Critical Reflection

Looking back on this module, I can see significant growth in both my knowledge and interpersonal skills. Through active engagement and participation, I became more comfortable expressing my thoughts and interacting with my peers. Professor Blackstone’s consistent encouragement to voice our opinions and present in front of our peers fostered an inclusive learning environment that nurtured my confidence.

A goal I set for myself at the start of the course was to avoid using filler words to sound more confident and credible, and I feel that I have achieved it. Even outside of class, I make a conscious effort to form complete sentences and take necessary pauses when thinking, rather than relying on filler words. This has not only improved my communication but also improved my confidence in expressing myself and my ideas. 

At the start of the module, I often accepted information at face value and lacked the habit of questioning or analysing it deeply. However, through this module, I gained valuable insights into frameworks such as the Paul-Elder framework and the 7Cs of communication, learning how to apply them effectively. These frameworks taught me to evaluate ideas critically and consider multiple perspectives before concluding. Additionally, I developed the ability to break down complex problems, challenge assumptions, and analyze evidence more thoroughly. As a result, my ability to write clear, logical, and non-bias reports has significantly improved.

One instance that highlighted this growth was during a group discussion about the printing mechanism of SLA 3D. Initially, I found myself agreeing with the majority opinion without much hesitation as I lacked knowledge on this. Reflecting on this after the session, I recognized the need to challenge assumptions and ask probing questions. In subsequent tasks, I consciously tried to probe our idea and ultimately change it from the machinery to the material used instead. This development has not only enhanced my academic work but also sharpened my decision-making skills in everyday situations.

Being placed in a team settings with people I barely knew during the first week felt intimidating. There were many uncertainties about how others preferred to work, both individually and collaboratively, which made me apprehensive. However, through this module, I have gained confidence in working within teams and group settings due to the many swaps we had through this 13 weeks. Having interacted with more than 50% of the class made me feel more comfortable and confident to talk in front of my peers. I have learned that mutual respect plays a key role in fostering teamwork, and I believe that reflecting respect and being open toward others encourages them to reciprocate.

For my presentation, I felt confident and natural, largely due to my past experiences speaking in front of crowds during my time in the army. However, I recognise that there are still gaps to be addressed and habits that need improvement. This module provided me with valuable feedback from not only my peers but also from Professor Blackstone. Professor Blackstone’s constructive feedback gave me a deeper understanding of how to structure my presentations effectively, engaging the audience and improving my tone and emphasis on certain words.

In terms of writing, I have observed significant improvement thanks to the variety of assignments we have completed throughout the module. These tasks allowed me to receive thoughtful feedback from both my peers and Professor Blackstone. I deeply value this feedback, as it serves as a reminder that growth is a continuous process. Through this experience, I have learned that constructive criticism is essential for personal and professional development. I now cherish opportunities to learn and improve, knowing that each step brings me closer to becoming a better version of myself.

This combination of feedback has taught me the value of seeking different perspectives to grow as an individual. Overall, I have learned that continuous improvement is rooted in embracing criticism and reflecting on how to apply it effectively.

Reader Response Draft #4

The article “Submersible Pump: Working, Types, Applications, & How To Prime It” by Waqar (n.d.-a) gives a brief introduction to submersible pumps, highlighting their key features and advantages. Waqar (n.d.-a) explains that submersible pumps are specialised devices used in leachate environments to move fluid while submerging in liquid. As these pumps mostly operate underwater, they avoid the possibility of cavitation forming, resulting in greater lifetime and dependability. Additionally, they do not require any priming, simplifying the setup procedure and thus increasing their efficiency. These features allow the pump to excel in handling a wide range of applications that revolve around liquid. For instance, they are able to collect groundwater in deep wells and regulate sewage and drainage systems in cities. Overall, these pumps are essential for fluid management due to the combination of cavitation prevention and the overall operational simplicity. While centrifugal pumps are an alternative in the market, engineers in leachate environments prefer submersible pumps because they reduce cavitation and are simple to install.

