"Wisdom begins in wonder" – Socrates
Author: Isaac Gendler
Load Shedding
06/04/18
“How can we reduce the load when we don’t have enough supply?”
Energy in the grid is always about a balance between supply and demand. And sometimes, the demand outstrips the supply greatly. As a result, appliances on the grid will be forced to shut down to artificially reduce demand and create balance in a practice known as Load Shedding.
The Shark Curve
06/03/18
“What is the duck curve like in developing countries?”
Developed countries with high solar penetration rates have become very familiar with the infamous duck curve. But people in developing countries are forced to use electricity in different ways, namely, they have less access to energy efficient appliances and technologies. This leads to a sharp almost vertical rise later in the day known as the Shark Curve.
Nonlinear Algebra
06/02/18
“What happens to Linear Algebra when it stops being linear?”
Linear Algebra has endless applications. But sometimes our system has equations where one or more variable might have an exponent greater than one or multiple variables might be coupled together. To work with these systems, we can use something called Nonlinear Algebra to simplify and solve.
Kalman Filters
06/01/18
“How can we analyze data when we can’t directly measure data?”
Scientists love to analyze data. However, sometimes we may not be able to directly obtain data. For example, when NASA studies the temperature near their rocket thrusters, they can’t place a sensor directly connected since the heat of the flame will burn it up. So instead, how about we indirectly look at this data through other means, such as the surrounding temperature of space and infer the engine’s temperature with interpolation. This technique is known as a Kalman FIlter and is used by scientists and engineers from all over the world.
Linear Regression
05/31/18
“How can we determine if there is a relationship between two phenomena?”
One of the most fundamental aspects of science is trying to find a causal relationship between two factors. To do this, we can use a statistical technique called Linear Regression which calculates how closely knit the independent and dependent variables are.
Simple Moving Averages
05/30/18
“How can we make an average of constantly changing data?”
Data is all around us. And one often times we receive this data in real-time, whether it be in energy generation or the value of cryptocurrency. So how can we analyze any indicators of this data? Well, we can take a certain number of the most recent set of the data, such as the most last four data points, and simply take the average of that. This method is known as the Simple Moving Average. If the current data points are above or below the Simple Moving Average, then it will send a signal indicator.
Feature Selection
05/29/18
“How can we select relevant features from data?”
Engineers and Scientists (both Natural and Social) analyze data to see what causes what. Often times, they will start with a set of factors that they think that is relevant, and trim down what does not have any effect. This is known as Feature Selection and is one of the underlying tools behind statistics and machine learning.
Zero Variance
05/28/18
“What happens when all of the data in a set is the same?”
Data usually has some variation. However, occasionally everything actually turns out to be the same. This Zero Variance usually is a result of the thing being measured having no measurable change with the input.
Air Pollution
05/27/18
“What exactly is Air Pollution?”
Air Pollution is one of the most discussed topics in both scientific research and public policy. But what is it exactly? Well, when some form of chemical activity occurs, whether it be in a manufacturing process or the aftermath of an internal combustion engine, chemicals may be released into the air. And some of these chemicals such as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide may be toxic to human health, thereby creating air pollution!
Isaac's Science Blog 