Define the problem

In this project, we are required to manufacture a product that demonstrates any sort of energy transfer. The product must be functional, respond to a clear purpose, and it should be original, durable, and safe. We should have an intended audience, and our product should suit the satisfaction of our audience.

Safety considerations:

• Be cautious with all tools and materials
• Avoid having contact with others to evade harming others
• Be careful with any use of electricity and heat

Potential Manufacturing Problems:

• What kinds of materials are needed
• Quantity of material
• use of different tools and equipment
• Manufacture procedures

Constraints:

• Time: Maximum two weeks to complete the project
• Resources: Only a limited amount of material is provided to us. There is also a limited option.
• skills: there may be involved techniques that I am unable to perform while manufacturing.

Precedents:

Wind turbine that generates light How to make working model of a wind turbine from cardboard I Very Easy

Brief Explanation: This product’s intention is to use a wind turbine and use the potential energy of wind and transfer it to light and thermal energy. As the windmill spins, it generates energy that would light up a lamp or any other ornament. It would require materials of cardboard, lightbulb, and a cable. This prototype idea possibly achieves the purpose of adorning and decorating, however, I don’t recognize a practical use of it, since turning wind directly to light is still infrequent in the highly industrialized world. I believe it would be engrossing to explore the mechanism of energy transfer of a commonly used device in real life.

Mini hydraulic lift. Lifting hydraulic power Test with syringe

Brief Explanation: Any hydraulic device converts hydraulic energy to mechanical energy, consisting of kinetic, electrical, and so on. In this device, a manually operated step is used first, and then the hydraulic energy transferred from the syringe transfers into kinetic energy and lifts the “lift”. This device is used to carry objects and lift them vertically without direct contact. This would require materials of a syringe, cardboard, and nodes (nails and clips).

Lamp Energy Transfer and Efficiency | GCSE Physics | Doodle Science

Brief Explanation: The function of a lamp is coherent, the use generating light. A lamp has a simple mechanism, electrical energy is the input, and heat energy and light energy are the outputs. The video shows the operation of how a energy transfers into light energy. Although the lamp accomplishes my inclination of making a practical device, it still has drawbacks that will hamper my work progress. Making a lamp would be simple, but the involved knowledge and skill required for this device is to acquire knowledge of electrical circuits.

As a result, I have chosen to use the mini hydraulic lift for my engineering project, because it is unique and displays a comprehensible understanding of energy transfer. This device seems like a feasible one to make throughout the two weeks provided, and it doesn’t require too much additional knowledge. For example, the alternative idea of making a lamp requires a somewhat adequate knowledge of circuits, but I don’t possess that ability, so I eliminated that idea. What really stands out to me about the hydraulic lift is that there are many benefits of this device, the mechanism of lifting using a non-direct contact is interesting, and an immense scale of this device is used in everyday lives.

Audience: The audience of this device is open to the public; it is applicable for anyone and can be helpful for a variety of purposes. The intended purpose of this device is to carry small objects, and to fulfill the requirements of our science project. Therefore, this device could also be targeted to anyone who is interested in learning about energy transfer.

The problems or needs for this device possibly satisfies the needs of energy capture & storage. This device does not necessarily consist of the use of electricity, so it would be both environmental friendly and can also the ones who have limited access to electricity. Although the artifact I will be making won’t be appropriate for daily uses, a larger scale of the same device and mechanism would be beneficial.

Mechanism:

Prototype  Real life example: