In order to do this lab, the materials that we needed were flashlight, color filter papers, computer, and a ruler. This lab helps the class understands how solar energy works and how we can use solar energy to produce electricity. In class, we were using the photo-voltaic method to produce electricity. The photo-voltaic method is one way to generate electricity by converting solar radiation into direct current electricity through a semiconductor. The light source from the flash light hits the color filter paper and cause a transfer in energy. Electrons are then emitted. The purpose of doing this lab is to investigate the relationship between light intensity and the voltage output of a solar cell.

The First part of the lab was to find the relationship between distance from the light source vs the voltage generated. The distance that we were using were no light, 5 cm, 15 cm, 25 cm, and finally 35 cm. The results that we found were expected. Without light, obviously it would generate less electricity. As the light source move further and further away, the less and less electricity it generates. Below is the Graph that represents the result of the first part of the experiment 🙂

For the second part of the experiment, we used color filter plastic paper to find the relationship between light intensity and the voltage produce. The colors that we picked were no filter, Teal, Blue, and Pink. Personally I would choose one other lighter color other than pink but those were the only ones left. From looking at the results that we got, I can conclude that the darker the color the less it generates electricity. The reason is because less light and solar energy actually get through the filter with the darker colors. Less solar energy = less electricity generate. The results are below:

The case for this action is that by 2010 president Obama promise that the U.S would reduce its greenhouse gas emission in the range of 17% below 2005 levels. American stands at a critical juncture because climate change is no longer a distant dreamy threat. The climate change has affected us in various ways. For example, there was an estimate of 110 billion in damage. Climate change has come with a far reaching consequences and economic price. The first part of President Obama’s climate action plan is the deploying of clean energy. In order to achieve this step, the president has to cut carbon pollution from power plants, promote American Leadership in renewable energy, and finally unlock long-term investment in clean energy innovation.The second part of the plan is to build a 21st century transportation sector. By increasing fuel economy standards, develop and deploying advanced transportation technologies; we can achieve this goal. The third part is to cut energy waste in homes, businesses, and factories. President Obama plan to also reduce other greenhouse gas emissions. The last thing for the president to accomplish is to lead in clean energy(at the federal level). President Obama also talk about preparing the United State of America for the impacts climate change by building stronger and safer communities and infrastructures. In addition to that, we also have to protect our economy and natural resources along with working with other countries for assurance and assistance. 

Today in class, we did an experiment to see the change in voltage by shaking a magnet device that is also a flash light.  Needless to say the faster we shake it, the more energy it produces and the more positive numbers we get on our spreadsheet. The process of generating energy of this device starts when we shake it and then the magnet inside moved through the coil which is what generated the voltage. Like usual, we used the NXT robot in order to measured how much voltage it generated. With the results from the lab we then create a graph to to show how the data changes. Luckily this time the results from the lab makes sense, due to the fact that we change the magnetic flux faster every test, the higher the voltage should go up. As a result we have a positive linear line to show that the voltages increases as the number of shakes increases. This experiment is important since we know how to create usable energy from Faraday’s law by changing magnetic flux, we can understand how wind turbines, nuclear reactor, and energy plants work. By understanding how these things work, maybe one day we can find a solution to a better source of clean energy for people to rely one.

Graph:

Another surprise from the professor, she invited a man named Tom Vales to our class. We were fortunate enough that this man was extremely passionate about presenting and showing us forms of energy and how they are used in the real world. Tom also mention how people produce energy in the 1800s and 1900s. Which I found interesting because I never knew the technology industry was already so advance back then. It didn’t sound like it was advance compare to what we use now but… compare to every other equipment during those times. It is amazing how people produce energy. Mr. Tom Vales present us with 3 machines. The first is the sterling machine, which use a cup of hot water below as its source of energy. The second is the Peltier Device. This device uses hot plus cold water with metal parts in combine in order to produce energy. The Last but not least was the Mendocino motor. This machine is the one that i found most intriguing because it uses solar power and magnetic to produce energy. The reason why it is interesting is because I was doing a project on magnet not so long ago and i could have done this probably… I would like to say thank you to the professor and Tom Vales for a wonderful experience!