One of the features of a submersible pump is their cavitation prevention. Cavitation is the formation of vapour bubbles caused by a drop in liquid pump pressure below the vapour pressure level. Aniket (2024) states that submersible pumps are less likely to experience cavitation. The article discusses how submersible pumps can prevent cavitation by sustaining appropriate pressure levels when submerged by stopping vapour bubbles from forming. When compared to centrifugal pumps, submersible pumps are regarded as efficient due to their ability to successfully regulate internal pressure underwater. Centrifugal pumps are often installed above ground and rely on suction lines to prevent cavitation. If these suction lines are poorly designed or have any obstruction to them, cavitation is likely to arise due to pressure fluctuations. As submersible pumps can internally control pressure, these pumps excel in wastewater environments, where they are placed deep in leachate environments to transport liquid.

Another feature of the submersible pumps is their ease of installation. The unique design of a submersible pump allows it to be placed in deep locations such as pits or deep wells. Submersible pumps are more space efficient as they are only operational underwater, making them perfect for tight or confined spaces. In contrast, centrifugal pumps are usually installed above ground, which requires much more space for installation (Crompton, 2024). In addition, submersible pumps do not require any form of priming. According to Adam (2024), submersible pumps do not require any manual effort to eliminate air bubbles from the pump and suction line, thereby providing convenience and reliability. Whereas centrifugal pumps are generally not known to be self-priming. Most of these pumps require to be manually started up to remove any air from the pump and suction lines. A drop in fluid level or air entering the system might cause the pump to lose its prime, making it impossible to function optimally unless it is manually primed again.

While submersible pumps come with their advantages, there are some challenges associated with their use. Unlike other types of pumps, centrifugal pumps can readily pump in large volumes within a short time. These pumps are applicable in leachate environments due to their fast flow rates and ease of use. Crompton (2024) says that submersible pumps are best at consistently holding the same level of flow while high flow rates at not very low pressures are typical for centrifugal pumps. As centrifugal pumps can hold high flow rates, they can transport large amounts of liquid instead of slowing down and managing at a consistent and slower pace. In addition, as stated by Eddypump (n.d.), submersible pumps can be challenging to access for regular inspections or maintenance, particularly in deep-well applications. This limitation sometimes leads to their use until failure, resulting in replacement rather than preventative maintenance. However, despite these drawbacks, the reliability, compact design, and ability to prevent cavitation from submersible pumps still prevail over the limitations it has. This makes them an indispensable choice for leachate environments and applications that require steady and low-maintenance.

Overall, submersible pumps in leachate environments can prevent cavitation and are reliable and efficient due to not requiring a constant manual start-up. The compact design of the pump allows it to be installed in confined spaces like deep wells or landfills. While centrifugal pumps can offer a higher flow rate, submersible pumps are ideal in wastewater management and fluid transportation in leachate environments because of their steady results and low maintenance.

References

Crompton. (2024, August 23). Centrifugal Pump Vs. Submersible Pump: Know The Differences. https://www.crompton.co.in/blogs/pumps/centrifugal-pump-vs-submersible-pump

Hurlbatt, A. (2024, June 23). How submersible pumps work: Advantages and disadvantages of submersible pumps. Pump Solutions Australasia. https://pumpsolutions.com.au/how-submersible-pumps-work-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-submersible-pumps/

Raj, A. (2024, April 25). Unlocking efficiency: A comprehensive guide to submersible pumps. EDDY Pump. https://eddypump.com/blog/guide-to-submersible-pumps/

Waqar, E. (n.d.-a). Submersible pump: Working, types, applications, & how to prime it. Mechanical Boost. Retrieved October 2, 2024, from https://mechanicalboost.com/submersible-pump/#more-2846

