Tom Vales, a professor at Suffolk University, kindly came in and talked to us about several devices that use different types of energy.

The first example was a Stirling engine, named after Robert Stirling in 1816.

It was invented as a substitute for steam engine. Steam engines were used for running water/mills, however, it wasn’t the best quality or most efficient. The machine would even fracture and blow up! High pressure steam could severely injure people.

The engine is a hot air engine that moves hot and cold air to generate heat. So, it works on differential in temperature and a difference of 4 degrees makes the engine run. It is comprised of a displacer and a power piston and is about 80% efficient. It is used for pumping water and many other applications.

The second example was the Peltier engine. This engine uses two dissimilar metals, bismuth and copper, joined together. Once you apply heat to one side and cold to another, it generates electricity. However this device is not very efficient, it is actually under 40%. The most popular use is for computers, used to cool down internal components.

The next example is a Mendocino motor, named after the place where it was invented Mendocino California. This engine has 4 solar cells and 2 coils of wire. As light hits the solar cell it generates current, which then reacts with field magnet and turns the cell 90 degrees. It keeps turning and starts the process over, keeping the cell in perpetual motion. It floats due to electric levitation.

We also used a piezo igniter, similar to gas grill ignitor. Inside is small piece of quartz crystal with wires attached. The button (igniter) pushes on the face of the crystal. If you squueze it in one direction, the crystal generates voltage on the other side. It is used on radio transmitters. The piezoelectric effect is understood as the linear electromechanical interaction between the mechanical and the electrical state in crystalline materials with no inversion symmetry. Piezoelectricity is found in useful applications such as the production and detection of sound, or generation of high voltages.

We proceeded to talk about Nikola Tesla, which was an inventor, engineer, physicist, and futurist with over 700 patents, but is best known for his contributions to the design of the modern alternating current (AC) electrical supply system. Professor Vales preached about how Tesla was an unsung heroe and much greater than Edison. He could have made millions but only cared about inventing. Vales brought in a Tesla Coil, which was primarily built to conduct wireless energy. At high frequencies, the skin effect is created, which sends signals right over your skin, so you dont even feel it. The coil also turns a light bulb into plasma globe. Early doctors believed it had medicinal powers so it was used on patients for various reasons, however, it did absolutely nothing.