Explanations of our technique and explorations of the nuances of high-speed imaging.

Ends: The goals we labored so intensively to achieve.

The purpose of this project was to obtain photographs of the progression of cracks through ceramic filters and to analyze said photographs to better understand the event. We hoped to discover the force placed upon the filter the instant before it was shattered and find the impact velocity of the instrument used to bring about the filter's demise.

Means: A brief word on our instrument of mass destruction.

As local recorded history and oral tradition has it, no one before had ever embarked on such an epic journey of ceramic filter destruction at NCSSM. This unusual circumstance called for some unusual action, namely the creation of our own device for the cracking of filters. Our general idea was to modify an existing design of a water-balloon launcher into what would be, effectively, a karate-chop machine. We built a semi-sturdy frame of two by fours and attached a length of bungie cord that was then used to downwardly propel a long rod with a sawed-off broom handle fixed to the bottom. This can be more clearly envisioned with the use of a helpful visual aid, a photograph taken by our fearless leader, Dr. Loren Winters. Portrait of a Killer... As would be obvious to even the untrained eye of a casual observer, the operation of such a machine would merely require someone to pull upward on the rod and let go at the correct time, sending the horizontal length of wood at the bottom careening toward whatever unsuspecting object waited below, be it a pencil, a ceramic filter, or even a body part... Does it deserve to die?

Ruminations: Our thoughts on our voyage into unknown territory.

Through the analysis we performed on our pictures (which is thoroughly discussed in our written report, accessible from the main page), we discovered the force that was applied by our sawed-off broom handle on the filters. Using sophisticated photo manipulation software, we were able to observe the actual cracks traveling through the filters as they were being destroyed. This phenomenon was shown clearly when we split photos taken with multiple colored flashes into several files, each containing data of only one color. Once again, a visual aid will be quite helpful here. This interesting, but visually busy picture becomes... This picture, which singles out the color produced by the first flash... Along with this picture, which singles out the second flash... And finally this picture, which singles out the third flash, but is not quite as clear as the other two. These split photos brought up another question: do the cracks start at the top and go down, or do they start at the bottom and go up? While this could not be answered by the photos themselves, it required only a simple test to verify. We took two pieces of a post-destruction filter and fitted them back together. We then tried to re-create the breaking of the filter as the machine would have done it and discovered that while the filter would separate with downward force, it would not by upward force. This assured us that the cracks do, indeed, travel upward after originating at the bottom.

Conclusions: The final destination of our massive undertaking.

Over the course of this project, we destroyed an estimated total of 38 filters. Amidst the carnage, however, we made the useful discovery that it is possible to observe the progression of cracks in porous ceramic material. We calculated the force that we used to break the filters (approximately 1200 N) and observed that the cracks originate in the bottom of the filter. When we obtained our results , we compared them to those in standard tests done by the supplying company and found to be reasonable. This showed us that both our apparatus and our calculations were fitting to this situation. Were our motives pure? Yes. Did our ends justify our means? Maybe, maybe not. Was the outcome as expected? Better, actually. Was the project a success? Absolutely. So, there you have it. The bottom line. The end of our project. Sad, isn't it? For those who just can't get enough, be sure to read the accompanying scientific document, where we go much more in-depth on our calculations and methods of analysis. For everyone else, you can either take a look at some of the pages in our links department (including the previous project of two of our group members, involving explosion of fruit!), or return to real life, dull as it may be.