Week 3: Beginning Construction

   We have hopefully finalized which insulations we will be working with: polystyrene or styrofoam board, closed cell polyurethane spray foam, fiberglass batt, cellulose wet spray, and possibly vacuum insulated panel. All were chosen because they are common in the building industry.
   We also have hopefully finalized the testing apparatus. It will consist of a sheetrock box containing a light bulb and a thermo-couple. The thermo-couple will connect to a reader and will measure the heat in the box. The incandescent light bulb will provide the heat. There will be exterior boxes made of different types of insulation that will fit around all six sides of the major sheetrock box.
   Today we began construction of our physical model. We hope to being doing initial testing next week in lab. We went to the machine shop and, with the excellent help of Mr. Shiber and his staff, we familiarized our selves with the tools and procedures. Unfortunately the sheetrock was forgotten  so we were unable to construct the major box that will hold the light and the thermo-couples. However, we were able to build an exterior box out of styrofoam. During the weekend the sheetrock box and a fiber glass box should be built.