Wednesday, May 30, 2012

E-mailed Family Today, Thanks Inmarsat!



Satellites Make Communication Easy



On the boat, communication is crucial. Of course the crew can easily talk to each other, but when we have to communicate information to someone who isn’t on the boat, that’s where important communication technology comes in. The official satellite technology partner of the Volvo Ocean Race is Inmarsat. Inmarsat is responsible for a lot of things. The crew uses their communication centre for transferring weather data, live video feed, contacting emergency services, and even e-mailing their loved ones. On board, there is a media centre where we can use laptops to send data. This is the main post of the media crew member on board Camper. Inmarsat is introducing many innovations into the race every year. The sailors in this year’s race will be the first with the red button safety service. This button is a quick way for the crew to contact the nearest marine rescue centres in case of disaster. Past races didn’t have this, or many other features that are now available. The FleetBroadband 500 terminal on board every ship this year, which provides high speed communication and data transfer, is another example. They even have the FleetBroadband 150 so that we can make voice calls.

This technology has brought in a sense of safety and comfort that is important to us. Getting too stressed, homesick or bored can affect how we all perform. When describing their services, Inmarsat says “No matter how far you sail from shore, you can pick up the phone, send an email or browse the internet - just as you would at home or in the office". That doesn't even begin to describe how useful this technology is aboard Camper, so we thought we'd give a big thank you to Inmarsat, for making our trip safe and interesting!

Some Information on our Tech!

Camper's GPS Troubles

After a near GPS failure, I've really come to appreciate the value of our advanced GPS. Knowing the location of each boat is important for safety purposes, as well as tracking the race. For this reason, each boat in the Volvo Ocean Race is equipped with the best technology for global positioning. Inmarsat is the leader in marine GPS technology, so naturally they are the official GPS sponsorl. The Inmarsat fleet has many different types of satellites in orbit. The Inmarsat-2s were launched as early as 1990. Now, the Inmarsat-5s are under construction with the help of Boeing, and will be launched in 2013-2014.

 
In order to know how a satellite works, it’s important to know what a satellite is. A satellite is an object revolving around a mass in space. In this case, satellite is referring to the devices in Earth’s orbit used to receive and transmit signals. This is the basic idea behind the GPS system of Camper and the other Volvo Ocean Race boats. The boat (called the ‘uplink station’) sends data to a satellite which contains their location. The satellite sends back this data over a wide span of the planet (called the satellite’s ‘footprint’) which will reach other satellite stations on Earth (downlink stations). The accuracy of the position depends on the strength of the signal, and so the satellite’s footprint is limited to an area of only useful signal strength. Using this technology, the Race Tracker can constantly track the position of each boat.

Mirages in the Ocean?

Mirages in the Ocean? 




Last night after dinner the crew suffered a bit of an embarrassing setback. We came up onto the deck and saw an overturned sailing ship a few miles up ahead. The whole crew jumped into action because we knew someone's life could be on the line! As we made our way to this unknown ship, one of the crew members alerted us that there was a chance this ship was Telefonica, which had been sailing incredibly close to us all day. Rushing to aid our fellow racers, we never noticed that we weren't getting any closer to this overturned boat! It took us a while to realize we were following a mirage, a Fata Morgana mirage of a different ship, to be exact.
Mirages: The original trolls.
We fell for the oldest trick in the book. Mirages have been tricking sailors for centuries. Ever heard of the legend of the Flying Dutchman? Before mirages became a well-known phenomenon, legends about a ghost ship in the sky were actually very common. 


Slightly embarrassed, the crew decided to look up mirages at our media centre to make sure this kind of setback never occurred again. There was a lot of confusing information, but we gained some understanding that will definitely help our sailing in the future. You see, mirages are a result of refraction, or the bending of light (light bends by the way). Combine that with a gradient of different air temperatures, and you have a mirage! Yesterday was a hot day, perfect for a Fata Morgana mirage. Here's how a mirage works:




Superior Mirage
Extremely technical mirage diagram
As you can see, a mirage easily explains the Flying Dutchman myth, as well as our panic last night. Fata Morganas are a type of superior mirage, the type of mirage that occurs when cold air lies beneath warm air, in what is called a temperature inversion. This causes light rays to bend toward the colder air, which makes the object appear elevated and inverted. This happens because our brains process the information as if the light rays were straight, when in fact they have bent downward. So, fellow racers and sailing enthusiasts, next time you see an upside-down boat, go help! But check to make sure it isn't floating in the sky, too.


