Author: Isaac Gendler

Ramjets

Ramjets

Ramjets

02/06/18

“How can we make a jet that has an engine without a compressor?”

 

Jets are some of the most powerful machines that humans have made. However, their engines often have many fancy parts such as compressors which could result in numerous complications. So how can we completely redesign the jet engine? Well, let’s use our engineering mindset to think of this. We know that when an object goes really fast, then the air around it will also move very fast because of Newton’s third law. And if we are able to guide this air into a constricted area, then its pressure would rise immensely. And this pressure can then be used to produce thrust. So what if we were to have an aircraft move through at ultra-high velocities, capture in the surrounding air into its engines, compress it into a small area, and then heat it up to produce thrust? Well, this is the fundamental idea behind ramjets. Ramjets are able to travel much more efficiently at high velocities when compared to their traditional counterparts but require prior movement in order to operate.

Metal Film Resistors

Metal Film Resistors

Metal Film Resistors

02/05/18

“How can we make higher quality resistors?”

 

Carbon film resistors are great for being cheap circuit components. However, sometimes we need something much more specialized. To solve this let’s use our engineering mindset. What if we were to take a non-conducting body, wrap a thin piece of metal around it, and attach it to a circuit? This would limit the flow of electrons greatly, and also ensure is that the system would be tolerance against temperature changes. This is known as a metal film resistor and is a great application for high-frequency devices.

Refrigerants

Refrigerants

Refrigerants

02/04/18

“What is the working fluid for an HVAC system?”

 

HVAC (Heating Ventilation And Control) systems are some of the most important inventions for human living conditions by transferring heat from one place to another. Because of them, people can live hospitable lives in inhospitable environments. However, in order to work, they need a working fluid called a refrigerant. Refrigerants are a gas or liquid with a high thermal conductivity that is used for heat transfer. Common refrigerants include freon, hydrocarbons, and chlorofluorocarbons.

Shunt Resistance

Shunt Resistance

Shunt Resistance

02/03/18

“How can we measure the current in a circuit?”

 

Ammeters can measure the current going through a particular circuit. However, how exactly do they work? Well, let’s use our engineering mindset to find out. We know that if we were to place a resistive element in a circuit, then there would be a voltage drop. And if we were to known both the resistance and the voltage we could get the current. So what if we were to place an extremely tiny resistance in the circuit, measure the voltage drop, and find the current? Well, this is known as the shunt resistance, and is how ammeters read current!

Electrical Burden

Electrical Burden

Electrical Burden

02/02/18

“How does measuring current change a circuit?”

 

Measuring the current in a circuit is very useful. It allows us to know many important properties about the system that we are studying. However, like everything in engineering every tool comes with its own drawbacks. When measuring current, we will induce a very small voltage drop across the circuit. Although it is usually minuscule, it is still a physical impact. Therefore when we do circuit analysis while measuring the current, we must take into impact the electrical burden of the system.

Photovoltaic Power Stations

Photovoltaic Power Stations

Photovoltaic Power Stations

02/01/18

“How can we make an industrial level of solar power generation?”

 

Solar photovoltaics are rapidly displacing traditional sources of power such as coal and nuclear energy. However, how exactly can we ensure that we can still obtain the same level of energy output as these technologies? Well, let’s use our engineering mindset to think of this. Well, we know that if we were to build a large number of solar panels, then our energy production would vastly increase. So what if were to simply create entire park-sized areas dedicated to solar panels? Well, this is the main idea behind Photovoltaic Power Stations, which are becoming some of the hottest items on the solar market!

Motor Oil

Motor Oil

Motor Oil

01/31/18

“How can we prevent automotive parts from wearing out?”

 

Automotive vehicles are some of the most powerful machines in the world, with a multitude of mechanisms moving at blinding rates. However, if objects move fast with friction, then wear will have to be induced. So how can we prevent these machines from wearing down? Well, let’s use our engineering mindset to find out. We know that if we apply a fluid interface between two objects, then the resulting lubrication will result in much less wear. Because of this, car engines use something called motor oil to increase a vehicle’s lifespan! Most motor oils are derived from crude oil, which can be of links between 18 and 34 carbon atoms per molecule, being completely unsustainable. Electric vehicles, not possessing internal combustion engines, do not require motor oil.

Carbon Film Resistors

Carbon Film Resistors

Carbon Film Resistors

01/30/18

“What are the most common types of resistors?”

 

Resistors come in many shapes and forms. However, what is the most common type of resistors? Well, if you look hard enough, then you will find that Carbon Film Resistors make up the majority of resistors in use today. Carbon film resistors are cheap, plentiful, and have a wide operating range. However, they also are very prone to temperature fluctuations, which could prove disastrous in critical applications.

The Water-Food-Energy Nexus

The Water-Food-Energy Nexus

The Water-Food-Energy Nexus

01/29/18

“What is the link between food, water, and energy?”

 

Although commonly thought of as separate issues, our use of food, water, and energy are actually highly interrelated. For example, agricultural produce is the largest consumer of freshwater resources and takes up to a quarter of energy use, while outdated energy generation techniques such as fracking consume a voluminous amount of water during operation. Because of this, the United Nations has created the concept of  The Water-Food-Energy Nexus to educate people about this phenomenon. This problem will become more apparent with the advent of an increasing population.