Space Elevators

When I first heard of space elevators, I thought the idea was a little far-fetched. It didn’t seem practical, possible, or useful. However, after researching the concept further today, I am very interested in the development of the idea.

According to NASA, the idea of an elevator to space was first proposed in 1895. It can transport people and cargo to beyond our atmosphere more efficiently than a rocket. With a rocket ship, transporting cargo costs about $10,000 per pound. However, with a space elevator, it would only cost $100-$400 per pound. I found a brief video that explains the concept and mechanics of the space elevator with more clarity than I could, so I’ve included that for convenience (complete with tacky "space" music):

After learning about the basic concept, it still seemed more like science fiction than reality. I was curious as to what recent news there was regarding this concept. I found that in 2012, a company called LiftPort started a Kickstarter campaign to raise $8,000 for their space elevator research. They ended up raising over $110,000. I’ve included their campaign video, which even talks about building a space elevator on the moon!

Another more recent development happened just this summer, when a Canadian company patented an inflatable space elevator idea. This elevator could reach 12 miles high and would be 30 percent cheaper to operate than the cost of fueling a rocket to the same height. This video from CNBC briefly touches on the story, while simultaneously showing the general confusion that most people have about the concept.

The funniest part of that news report comes at the end of the segment, when one news anchor comments “I don’t know how you get a toilet to work at that height”. After some brief research online, I’ve learned that the elevation of the plumbing does not particularly effect its function. Glad we’ve got that mystery resolved.


Works Cited

Bonsor, Kevin. "How Space Elevators Will Work." HowStuffWorks. HowStuffWorks.com, n.d. Web. 10 Oct. 2015.
"How Does High Elevation Affect My Plumbing?" APC Plumbing Heating. Apcplumbing.com, 26 May 2014. Web. 10 Oct. 2015.
Howell, Elizabeth. "Wild Inflatable Space Elevator Idea Could Lift People 12 Miles Up | Space.com." Wild Inflatable Space Elevator Idea Could Lift People 12 Miles Up. Space.com, 17 Aug. 2015. Web. 10 Oct. 2015.
LiftPort Group. "Campaign Conclusion & More Information ." Space Elevator Science - Climb to the Sky - A Tethered Tower. Kickstarter, Sept. 2012. Web. 10 Oct. 2015. 
Soderman/NLSI Staff. "The Space Elevator Concept." Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute. NASA, n.d. Web. 10 Oct. 2015.

Photolithography and the Similarity to Screen Printing

In class this week, we used photolithography to create a circuit board. According to Wikipedia, the most reliable of web sources, photolithography is also known as optical lithography or UV lithography. It is defined as “the process of transferring geometric shapes on a mask to the surface of a silicon wafer” by gatech.edu. I took some pictures during the assignment of the process.

I really enjoyed this assignment, partially because of its familiarity. I’ve worked with my parents for many years at their business, and one of the services they offer is screen printing. We print garments (such as t-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants etc.) and textile goods (such as tote bags, towels etc.). Many people are familiar with the concept of screen printing. It is “a printing technique whereby a mesh is used to transfer ink onto a substrate, except in areas made impermeable to the ink by a blocking stencil”. However, few people are familiar with the process that is taken to prepare the screens to print with.

First, the screen needs to be coated with emulsion. This is a light-sensitive “goop” that is applied to the surface of the screen. When this emulsion is exposed to light, it hardens, so preparing the screens is done in a dark room. After the screen has been prepared, a piece of clear film is placed on it. This is similar to the “mask” we used in class. The image area is printed in black to prevent the light from passing through, while the surrounding film is transparent to allow light to pass and harden the emulsion. This screen is then placed in an exposure unit to do just that. This was similar to the UV process that we used during our lab on Monday. After the screen is finished in the exposure unit, it is taken to a wash out booth to be cleaned. A pressure washer is used to clean the unexposed emulsion out of the screen, revealing the image area. Now the screen is ready to be used.

I enjoyed seeing a scientific process that so closely paralleled what I do on a regular basis.


Works Cited

"Photolithography." Photolithography. Gatech, n.d. Web. 03 Oct. 2015. 
"Photolithography." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 03 Oct. 2015. 
Reuels. "Reuel." Silk Screen Printing Instructions. Reuels, n.d. Web. 03 Oct. 2015. 
"Screen Printing." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 03 Oct. 2015.
YarisWorks. "How to Silk Screen." Instructables.com. Instructables, n.d. Web. 03 Oct. 2015.