References:

Heidorn, K.. "The Superior Mirage: Seeing Beyond." Weather doctor. N.p., 1999. Web. 30 May 2012. <http://www.islandnet.com/~see/weather/elements/supmrge.htm>.


Young, A.. "An Introduction to Mirages." An introduction to mirages. N.p., 2011. Web. 30 May 2012. <http://mintaka.sdsu.edu/GF/mirages/mirintro.html>.


6. Nave, R.. "Refraction of light." Hyperphysics. Hyperphysics, 2012. Web. 30 May 2012. <http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/geoopt/refr.html>.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Ocean Currents


There may another explanation for the unusual weather for the regions we are passing through, which would be the disruption of ocean currents.

We have already discussed the need for energy transfer. The transfer of energy throughout the oceans occurs in the cycle of thermohaline circulation (Adam-Carr, 8.8).

The causes and drive behind this circulation process are the distinctions in the density of seawater – distinctions caused by differences in temperature and salinity. Much like an immense conveyor belt, this process transports warm water on the surface of the sea from the southern hemisphere to a gradual path toward the North Pole (“Ocean Circulation”). As the water travels, it acquires greater amounts of salt and becomes denser (Adam-Carr, 8.8). Then, somewhere in between Greenland and Norway, the water’s temperature drops, the water sinks into the depths of the sea, and commences a flow back to the southern hemisphere (Adam-Carr, 8.8). Warm surface water around the Equator then again travels toward the poles to replace it (“Ocean Circulation”).

Thermohaline circulation is comprised of every ocean current driven by variances in temperature and salinity of the seawater. Ocean currents strongly affect the climates of the land in near proximity, as warm ocean currents heat the overlying air and cold ocean currents cool the overlying air (Adam-Carr, 8.8).

This movement of circulation brings a massive amount of heat northward, and has an essential factor in upholding and sustaining the climate in its current, regular state.
                                                                                   
Scientists have proposed that climate change processes could very well be leading to a wane in this transfer of energy throughout the oceans. Higher temperatures driven by global warming could likely result in additional fresh water in the northern North Atlantic. This would be arrived at through the increase of precipitation and the melting of sea ice in close proximity, mountain glaciers, and the Greenland ice sheet (“Ocean Circulation”). This substantial entry of fresh water could diminish the salinity and density on the surface, resulting in the thermohaline circulation shutting down. In the event of the thermohaline circulation shutting down, the southern hemisphere would warm up and the northern hemisphere would turn colder.

An abundance of regions would undergo an abrupt, noteworthy shift in their climates, which one would have difficulty in adjusting to. Camper’s crew has already experienced difficulty in adjusting.

Works Cited

"Ocean Circulation." Center for Ocean Solutions. Center for Ocean Solutions, n.d. Web. 27 May 2012.

Adam-Carr, Christine. "8.8: Energy Transfer within the Climate System: Air and Ocean Circulation." Science Perspectives 10. Toronto: Nelson Education, 2010. Print.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Air Currents

The sailors have noticed unusual weather for the regions they are travelling through on their race across the Atlantic, which may be caused by the disruption of air currents.


Water and land soak up energy from the Sun at speeds that vary from each other, thus, the distribution of heat on Earth is uneven at first. Therefore, it is required for the thermal energy to be circulated in order to mediate the variations in temperature on our planet. The transfer of energy throughout Earth’s atmosphere occurs in a natural process named the convection current. This is when tropical waters of a warm temperature release moisture into the air overhead through evaporation. This air becomes less and less dense while it is being warmed until it is routed north or south (this depends on the hemisphere). As the air, now less dense, rises, it also becomes cooler. Then, at approximately 30 degrees North or South, the air, now cooler, travels downwards towards the surface and gradually moves towards the equator, its original location (Adam-Carr, 8.8).  These air currents originating from the equator are called the trade winds.

Presently, as greater concentrations of greenhouse gases radiate greater amounts of energy back to the surface of the earth in a process called global warming, the patterns of energy transfer within the air are changing (Adam-Carr, 8.8). This is resulting in regional climate alterations.

