Tag: Mechanical Engineering

Recuperators

Recuperators

Recuperators

06/29/17

“How can we optimize a combustion chamber?”

 

In engineering, we often use combustion to power a system. However, if we have to use cold air, then we will need significantly more fuel to operate our system. So how could we make a device that would automatically heat up the air for our needs? Well, let’s think about it. First, let’s have a tube where the air flows in. Then, let’s compress this air using a compressor. Afterward, let’s force this compresses air into a heat exchanger where it will be warmed up by some waste heat. Then, let’s take this heated air, have it flow through a turbine for power, and run it through the exhaust pipe to heat up the incoming air and complete the cycle. This system is known as a recuperator and is used in all sorts of systems from ventilation systems to energy transfer processes.

A quick note on the sustainability of electric vehicles

A quick note on the sustainability of electric vehicles

A quick note on the sustainability of electric vehicles

Isaac Gendler

06/25/17

“How effective are electric vehicles at promoting sustainability?”

 

Electric vehicles are often touted as one of the drivers of the frontier of sustainability. However, one should keep in mind that electric vehicles draw their power from the grid, and if the grid is not powered by sustainable sources then electric vehicles will not be sustainable either. So one when we continue the battle against greenhouse gases in transportation, we must keep in mind that we must not limit our efforts to only one field.

Pumped hydrogen storage

Pumped hydrogen storage

Pumped hydrogen storage

06/24/17

“How can we use a gravitational potential to store energy?”

 

If you have ever taken an introductory physics class, then you know that anything with a mass at some distance from the Earth has an energy potential associated with it given by the equation P.E = mgh, with m being the mass g being gravity and h being the height. So logically speaking, if we were to vastly increase the mass then we would also vastly increase the potential energy. So if we have a large enough mass, we can store enough energy for an electric grid!

 

This is the exact idea behind a technology known as pumped hydrogen storage. Pumped hydrogen storage takes two water reservoirs at a height gradient, and discharges energy to the grid by moving the water through a turbine and stores more energy by using a grid powered pump increase the level of water on the top layer

Low-cost air pollution sensors

Low-cost air pollution sensors

Low-cost air pollution sensors

Isaac Gendler

06/18/17

“How can we produce low-cost air pollution sensors?”

 

Air pollution sensors are absolutely necessary for policy making. But for many developing countries, such technology is often too expensive. So how can we make the costs less prohibitive? Well, let’s use our engineering mindset to figure this out. We know that the main cost of monitoring air pollution comes from deploying sensors. But humans all over the world are already carrying advanced sensors with them, smartphones! A team at the University of California San Diego have developed a series of sensors that can communicate with a user’s smartphone using an app called CitiSense to perform real-time pollution monitoring. The goal of this project is to eventually to create a system in which entire communities can use to gather pollution data

Air pollution sensors

Air pollution sensors

Air pollution sensors

06/17/17

“How can we monitor air pollution?”

 

With the advent of industrialization, air pollution has become a significant issue in many parts of the world, inducing grievous health issues and productivity impairments. As such, governments and independent organizations are taking action to reduce this nefarious trend. However, before we can take steps to eliminate pollution, we must first know how much needs to be eliminated. To do this, engineers have developed air pollution sensors which can analyze the atmosphere for certain elements (ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrous oxide) for human analysis

How to make faucets more sustainable

How to make faucets more sustainable

How to make faucets more sustainable

Isaac Gendler

06/15/17

“How can we make our faucets more sustainable?”

 

I want you to think about something. What exactly do you use to clean yourself after you have used the restroom? Well, if you live in a developed country, then you probably immediately think of faucets. Quite simply, without faucets, we would be unable to function in our daily lives! However, as engineers, we must always think more critically not just about the outputs of a system but the inputs as well. Specifically, faucets use water for their operation. And since water is an increasingly finite resource (especially in dry areas such as California), how can we modify these mechanisms to be more sustainable? Well, believe it or not, there is a very simple solution for this, having the faucets use less pressure! When less pressure is used, a smaller volume of water will be transported, thereby using less water!

Meat thermometers

Meat thermometers

Meat thermometers

06/14/17

“How do meat thermometers work?”

 

Meat thermometers are used every day to measure the temperature of meats. However, how exactly do they work? Well, let’s use our engineering mindset to find out. If we were to deconstruct one of these machines, then we would find out that inside the thermometer are two strips of metal with different heat coefficients. Upon the application of heat, both of these will expand at different rates, inducing twisting and therefore changing the dial at a constant rate!

How cement is made

How cement is made

How cement is made

06/12/17

“How is cement made?”

 

Cement is one of the most versatile materials on the planet. However, how exactly is it made? Well, let’s use our engineering mindset to find out. First, we must gather up its primal ingredients: limestone, clay, and others. Then, we must crush these rocks. Then we must combine this crushed material with other ingredients such as iron ore and feed it into a cement kiln. The kiln will then heat all of these ingredients, burning away some, and producing a red-hot compound known as clinker. This clinker must then be ejected into a cooling plant, and be mixed with gypsum and limestone to eventually form the cement that we know and love.

Stirling engines

Stirling engines

Stirling engines

06/10/17

“What is the alternative to the internal combustion engine?”

 

Internal combustion engines are infamous for their loud and emissive nature. However, would it be possible to have a different type of engine that fixes most of the problems of ICEs? Well, let’s think about with our scientific mindset. First, let’s take two pistons and enclose them on two sides of a chamber. Then, let’s heat up one side of the chamber. This extra heat will cause the volume to expand against the first piston, doing work, cooling the gas, and pulling the second piston up. Eventually, it will expand so much that the first cylinder will be able to compress it, shoving the cooled gas into the second piston’s chamber. Soon enough, the second piston will reach its threshold and the direction will be able to reverse. This engine is known as a Stirling engine and can reach efficiencies of up to 50% while remaining quiet, making them an ideal candidate for use in high specialty applications.