TESTING RESULTS
The results are in!
The individual graphs of each material/test can be found at the bottom of the page if you'd like to examine one trial specifically.
The individual graphs of each material/test can be found at the bottom of the page if you'd like to examine one trial specifically.
Fig. 25 - Graph comparing the average temperature change from the baseline of 66 degrees. Each material is represented with a single line, which is the average of all six trials run on that material.
Putting the different materials against each other makes it immediately apparent which materials were the most and least effective for insulating my device. The Felt reached higher temperatures than any other fabric, however burlap (which peaked at the lowest temperature) actually initially rose the inside temperature the fastest, at 33.29 degrees in just 5 minutes. I can logically conclude from this information that while burlap is best suited for quickly raising the temperature by a small amount, felt is the best choice for gradually raising it a large amount.
Putting the different materials against each other makes it immediately apparent which materials were the most and least effective for insulating my device. The Felt reached higher temperatures than any other fabric, however burlap (which peaked at the lowest temperature) actually initially rose the inside temperature the fastest, at 33.29 degrees in just 5 minutes. I can logically conclude from this information that while burlap is best suited for quickly raising the temperature by a small amount, felt is the best choice for gradually raising it a large amount.
Fig. 26 - Graph comparing the average temperature change between the natural and synthetic fabrics I tested. Natural materials (cotton and jute) are solid lines, and synthetic ones (polyester and nylon) show up with a dashed line.
Comparing these results highlights that both the natural and manmade materials I selected had a high and low performing fabric. While the two highest/ two lowest temperatures are close in comparison, it's also visible that the average synthetic fabric performed better at the task compared to the natural materials. As manmade inventions continue to dominate our world, it's important to know that using the manmade option is a smart choice even in comparison to choosing the centuries-old natural version.
Comparing these results highlights that both the natural and manmade materials I selected had a high and low performing fabric. While the two highest/ two lowest temperatures are close in comparison, it's also visible that the average synthetic fabric performed better at the task compared to the natural materials. As manmade inventions continue to dominate our world, it's important to know that using the manmade option is a smart choice even in comparison to choosing the centuries-old natural version.
Fig. 27 - Graph comparing the average temperature change between black and white fabrics. The heavier line weights are used on the 3-Layer experiments to show their highest performance, however I included the other trials at a thinner line weight to highlight how similar these ones are.
Although I had high expectations at the start of this experiment, I was surprised to find out the color of the fabric had little to no impact on its heat retention. When comparing the results and placing them on a graph, I was having a hard time clearly showing one set of trials from another, before realizing the results were just so similar to one another. While there are slight variations between black and white fabric results, they're small enough to be a result of human error and slight inaccuracies.
Although I had high expectations at the start of this experiment, I was surprised to find out the color of the fabric had little to no impact on its heat retention. When comparing the results and placing them on a graph, I was having a hard time clearly showing one set of trials from another, before realizing the results were just so similar to one another. While there are slight variations between black and white fabric results, they're small enough to be a result of human error and slight inaccuracies.
REVISITING THE HYPOTHESIS - WAS I RIGHT?
Well, sort of!
A few months ago, when I had just hatched the idea of a yurt-oriented experiment, I took an educated guess that the optimal material qualities for insulating a yurt-like structure in the cold would be artificial, multi-layered, and black.
It's interesting to look at this now and see that I was right, wrong, and in-between. My results support my hypothesis that artificial materials would insulate better than natural ones. They disprove my idea of a black fabric performing better than white, and while I wasn't wrong about the layers, I didn't make any particularly interesting discoveries based on the amount of layers used. Each addition performed as expected, with new layers serving to make the interior get hotter.
A few months ago, when I had just hatched the idea of a yurt-oriented experiment, I took an educated guess that the optimal material qualities for insulating a yurt-like structure in the cold would be artificial, multi-layered, and black.
