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| Team SnowMelt is an undergraduate research team seeking to bring an end to shoveling snow. As part of the Gemstone Program at the University of Maryland, we will gather information, perform lab tests and develop the SnowMelt product over the next four years. At the end of our senior year, SnowMelt will defend our findings at the annual Gemstone Thesis Conference. |
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| SnowMelt Photo Gallery |
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OCTOBER 4, 2009 |
Work on the second large scale test is now in full swing. Early this week a two 2x4 frames were built and a sheet of plywood was attached to both frames. These modules were 3x8ft and 4x8ft to fit the size of the NiCr wire grid. The frames are used as support for the DuraRoc cement board that was attached to each frame. The cement board simulates a cement sidewalk but is lightweight and portable.
This morning we built the NiCr wire grid on top of the smaller 3x8 frame. We ran into difficulties with attaching the wires to the cement board and soldering the NiCr wire to the copper buses. But, we were able to use electrical tape to attach the NiCr wire and were able to lay down a first coat of sealant to the majority of the grid.
We had a very productive morning and hope to have completed both modules and be ready for testing by the end of this week. Please visit the SnowMelt Photo Gallery for photos of our progress.
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SEPTEMBER 8, 2009 |
As the fall semester begins, Team SnowMelt is preparing for busy months ahead. We are in the process of shifting gears from research focus to prepare our Thesis paper. However, this summer analysis of our outdoor test results were completed, and it was determined that a second large scale test was needed to verify the validity of our theoretical calculations and expectations.
Work on planning the second large scale test was largely completed this summer, and materials have been ordered. We have used the data and our experiences from the first large scale test to improve on the new experiment. In the next month and a half, SnowMelt plans to have completed construction on the large scale test.
Please visit the SnowMelt Photo Gallery for updated photos, including IR photos from the first large scale test
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MAY 10, 2009 |
Team SnowMelt has completed testing on our outdoor test pavement. With the help of Nelson Gibson, a former student of Prof. Schwartz, we were able to take infrared (IR) photos of our test circuit under power. These photos allow us to clearly see where heat is being dissipated as well as how much heat is generated. We will analyze the data we have collected and determine our next plan of action from our conclusions
Please see the SnowMelt Blog for more information on our outdoor testing |
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