Month: October 2015

Mars has been an object of human exploration for a long while. There have been many research missions to mars that have fallen short of success. The efforts made have proven to be more difficult than ever imagined. There has been a few successful exploration vehicles to land. These vehicles has been gathering information necessary to not only allow human exploration, but eventually a prolonged stay on the red planet.

The first unmanned spacecraft to Mars was able to gather some data, however it returned data for only about 20 seconds before it went dark. Data revealed much information about atmosphere, weather, geology, and the planet’s topography. There has been many myths that martian canals showed evidence of an ancient civilization.

Many missions to Mars are currently in development. Many of which will be key to the opportunity to allow a human to go to the planet. Scientists are trying to create a robotic craft that can go beneath the surface. Hopefully they will find signs of water and life.

Many robotic spacecraft and rovers are gathering information about the planet that will eventually gives the answers needed to allow human explorers. Radiation is currently being tested to develop a plan to protect astronauts in the future. All the data collected is being utilized to hopefully create technology that will allow living on Mars one day. NASA is a leader in a Global Exploration Roadmap. They have international partner and U.S commercial space industry on a coordinated expansion of human presence into the solar system.

http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/space/space-exploration/mars-exploration-article/

http://www.planetary.org/explore/space-topics/space-missions/missions-to-mars.html

https://www.nasa.gov/topics/journeytomars/index.html

During a lab in class we used the Mindstorm to examine the relationship between force, mass and acceleration. This was done was using a pulley attached to a motor that moved the object up. The weight was on a string and the mass was switched up to examine the changes made to the time it took for the acceleration. By keeping a constant power level we tried a few different masses to compare. After a few trials my partner and I switched the power level.

We used the masses 0.21kg, 0.25kg, and 0.17kg. After several trials we began to switch the power levels We tested power of, 60,70, and 75. We then compared all the data and create graphs to distinguish the relationships.The first graph we made compared acceleration vs mass. We found there to be a downward trend line, this was because the larger the mass, the smaller the acceleration.

The next graph we created by acceleration vs force. This graph had an upward trend. If the power level increased then the rate of acceleration also increased.

The third graph was battery discharge vs mass. This graph did not have enough data points to distinguish a good relationship. Had there been more trials the graph would most likely show a relationship of the acceleration increasing as well as the battery discharge increasing. The last graph we did was power vs power level. This graph had an upward trend line. As the power level increased the power also increased.

During class last week our Sustainability and Energy class was given a tour of the largest library Suffolk University has to offer. The Mildred Frank Sawyer Library consists of three separates all offering different tools to succeed. The entrance of the library is located on the 2nd floor of 73 Tremont Street. At the front of the library there is the circulation desk that allows you to check out books, kindles, even phone chargers. The first floor also has a reference desk. This is helpful for those research projects that require a certain text. There is also computers, study rooms, printers and scanners. The noise level is relatively normal compared to the higher two floors. The tour guide brought us up to the next level on the 3rd floor.This level was slightly quieter than the first level. This space was used for students to study and work on projects. There are designated quiet areas where many students choose to do their homework. We were shown the instruction room toward the back. We all sat down at computers while the tour guide gave us a lesson on how to use the online resources available to suffolk students. This was very helpful information and will be used very often. The screens changed with the instructor’s so it was very easy to follow along with the lesson. We were not shown the third level of the library. The tour guide did say that was the quietest floor where most chose to do their homework when complete focus is crucial.This tour was very informative.

Fuel efficiency importance is at an all time high in the automotive industry. With increasingly more sophisticated technology and an environment crisis, the race is on for rapid change. Despite the advances already made, it is still not enough to make a difference in the environmental impact the CO2 emissions are causing. The environmental protection agency is working closely with the Obama administration to create a set of guideline that will be enforced in the next few years to require cars to be more efficient.

Cars manufactured between 2017 and 2025 are going to have to follow a strict set of regulations for fuel efficiency and carbon-pollution limits. Many of theses changes are not only good for the environment but they will create jobs, save people money, and reduce oil consumption. Many U.S companies are trying to produce vehicles that are comparable to foreign models. While the oil and gas prices are expected to increase due to supply concerns, a reduction of dependance on such is mandatory.

The Obama administration has taken a few important steps to help move along the process. The new standards being put in place are suppose to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 1 billion metric tons. Fuel costs are also suppose to be but by $170 billion and reduce oil consumption by up to 1.8 billion barrels. While making serious changes, the United States is also working with other countries encouraging the same progress and standards.

With the new reforms and standards electric/hybrid cars are becoming the focus. Hybrid cars sales have gone up 84% and electrics car sales up 241%. This increase in demand of alternative fuel cars is helpful in the supply and demand of a better vehicle. The consumption will help encourage the further development of this product.

By the year 2025 fuel efficiency is required to be at 54.5 mpg. This is predicted to cut 580 million metric tons of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere by 2025. While the highest fuel efficiency is currently 28.1 mpg, this standard is going to be dramatically better for the environment.

 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonkblog/wp/2013/12/13/cars-in-the-u-s-are-more-fuel-efficient-than-ever-heres-how-it-happened/

http://www.nhtsa.gov/About+NHTSA/Press+Releases/2015/hd-trucks-phase-2-standards

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/10/09/3577925/average-us-fuel-economy-hits-record-high/

During class last week, Professor Tom Vale gave a demonstration on a few very intriguing engines. These machines, all of which not made in this century, gave a window into how the world thought and operated before this age of technology.  It was interesting and unexpected to see how complex and creative these inventions are. Many of the inventions shown are so intricate they are impossible to replicate even using all the technology available today.

The first demo being the Mendocino Solar Power Motor. This machines uses light from the sun to get energy to operate. When the light source hits the motor creating a magnetic field, it travels through the coil and causes the rotation of the object. Each side has it’s own set of solar panels so the process can continue even as the motor continues to rotate.

Tom Vales also showed the Stirling generator. This generator used the steam from a cup of hot water to create movement in the machine. This particular invention was not very efficient as it was based of the steam engine. It was also very dangerous to use back then, causing damage and injury.

One of my favorite parts of the demo was the Tesla Coil. This was a machine that was very complex and led to the development of wireless energy. Traveling up from a metal nail, current moves through a coil and wirelessly transfers electricity. This was interesting because you could see and hear the current. Putting a light bulb near the current causes it to glow without touching the coil. This machine uses an induction coil that produces high-frequency alternating currents.

Tom Vales presentation was very interesting and informative.