Our Trials and Tribulations

 

Team pHFine Scale was in 6th place based on scores from phase 2a (Sep. 23, 2014).  

 

The pHFine Scale instrument recorded an incredible dataset in the 70+ days of phase 2b in the MBARI test tank. The sensor suffered some damage from the clamp which pulled off some of the plastic housing, and some wires were corroded.  We were able to cut in and charge the batteries directly and get the data—the data was awesome and very stable throughout the entire time in the test tank!

 

The pHFine Scale instrument housing was fixed; however, the team chose not to cut deep and repair the damage to the corroded wires.

 

Team pHFine Scale traveled to Seattle on Feb 6th to deploy the pHFine Scale instrument along with the UVulator—our non-toxic biofouling prevention device.   Everything looked great and calibration went smooth—we were getting better!

 

Team pHFine Scale returned to Seattle on Mar. 6th to recover the pHFine Scale instrument and handoff the data to the XPRIZE team—a great group of very positive and encouraging people. The sensor tested well in calibration and was working when it was deployed. However after recovery we found that the corroded wire had eventually separated, causing our processor to lose power—we only got a partial data set, darn it!

 

We are wishing that we could have finished the Automated pH Calibration Workstation—measuring miniscule changes in pH is tough and we've solved that, but calibration has been painful: We need automation!   Click here to see what we had in mind.

 

In the News:

 

Team pHFine Scale interview with Krista Almanzan on NPR

 

Mar 5, 2015 Interview in the Monterey Herald   "Carmel Teens making an international splash"

 

Wendy Schmidt Ocean Health XPRIZE Coastal Trials Phase 3 

 

http://oceanhealth.xprize.org/news/teens-compete-ocean-health-xprize

 

http://oceanhealth.xprize.org/news/blog/perfecting-snap-prize-designers-observations-field