“The presentation put on yesterday by Mr. Tom Vale was both shocking and positively electrifying!” Despite such poor, but arguably necessary puns, Mr. Vale’s lecture was incredibly fun and informative. Moving quickly but satisfyingly through several different displays, Mr. Vale spoke to the class about several basic machines that continue to impact the world around us today. Perhaps most impressively, Mr. Vale knew not only the scientific implementations of each device, but also its historical background. Overall, Mr. Vale impressed with his wit, and educated with his expansive breadth of knowledge.
The first item put on display was known as a Peltier device, invented in 1834 as a representation of the principle of thermoelectric cooling. The device is very inefficient, but continues to find its way into applications to this day. It consists of two cups of liquid, one hot and one cold; the heat energy is moved from one side to the other, with the corresponding electrical energy captured by a mini-generator of sorts. Again, a Peltier device only converts about 5-10% of energy, so it’s a woefully inefficient tool.
Of far greater efficiency is the Sterling engine, which was actually invented eighteen years earlier than the Peltier device, in 1816. Developed as an alternative to the steam engine, it has been found in certain submarines in which quiet engines have been sought. Based upon the principle of temperature differential within air, it has also been known as a “hot air machine”. Unlike the Peltier device, the Sterling Engine can achieve up to 80% efficiency in converting energy.
Up next in Mr. Vale’s presentation were a couple of small, yet no less unique gadgets. The first was a piezoelectric barbecue lighter, which is notable for its use of a small amount of quartz to create a spark when struck. Mr. Vale followed up this nifty tool with the Mendecino motor, a relatively new invention when compared with all else on display yesterday, as it was invented only roughly twenty years ago. Named after the area in which it was developed, the Mendecino motor uses electromagnetism to float and spin. Impressively, it can achieve spin rates up to 1500 RPM under select conditions. Unfortunately, no practical use exists for the Mendecino motor outside of the classroom; its only purpose its to serve as an educational aid.
While each of the above devices was extremely educational and twice as fascinating, the true star of Mr. Vale’s lecture was Nicola Tesla and his famous electric coil. During his lifetime, Mr. Telsa was granted over seven hundred United States patents and developed the theory of alternating current electricity distribution (that which powers energy grids to this day), but it was the incredible power of his coil that was on display at Suffolk yesterday. This model was constructed Mr. Vale himself, using nothing more than a generator, an empty plastic bucket and coated copper wire, but packed quite the visual punch. Placed before our eyes was Tesla’s wireless transmission of electricity, as the coil emitted a low-grade field around it. In fact, as Mr. Vale explained, the level of electricity surging through to power a variety of lights and lamps was so low that a special “skin effect” was occurring; the electricity failed to shock him because it traveled along his skin, rather than through it.
As it should by now sound, the presentation put on by Tom Vale was absolutely marvelous. This author had never dreamed of some of even the most basic devices placed before the class, and found himself amazed that so much could be done with so few resources. From the Peltier device to the Tesla coil, never were more than a few parts involved in creating great stores of energy. Truly an educational experience which will not be soon forgotten.
Mr. Vale testing his Tesla Coil
Mr. Vale lecturing