Over the weekend, we constructed a cube(ish) shaped balloon and developed a design for a combination of the cube with the pyramid shape. In class, we completed the construction of the equilateral triangle envelope (alumed butcher paper), as well as gluing together the three tissue paper models from last Monday. We also cut out the pattern for the cube/pyramid design and started attaching the pieces. This prototype is made using parchment paper. We will not be using the alum solution for this model, due to the fire resistant nature of the parchment.
We tested the cylinder model for the last time. We didn't do the best job of video documenting this test (there are some videos, but I thought I was filming when I wasn't), and the envelope did catch fire beyond the point of repair. This time we did have lift, not just buoyancy! The cylinder lifted about three inches. There was not enough lift to float the entire contraption (the fuel source as well as the envelope), and the wind blew a side directly into the fuel, catching fire to the envelope. I feel that this is the closest to success our group has achieved thus far. We used re-lighting birthday candles. These have magnesium incorporated into the wick, so they burn at a higher temperature. I'll have to look at the footage to see if there are 10 or 13 candles used.
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