By: Adriana Alvarez, Grace Libby, and Saleena Son

For our group project, we focused on planetary albedo and the reflectivity of our Earth. In order to do this we used a small solar cell connected to a multimeter, a laser pointer, and objects to symbolize different parts of our planet like a brown bag for soil, a mirror, spinach for vegetation, ice, and aluminum foil.

In order to conduct our experiment, one would first have to gather the “initial” light of the laser pointer by shining it directly on the solar cell and recording it. Next, they would choose an object to gather reflectivity like the paper bag, for example. This person would then hold the laser pointer at a 90* angle shining on to the bag and then move the solar cell to catch the reflection. They would then record the number that showed up on the multimeter. To record the reflectivity, the person conducting the experiment would then divide the reflected light by the incident light. From there they would go on to calculate the percent error. To do that, the would subtract the theoretical amount of reflectivity of the object (which was listed on the lab handout) from the recorded reflectivity and divide that answer by the theoretical reflectivity. Once they got that answer, they would multiply it by 100 to get the percent error.

Continue reading Planetary Albedo Experiment

Background

The experiment that I had to opportunity to perform in class was Simulated Dam Pressure, created by Sonia Hubbard and Casey Donovan. The goal of the experimental design was to explore potential energy as it relates to the generation of hydroelectric power. According to the lab manual, hydropower accounts for 17% of the world’s energy and has been in use since the early 1800’s. Generation of electricity depends upon the force of falling water that is concentrated into a fast-moving dam. This also functions to avoid floods when it creates a reservoir. The use of hydropower presents a dilemma because while it is a clean source of energy, dams create a disruption within the environment.

Continue reading Simulated Dam Pressure Experiment

China has always been in competition with the United States when it comes to infrastructure and economic development. But the latest coming out of the country poses a new challenge for developers, since artificial intelligence or AI has been on the rise for quite some time now. A quick Google search about China’s AI will bring back various results about how this is a threat to the U.S. and how Trump and the White House have been relatively silent in term of discussing this issue in depth. We know that the current President has outspokenly addressed those who dare to compete with the United States and  for some, Anti-China rhetoric is a comfort, creating space of potentially harmful nationalism among Americans. But let us get to the core of the issue – AI is present is many parts our lives from self-driving cars to voice recognition software. The implications that this holds for the U.S. to get ahead are important because it has the potential to tell us – both those in Silicon valley and the general public what the trajectory of our national security and economic development could look like within the next few years.

China’s Action Plan to Push for AI 

Continue reading China’s Booming Artificial Intelligence Industry

Opening the door to the world of STEM… 

Throughout  the semester, this blog has been a platform to showcase not only the work done in our Science,Technology and Innovation course, but also my own exploration of scientific topics. It is arguable, but I think that science as an academic discipline requires 110% of your attention. As a student now in my third year of studying Law and Public Policy, I can guarantee you that reading between the lines of the U.S. Constitution and spending long nights analyzing case law is not as detail-oriented as science. Perhaps I learned the hard way that when you are writing out a procedure or researching about innovative technologies it is up to you to think critically about what you are conveying to the world – while science uncovers a world of curiosity, creativity, and endless lessons the number one way to succeed in it as a student not studying STEM is to let go of your preconceived notions, your memories of high school biology class, and only then will you fully appreciate the value of the education professors here at Suffolk and beyond have to offer. Tom Vales, a professor here at Suffolk University effectively uses a hands-on approach to science to help students understand the processes and history behind various different inventions Continue reading Science at Suffolk: Professor Tom Vales

Introduction to MIT’s Plasma Science Fusion Center 

The Plasma Science Fusion Center (PSFC) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston, Massachusetts is a laboratory used by staff and students to research a variety of topics. This facility is accessible to much of the MIT community and those involved in research at PSFC and it functions in association with several academic departments at the institute which include: “Chemistry, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Science Engineering, and Physics”. 1 As you can see, the center is a hub for up and coming scientific research and is a place to both build upon your knowledge as well as curiosity about new scientific theories. This large facility has the capacity to store a vast variety of scientific equipment that is necessary for all of the various kinds of research that is conducted here.

Continue reading MIT’s Plasma Science Fusion Center

When you hear the word “nuclear” as an American it may conjure up images of the 2011 nuclear power plant explosion in Japan, commonly referred to as the “Fukushima Accident”or even discussions of nuclear weapons or nuclear war with the United States and and foreign nations. It is true, this form of energy is the center of many controversial debates but within the political sphere, not much space has been provided to explore the processes and future implications that comes with using this form of energy. Taking a scientific approach perhaps, will help the public to better understand the why and the how behind something so often overlooked. Continue reading Exploring Nuclear Energy

 

Iceland is one of the world’s most remarkable geological wonders. Although the country is young it possesses many  unique features that are still under research. In Iceland, there is what is called the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which was formed by divergent tectonic plates which are plates in the earth’s surface that move apart at a slow rate after a very long period of time, a process called sea floor spreading. ^[2]    More specifically, the ridge was formed by divergent movements between the ” Eurasian and North American, and African and South American Plates”^[2]   This continuous movement of the plates makes way for lava from  deep within the earth to be pushed upwards and creating a “new crust”. ^[2]    Although ridges exist in other parts of the world, the changes are often hidden on the sea floor while the Mid-Atlantic Ridge in Iceland is visible on the surface. ^[3]   Another extraordinary aspect about visiting this site is that you will have the ability to put one foot on the North American Plate and one foot on the Eurasian Plate.^[3]   Continue reading Geothermal Energy: Powering Iceland’s Future

What is solar energy and how is it created?

The rays of the sun contain enough energy to power the appliances in our homes and the energy produced from the sun, called solar energy has become a more sustainable alternative worldwide. As seasons change throughout the year, sunlight received at different geographic locations vary which coincides with the amount of solar power created. This is also influenced by time of day, the local landscape, and season, and local weather. ^[1]  There are two kinds of solar energy – one which is produced by photovoltaic cells (commonly known as solar cells)  which is the most typical and used by solar panels and concentrating power which is used in large power plants. ^[2] You most likely have seen solar panels on a home or perhaps even a solar energy farm. But how is this energy produced? First the sun’s rays are “converted from sunlight to direct current energy”. ^[3] Then, the “inverter converts direct current into alternating current.”^[3] After all of this, the power is sent to the appliances and lights inside the home. What makes this power source sustainable is that any extra energy produced can be fed back to the energy grid – or even the rest of the neighborhood. It is common for homeowners to sell leftover energy back to energy companies as well. The video below provided  illustrates  how photovoltaic material converts sunlight into energy. As you will see, each device is just a small “cell” connected together to form the large panels that we are familiar with.^[2]

Continue reading Taking Solar Energy Worldwide