On Monday I started the week with two new topics: another coding problem and an introduction to a chemistry lab. The coding problem can be done two ways: 3D or 2D. The 3D version, REV (Representative Elementary Volume,) is the most relevant to our lab as it represents samples taken from rocks that show the void volume and helps calculate porosity (ratio of void volume to bulk volume.) The 2D version, REA (Representative Elementary Area,) is a build up to REV, and taught me how to code a grid of bulk and void, and how to take random samples. (Random in both size and placement) The chemistry lab I’ll be doing with Ting, a postdoc, looks at the reactions when CO2 is injected into a bottle of water and sand. This relates to a concern for the carbon sequestration that this lab also researches. Carbon sequestration is when carbon dioxide is injected into the ground and stored there in the void space. The concern is if CO2 gets into ground water, how will it effect it? The experiment will tell us if the pH changes as well as other chemicals, and if the water will still be drinkable.
This is a basic drawing of what the experiment will look like!
After learning about the experiment and starting my code, Ting took me to visit Pania Newell, one of the professors in the mechanical engineering department. I am interested in all types of engineering, but mechanical engineering interests me the most. So, it was really cool and fun for me to meet her and talk with her about what their department is doing!
On Tuesday I worked on my REA code. I had made the grid Monday, it looks like part of a checkerboard, and it consists of wholes and voids.
Red = Whole, Blue = Void
On Tuesday I created a bigger grid and made a code that takes random samples. Once I successfully made this code, I started on another version that would replicate the porosity of gravel. The grid for this code will consist of whole circles and the spaces in between will be the void space. On Wednesday I continued working on this, and I was introduced to another project. I will be making and programming sensors that read CO2 levels for this project. Thursday I went into the lab to look at a sensor that was previously made by the department so I could see an example of what I need to do! Then I watched YouTube videos that introduced more intermediate topics in Python to grow my coding knowledge. Friday I was in and out of the lab looking at what parts I would need to get, so I can start building my sensors next week!
When I wasn’t at my internship I was eating many types of frozen desserts with my host family. We went back to the diner for custard, and we went to Leatherby’s Creamery where I got a HUGE banana spit!
On Saturday, we got crepes and coffee which was amazing! Then I drove home to visit my family.
There are no comments published yet.