MEMS 411: Hydroponic Gardening System

This report summarizes the engineering design process undertaken for the development of a hydroponic gardening system. The project began with selecting a concept, as a team, we decided to focus on designing a system tailored to community gardening needs. The report is organized into five main sections: Problem Understanding, Concept Generation, Concept Selection, Concept Embodiment, and Design Refinement. In the Problem Understanding phase, the team conducted extensive research on patents, codes and standards, user needs, design metrics, and project management. This foundational research was critical to ensure all aspects were considered before beginning the building process. User needs were identified through interviews with our client, Gwen Clopton, who manages the Clemens Community Garden. Her input helped establish the project’s requirements and constraints. Following the interview, we developed a project management plan to guide our progress and ensure the system would be ready for installation by end of the semester. The Concept Generation phase marked the beginning of the design and building process. To visualize potential designs, the team constructed a mockup prototype using cardboard. This prototype gave us ideas of what the overall system would look like and how it would potentially function, serving as a foundation for further refinement