Trade winds that sweep around half the globe have already been shown to be waning as global warming interrupts the regular circulation of energy in the atmosphere. The deterioration of air currents is one of the steadiest predictions of climate change models. Scientists fear that, along with air currents weakening, the predictability of weather patterns will lessen. Extreme regional climate changes are currently coming into effect globally, like we have witnessed in the Volvo Ocean Race.

Works Cited

Adam-Carr, Christine. "8.8: Energy Transfer within the Climate System: Air and Ocean Circulation." Science Perspectives 10. Toronto: Nelson Education, 2010. Print.


Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Storm Intensity






During the last several days, Tropical Storm Alberto has been advancing gradually in the direction of east-north-east, in close proximity to Camper’s route along the Atlantic Ocean from Miami to Lisbon. The crew onboard have been tracking the Atlantic hurricane’s development and are taken aback by the atypical intensity of the storm.

According to my expertise and background on climatology:

A recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change shows it is probable that “future tropical cyclones (typhoons and hurricanes) will become more intense, with larger peak wind speeds and more heavy precipitation associated with ongoing sea surface temperature increases”. The studies performed indicate that climate change is altering the severity, rate of occurrence, and routes of tropical storms ("Storm Intensity."). This all was conjectured after noticing a global pattern of a rise in the severity of strong storm events in the last few decades.

Why is this, you may ask?

This can all be explained through the process of ocean warming.

The ocean is a natural and constant buffer for the atmosphere, meaning that its concentrations of carbon dioxide and heat are in equilibrium with the concentrations in the atmosphere. Therefore, when the amount of either heat or carbon dioxide rises in the atmosphere, they will also naturally increase in the ocean (Herr and Galland). These increases of heat and carbon dioxide modify the ocean’s physical and chemical makeup and shape a number of processes in the ocean – for instance, storms.

There are several consequences to ocean warming that affect storm intensity, the first of which is sea level rise:

As water heats up, its particles expand, causing the ocean surface to rise. Presently, the majority of the ocean’s surplus heat is located in a layer that is merely several hundred meters in depth. Over a period of time, this heat will disperse to deeper areas of the ocean. This causes greater expansion of the water and thus, prompts additional alterations in sea level. Changes this substantial will result in storms and floods to be of greater danger and have a more frequent occurrence (Herr and Galland).

The second consequence: heat is energy. While tropical cyclones are being formed, warmer ocean temperatures will directly heighten their energy and thus, their potential for destruction. Therefore, with increasing surface temperatures in the tropical ocean, it is probably this will result in (1) lengthier storm seasons, and (2) a greater frequency of storms. This intensification makes people, marine and coastal ecosystems, and our Volvo Ocean Race boat prone to risk.

Works Cited

"Storm Intensity." Center for Ocean Solutions. Web. 27 May 2012. 

Herr, Dorothée, and Grantly R. Galland. "The Ocean and Climate Change." IUCN.      Web.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Use of Acids and Bases on the Boat




A few days into Leg 6 of the Volvo Ocean Race, the crew members have been rearranging the items on the ship to best suit the situation. It's been a hassle having to stack all the excess sails, equipment, freeze-dried food supplies and clothing, move them to the bow (front), back to the stern (rear) again and again. 

I had hauled around several large, fluid-filled containers before I stopped to examine their contents. About half of them were common cleaning agents for the boat. Most were either acidic or basic in nature, as acids are corrosive and bases, once they are far up the pH scale, are corrosive as well. For example, phosphoric acid was used to remove rust from iron and steel surfaces by converting iron oxide to ferric (iron III) phosphate: Fe2 O3 + 2H3PO4 → 2FePO4 + 3H2O. The residue material can be scrubbed off to reveal a clean surface, or kept to provide further protection from corrosion. Sodium hydroxide, also known as caustic soda, is a base that, when added to water, can be used to clean machinery equipment and storage tanks. The chemical is effective at removing most viruses, bacteria, and other toxins in the water. Sodium hydroxide is used to clean the boat because it costs little, and is easily removed and disposed of after use.


