Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I'm trying to make the artificial pancreas project into an experiment ( i.e Hypothesis which can be tested) and need some help.

Thank you.

Kerry

Hello Kerry,

I’m assuming that you are asking about the project described here:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ml#summary

This is an engineering project in which the goal is to build a pump that automatically responds to a chemical reaction. As such, the project doesn’t include an experiment like you would have in a science project.

Solution conductivity is the principle used to make the automated pump work. You might consider experiments to explore or use conductivity. For example, a project that uses a conductivity sensor is described here:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p053.shtml

In the artificial pancreas project the pump and sensor system is designed to shut off when enough vinegar is pumped into a baking soda solution to neutralize it. This is also known as an acid-base titration. Another titration is the topic of the project described here:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p044.shtml

If you are interested in sugars in foods and relating this to diabetes, you might want to take a look at the following projects.

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p049.shtml

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... lism.shtml

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p073.shtml

I hope this helps. Please post again if you have more questions.

A. Norman

Thank you for your informative reply. I have the artificial pancreas set up but when the conductor is in the neutralized solution i cannot adjust the pump to turn it off using the potentiometers. I have replaced most of the parts and the pump still cannot be turned off.

Thank you.

KBMCGILL

The pump will not shut off unless one of the alligator clips are removed. Even when its in the base solution. Not sure what the issue is.

Thank you.

kbmcgill

The pump will not shut off unless one of the alligator clips are removed. Even when its in the base solution. Not sure what the issue is.

Thank you.

kbmcgill

Hi kbmcgilll,
Based on your description, It sounds like the circuit is shorted / bypassing the potentiometers. Can you confirm the circuit path between the battery and the pump, just to be certain?
Thanks!
Willey