Updating the Igloo

On Monday afternoon I got a text from a friend asking if we could use Arctic Ice and plastic sheeting to make buildings in extreme northern/southern latitudes.  To which I asked "you mean an igloo?"  After some clarification it became obvious that he was hoping for something a tad more modern, and when there is a convergence of an upcoming technical job interview where one's design methodologies are being inquired on and the "client" is an old friend, what the hey?

The challenge for this design request is how generally vague it is, Forrest this is no disservice to you, I know it was a random idea communicated via a small number of text messages.  The goal, generally stated is to design a technology or series of technologies that allow teams to use local resources to set up housing that can survive extreme weather.  The other general restrictions are reasonable cost, ease of transport, and ease of assembly.  Oh crap, I almost forgot, ability to integrate modern technology.  

The design criteria are now roughly outlined, the question is how to prioritize things, a point value defining which variable makes the most sense is possible, going that far isn't really that rational when I don't have an actual client pain to address, this is more pie in the sky designing, consequently   semi-RANDOM SOLUTIONS with ARBITRARY CONSTRAINTS!  (whoo!)

During the initial "client discussion" I put forth one suggestion, make an inflatable habitat similar to an emergency life-raft.  It met the clients desire for an easily deployed structure that would protect users from the elements, but it did not meet his requirement for a longer term structure.  After several days of thought, I came to the decision that making the Smart Igloo as a singular structure would not make sense, it lacks the flexibility in use that the source inspiration had and making a one size fits all solution just does not feel right.

I envision two primary parts in the final system, a flat pack interior lining that helps keep the insides in and the outside out, the second system, exterior wall and ceiling elements designed to protect the gooey insides of the Smart Igloo.

For the interior, I would start with a vinyl rectangular solid.  (at this point I was planning on putting in a cool rendering, but the relative thickness of the vinyl to width of the Smart Igloo, just didn't work, so descriptions and non-scale MS Paint art ahoy)

The tube of vinyl would start with a thick floor layer, the walls would look something far less crappy than the image below. 

 

The black squares represent cable tie mount points, this would allow for the clients request for adding electrical hardware, data cables, whatever other additions needed by the end user.  (please note the number of cable tie mounts was more visually motivated than an actual system density, that would require an in depth analysis of use cases and cost benefits.)  The blue squares are transparent window holes to allow light to go through.  Said window locations might also be designed for the window panels to be removed and things like ducts for air-conditioning.  The ceiling of the system would look relatively similar, mounting points for wiring and lights.

Now that the interior system is roughly sketched out, to the exterior.  That is relatively easy, sandbags and/or Hesco Bastions (see image to the right), can be stacked on top of eachother to provide thermal mass and insulate the structure.  The real challenge is making the roof of the unit, and I keep flip flopping on how to do that, currently I am leaning towards sandbags designed to help making an arched roof.

Seeing as I have spent too many hours trying to make CAD models look appropriate, finding what the hell Hesco Bastions were called, so onto the real world, thank you for reading.

Sci Fi Weapons

Soon after the big bang the most common compound in the entire universe was Helium Hydride, according to a random science article I read, it is also theoretically one of the most powerful acids known.  Idea for a sci-fi weapon.  A super gun that shoots magnetically contained rounds of helium hydride, to sound even more bad-ass you could say it was in a metallic state.  Example line from a book.

Stellar Wind was screwed, not the usual run of the mill screwed that Planetary Recon dealt with on a new world. this planet had been infected by Inguat, and running down the hallway was one of the largest Inguat Organic Tanks she had seen.  The tank had a unique proactive defensive mechanism that would stop anything with sufficient kinetic/chemical energy.  Fortunately for Wind she had packed four Metalic Helium Hydride rounds, each was capable of melting through almost any compound and was so rare that it was unlikely for the Tank's defenses to be programmed to stop the bullet, so long as it was lobbed softly enough.  Stellar Wind networked with her Ballista and started calibrating the on board magnetic accelerators, too much energy and the Tank's defenses would stop the round no matter what, too little energy and the bolt would be more likely to injure a squad mate.  Within two micro-seconds a range of options were considered.  Steady, aim, fire.  Before her conscious mind could process the sensation of firing Stellar Wind's Ballista let her know that she missed.  Round number two.  Steady, aim, fire. The Ballista releases another wave of electrical energy propelling the 40 mm diameter bolt to several hundred meters per second.  The second round nears its mark, proximity sensors begin to readjust the geometry of the bolt to ensure the acid can take advantage of its metallic state, tearing a tremendous hole into the central mass of the Tank.

(pretty bad eh, I am rather sleepy)