Tag: Mechanical Engineering

How to Properly Use Distributed Energy Resources for Resilience

How to Properly Use Distributed Energy Resources for Resilience

How to Properly Use Distributed Energy Resources for Resilience

03/18/19

“How should we use distributed energy resources to build resilience?”

Distributed energy resources such as solar and wind energy are shaping up to be the next dominant paradigm in energy. And one of their most touted benefits is the increased resilience that they will bring. However, research has shown that this will only occur if they are deployed in a careful manner. This means that they will need to be planned to provide backup to vulnerable transmission lines, relieve congestion, and be placed under control of grid operators. This is How to Use Distributed Energy Resources for Resilience.

Why Tempered Glass is Used for Cooking Lids

Why Tempered Glass is Used for Cooking Lids

Why Tempered Glass is Used for Cooking Lids

03/17/19

“What type of glass is used for cooking lids?”
Cooking food is one of the most intricate parts of human life, whether it be meal-prepping for the week or dining with friends. And if one is using a pot then one of the most useful things is to see what is going on underneath. That way, we can monitor what processes are occurring and what to do if something goes wrong. Usually, translucent covers are made of glass. However, since cooking involves high changes in temperature and pressure, the glass needs to be extremely strong and sturdy. As a result, tempered glass with its thermal strength is used. This is why Tempered Glass is Used for Cooking Lids.

Why Airplane Windows are Round

Why Airplane Windows are Round

Why Airplane Windows are Round

03/10/19

“Why are airplane windows round?”

The low-pressure environment that airplanes fly at means that not only must they use a special glass but also a special shape. Because the internal pressure of the cabin is much higher than the external environment, the airplane will expand, inducing stress in the exterior. If square windows are used, then this stress will become overly concentrated and may break the plane. As a result, ovular windows must be used to ensure a smooth distribution of stress. This is Why Airplane Windows are Round.

Decarbonizing Air Travel

Decarbonizing Air Travel

Decarbonizing Air Travel

03/04/19

“How can we make air travel carbon-free?”

One of my favorite things to do is travel. Although I don’t get the opportunity often, I love the ability to see new lands, meet new people, and really change my perspective on the world. And one of my favorite parts is traveling to the destination by plane. Being able to gaze upon the entire world through my plane window almost makes me feel like a child again.

However, as a sustainability enthusiast, I feel bad every time I take a flight. I am aware that in one round-trip flight from San Francisco to New York I’ve generated about 20% of the greenhouse gases emitted by the average American car travel. In 1992, it accounted for 13% of all transportation emissions and is expected to grow in the coming years. As a result, Decarbonizing Air Travel is a necessity for achieving a climate-friendly world. This can be done through a multitude of sources, most notably replacement or decarbonization of jet fuel.

Why Cold Waves are Bad for Traditional Energy Generation

Why Cold Waves are Bad for Traditional Energy Generation

Why Cold Waves are Bad for Traditional Energy Generation

03/03/19

“Why does traditional energy generation suffer from cold waves?”

When the weather becomes extremely cold, such as the American Midwestern polar vortex, energy generation in traditional generation facilities becomes much less efficient. This stands in stark contrast to wind turbines, which are much more resilient to colder weather. This is Why Cold Waves are Bad for Traditional Energy Generation.

What Type of Glass do Airplanes Use for Windows?

What Type of Glass do Airplanes Use for Windows?

What Type of Glass do Airplanes Use for Windows?

03/02/19

“Why are airplane windows so strong and lightweight?”

I don’t know about you, but looking out of the window is one of my favorite things to do while traveling. I get to see a whole variety of landscapes from a new perspective, whether it be the city I live in looking like a model replica or the vast open countryside. But this also gets me thinking about how the engineers have to design the glass. The glass that we use for our window buildings is quite fragile, one thrown object can completely shatter it! This is completely unsuitable for air travel, where the plane can be traveling at high speeds in high-pressure differences. If a single person breaks their plane window, the entire crew can be killed!

For this reason, aircraft windows are made of plexiglass. This allows them to be lightweight while strong and transparent. This glass is also slightly layered, with a little whole in the middle portion to get rid of condensation. This is exactly What Type of Glass do Airplanes Use for Windows.