Tom Vales, who has worked at Suffolk for several years, came into class and gave a presentation on some of his personalized inventions based on the inventions of people from many years ago. He brought in 4 small engines.
The first was called the Peltier junction. It generates one side, while cooling the other and that gives it electricity. Vales made sure to mention that this small engine isn’t very efficient.
The next engine was the Sterling Engine. Vales mentioned that it was a substitute for steam engines. Its used for submarines and things like that because the engine is quiet. This engine is a portable, hot air generator. Vales mentioned that this was efficient. It reminded me of a windmill, except so much smaller.
The next object he showed was just your average barbeque lighter. What ignites the spark is a small quartz crystal. The effect the crystal has is known as the piezo effect. The crystal is squeezed and that generates the spark.
The next motor Vales showed us is called the Immendosino motor. Its a teaching tool, so there really isn’t any other use for it. Basically the motor floats on a magnetic field and runs on light. If there is no light, it simply doesn’t run.
The last object he showed us is known as the Tessler coil. Nicola Tessler invented the power grid and the coil plays a huge part in that. Its a power transmission without wires. It generates electricity and when in contact with a light bulb, can light the bulb. What Vales showed us was a smaller version of what I’ve seen when I used to go to the Museum of Science in grade school. Below are some pictures:
Great snapshots! They really helped your explanation of the presentation and everything Tom Vales had to show!