“It is common sense to take a method
and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But
above all, try something.”
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
I started some testing this week. That
was fun and nerve-racking all at the same time. The first time I ran
the test the machine began to make a strange noise and shake. Both
the graduate students who were observing and I reached to stop the
test at the same time. After a few minutes of evaluating the
template which tells the machine what to do we tried it again. After
a trial and errors we were able to run the test through smoothly.
Luckily nothing was broken! After a test or two we had a group
meeting with Dr. Daniel and I was told that another person in the lab
needed to have priority on the machine since they would be on
vacation next week.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3BnwO0IMuDi0qtsHvLepaa0H3skPd2WteNGX8WJsiizzVwzcwkE1qnZ6mw13Yq3DKjjZBMv97i73499cJgvOqBblOHrJHxgoPNVuOIYnPxa421JNJcWzqmuj-rRgONx3GwAwO-vIuSqCU/s400/P7160014.JPG) |
Specimen ready to be tested! |
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXc1zQwehBbSWYJoBnJ1V-dd_GvWO2MYu290bMwZ_qIYcQaG0049rMWcR9yVK0WFCdShcrj5u9CcRdPdl_fhBW9A3aE4B6_k4LuuwhV82kvfcAHZQzSd9VCMDJxdHuMEXgHlO4UiwwIplM/s400/Picture+9.png) |
This is what the computer looks like during my test. |
Following the meeting the rest of the
week I spent looking at data and working with others in the lab to
figure out a better, easier way to look at all the data. The first
afternoon I looked at the data I think I crashed the computer two or
three times and spent more time watching the “thinking circle” go
around then looking at data. Thankfully, Dave, the graduate student
I am working with and Sonja, an undergraduate in the lab this summer
were able to come up with a MatLab code that filtered my data so it
is more reasonable to work with. Though, creating the MataLab code
was a slow, daunting task for them it was very valuable for me. I
was able to learn a little about MatLab, but more importantly I was
able to witness and be part of some of the collaboration and problem
solving that takes place in research.
After the code was created I was able
to learn the first steps in processing the data. I first need to
open MatLab and run the code to filter the data. Then I copy the data
into the template that zeros the time and
microstrain
to give me curves to fit. Once the curves are fit I am able to get
dynamic modulus and phase angle through equations in the template.
These I believe I will be using to plug into another program to get
the information I need for my project. I have had a great time
learning more about Excel and all the tools it has for looking at
data! This is something I definitely hope to bring back to my
classroom.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidR083cdIrmm7gwxbpazNStN9VsS5VoDQl8p4oJ9SaFStjaCAYOUKxRycIOjD73VfxT92h0JWxhnF5eVkcPSitJQmHa4U3YXW2qyOM2-d26XWGNACZAEUZNWcyNV9w6QTvANuNZpfJoMFr/s400/Picture+12.png) |
Unfit curves |
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQQZHc5YPj635BeTNnK1qKcGGHkHHn78yQf4je_lq0hPli3D__jAsqqANs4Yg0XNknROvX2p_gTuvqHwsFwDsLcGT1etsYNmnkg__9KOC7TzbKzcsNjCjYODoTuMwQEr95kKzCjA6-rbT/s400/Picture+13.png) |
Fit curves |
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