Power Novato
In this project we were tasked with learning about electricity with a final end goal of designing a micro grid that could power all of Novato. My group designed a plan to allow Novato to go off the grid and become self sufficient. First, we calculated that Novato uses about 140 million KWH a year . We figured out how to power Novato by using solar panels, wind turbines, biomass generators, and hydrogen fuel cells. The solar panels, wind turbines, and biomass generators could generate all the needed electricity and have a good amount of excess. All of the extra energy would be used to turn water into hydrogen which in the future could be returned back to water which would generate electricity. This would allow us to save energy created in the summer and use it during the winter and on cloudy days where the solar panels are less efficient.
Electrical FieldsIn order to understand how electricity works we experimented with static electricity. We ran tests using different materials and different materials being rubbed against them to see which would generate more electricity under what circumstances. We also ran a sticky tape lab where we put two pieces of tape against the counter in certain directions and examined as they would either repel or attract to each other. Finally, we used an online tool called electric field hockey where we set up different positive and negative protons to try and push a neutral one through a goal. This helped us understand how static electricity worked.
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Wind TurbinesIn order to understand how electricity works we tested different blades on wind turbines to see which would generate more electricity. We tested our designs on a multiple of different wind levels generated by fans and measured the amount of energy they created to see what would work better. My group focused manly on the idea of different materials and found that tape worked really well, because it bent into the right angle.
Motor DissectionWe took a motor apart to try and learn how they worked. We found out that they use a multitude of electromagnets to push different parts at different times to make it spin. We also learned about how this can be used in reverse. We learned that with by creating a magnetic field by using a turbine we can create electricity.
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Robot Art Show
The other project we worked on was the Robot Art Show where we were tasked with creating a futuristic art show for the robots after they have taken over the world. We did this by using an arduino board and the program that goes along with it. This allowed us to program electrical components to do what we wanted them to do. My group used this to make a simple game of rock, paper scissors in which the player would select either rock, paper, or scissors and then the computer would do the same and it would display the winner.
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Circuits |
Breadboards |
To use electronics more effectively we had to learn about circuits. Circuits are made up of some conductive material going in a loop connected to a power source. Voltage is the amount of energy that drops during the circuit and is brought back up at the power source. Current is the amount of energy flowing through the circuit. Finally, there is resistance which is the amount of resistance caused by the resisters and devices in the circuit. These can be calculated using the equation V = ir.
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In order to use electronic components we practiced with breadboards. Breadboards are boards with multiple slots that are connected in rows. This allows us to make easy electronic connections. We learned about multiple electronic components going one by one. We also learned how to read circuit diagrams so we could recreate other's work. In order to top it all off we had to pass a blinky light quiz in which we followed a complex circuit diagram with a final product of making a light blink repetitively.
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Reflection
In this project there were things that I did well on and things I need to improve on. To things I did well with were work ethic and communication. I never really got off task and this allowed me to finish early so that I could help other groups. This also allowed us to make our work very polished and well done. I also was very good at communicating my ideas with my team. This allowed them to understand what my ideas were and they could critic them and help me put them into effect. I also increased my skills with programming this project which will help me in the future.
Two things that I could improve on this project are work distribution and leadership. At times especially during the robot art show I was doing most of the work in one area. For example, I was doing most of the programming while my partner did most of the wiring and physical things. This caused my partner and I to not learn all the areas of the project. I also was not the best leader. I was taking too much command at times and not giving other group members the chance to lead.
Two things that I could improve on this project are work distribution and leadership. At times especially during the robot art show I was doing most of the work in one area. For example, I was doing most of the programming while my partner did most of the wiring and physical things. This caused my partner and I to not learn all the areas of the project. I also was not the best leader. I was taking too much command at times and not giving other group members the chance to lead.