Alpha+Volf+-+Project+Concept

= Project Concept =

Our project concept is really quite simple. We intend to make a table out of ice, with the top of the table being a chessboard. The chessboard will consist of 64 squares of ice, each of which will measure 12.5 centimeters across. Half the squares will be coated with dark blue food coloring in order to give them the necessary coloring.These squares will be staggered with the transparent squares in an appropriate manner, creating a chessboard that will be one meter in both length and width.

The board will be partially illuminated by 4-6 light emitting diodes which will be frozen within several of the transparent squares. These LEDs will be powered by a standard electrical outlet, which will be reached with an electrical cord. If there is enough time, we also intend to incorporate sound into the sculpture by installing speakers. These speakers will play Christmas music, which will be streaming from a inexpensive MP3 player that will be attached to the the bottom of the tabletop. The speakers will be powered by one of the school's nearby electrical outlets, most likely through the use of the same extension cord.

The chessboard will be fully equipped with all the necessary pieces to play the game. Each of the pieces will be modeled after a holiday-themed object or character in order to give the board a holiday theme. Half these pieces will be coated with food coloring in order to give them a darker pigment, which will distinguish as a separate team of pieces.

We intend to combine all of these components together to make a functional table that will house a chessboard on top. The board will be adorned with the proper game pieces, which will be movable, allowing spectators to actually play a game of chess on our ice sculpture. Schematics for all of our components can be found under the "Blueprints" section.