20.109(S17):Homework

Module 1:

Due M1D1

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Wrapping up M1

1. The Data Summary draft is due by 5 pm on for both sections.
2. The Mini-presentation is due by 10 pm for both sections.
3. The Data Summary revision is due by 5 pm for both sections.
4. Please remember to contribute your reflections, comments, and ideas to the 20.109 class blog within 24 h of submitting the Data Summary revision.

Module 2:

Due M2D1

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Wrapping up M2

1. The Research article is due by 5 pm for both sections.
2. Please remember to contribute your reflections, comments, and ideas to the 20.109 class blog within 24 h of submitting the Research article.

Module 3: Biomaterials engineering

Due M3D1

1. Prepare for the first day of Module 3 by reading the module overview and day one introduction.

Due M3D2

1. The primary assignment for this experimental module will be for you to develop a Research proposal and present your idea to the class. Please describe five recent findings that could potentially define an interesting research question. You should hand in a 3-5 sentence description of each topic, in your own words, and also formally cite an associated reference from the scientific literature. The topics you pick can be related to any aspect of the class, i.e. DNA, protein, or biomaterials engineering. During lab next time, you and your partner will review the topics and narrow your choices, identifying one or perhaps two topics for further research.
   • Please note: for this assignment, you do not need to have a novel research idea completely sketched out; you simply have to describe five recent examples of existing work that you find interesting. However, you can start to brainstorm how to expand those topics into something new if you want to get ahead of the game.

Due M3D3

1. Discuss the potential research topics you prepared for the previous assignment with your co-investigator (your lab partner) and write a paragraph concerning the research question you would like to pursue for your research proposal. Please include 2-3 sentences that introduce your topic and a brief discussion of your potential plan. Consider the following as you discuss your potential research topics:
   • Your interest in the topic.
   • The availability of good background information.
   • Your likelihood of successfully advancing current understanding.
   • The possibility of advancing foundational technologies or finding practical applications.
   • Can your proposal be carried out in a reasonable amount of time and with non-infinite resources?
   • Take advantage of downtime in lecture and lab to discuss your research ideas with Prof. Belcher and the teaching faculty.
   • Please note: The idea you submit for this assignment does not have to be the idea you present at the end of Module 3. It is okay if you change directions and decide to pursue other research questions during the process of developing your proposal but please finalize your idea soon.

Due M3D4

1. Consider the feedback you and your co-investigator received in the peer review exercise and begin to refine your research proposal by sharing a page (i.e. wiki, Googledoc, Benchling) to collect your ideas and resources (you can do this on one page with your partner or split the effort and each turn in an individual page).
   • Keep in mind that your presentation to the class will ultimately need:
     • a brief project overview
     • sufficient background information for everyone to understand your proposal
     • a statement of the research problem and goals
     • project details and methods
     • predicted outcomes if everything goes according to plan and if nothing does
     • needed resources to complete the work
   • For this assignment, please submit a printed copy of your research page, making sure it defines your general topic (background and significance), your specific idea (research gap and general approach), and two or more references you've collected and summarized.

1. For this module, you will also prepare a short Mini-report with your partner. To get you started, work with your laboratory mate to prepare an outline of the Background and Approach section for this assignment. Keep in mind your background should reference previous scientific work so there should also be a works cited or references section to this outline.
   • Review the assignment details and carefully consider the questions specified within the evaluation criteria as you craft the Background and Approach section.

Due M3D5

1. Read the introductory material for M3D5, and then, based on the mass of the cathode you constructed, determine the number of mA to apply in order to fully discharge the battery in 10 hours. Use the loading factor of 17.8 mA/g, a value that is in accordance with cathodes tested during the pilot experiments for this module, and assume 63% of the mass you measured for the nanowires is active material in the cathode.
   • Remember, when you generated your cathode material your composition was 70% active material (nanowires), 25% Super P, and 5% PTFE. You also need to account for the proportion of phage in your active material, which we will assume is 10%. With these values taken into account, your cathode is composed of 63% active material.

Due (after) M3D5

1. The Mini-report is due by 10 pm .

Wrapping up M3

1. The Research proposal presentation slides are due on Stellar by 1 pm on according to your laboratory section.
2. Please remember to contribute your reflections, comments, and ideas to the 20.109 class blog before 11am on .