The remaining half of the containers were lubricating fluids used for the Camper’s internal combustion engines. In the engine, lubricant oils and cools the power transmission components to reduce friction and prevent overheating. It removes the impurities from the engine fluids, neutralizes potentially explosive byproducts of combustion, and prevents rust and other forms of corrosion.  A variety of base oils and additives are also included in the lubricants to tailor them to specific applications (e.g. can operate in wet conditions, resist thermal decomposition). It is important that the right lubricating fluid is chosen, as there are many additional expenses if the fluid needs to be replaced. Waiting for the old fluid to drain out and for the new fluid to be added can waste precious time. Using the wrong fluid would also mean increased corrosion of the engine.


Acids, on the other hand, are used in cooling fluids and antifreeze in order to maintain machinery. Antifreeze is a liquid solution that lowers the freezing point of whatever mixture it is added in, acting as a de-icing agent. Properties of an ideal antifreeze include excellent solubility, a high boiling point (to handle high temperatures inside the engine), excellent heat transfer properties, moderate viscosity, and low cost. Ethylene glycol is the most commonly used antifreeze because of its  low instability and water solubility. Most antifreeze liquids also include chemicals that prevent corrosion, to protect the metal surfaces inside the engine. However, once the antifreeze begins to decompose and breakdown, or the substances that prevent corrosion are depleted, the fluids should be replaced. 

References

Reignbough Chase. Iron (III) Phosphate. 2007. Photograph. Ford Muscle Forums. Web. 6 May 2012. <http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/Reignbough_Chase/dswofgr.jpg>.

Anglin, Donald. "Engine Lubrication." Access Science. McGraw Hill Companies, 2008. Web. 25 April 2012. <http://www.accessscience.com/content.aspx?searchStr=engine lubricant&id=233400>.

Danny Catucci. Engine Flush. 2010. Graphic. Redwood General Tire Store, Redwood City. Web. 5 May 2012. <http://www.redwoodgeneral.com/img/photos/engine-flush.gif>.

Butterfield, Sharon. "How Does Antifreeze Work." Wise Geek. Conjecture Corporation, n.d. Web. 12 April 2012. <http://www.wisegeek.com/how-does-antifreeze-work.htm>.

George, Kathleen. "Antifreeze Mixture." Access Science. McGraw Hill Companies, 2008. Web. 2 May 2012. <http://www.accessscience.com/content/Antifreeze mixture/040400>.

Barbara Terry. Cooling System. 2008. Graphic. Family Car Parts. Web. 10 May 2012. <http://www.familycar.com/Classroom/Images/Cooling-System.gif>.











Thursday, April 26, 2012

Ph Levels in the Oceans





Today, as we were travelling along the Brazilian coast, we were visited by a pod of playful dolphins.  They reminded me of the delicacy of Earth’s ocean biome, and how small changes can result in large consequences.
Time for a brief chemistry lesson! When carbon dioxide from the atmosphere dissolves in the ocean, it forms carbonic acid. However, it quickly breaks down into bicarbonate (HCO3) and hydrogen ions (H+).
H2O + CO2 HCO3 + H
Since acidity is the measure of hydrogen ions in a fluid, as the number of ions increases, the acidity of the oceans rises as well.



The pH levels of the oceans are regulated by a process called “buffering”, where hydrogen atoms react with calcium carbonate to produce carbon dioxide and water. This is the opposite of the process that previously occurred:
HCO3 + H H2O + CO2
However, there must be enough calcium carbonate in the oceans to increase carbon dioxide levels, and currently, the ocean’s buffering system is not effective enough to counter the rapid increase in the water’s acidity.



 The Earth’s oceans are normally slightly basic, but with an increase in greenhouse gases, the seawater will likely slide down the Ph scale. 
Since the Ph scale’s intervals are by powers of 10 (each level is to the 10th power more acidic then the level below), this represents a drastic increase in the water’s acidity.










Dolphins are considered a symbol of protection in many cultures around the world. The health of these dolphins relies on the health of the ocean’s ecosystems, and hopefully we can all make an effort to ensure that these lovely creatures survive.

References
 Adam-Carr, Christine, Douglas Fraser, et al. Science Perspectives 10. Toronto: Nelson Education Ltd, 2010. Print.

Findlay, Helen. "Ocean Acidification." Catlin Arctic Survey Blog. Catlin Arctic Survey, 12 Apr 2011. Web. 21 April 2012. <http://www.catlinarcticsurvey.com/2011/04/12/ocean-acidification/>.

