PITTSBURGH GREEN

INNOVATORS: M

OBILE

FAB-LAB

L A U R A BE C H A R D |

M A R A PA L M E R |

A N A TA Y L O R

April 13, 2013

BACKGROUND: PGI & MOBILE FAB-LABS• Pittsburgh Green Innovators• Founded 5 years ago• Focus on green economic development• Project-based learning

• Mobile Fab-Labs•MIT’s Center for Bits & Atoms•Worldwide project•Bring laboratories to less fortunate areas

THE PROJECT

R E Q U I R E M E N T S

• Mobile laboratory space

• Sustainability curriculum

• Lab employs green technology

• Cost estimates

S O L U T I O N S

• 2 laboratory activity descriptions

• 3 options for mobile space

• Vector Technology contact

• Itemized budgets for each option

SUSTAINABLE ENERGY CURRICULAW I N D E N E R G Y

• Create crude biofuel

• Learn:• How Biofuel is Made• How it is a renewable

resource• Test biofuel in generator

• Materials:• Beakers• Graduated cylinders• Mason jars• Virgin vegetable oil• Methanol

B I O F U E L P R O D U C T I O N

• Build scaled windmill

• Learn:• Rotational energy• How & why wind energy

in renewable• Test wind turbine on

small light source• Materials:• Kid Wind classroom kit• All materials included

Initial Cost of Experiments :(based on a group of 24 students):

$3,000.00

VECTOR TECHNOLOGY

• Product by Optimus Technologies• Allows diesel engines to run on biofuel• Currently used in Pittsburgh’s salt trucks and Giant Eagle’s food trucks• Costs about $10,000 for our mobile fab-lab

MOBILE LABORATORY SPACE OPTIONS

Tractor

Trailer

Option 1 Pick-Up

Truck & Tow-

Behind Trailer

Option 2

Box Truck

Option 3

• Large• Eye-catching• 12 laboratory

benches• Difficult to

maneuver• Commercial

license required

OPTION 1:

https://impactgs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Scania-G-Series.jpg

Vehicular Cost of Option 1:

$105,000.00

• Medium size option

• Less eye-catching• 8 laboratory

benches• Maneuverable in

city• Vector System

compatible

OPTION 2:

http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/how-to-draw-cars-36.jpghttp://www.on-wholesale.com/uplaod/2010-21/Key-Chains---Rings-201062601321.jpg

Vehicular Cost of

Option 2:$76,000.00

• Smallest option• Eye-catching• 6 laboratory

benches• Easy to

maneuver• Vector

Technology compatible

OPTION 3:

http://www.clker.com/cliparts/y/V/0/D/i/4/white-box-truck-hi.png

Vehicular Cost of

Option 3:$65,000.00

COST COMPARISON

Option 1Tractor Trailer

Option 2Pick-Up Truck

&Tow-Behind

Trailer

Option 3Box Truck

$110,000.00

$80,000.00

$70,000.00

• The final cost analysis* includes both the cost of the materials for each experiment and the vehicular cost of each option.

* All final costs were rounded. For specific values, please see Appendix C (page 19) in the Final Proposal.

FINAL PRODUCT• Detailed budget for all mobile space options• Tractor Trailer vs. Pick-Up w/ Tow Behind vs. Box Truck

• Laboratory curricula descriptions (2)•Biofuel Production & Wind Energy material list• PowerPoint presentations for instructive use•Complete procedure

• Vector Technology (via Optimus Technologies)• Information•Contact with CEO & Business Analyst

ACKNOWLEDGEMEN

TS

• Thomas Bartnik - Pittsburgh Green Innovators

• Tim McMurray & Barbara Paul - Pitt Mobile Lab

• Ian Winner (Business Analyst) & Colin Huwyler (CEO) – Optimus Technologies

• Dr. Bhavna Sharma –Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation

• Sina Arjmand – Swanson School of Engineering

A THANK YOU TO

ALL TH

OSE WHO M

ADE THIS PROJEC

T

POSSIBLE