It's interesting to look at this now and see that I was right, wrong, and in-between. My results support my hypothesis that artificial materials would insulate better than natural ones. They disprove my idea of a black fabric performing better than white, and while I wasn't wrong about the layers, I didn't make any particularly interesting discoveries based on the amount of layers used. Each addition performed as expected, with new layers serving to make the interior get hotter.
WHAT WOULD I CHANGE?
If I redid this experiment, I would want to increase the amount of materials I test and start using more accurate thicknesses of material to simulate the true effect of a yurt's insulation. That goes hand in hand with finding a colder environment for my experiments. I also would go back and "measure twice, cut once" in a few spots to avoid the hassle and remaking of some pieces.
I think the biggest source of inaccuracies came from human error. The device isn't perfect, and nor is the person who tested it. Given that the results all follow a similar trend aside from slight variations, I think human error is to blame for some possible misrepresentation of data. The device itself has potential to be used for studying two separate environments interacting through a shared material (whatever is covering the open face of the box).
I would also put more time into the actual physical representation of the device, time permitting. I originally planned to include fabricated parts to fit everything together as well as a more flattering color/texture for the box itself, and I think it would be an important addition for the user-friendliness of the device.
I think the biggest source of inaccuracies came from human error. The device isn't perfect, and nor is the person who tested it. Given that the results all follow a similar trend aside from slight variations, I think human error is to blame for some possible misrepresentation of data. The device itself has potential to be used for studying two separate environments interacting through a shared material (whatever is covering the open face of the box).
I would also put more time into the actual physical representation of the device, time permitting. I originally planned to include fabricated parts to fit everything together as well as a more flattering color/texture for the box itself, and I think it would be an important addition for the user-friendliness of the device.
THE NITTY-GRITTY
Here are the graphs for each individual material and each test run on it with varying layers. This is all of the data I collected during my experiment runs. I used them to create the larger graphs above. (Fig 28)
WHAT'S NEXT?
My results from this semester left me with new information on different lightweight materials that all varied in their abilities to store heat. With countries like Mongolia having to deal with extremely cold temperatures constantly, perhaps some solution to staying warm on-the-go could be found in the makeup of their buildings. Introducing Yurt Tech Clothing! This would be a clothing manufacturer whose designs and products are influenced by yurts, both visually and thermally.
An example of a product to manufacture would be the Dzud Mask, a hypothetical head cover that uses the most insulative material of my experiment to keep the entire face warm. It uses built-in goggles to keep even your eyes out of the direct cold.
An example of a product to manufacture would be the Dzud Mask, a hypothetical head cover that uses the most insulative material of my experiment to keep the entire face warm. It uses built-in goggles to keep even your eyes out of the direct cold.
Fig. 29
Beyond the cold, however, the idea of Yurt Tech Clothing still has possibilities elsewhere. In addition to learning which material did the best job of insulating the device, I learned which one did the worst job. And while burlap couldn't keep things too hot inside that box, it was the only material that could raise the temperature by 33 degrees in 5 minutes. With that considered, burlap or a material similar to it would be great for a brisk fall/spring garment.
The Burlap Hoodie is an example of this. Like a Mongolian take on the Baja Hoodie, this would be made primarily of burlap to allow lots of ventilation, while also keeping the wearer at a basic level of warmth during the chilly months. It also features designs that reflect the decorated exterior of a yurt cover.
Beyond the cold, however, the idea of Yurt Tech Clothing still has possibilities elsewhere. In addition to learning which material did the best job of insulating the device, I learned which one did the worst job. And while burlap couldn't keep things too hot inside that box, it was the only material that could raise the temperature by 33 degrees in 5 minutes. With that considered, burlap or a material similar to it would be great for a brisk fall/spring garment.
The Burlap Hoodie is an example of this. Like a Mongolian take on the Baja Hoodie, this would be made primarily of burlap to allow lots of ventilation, while also keeping the wearer at a basic level of warmth during the chilly months. It also features designs that reflect the decorated exterior of a yurt cover.
Fig. 30