Gerad Bandos. Ph Scale. 2007. Graphic. Chemical Education Digital Library. Web. 6 May 2012. <http://chemteacher.chemeddl.org/services/chemteacher/images/stories/pH_Scale.jpg>.

Kim Martineau. Ocean Chemistry. 2009. Photograph. Ocean Acidification. Web. 27 April 2012. <http://theotherco2problem.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/ocean-chemistry.gif>.





Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Chemical Reactions Taking Place on the Boat




Today marks the first anniversary since the Camper team was announced. A year ago, the boat was still under construction and all the crew members hadn’t met each other yet, but were just separate people in similar disciplines. Now though, we’re all united: boat skippers, shore managers, and media crew members alike.


Over time, of course, the Camper has sustained much wear and tear. Corrosion of the boat frame has likely occurred over the course of the race. Corrosion occurs when metal or a metal alloy is exposed to oxygen and moisture for long periods of time. A process called oxidation occurs, when oxygen combines with the metal. This forms a new compound (an oxide), and weakening the metal’s atomic bonds. The hydrogen atoms in water combine with other elements to form acids, which further exposes the metal and increases the chances of oxidation.  For example, aluminum alloys that are not coated with a protective layer undergo oxidation. When they are exposed to certain salts (ionic compounds), they also erode.


Recently, sailing has been smooth and mostly uneventful. With a constant wind pressure and wind direction, as well as the engine running at optimum level, we have been travelling at a regular speed.










The engines that provide kinetic energy to power the Camper have to undergo combustion: a chemical reaction. Combustion occurs when a carbon compound (diesel fuel) and oxygen react, producing heat and/or light. If there is enough oxygen, then the combustion will be complete and the maximum amount of energy released. 4C12H23  + 71O2 à 48CO2 + 46H2O
If there is insufficient oxygen supplied, soot and other by-products will be left behind. If the fuel and the oxidant are both gases, then combustion occurs when the reactants are heated beyond a specific (ignition) temperature. If the fuel is liquid, then combustion occurs when the fluid is sprayed in drops, which then vaporize over a flame and burn in a similar fashion to a gas.




Both acid and alkaline-based batteries are used to power the Camper’s engine. Lead-sulphuric acid batteries are rechargeable, lightweight, and can supply large amounts of energy. Consequently, they are used in applications where a steady stream of power is necessary, such as back-up UPS (uninterruptible power supplies) in case of emergencies. In the batteries, sulphuric acid functions as the electrolyte (ionic solution that makes the substance an excellent conductor). Potassium hydroxide and nickel-cadmium (alkaline bases) are usually used for batteries in portable electronics because they are chemically stable. Most are non-rechargeable batteries and capable of withstanding considerable mechanical impact.









The batteries that power the Camper engine produce electricity through a chemical reaction. When the circuit in a battery is completed, it produces electricity through a series of reactions between the anode (where the current flows in), the cathode (where the current flows out), and the electrolyte (liquid conductor). Two or more atoms from the electrolyte combine with the anode, producing a compound and releasing electrons. Then the cathode, ions from the electrolyte, and free electrons also combine to form compounds. The net product of these reactions is electricity. Electrodes can be made of metal or plastic, although the latter is usually used in rechargeable batteries.





References
 Shores, David. "Corrosion." Access Science. McGraw Hill Companies, 2008. Web. 30 April 2012. <http://www.accessscience.com/content.aspx?searchStr=corrosion&id=163300>.

Carl R. Nave. Corrosion2006. Graphic. Hyperphysics - ChemistryWeb. 6 May 2012. <http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/chemical/imgche/corrosion.gif>.

 "What Is Rust?." How Stuff Works. How Stuff Works Inc, 6 Mar 2011. Web. 24 April 2012. <http://science.howstuffworks.com/question445.htm>.


Adam-Carr, Christine, Douglas Fraser, et al. Science Perspectives 10. Toronto: Nelson Education Ltd, 2010. Print.

Beer, Janos M. "Combustion." Access Science. McGraw Hill Companies, 2008. Web. 3 May 2012. <http://www.accessscience.com/content.aspx?searchStr=combustion&id=150600>.

Four Stroke Cycle. 2009. Graphic. Online Encyclopedia of BritannicaWeb. 5 May 2012. <http://media.web.britannica.com/eb-media/72/93572-034-26C16785.jpg>.

