Key Ideas for Poster
Prepared by F. Viscarra and L. Davila
8/8/10
Please use this document to prepare your poster content (text, figures, references, etc). Once this is revised and approved by PI Davila, you will transfer these to your final poster file.
Poster Title
Developing 3D Diatom Models for NanoEngineering Design
Biological Inspired Diatoms: Potential Structures for Nanotechnology Applications
Computer-aided Design of Diatom Structures for NanoEngineering Applications
Author(s)/ Affiliations
Federico Viscarra and Lilian P. Dávila
School of Engineering, University of California Merced
Abstract
Enter text at end of project, before poster is completed…..
Work in progress….
Introduction (work with Miguel and Lilian)
Work in progress….
Methods
Diatom models were built using the computer-aided design software Pro/Engineer Wildfire version 4.0 (http://www.ptc.com/products/proengineer).
The diatoms in this study were selected from a distinct classification reported by the University of Michigan [6]. In this classification, Centric diatoms are defined as radially symmetrical organisms whereas Pinnate diatoms are laterally symmetrical species. Diatoms modeled in this work arise from the major groups: Eucentric (mostly Centric) and Araphid (with bilaterally symmetry or Pinnate).
The general steps used to create diatoms using Pro/Engineer are as follows. Step 1: Setup an appropriate workspace for the type of file desired. Step 2: Use Sketch mode to make a 2D plan of the diatom being created. Step 3: Use the extrude tool to make that 2D plan into a 3D figure. Step 4: Use the Round tool to round the edges of the diatom. Step 5) Create holes for round diatoms using the Hole tool/Create rectangles by going back to sketch mode and selecting the Rectangle tool for non-round diatoms. Step 6) Use the pattern tool to select a hole or rectangle and make multiple of them in whichever direction you choose or around the radius. The Procedure for the Centric diatoms (Eucentrics) includes exactly the above steps whereas the Pinnate diatoms (Araphids) requires additional refinements. A schematic representation of the above steps is illustrated in Figure 1.
Figure 1. Schematic procedure used to design 3D diatom models via Pro/Engineering.
Figure 2. Pro/Engineer interface with access to PTC website, tutorials and workspace.
Figure 3. Pro/Engineer workspace shows a 3D cylinder model with round edges.
Figure 4. Pro/Engineer allows designing features in a model and to rotate them radially.
Figure 5. A resultant Pro/Engineer 3D model of a diatom using patterns.
Results
Name / Web pic / Pro/E / DimensionsActinocyclus / [1] / / D:
25 inches
Hole D:
1 inch
Actinoptychus / [2] / / D: 18 mm
Hole D:
1 mm
Stephanodiscus Alpinus / [3] / / D:
31 mm
Hole D:
.7 mm
Thalassiosira Weissflogii / [4] / / D:
40 mm
Hole D:
1 mm
Ctenophora / [5] / / L:
33 mm
W:
5 mm
Hole D:
1 mm
Diatoma Ehrenbergii / [6] / / L:
21 mm
W:
4.5 mm
Diatoma Tenue / [7] / / L:
44.5 mm
W:
3 mm
Diatoma Tenue Elongatum / [8] / / L:
67 inches
W:
3 inches
Diatoma Vulgare / [9] / / L:
46 inches
W:
10 inches
Diatoma Vulgare Breve / [10] / / L:
43 mm
W:
12 mm
Table X – Selected models library showing different Centric and Pinnate Diatoms
W: width; L: length; and D: diameter
Conclusion/Discussion
Interpret the meaning of your results with respect to the original question. Interpret your results without repeating them. If appropriate, mention any alternative explanations for your results and unexpected results.
Relate these conclusions to a specific milestone needed to achieve our nanoscale sensing platform goals.
There are many challenges to run into while using Pro/Engineer. Learning to use Pro/Engineer was a challenge in itself. There are so many tools and features that sometimes you forget what each of them does. Making holes in a model is the first challenge to run into. It is both time-consuming and repetitive.
The first feature you learn to go through the challenge of making holes is mirror. Instead of drawing every single circle, you just draw a fourth of the diatom and mirror it to the other three-fourths. That is still time-consuming, but then comes pattern. Pattern allows you to choose anything within your diatom and make as many copies of it as you want in a radial pattern. Round is another tool that is very useful. Round makes your model have round edges so it could look more realistic depending on what you are making.
The benefits were greater than the challenges. Learning how to use engineering software will help to better your engineering knowledge. Gives one more thing to add to resumes turned in for job applications and grad school applications. The designs made stay in the system for future use.
To make Diatoms with crazy shapes the shape pallet would be the first place to look. If nothing helpful is found there, the next thing to do is look at all your tools. The shapes can also be created with whatever tool you choose and then cut out a certain amount of that shape to make it look different with the cut tool.
Learning to use this program is not that difficult, especially if you make a protocol as you work. Making a protocol for the program makes it much easier. If you forget how to do something, you can always go back to your protocol and look it up. Once you use each of the features a few times you start to understand what it does and how you use it.
If researchers produce useful diatom structures in the future then their exponential growth in suspension cultures could possibly compete with current lithography techniques in nanotechnology, which have limited 3D capabilities [7]. Some investigators have compared a diatom to a “replicator” - an imaginary machine that can make anything requested. This is conceptually feasible by rearranging subatomic particles abundant in the universeto form molecules and arranging those molecules to form any desired object.
References
1. Independent research project, M. Diaz Moreno, BEST 201 course, UC Merced, 2010. Check the papers cited by Miguel since you may not be able to cite his ppt.
2. "Introduction to the Bacillariophyta." University of California Museum of Paleontology. Web. 08 Aug. 2010. http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/chromista/bacillariophyta.html
3. Mann, David G. "Diatoms."Tree of Life Web Project. Web. 07 Aug. 2010. http://tolweb.org/Diatoms/21810
4. "Diatom."Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 08 Aug. 2010. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatoms
Please ask Miguel about some books he found.
5. Hildebrand, M., D. R. Higgins, K. Busser, and B. E. Vulcani. "Silicon-responsive CDNA Clones Isolated from the Marine Diatom Cylindrotheca Fusiformis."Gene. Volume 132, Issue 2 (1993), pp. 213-218.
6. “The Great Lakes of North America Home Page.” University of Michigan. Web. 08 Aug. 2010. http://www.umich.edu/~phytolab/GreatLakesDiatomHomePage/top.html
7. Drum, Ryan W., and Richard Gordon. "Star Trek Replicators and Diatom Nanotechnology."Trends in Biotechnology. Volume 21, Issue 8 (2003), pp. 325-328.