[emhart]

If the creator is reading this, first, congrats on your early success and good job trying to take on a real problem in a practical way, and being up front about both your immediate needs for the project and the fact that you'll put some of the money toward tuition.

That said, I think you would be well served to add some larger support tiers, and also to invite those backing the project to provide their potential experience and expertise. It could potentially open you up to crackpots, but in my experience it will also give you access to the random material scientist or whatever subject matter expert you might benefit from knowing. Best of luck with the project.