I went to a pool store and got some 35.5% Hydrochloric Acid and a base to neutralize it with. The acid is liquid, the base a powder. I got equipment to use (Graduated cylinders, beakers, pH paper) and found times I can use the CHEG labs this weekend. I'm also probably going to try this experiment using vinegar if need be. That's about it for me - hopefully more results after the weekend.

This is Mike. This week I called Michael's Crafts about the costs for some supplies for building a landscape. I believe we will use two pieces of foam board for the base, and then use a spray-foam that hardens for the mountain and any other topological features. Apart from that part of physically building it (and we may just model it for the sake of this project with simpler things), I am working on a computer model of the landscape. I talked to Dr. Chen about the best algorithm to pick for a group of freshmen. He suggested I use a simple shortest path method, which I plan to do. The "playing field" will be parsed up like a grid, with each quadrant having a value between 1 and 9. The harder the terrain to cross, the higher the value. A best path would be one that was the lowest sum that went from the starting point (spring) to the end (town). An added challenge would be in placing the water system. If we continue with this model, it might be a challenge to place the entire system within low value quadrants.

The pump subproject is progressing nicely, with more than 5 different possibilities of pumps to examine. I (Demian) have been working on schematics of the pump, as well as problems that might be encountered. Much of the work now is dealing with the actual construction of several pump prototypes, which will be completed by Tuesday, October 10.