“How can we make a MOSFET that can operate at lower voltages?”
MOSFETS are some of the most useful appliances in electronic circuits. It’s ability to act like a turn a circuit on or off just through a voltage spike has been a paradigm shift in electronics. However, many of these MOSFETs might require a voltage of around 10 V to operate, and sometimes we don’t have the ability to generate that amount (such as working with a microcontroller). So how can we use our engineering mindset to solve this problem? Well, what if we were to build a special MOSFET that can work under lower voltage levels? It turns out that these have been invented, and are called Logic Level MOSFETs.
“How can we make an electrical switch in our circuit?”
Switches are very useful in circuit elements. With them, we can turn parts of a circuit on and off. But sometimes we can’t mechanically activate them. So how can we use our engineering mindset to solve this problem? Well, what if we were to use an electromagnet that could actuate upon a switch based upon the current applied? Well, this is the fundamental idea behind electrical relays and are used in circuits applications worldwide.
Transistors are some of the most commonly used electronic devices in the world because of their ability to act like an electrically controlled switch. However, what exactly is it called when they act like an open circuit? Well, after many years of studying this, engineers and scientists have termed such an effect Transistor Saturation. Transistor Saturation occurs when the voltage difference between the base and emitter is around 0.7 volts and the collector and emitter is 0.1 volts.
“How can we amplify the current from one transistor using another?”
Transistors are very useful for amplifying current. However, sometimes the current gain from a single module is not enough. So how can we use our engineering mindset to solve this problem? Well, what if we were to simply hook two transistors up to each other? This way, we current amplification will be squared. This setup is known as a Darlington Pair and is used in the control of motor relays.
Signals are one of the fundamental components of modern day electronics, whether it be with the radio we hear in our cars, the broadband that powers our internet, or the electricity that is driven to our homes. However, this data can be bundled with a lot of noise and complications, making analysis very difficult. So how can we use our engineering mindset to circumvent this problem? Well, what if we were to simply apply numerical methods to filter, modify, and extract this data? This is the fundamental idea behind Signal Processing and is one of the foundations of modern control engineering.
In the 20th century, back when we were reliant on massive power plants to produce energy, if you wanted to have electricity in your home then you had to sign up an electrical utility. But with the advent of Solar Plus Storage Systems, this might become a thing of the past. Now that people can not only generate but store their own electricity at their home, there is no longer a need to be attached to the grid. In some cases, it’s actually cheaper to become off-grid! As a result, many people are undergoing grid defection and turning to generate their own electricity.
Fault Detection and Diagnostics for Solar Plus Storage Systems
02/27/18
“Can we use fault detection and diagnosis on solar plus storage systems?”
In the past, Fault Detection and Diagnostics was typically used in conventional energy power plants. However, with the advent of distributed energy resources, we must take into account how they might fail. As such, Fault Detection and Diagnostics for Solar Plus Storage Systems is becoming an up and coming research topic.
“How do most mechatronic industrial machines operate?”
Believe it or not, most modern day industrial mechatronic devices share a common operating principle. But how exactly does this work? Well, let’s use our engineering mindset to find out. When running through their cycles, they are in one state at a time. Whether it be an elevator changing floors or a car starting its motors. And if they want to change states, then a certain condition needs to be satisfied, such as reaching the destination floor or reaching full speed. Resultantly, this system architecture is called a Finite-State Machine and is one of the most common examples in the world.
“How can climate change slow down our renewable energy portfolio?”
Wind Energy is one of the most fundamental renewable energy resources. However, research performed by the Energy and Resources Group at the University of California Berkeley have shown that wind in the Northern Hemisphere is actually in decline as a result of climate change. As a result, the more the climate warms, the less potential wind will have! So do your part and make sure that you live sustainably so we can have more potential for clean energy!
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