Anglin, Donald. "Battery." Access Science. McGraw Hill Companies, 2008. Web. 3 May 2012. <http://accessscience.com/content.aspx?searchStr=battery&id=075200>.

Lead-acid Battery. 2010. Graphic. Renewable Energy UKWeb. 4 May 2012. <http://www.reuk.co.uk/OtherImages/lead-acid-battery.gif>.

David Darling. Battery Diagram. 2005. Graphic. David Darling - The Encyclopedia of ScienceWeb. 4 May 2012. <http://www.daviddarling.info/images/battery_diagram.jpg>.











Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Types of Materials Worn By Crew Members




This afternoon, I ventured onto the deck to take some seawater samples. Last night, we had to navigate through a transition zone of winds with stormy weather. Luckily, the crew members on watch at that time had several layers of clothing from their durable, if limited wardrobe.



Polyester fleece is the main material for jackets and gloves worn by the members of the Camper crew. It is durable, resists moisture, and dries quickly. Polyester is the product of terephthalic acid and ethlyene glycol combined together at high temperatures, cooled, and forced through tiny holes in order to form thin, long fibres. The fleece retains heat as a result of its structure, which allows for air pockets. If the fleece is blended with natural fibres, this increases its strength and resistance to scrapes and scratches.



Microfibres, such as Kevlar, are used for the shirts and trousers in the wardrobe. They are lightweight and resistant to damage from outside forces. In order to produce Kevlar, poly-para-phenylene terephthalamide has to be produced through the polymerization process, where molecules are combined into extensive chains. The resulting liquid is then spun into fine threads and then woven together to form the fabric.




Nylon and spandex are the most common materials used for rash guards and vests worn by the boat crew. Both are lightweight and resistant to abrasion as well as staining. This makes them easy to clean, which is useful when the crew is travelling for long periods of time without access to most amenities. Two chemicals are combined together under high temperatures to form molten nylon, which is then spun into thin fibres and exposed to air, causing it to harden. Nylon is usually heat-set after manufacturing. A heat treatment is used to “relax” any leftover deformities in the fabric, which provides near-permanent stability so that shrinkage and wrinkling are less likely to occur. When two pre-polymers are mixed together, they form the raw material for spandex fibres. Stabilizers, such as antioxidants, are then added to the fabric to implant resistant properties.





Our diver, Guy Endean, who is responsible for keeping the boat while it is in water, will also have a wetsuit in his wardrobe. The primary component used in Camper wetsuits is neoprene rubber, which is buoyant, waterproof, and traps heat between the wetsuit and wearer’s skin. It also has high elasticity: the rubber becomes deformed when a strong force is applied to it, but when the force is removed, the material returns to its original state. Neoprene rubber starts out as a powder, polychloroprene, with several other chemicals added to create specific properties. The mixture is then put under extreme heat and pressure, which creates thin sheets of rubber that provide the raw material for the suit.

References
Woodward, Angela. "Polyester Fleece." How Products Are Made. Advameg Inc, 9 Jul 2011. Web. 2 May 2012. <http://www.madehow.com/Volume-4/Polyester-Fleece.html>.

Woodford, Chris. "Kevlar." Explain That Stuff. N.p., 2008. Web. 15 April 2012. <http://www.explainthatstuff.com/kevlar.html>.

Block, Ira. "Manufactured Fiber." AccessScience. McGraw Hill Companies, 2008. Web. 30 May 2012. <http://www.accessscience.com/content.aspx?searchStr=nylon&id=404050>.

Perry Romanowski. Dry-spinning Process. 2005. Graphic. How Products Are MadeWeb. 5 May 2012. <http://www.madehow.com/images/hpm_0000_0004_0_img0149.jpg>.

Maier, Karyn. "What is Neoprene Rubber." Wise Geek. Conjecture Corporation, n.d. Web. 21 April 2012. <http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-neoprene-rubber.htm>.

Partridge, Edward G. , and John Leucken. "Rubber."AccessScience. McGraw Hill Companies, 2008. Web. 30 May 2012. <http://www.accessscience.com/content.aspx?searchStr=rubber&id=594800>.

Kiernan, Denise, and Joseph D'Agnese. Science 101: Chemistry. First Ed. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2007. Print.








