relay. The light and pulley worked well, however the base was unstable. The grow
tray worked effectively once waterproofed to prevent the particle wood from disintegrating.

Problems we encountered when testing included that the leftover water in the grow-tray
would mold, particle wood dissolves when exposed to water, we didn’t have a 2.5 inch drill bit,
and the grow light stand wasn’t sturdy. To overcome these problems, we left gaps in between
the cups and the grow tray would allow excess water to drain over time and we glued a plastic
tarp over the wood to protect it from making contact with water. By drilling two holes along the
circumference of the cut-outs, we were able to use a Jigsaw to completely cut them out. Lastly,
we secured two extra blocks of wood under the lip of the table, allowing for more surface area to
connect the grow light stand to, making it more stable.

There are plenty of areas for improvement in our aquaponics system. Besides general
cleaning up of areas that we rushed through, or may have done sloppily, we would have
definitely chosen a different material for the grow tray, possibly plastic, to simplify the building
process. We also would’ve cut a hole in the side of the grow tray for the intake hose, and made
the light stand taller to make it more adjustable.

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