In class, we were fortunate enough to watch this movie called Pandora’s Promise. Pandora’s Promise is a documentary movie on the past, present, and future of nuclear technology. Our knowledge were expand to a broader range on how the future and history of nuclear technology would affect OUR FUTURE. Well despite of what it sounds like, this movie is a debate led by Robert Stone on how valuable and useful Nuclear energy is if we use it for the right things. He detest Nuclear Energy in use for War and violence. He’s arguing that Nuclear energy is actually a clean and relatively safe valuable energy source which we can use to help solve our global warming problems. Nuclear energy is the most efficient way of producing energy without creating a lot of waste. The nuclear power plants use nuclear fission to create heat energy. The heat energy is then turned into electrical energy, which is then can be used. One part in the video that surprised me was when they questioned this lady who was giving a speech about how harmful nuclear energy was. I like how the movie would show real life events such as the Chernobyl Nuclear accident. It happened because s caused because there was no protective shell to confine the radioactive materials. If  nuclear energy is used properly and efficiently, it can be our answer for Power Source in the near Future when other resources run out!

In order to expand our knowledge on Nuclear science and relate to the Pandora’s promise movie, our class decided to take a trip to the MIT’s Nuclear Reactor for a tour. Because it was nice out and because we are active/eager students, we decided to walk to MIT… 🙂 Unlike how I imagine it, the reactor doesn’t seem all that impressive from the outside. When we walked inside, the machines and scenery were something that you would only see in a military/sci-fi movie(which was pretty amazing.) Before we go inside for a tour of the reactor, an MIT’s instructor give us a brief presentation, using powerpoint, on the purpose of the reactor and why the government shut it down around the country. Although the contents were rather confusing, it is inspiring how technology can be use for the goods of humanity. It was a pity but since I did not have a “government issue ID”, I could not go inside for a tour. I hope I would have another chance in the future to go inside to take a peak at the amazing technology

.This Picture was on the power point

This Vault stores water cleaner than the water we drink-fyi

Hybrid Car!

Hybrid-electric vehicles take advantage of the benefits of gasoline engines and electric motors and can be configured to obtain different objectives, such as improved fuel economy, increased power, or additional auxiliary power for electronic devices and power tools.

According to experts the advanced technologies typically used by hybrids are:

• Regenerative Braking: The electric motor applies a slight touch of resistance to the drive-train which assist the wheels to slow down. In order for the energy from the wheels to turns the motor –> functions as a generator –> converting energy normally wasted during coasting –> braking into electricity, which is stored in a battery until needed by the electric motor.
• Electric Motor Assist: The electric motor provides additional power to assist the engine in accelerating, passing, or hill climbing. This allows a smaller, more efficient engine to be used. In some vehicles, the motor alone provides power for low-speed driving conditions where internal combustion engines are least efficient.
• Automatic Start/Shutoff: Automatically shuts off the engine when the vehicle comes to a stop and restarts it when the accelerator is pressed. This prevents wasted energy from idling.

Aerodynamic

Toyota, a car corporation, has been making use of this technology to help reduce car drag. In other words, they reduce air resistance, thus add the smoothness while driving; which automatically improve gas mileage. Since the car is slowing down, it uses less power which means it uses less gas. Less power means less gas being used. In order for Toyota to do this, they focused more on aerodynamic modeled cars. A car model that would be a good example to represent this technology by Toyota is the Prius.

Bibliography:

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/hybridtech.shtml

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/29/business/energy-environment/obama-unveils-tighter-fuel-efficiency-standards.html

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/hybrid-car2.htm

http://www.toyota.com/prius-plug-in/#!/panels3