• Start of Project (Feb. 21st)

Gathered materials necessary for our first cardboard prototype.

Efficiently built a cardboard “replica” that was hand cranked.

• Start of construction of the big model (Feb. 23rd)

Constructed a simple efficient gearbox (around 2:1 ratio)

Began the construction of the dynamo setup

• Finish of Dynamo setup (Feb. 27)

Added supports and stabilizers for the dynamo setup areas

Attached LED to the dynamo (works well)

3D Printed first prototype of turbine (did not work because top and bottom were too thin (3mm)

• Polished the build and printed more turbines (Mar. 1st)

Added a Rudolph the reindeer to make our project a bit more aesthetically pleasing

3D printed two more designs (one of which failed, due to the supports being broken due to gravity.)

Sketch (Blueprint)

Above is the first sketch/blueprint of our model, which is a water turbine that can generate electricity via the gravitational potential energy of the water. The model consists of 3 main parts, being the faucet/water source, the turbine, and the dynamo setup. The original idea was that the water would turn the turbine, which was connected to an elaborate gearbox (to generate more torque) and ultimately spin the dynamo, which would in turn, power the lightbulb.

Materials list:

• Wood (the platform and walls of our turbine consisted of wood, which was sturdy and water resistant).
• Hot glue (used to quickly attach pieces of wood together and was sturdy).
• Plastic gears (to gain more torque),
• 3D printing device (in order to make the turbine).
• Metal axles (sturdy and light, and was easily attached to the gears and turbine).
• Dynamo (for generating electricity).
• LED (powered by the dynamo, shows that electricity is generated).
• Water (Needed for the turbine to spin).

Timeline for our project

February 21st :

• Start of project.
• Planned the idea, and sketched out a model.
• Made a replica out of cardboard and styrofoam.

February 23rd

• Made gearbox out of wood and glue.
• Began construction on the dynamo setup.

February 27th

• Finalized design, and polished the mechanisms.
• Started to decorate the exterior.

March 1st

• Finished decorating, ready for presentation.

Goals we want to succeed:

• Generate electricity
• Have consistent working rates
• Look decent
• Sturdy

Define and inquire

Potential Ideas in Mind

1. Wind powered car

Details: This would be a wooden car, similar to a sized up hot wheels car, that has been added with a motor along with a wind fan. The idea would be that the wind generated by the motor powered fan would be enough to move the car, thus transforming electric energy to wind energy to kinetic energy.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGQXGmGHg80

 

Pros: Quite sturdy and straightforward.

Cons: Very low chance of success, as motors are unlikely to be very fast.

2. Motorized car + dominos

Details: This car would be like an rc car, having being motorized and capable of moving forwards with speed. The idea would be that when powered on, this car would ram into some dominos, turning electric energy provided by the motor into kinetic energy.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdtPTUsrAA4

 

Pros: Very easily built, and can be finished easily.

Cons: Very drab and simplistic.

3. Wind-up car/rubber band car

Details: This car would be like any regular car, but its main force of energy would be a rubber band. It utilizes the potential energy in the rubber band to generate amounts of kinetic energy, and thus allowing the car to move.

Video: https://www.stem-inventions.com/rubber-band-car

 

Pros: Very clear energy transfer.

Cons: Might not work.

4. Water turbine design

Details: This water wheel would be powered by a flow of water (potential gravity), and then using the rotation of water wheel, I could utilize a motor to generate electricity (LED light).

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8xow_R0YRI

 

Pros: A challenging project, if it works it will be very impressive.

Cons: Quite hard to make.