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Capstone Proposal

The document is a capstone proposal from Ming DeMers that aims to make the Harley Microfarm independent in terms of energy and water resources. The project will design, implement, and maintain systems for water collection, delivery, and solar energy through an infrastructure divided into three projects: 1) an irrigation system controlled by an app, 2) a solar panel to power tools and charge devices, and 3) an app to monitor and control the systems. The goal is to create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly farm that teaches students about sustainability and efficient use of resources.

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227 views2 pages

Capstone Proposal

The document is a capstone proposal from Ming DeMers that aims to make the Harley Microfarm independent in terms of energy and water resources. The project will design, implement, and maintain systems for water collection, delivery, and solar energy through an infrastructure divided into three projects: 1) an irrigation system controlled by an app, 2) a solar panel to power tools and charge devices, and 3) an app to monitor and control the systems. The goal is to create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly farm that teaches students about sustainability and efficient use of resources.

Uploaded by

api-528500301
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Ming DeMers | Capstone Proposal | 9/18/2020

Question

How might the Harley Microfarm become independent in terms of resources in energy and

water? What can be done to make the Microfarm “off the grid” and fully self sustainable?

What

This capstone project aims to improve the sustainability of the Harley Microfarm by designing,

implementing, and maintaining an infrastructure that includes systems for water collection, water

delivery, and solar energy resourcing. To control the entire system is a self-developed app that

will give the user numerous features, such as systems monitoring, conditions diagnostics,

scheduling of tasks, and more. A modeling computer program will be helpful in blueprinting the

layout of the system and understanding the quantity of materials needed. The Android App

Development application will be the platform by which the app will be developed. The internet,

too, will be used for research.

Why

This project is important because it will create a more sustainable and environment friendly

Microfarm. The farm yields fruits and vegetables that are eaten year round by the Harley School.

Moreover, it is a hands-on learning tool for students to understand the hard work that goes into

the lunches they eat everyday. For me, the project intersects my strong interests with science and

humanities. Although the two subjects are often considered to be mutually exclusive, I argue that

they are instead in a symbiotic relationship- where the actions of one affects the other, for better

or for worse. In this case, the introduction of technology will allow the farm to become more

efficient and sustainable, ultimately making a positive contribution to environmental awareness.

Moreover, it will utilize my love for design and engineering, and computer science.

1
Ming DeMers | Capstone Proposal | 9/18/2020

How

The infrastructure will be divided into three individual projects. ​First​, an irrigation system that

will be installed in the greenhouse. The system will consist of tubing and sprinkler heads at each

raised bed to ensure all plants are thoroughly saturated daily. A water regulator, backflow

preventer, watergate, and arduino, will also be installed so the app will be able to control the

irrigation system. Water will be supplied from rain water barrels, which will passively collect

rainwater. Piping from the barrels to the hose hub, as well as barrel wrapping and algae

protection will be installed. ​Finally​, a solar panel will be equipped to supply enough voltage to

power a fan in the greenhouse and a common household plug, to power various power tools,

phone charger, etc. Batteries, control and fuse boxes, and wiring will be installed. To unite them

all will be an app that will communicate and observe each component of the infrastructure. The

user will be able to see the statistics of each component and various diagnostics. The user will

also be able to control parts of the system by scheduling times when the irrigation system is live,

or block the solar panel from charging the battery. I hope to become capable in app-making

during this process and would also like to better understand systems management and creation.

Ultimately, I would like my project to bring awareness to sustainability and energy efficiency.

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