SCI 184

Sarah Mattero, Mike Christina, Mike McGrath, Sara Meyers, Brittny Pompilio

For our experiment, we decided that we wanted to educate the class on the benefits of wind energy. Since we had been using the Lego Mindstorms throughout the semester, we thought it would be a good idea to implement that into our experiment. After finding a Lego kit that included a windmill, we learned how to use the generator to create and store energy, which became the focus for the experiment.

Our experiment doesn’t have a full theory behind it, since we wanted to discuss different forms of clean energy and sustainability. The Lego kit was an addition to the information we gathered so that the presentation would be both educational while also showcasing the Mindstorm technology.

The experiment itself is quite simple, although it did take a while before we learned how to use the generator and windmill properly. Since the kit didn’t come with instructions, it was difficult at first to figure out how to use the generator, but once we learned that it had to be charged, we had figured out the rest. There are two plugs on the generator, one in the back that when wind was put on the windmill, (we used a fan since we were indoors) it charged and you could see the power rise in joules. When you plugged it into the front, the windmill turned on its own since it worked on the stored energy.

Our original idea was to use the stored energy to have the windmill lift a weight on a pulley, but since we didn’t have enough time to figure out how to get the second part to work, we focused on showing off the windmill in the presentation. Our experiment doesn’t have any conclusive results, but we did learn that the maximum power that can be stored in the generator is 100 joules and we watched how the energy changed with the speed of the wind.

Overall, the presentation went well. Sara and I presented our PowerPoint to the class, distributed handouts, and then showed them the windmill. The class was difficult to present to, since they seemed quite disinterested and you could tell they were probably there against their will, but it didn’t deter Sara and I from presenting. I think we managed pretty well without the rest of the group, but it would’ve been nice if there was a time that we were all present. If we had been given more time, I think we could’ve worked out the second part of the experiment and really showed how useful wind power could be, but I think we were able to explain that in the slideshow.

Tesla Coil was often compared to Thomas Edison. Tesla Coil was invented by Nikola Telsa it was his ideas that eventually overcame the limitations of DC power; Mr. Vale mentioned that Edison probably stuck by his belief of DC power though he secretly knew that Tesla was correct in supporting AC power.

Around 1891 Tesla created the Tesla coil, which is used to produce high voltages of electricity. A Tesla coil is a type of resonant transformer circuit and is used to produce high voltage, low current, high frequency alternating currency electricity. Mr. Vale used a Tesla coil to illuminate various bulbs and rods, and even had a long wooden stick with a metal end and a light bulb in the middle that he held over the voltage without getting shocked.

The Tesla Coil was loud. Tesla mentioned back in the day that he would like to see one in every household, however the device is simply just too loud.

On February 28, 2011 we ventured to MIT and visited the Alcator C Mod which is currently being utilized as a research tool by the Department of Energy. During our visit we had the opportunity to listen to some presentations regarding the physics of plasma, the Alcator C Mod, and of course its application to the environment. The design of the Alcator C Mod is quite interesting; a donut shaped, plasma filled device which is vital because it enables the particles to circulate creating fusion.

The hope of the Alcator C Mod is that one day it will be able to create energy and offer a renewable energy source. The Alcator C Mod was actually a lot larger than I initially thought it would be. The MIT students and professors really seemed captivated and dedicated to their work with the Alcator C Mod, which was nice to see. I am curious to see what the capabilities of the Alcator C Mod will be in the near future!

After properly programming the robot to pull weights from the pulley we were able to successfully illustrate Newton’s Laws of Motion and Inertia. We measured several perimeters in this lab such as Mass, Acceleration, Power, and Battery Power. Below are our groups findings (graphically speaking) pertaining to Acceleration V. Mass, Power V. Mass, and Battery Power V. Mass.

Through our findings we determined that the greater the weight the slower the acceleration and the greater the power level, the greater acceleration.

Dynamic Response is very similar to Dynamic Demand mechanisms in the sense that both manage customer consumption regarding supply conditions. The main difference is that Dynamic Response mechanisms respond to “explicit” requests to turn off; it can either curtail power used or by starting on site generation.

