Request for Proposals
This term describes the guidelines engineers must follow when designing supply pods for disaster relief.
What are constraints?
In a collision, this type of force is exerted equally by both objects involved.
What is impact force?
This type of resistance slows down objects falling through the air, reducing their velocity.
What is air resistance?
This lightweight and inexpensive material is made of iron and carbon but is very heavy for a supply pod.
What is steel?
These lightweight materials are commonly used in shipping to prevent damage and are filled with air pockets to absorb impact.
What are packing peanuts?
The shell of the supply pod must meet this key criterion, making it reusable as temporary shelter.
What is maximize shell condition?
Engineers aim to minimize this by extending the time of collision.
What is impact force?
To reduce impact forces, engineers can add these to increase the time of a collision.
What are bottom add-ons?
This material, commonly called plexiglass, is known for being strong and flexible.
What is acrylic?
Commonly used in jackets and pillows, this material traps air in spaces between its lightweight structure.
What are feathers?
International Disaster Aid requires that supply pods be delivered using this type of aircraft.
What is a helicopter?
When designing for safety, engineers are more concerned with the collision force on this object.
What is the supply pod?
When dropped from the same height in the absence of air resistance, two objects with different masses will have this in common upon impact.
What is velocity?
The most common metal on Earth, this material is often used for lightweight construction projects.
What is aluminum?
This strong, compressible aluminum-based material is often used in airplanes and space shuttles.
What is metal foam?
The cost of a supply pod must be kept low for this reason.
This factor determines the size of the force experienced by the supply pod during a collision.
What is the velocity, mass, or time of collision?
This type of accessory increases air resistance to slow a supply pod during its descent.
What is a parachute
This material combines glass and plastic into a strong and lightweight 'fabric.'
What is fiberglass?
Used in many car safety systems, these plastic-filled bags create a cushion to protect supplies.
What are airbags?
The primary goal of the supply pod is to ensure these items remain undamaged upon impact.
What are emergency supplies?
Pads on goal posts help reduce injuries by increasing this during a collision.
What is the time of collision?
Impact forces can be reduced by decreasing this property of the supply pod's contents.
What is mass?
Harvested from trees, this material is both lightweight and flexible.
What is wood?
This cardboard-like material is stronger than steel for its mass and includes a zigzagging inner layer.
What are paper pads?