Author: Isaac Gendler

Defective Device Bypass

Defective Device Bypass

01/28/18

“How can a circuit continue to operate even in the presence of a defect?”

Circuit defects happen all the time. And commonly, one of the things that occur is a short-circuiting between two elements, which can cause a whole circuit to break down. So how can we use our engineering mindset to protect against such a situation? Well, what if we were to create an alternate path of low resistance, such that the current would be able to go around it without inducing too much of a voltage drop? This is known as the Defective Device Bypass and can be found in appliances everywhere from festive lights to solar panels.

Wireless Charging

Wireless Charging

01/27/18

“How can we charge a device without a cord?”

When we think about charging electrical devices, we typically think of using a huge power supplying power cord. However, is it possible to charge without having any physical connection? Well, let’s use our engineering mindset to figure it out. We know that if we were to take two inductive coils, put them close together, and send an electric coil to one, then a current will be induced in the other. So what if we were to have a station with one inductive coil, and a device with another, every time the electromagnetic activity of the station can induce a current in the other? Well, this is known as wireless charging and is a very rapidly developing technology, with voluminous implications for both electric vehicles and cell phones.

Neuroeconomics

Neuroeconomics

01/26/18

“How can Neuroscience impact economic theory?”

Neuroscience is one of the fastest expanding fields of science. And its findings have serious implications for other fields of research, far and wide. And one of these includes something not usually thought of as being related, economics. Since economics is becoming increasingly driven by how humans make decisions, one of the factors is must consider is the operating framework of the mind. As a result, the field of neuroeconomics has been born, which has serious implications for the future of the study of human behavior.

Distributed Energy Resources

Distributed Energy Resources

01/25/18

“How can we have true localized energy generation?”

In the past, most energy was generated through large, expensive and environmentally intensive engineering projects such as nuclear power plants and steam boiler systems. But with the advent of renewable energy, such infrastructure can now be rendered obsolete. Since Renewable energy sources can work with a few separated units and does not cause drastic environmental harm, they can be positioned close to homes and offices. As such we can realize something known as Distributed Energy Resources, which will explode in the coming years!

Fuel Economy in Aircraft

Fuel Economy in Aircraft

01/24/18

“Can fuel economy be applied to aircraft?”

Fuel economy is one of the key standards when evaluating automobiles. However, can this system also be applied to aircraft? Well, it turns out that not only is it entirely possible but also vital in the industry! Fuel economy for aircraft depends on aerodynamics, wing design, engine efficiency, weight, and propulsive efficiency.

Bioelectrical Resistance

Bioelectrical Resistance

01/23/18

“Can biological organisms resist electric current?”

Biological organisms have many properties. It turns out they also have some electrical resistance as well! This phenomenon is known as bioelectrical resistance and is usually caused by the exterior epidermis of organisms.

Fuel Economy

Fuel Economy

01/22/17

“How can we measure a car’s fuel efficiency?”

Cars are some of the most ubiquitous machines in the world. However, most of them are also powered by liquid petroleum, and since there is a myriad of different models they all consume this material at a different rate. So how can we create a measure of this efficiency? Well, if we use our engineering mindsets, then we will realize that we can standardize everything by seeing how much fuel is consumed per unit of distance, therefore creating something known as Fuel Economy. Fuel economy is affected by multiple factors, including onboard appliances, environmental conditions, and engine design. The better the fuel economy, the more sustainable the vehicle is.

R-Values (Construction)

R-Values (Construction)

01/21/18

“How can we measure a building material’s resistance to heat flow?”

One of a building’s primary functions is to insulate people from the outside world. And just as different materials are made of different atoms, different building materials are more efficient at producing insulation. So how can we quantify this? Well, let’s start by testing each material and assigning it a particular value. Engineers have done this and came up with the concept of the R-value. If you take a material of R-value x and one of R-value y and place one in front of the other then you will obtain a material with an R-value x + y. R-values are one of the fundamental components of modern-day construction

Model Predictive Control for HVAC

Model Predictive Control for HVAC

01/20/18

“How can we implement Model Predictive Control for HVAC?”

Model Predictive Control has been applied to all sorts of situations, whether it be self-driving cars or autonomous building systems. So logically, something such as HVAC systems is another area of interest. Model Predictive Control for HVAC takes in parameters of such as heat and humidity and combines it with theoretical principles to have powerful predictive capabilities.