Expo 2008/Research Planning

These are all the possible ideas for research type things that could be done on expo 08. Hopefully we can use this page to discuss all the possibilities and decide which ones will go ahead. Please post more possibilities, I've just gotten them started!

Continuation of microclimate project

Downloading CSB datalogger (Definite)

A datalogger was left in Chocolate Salty Balls with four thermistors attached. This should have recorded the temperature at four points along CSB once an hour since around August 11th, 2007. The data is interesting for several reasons including the evaluation of how strongly annual variation penetrates into the cave and how this relates to the strength of the diurnal signal (different equations exist for this).

Time-lapse photography of condensation

On last year's study, it was noticed that condensation visible in the caves appears to increase towards the end of the day. Using time-lapse photography, we can quantify the volume of condensation which is removed at night, and conclude regarding likely mechanism of removal.

Camera & Firmware

To do this, we have a Canon IXUS 50 with CHDK hacked firmware. The firmware allows shots to be taken with very long intervals between them. I have begun testing this.

Battery life

At room temperature, it can take a photo every 15 minutes for 6 hours. At the moment, I am testing it in a refrigerator. Because we need 24 hours of footage, we need to rig up some kind of external battery. The present battery is a 3.7v, 700mah L-ion. Suggestions of how to do this are welcome. Am considering purchasing http://www.smallbattery.company.org.uk/sbc_bm6380.htm and trying to connect that.

Mount

I would like to attach the camera to a spit to be placed in the wall in CSB. To enable this, one idea is to attach a spit thread to the end of one of the legs of a tripod such as http://www.ukoptics.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=201. Work has not begun on this, and if someone wants to do it that would be great.

Deploying thermistors (Definite, but where?, cost ~GBP80 for replacement parts to last year's system)

From last year's expedition, we have four dataloggers with four ports each, and twelve thermistors with 50m cables. One possibility is to simply repeat what was done last year in Stienbruckenhoehle. However, other ideas are welcomed. We may abandon the wet / dry bulb pair approach for attempting to measure humidity in favor of putting each thermistor in a different place.

Anemometers (Definite, cost ~GBP50 to GBP300)

By expo, there will be working anemometers. Quantifying airflow means we can - Evaluate "chimney effect" theories- is airflow a function of temperature? Does it reverse at night, and/ or during the winter, as the theory predicts? - By looking at relationships in airflow between different entrances, potentially understand the connectivity between those entrances

Micropsychrometer (Possible cost GBP0)

If this gets repaired, we can do humidity profiles.

Deploying surface weather station (Possible, cost ~GBP 800)

A modern weather station could be purchased and permanently established on the Plateau. Campbell scientific Basic Weather Stations have 2.4ghz transmitters which apparently transmit for 1km to a computer. This would allow for easy downloading from top camp, and potentially the parking lot (might need a repeater). With local interest, this could be integrated into online weather databases and made available 24/7 for everyone. It would be good to relate underground data to a nearby weather station. However, the data from the weather station last year showed that the readings were very nearly identical to that from Feuerkoegel, 15km away.

Ruggedized tablet pc aquired (for free)

We could try for underground sketching. Otterbox makes a waterproof case for Fujitsu tablets. This would eliminate problems with lack of pencils, marks rubbing off of waterproof paper, etc. Also would allow there to be an appropriate device for data collection at top camp.

Need to work out a way to use tunnel with just the pen as input.

Cave exploration blimp (Possible, ~GBP130 with small helium tank)

The toys at for example http://www.raidentech.com/rcbl.html could be adapted for aven exploration to look around the corner of aven tops. Problems that would need to be considered: -high altitude means less bouyancy -blimp would need to be inflated at site so it can be transported through the cave

Documentary

While it might not make sense for underground, I think it would be worth getting a good quality video camera of some form for at least the above ground portions of the documentary. -Aaron 23:45, 26 March 2008 (UTC)

Exploration innovation

Wookey? Pony + Disto?