Waqar, E. (n.d.-b). What is centrifugal pump?: How does a centrifugal pump work?. Mechanical Boost. Retrieved October 2, 2024, from https://mechanicalboost.com/centrifugal-pump-an-overview/#Centrifugal_Pump_Working

What you need to know about submersible pumps. EDDY Pump. (n.d.). https://eddypump.com/education/what-to-know-about-submersible-pumps/ 

Project Contributions

1.  I contributed pitch ideas for the group to discuss on
• I researched on the different ideas and discovered the advantages and disadvantages for the ideas of submersible pumps and robotaxi via Google and ChatGPT.
• Prompts are; "Compare submersible pumps and centrifugal pumps and include the information in a table.", "What are some advantages and disadvantages of the current idea around Robotaxis compared to conventional taxis?", "Give me it in a table format, of ideals, gaps, and goals of the current idea.", "Tesla Robotaxi challenges news".
  
  
2.  As a group, we refined our problem statement through an online meeting via Discord and did a thorough research on our chosen topic; SLA resin 3D printing.
• Utilizing ChatGPT and Google, we found differences between SLA manufacturing and the conventional manufacturing method of prosthetic arms and legs.
• Prompts are: "What are some methods on manufacturing prosthetics?", "Give me in a table format the advantages and disadvantages of SLA 3d printing specifically for prosthetics?".
• I wrote down information gathered from the prompts in the word documents.
  
  
3.  I typed out and refined the google docs for team minutes during the class and online sessions.
• With all the information the group gathered during these sessions, I organised them and filtered out the irrelevant information.
• I selected and included 1-3 key and relevant points to incorporate into our future report.
  
  
4. After consultation with Professor Blackstone and brainstorming, we decided to narrow down and focus on the material that 3D SLA printing is required for producing prosthetics.
• Utilizing ChatGPT, we discovered how different the common material photopolymer resin is compared to a newer material, photopolymer resin with embedded nanomaterials.
• Prompts are: "What are some strengths that photopolymer resins with embedded nanomaterials can achieve compared to the standard photopolymer resins?", "How can photopolymer resins with embedded nanomaterials achieve self-healing and a lighter weight compared to standard photopolymer resins?".
  
  
5. With all the team meetings we had, I created and numbered the team minutes according to the dates and sessions.
• Tidied up the word documents to make it clean and neat.
• Broke down the concept of how photopolymer resins are able to achieve a lighter weight structure and attain self-healing capabilities by embedding nanomaterials.
• I searched on Google, "How is self-healing achieved in photopolymer resins with embedded nanomaterials?", "What types of nanomaterials can be added to resins to achieve a lighter weight for manufacturing prosthetics?".
  
  
6. Farhan and I segregated the work load and assigned the work to each of the group members for the slides (presentation) and report.
   
   
7. With inspiration from previous year reports as mentioned by Professor Blackstone, I went ahead to send an email regarding some of our enquiries on photopolymer resins with embedded nanomaterials to the head of mechanical engineering in Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Professor John Hart.
• Are there any challenges that may arise during the use of photopolymer resins with embedded materials in SLA 3D printing?
• Will there be any type of nanomaterial that may affect the human body in terms of physical contact with human skin or tissue?
• Main differences between original photopolymer resins and photopolymer resins with embedded nanomaterials (e.g. Cost, weight, strength).
  
  
8. During the zoom meeting with Professor Blackstone, Farhan and I noted down some of the parts that required revision and highlighted the key points said by Professor Blackstone.
   
   
9. With reference to some of the articles I found online through Google and Google Scholar, I furnished our report and filled it with information from some of the articles. 
• I focused on including more in-text citations due to the heavy information and content retrieved from online sources.
• We included images to better guide the reader in understanding our idea.
  
  
10. For the report, I contributed by completing these parts and whenever possible
• 1.1.5 Overview of the current material in SLA 3D printing for prosthetics
• 1.1.6 Limitations of current materials in prosthetics
• 2. Proposed Solutions

Edited on: 28 Nov 2024