Demand Response schemes can be applied to large commercial and residential customers. Customers are encourage through Demand Response to decrease demand which in turn would reduce the demand peak for electricity.

As a learning tool, we were set out to create robots and command them to do various things. After assembling the robot to our liking, we then attached the little guy to the computer and began to program him. Through the process we learned how to make him sing, set time measures, maneuver him, along with all different types of commands.

As a final assessment of our robot, we set out to make him complete a circle about a meter or so in size. Trial one was set up with the following data:

Time: 20 seconds

Power 1: 15

Power 2: 50

Circumference pie x wheel diameter: .1700

Rotation (in degrees): 234+235

# of Wheel Turns: .65

Distance: 0-1105

Velocity (distance/time): .1105

To our dismay, these calculations did not work in our favor; they created small circles, instead of a meter sized circle. We needed a high power level in order to make larger circles. We altered the power levels to Power 1: 30 and Power 2: 50 which lead us to successfully have our robot turn a meter sized circle. This power combination made for a perfect meter sized circle.

This activity was a lot of fun and very informative. it was very interesting to implement what we learned into a “real life robot”. Being able to program the robot really drove the lesson home so to speak.

Tom’s lesson included a demonstration and explanation of the Sterling Engine, the Peltier, and the Mendocino Motor. All of these motors work in a unique way, being powered bu things other than electricity.  These motors are still around in some aspect today, almost 200 years after they were created.

The Sterling Engine was created in 1816 and is used as a substitute for a steam engine. It is a cyclic compression and expansion of air that works at an efficiency rate of 40 percent, which is actually quite high.

The Peltier generator, created by a French scientist, was erected in 1834 which included two dissimilar metals; heated on one side, cooled down on the other side which generated electricity.

Last but not least, the Mendocino Motor was powered by solar mini motors, which spin rapidly especially in sunlight. When light strikes the panels, it causes an electric current which then energizes the rotor. As of now this motor only generates a low power output, making it infeasible for real life usage.

Tom’s lesson was very informative. It was fascinating to see how these various generators worked. Personally, I thought the Peltier Generator was the most interesting one because it ran solely on hot and cold water, which I did not know was possible prior to this lesson. I also thought that it was interesting that the Sterling Engine was considered to have a high efficiency even though it was only 40 percent efficient. Tom’s lesson enlightened me on the world of motors/generators.

2010 was a year marked by the world’s largest accidental marine oil spill. BP (British Petroleum), a company that was, at one point, known as a leading gasoline company, will forever be remembered for the destruction caused by one of its oil rigs. The Gulf of Mexico, and surrounding areas, were directly affected by the wellhead blowout that caused an economic downturn. The spill occurred on April 20, 2010 and was not officially sealed until September of 2010. The continuous leak caused massive damage to marine life, human life (claiming 11 lives), and to the economy in the affected regions. People were out jobs, marine life was at a stand still, overall life near the Gulf of Mexico took a turn for the worse. It took several visits from the nation’s leaders, numerous attempts to cap the leak, and long grief stricken months to come out with a viable solution.

BP’s response to the matter was less than satisfying to the public, which led many citizens in to their competitor’s arms so to speak. “No single factor caused the Macondo well tragedy. Rather, a sequence of failures involving a number of different parties led to the explosion and fire which killed 11 people and caused widespread pollution in the Gulf of Mexico earlier this year.”

It was almost as though BP was trying to pawn of the blame to anyone other than themselves. While understandable that they were trying to protect themselves and their business, this was not the time or place to do so. In situations such as these, the best way to ‘get in front of it’ is to deal be accountable for your actions. Had BP handled the matter differently and showed genuine care and concern for people other themselves, I would not be currently boycotting anything that has to do with them!

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deepwater_Horizon_oil_spill#Containment

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/05/disaster_unfolds_slowly_in_the.html

http://www.bp.com/genericarticle.do?categoryId=2012968&contentId=7064893