week 1

This week's assignment was to design a website using html and github that we will be using to track progress and submit other assignments throughout the semester. This task proved to be more challenging than I had anticipated——I have limited experience with computer science in general, and have only used html very briefly in middle school.

challenges and solutions

It took me a very long time to realize that linking pages or images in html that aren't in the same folder as the current page can't be referenced simply by the file name. I ran into a similar problem when I tried to link two CSS files to this webpage—-my formatting worked on the home and about me pages, but not in any of the weekly ones. It turns out that I only needed to add a ../ in front of the CSS file for the webpage to render properly.

final project

We were also asked to brainstrom ideas for our final project, which must integrate components of 3D design and fabrication, electronics(input and output), and microcontroller programming. My original idea was to create a ski binding that minimizes non-contact ACL injuries. Many commercially available bindings only release horizontally at the toepiece and vertically at the heelpeice. However, twisting motions at the heelpiece are one of the main mechanisms of ACL tears in skiing, so it is surprising that they aren't protected for in the traditional ski binding. Here's an image of the toepiece, which I'll be taking apart to study horizontal release mechanisms:

While it would be possible to execute this idea and fulfill all requirements, the end result would be an unrealistic alternative to a normal ski binding. Incorporating electronics in a device which will constantly be exposed to cold and wet weather, for example, is counterintuitive. With that being said, I still might enjoy learning about the mechanics of a binding before tackling the challenege of creating a new design.

Another idea I have is a little desk robot for my mom. I've inherited the love-language of gifting notes from her––creating a robot that I can program to relay notes I send from my phone while I'm away from home could be meaningful. I could add other features (if time permits), like reminders to water flowers, or even other robots for my siblings that can communicate with each other. Here's what a finisehd product might look like: