...
- X-dimension: the "width" (left-right from the cook's perspective, i.e. east-west). Right is positive; left is negative
- Y-dimension: the "length" (front-back from the cook's perspective, i.e. north-south). Forward is positive (closer to the sun); backward is negative (closer to the cook).
- Z-dimension: the "height" (up-down from the cook's perspective). Up is positive; down is negative.
- The origin (0,0,0): defined to be the desired focal point upon which light should theoretically be converging; the center of the "target" we are trying to hit. Thus, the primary reflector is a section of parabolic trough whose focus is the x-axis.
* The secondary reflectors are sections of a parabolic trough whose focus is the y-axis.
BIG Idea competition
An additional sub-component of the concentrating cooker effort was the completion of deliverables for a contest called "The BIG Idea Competion." Sponsored by Entrepreneurship@Cornell, the competition is for Cornell undergraduates who have an idea for a business or social enterprise. Entrants compete for mentorship opportunities, exposure, and cash prizes. The concentrating cooker concept was entered under the name "The Solar Fire Project." This was done primarily to raise visibility for the project and for Engineers for a Sustainable World. Further details about the competition can be found at the BIG Idea website (http://entrepreneurship.cornell.edu/BigIdea/).
...