title: Development of a cave auto-sampler

authors: Jangali, Rahul Siddhartha

subjects: auto-sampler

abstract: Researchers at the University of Waikato visit caves on a periodic basis to collect samples of drip water, which over geological time frames form stalagmites and other formations. However, most caves are remotely located, which makes it an arduous task to reach the study site and is economically infeasible for frequent visits. This thesis presents the development of an autonomous cave autosampler deployable inside caves for extended periods to collect drip water and log the atmospheric conditions such as temperature, pressure, and carbon dioxide.
The auto-sampler is developed from two various aspects. Firstly, the collection and storage mechanism. Secondly, control systems, power management, and data logging. The sample drip water is collected from a positioned funnel and stored in an airtight 20ml sample vial through a syringe needle; a new sample vial comes into position on a weekly basis. A carousel styled turntable is designed to store fifty 20 ml sample vials in the minimum possible size. The sample vial position on the turntable is controlled by a stepper motor to maintain precise position relative to the syringe needle. Acrylic is selected as the primary material to reduce weight. Temperature, pressure and carbon dioxide readings are logged during switching operations. The electronics on the auto-sampler are turned off in an idle state, and the Arduino microcontroller is put into sleep mode to minimize power consumption.
The auto-sampler has been tested in lab conditions extensively for position control, power consumption and overall performance. During position control testing, the sample vials made it to the desired position relative to the syringe position on most of the cycles. There are few minor issue which a affects the consistency of the auto-samplers operation such as back play in the linear actuator and flexing of the turntable during piercing of the sample. Based on a 50 week deployment, the auto-sampler has an energy requirement of 113.6Ah.

text: Development of a cave auto-sampler Researchers at the University of Waikato visit caves on a periodic basis to collect samples of drip water, which over geological time frames form stalagmites and other formations. However, most caves are remotely located, which makes it an arduous task to reach the study site and is economically infeasible for frequent visits. This thesis presents the development of an autonomous cave autosampler deployable inside caves for extended periods to collect drip water and log the atmospheric conditions such as temperature, pressure, and carbon dioxide.
The auto-sampler is developed from two various aspects. Firstly, the collection and storage mechanism. Secondly, control systems, power management, and data logging. The sample drip water is collected from a positioned funnel and stored in an airtight 20ml sample vial through a syringe needle; a new sample vial comes into position on a weekly basis. A carousel styled turntable is designed to store fifty 20 ml sample vials in the minimum possible size. The sample vial position on the turntable is controlled by a stepper motor to maintain precise position relative to the syringe needle. Acrylic is selected as the primary material to reduce weight. Temperature, pressure and carbon dioxide readings are logged during switching operations. The electronics on the auto-sampler are turned off in an idle state, and the Arduino microcontroller is put into sleep mode to minimize power consumption.
The auto-sampler has been tested in lab conditions extensively for position control, power consumption and overall performance. During position control testing, the sample vials made it to the desired position relative to the syringe position on most of the cycles. There are few minor issue which a affects the consistency of the auto-samplers operation such as back play in the linear actuator and flexing of the turntable during piercing of the sample. Based on a 50 week deployment, the auto-sampler has an energy requirement of 113.6Ah.

year: 2018

title: Accidental immersion and unintentional drowning of rural children: An investigation for the Child Accident Prevention Foundation of New Zealand

authors: Mahony, Lisa

subjects: child safety

abstract: In New Zealand drowning amongst preschoolers is one of the leading causes of death. The monetary and emotional costs to society are devastating and cannot be underestimated . The need to reduce the high number of deaths and the monetary and emotional costs prompted this research. This research presents the possibility for proactive measures to be taken in this area. In addition, it provides insightful knowledge for parents and educators alike. Ultimately, it seeks to reduce the number of child drownings that occur in the rural environment.

text: Accidental immersion and unintentional drowning of rural children: An investigation for the Child Accident Prevention Foundation of New Zealand In New Zealand drowning amongst preschoolers is one of the leading causes of death. The monetary and emotional costs to society are devastating and cannot be underestimated . The need to reduce the high number of deaths and the monetary and emotional costs prompted this research. This research presents the possibility for proactive measures to be taken in this area. In addition, it provides insightful knowledge for parents and educators alike. Ultimately, it seeks to reduce the number of child drownings that occur in the rural environment.

year: 2002

title: Te Whanake Online: An interactive resource for Māori language learning

authors: Ka'ai, Tānia M.

subjects: New Zealand

abstract: The promotion of the Māori language is regarded by Māori as essential to the survival of Māori culture, arts, history and identity. The goal of the Te Whanake Online project is to develop a series of online interactive modules to complement an established Māori language learning set of texts and related resources, called Te Whanake. Te Whanake Online supports an immersion or game-style approach to language learning. Currently the fifteen modules for the first book in the series, Te Whanake 1 Te Kākano, have been completed. Each module begins with an animated movie introducing the new language of the module. Between nine and sixteen activities in each module provide practice in a wide range of spoken and written language skills, including listening with comprehension, speaking, reading with comprehension, writing and activities to help learn grammatical structures and vocabulary. The project means that Māori language learners will have access to an online resource which is at the forefront of current thinking and practice in language learning online and firmly grounded in a successful and well-established Māori language series of texts, study guides, audio-visual resources, a dictionary-index, and teachers' manuals. This article outlines the project background, its design, evaluation and the outcomes.

text: Te Whanake Online: An interactive resource for Māori language learning The promotion of the Māori language is regarded by Māori as essential to the survival of Māori culture, arts, history and identity. The goal of the Te Whanake Online project is to develop a series of online interactive modules to complement an established Māori language learning set of texts and related resources, called Te Whanake. Te Whanake Online supports an immersion or game-style approach to language learning. Currently the fifteen modules for the first book in the series, Te Whanake 1 Te Kākano, have been completed. Each module begins with an animated movie introducing the new language of the module. Between nine and sixteen activities in each module provide practice in a wide range of spoken and written language skills, including listening with comprehension, speaking, reading with comprehension, writing and activities to help learn grammatical structures and vocabulary. The project means that Māori language learners will have access to an online resource which is at the forefront of current thinking and practice in language learning online and firmly grounded in a successful and well-established Māori language series of texts, study guides, audio-visual resources, a dictionary-index, and teachers' manuals. This article outlines the project background, its design, evaluation and the outcomes.

year: 2006-09