Saturday, February 11, 2012

Chemical Components of Boat Materials and Purposes

Before the Volvo Ocean Race began, I was discussing the construction of the boat with our boat builder, Adrian Grey, and our sailmaker, Richard Kiff. Although the materials we could use were limited by the official handbook, we still had to make wise choices. The various components of the Camper must be durable and long-lasting to withstand the extreme weather conditions of the Volvo Ocean Race. 







The sails of the Camper are responsible for its propulsion and control its movement. Bowmen and pitmen on the boat are responsible for hoisting, dropping and controlling the sails to move the vessel. The sails are constructed from carbon fibre, which can withstand tough weather but weighs little, so it won’t impair the boat's movement. The fibres are also used in masts, ropes and cords, as they are non-corrosive and durable. The material can last for most of the race’s legs without needing to be replaced, which saves time, effort, and money for the crew. 
















The raw material for carbon fibre is polyacrylonitrile, an organic polymer. Carbon fibre is formed when polyacrylonitrile strands are heated to high temperatures, causing the molecules to move faster and vibrate. This process expels most of the non-carbon atoms and results in a long chain of tightly bonded carbon crystals. The fibre surfaces are then immersed in specific liquids and gases for minor oxidization, which improves their chemical and mechanical bonding properties. After, the fibres are coated with protective resin, wound onto bobbins, and spun into threads.



A vital part of navigation on the Camper is the use of large LED lights of high brightness placed on the vesselRed lights are usually mounted on the "port" (left) side of the vessel, while green lights are mounted on the "starboard" (right) side. Conventional, low-power LEDs are used as light sources for numeric displays and indicator lights in instrumental panels. Both uses suit the LED, whose design maximizes external efficiency. The lights are made up of semiconductors: poor conductors that have atoms of another material, usually metal, added. These additional atoms change the balance of the material, adding free electrons or creating holes through which electric current can be conducted. The most common material used for LEDs is aluminum-gallium-arsenide (AlGaAs). When the compound is in its pure form, all of the atoms bond to another neighbour with no spaces between. Once additional elements (impurities) are added, they change the "balance" of the substance. 

As a result of the intensity of the Volvo Ocean Race, all parts of the Camper, down to the winches and fittings, have to be mostly resistant to outside forces. 
Alloys are used for several key components because they have more advantages than pure metals. They are usually stronger and stiffer, because the atoms of each metal are different sizes. When they are bonded together, it becomes more difficult for them to move at the same time when a force is applied. 
For example, aluminum alloys are used for the steering system and deck equipment because of their resistance to corrosion. In response to a number of reactions with the environment, an oxide covering forms over the metal, protecting it from exposure to the weather and most chemicals. Aluminum alloys also increase their strength at low temperatures while remaining pliant. Stainless steel alloys form a similar oxide skin. When the surface of the metal is scratched, more oxide will quickly form and re-cover the exposed area, preventing it from corroding. They are used for fasteners and lifelines. Lead alloys have a high density and dampening capacity, which makes them useful for internal structures by isolating them from mechanical vibrations. 


Although metal is the primary component for most of the vessel, certain areas are made of moulded plastic. Plastic parts are lighter in weight as well as quicker and cheaper to produce than their metal counterparts. In addition, plastic doesn't experience corrosion at all, so it is best suited  for areas that are constantly exposed to moisture. 
Plastics are polymers: molecules that consist of long chains of atoms that repeat themselves in a specific pattern. Each repeating structure is called a “monomer”, which shares a covalent bond with adjacent monomers. Most polymer chains have carbon as one of their elements, because it has the rare ability to bond in four different directions with four other atoms. 




Injection moulding is a process used to create plastics suited for a specific purpose. Molten plastic is inserted at high pressure into a cast (an inverse of the features) where they solidify into the desired shape. This method saves time because several parts can be solidifying at the same time. 















The boat hull and rudders are also coated with liquid polyester resin to protect against corrosion. The resins are used because of their resistance to water and UV rays. Resins can be blended in with numerous reinforcing fibres (e.g. glass, carbon) to fit high strength and stiffness requirements.




If the boat is constructed properly, than fewer repairs and modifications will need to be made during the race, which could save time and mean the difference between sailing into port victorious or dead last. However, rest assured that the Camper is in good hands with the shore crew.

References

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