BW June 2014

My first day was Tuesday, June 3. I mopped the floor in both labs.

In the first week of June I worked on updating software on the computers in both labs using Secunia Personal Software Inspector. The computer john.phys.uconn.edu did not need software updates, but I updated software on Hermes and on the computer next to the printer.

The computer in lab 405 presented more difficulties, with 16 programs insecure or at end of life. I updated Wireshark and Adobe Reader, but only one Microsoft update would install. Two others were downloaded but not installed. The Microsoft Office suite is at end of life, and other programs such as Silverlight have a link in the PSI to Microsoft Update but have not yet received updates.

My other tasks this week included discarding computer components and pieces of wood. I put the things to be discarded on carts and brought them down to the ground floor. I also tore up an old poster and put it in the trash and cleaned grimy tables in lab 403.

On Friday June 6, I took down a poster from the door to lab 402 and began to remove tape and adhesive residue from the doors. I continued this task on Monday June 9. I started with a rag wet with ethanol, but there were still some Scotch tape and thicker layers of masking tape on the door. I had hoped I could scrape off the tape with cardboard, but the cardboard was much too thick. I also tried my fingernails, but they were not well suited to the task either. I had considered a razor but was afraid it would damage the finish of the door. However, as I continued to use the rag with ethanol, Jim appeared with a razor blade and began scraping away the tape. After seeing him use the razor without harming the door, I took it and used it to remove the tape. I still had to use ethanol to wipe away the traces of adhesive afterwards. When I was done, I put the rags, now spotted with adhesive, on the shelf above the other used rags in lab 405.

June 12: I vacuumed the conference room and the mat at the door. The yellow vacuum in 403 was the best machine to use, but it was not very good. To achieve the best suction I had to use it without any attachments. After using it, I had to shake the tube and a good length of the hose over a trash can to make sure the trash would not fall out later on the floor.

June 13-20: I found some MSDS sheets that we did not have. I printed ones that are clearly important on June 20. I detailed my findings in a spreadsheet. I did not find some of the items on the chemical inventory. I don't know whether to remove them or not.

I emptied the fish tank and wiped it with the cleanest rag I could find.

I helped Liana bring two-by-fours to and from Dave Perry's workshop for him to cut. The wood was to keep the sides of the fish tank from bowing inwards.

Friday June 20: I helped Liana and Aaron test fibers with the pulser. I sorted the fibers and handed them to Liana as she was bundling them. I also held them when necessary.

We had intended to do measurements on several bundles, but our test results were not useful, so we had to continue testing. When we randomly changed the positions of fibers in the bundle, the light transmission changed significantly in some of them. Also, when we repeated tests in situ, transmission decreased. Dr. Jones suggested that the position of the fibers in the chimney channels varies from run to run. He thought the decreasing transmission could be the result of increasing temperature as the electronics heat up.

June 21: Liana and I were getting zeros when we tested fibers. Apparently the problem was that I briefly put the contacts against the wrong battery terminals.

I cleaned the bench where the band saw and drill press are after Dr. Jones used the saw. I put some tools that were on the bench in the tool box there.