1. ENGINEERING AND DESIGN Taylor Wakeland, Hannah Fisher, Rachael Kugler, Dawn Chambers

2. WHAT’S THE PROBLEM? Design a light-weight wind turbine system that is: ▪ Economical ▪ Reliable ▪ Produces a maximum amount of electrical energy in both moderate and strong winds.

3. BACKGROUND INFORMATION … ▪ As the World’s population steadily increases there is an increase in the demand for more energy. Since the 19 th century energy needs have typically relied on fossil fuels as the primary energy resource. ▪ Fossil fuel resources are being depleted and the need for alternative energy resources is required. Additionally with the use of fossil fuels environmental issues such as air quality have arisen. ▪ The need for cleaner, alternative energy sources has never been more in need. Wind energy is an alternative (to fossil fuel) energy source that has been discussed as both “free” and “environmentally clean.” ▪ This engineering project will look at the development of a wind turbine system that can produce a maximum amount of electrical energy.

4. BACKGROUND INFORMATION … ▪ Wind Turbines: a wind-driven turbine for generating electricity. A wind turbine is just one option of clean energy. However, it is the only option we are looking at today. How Does a Wind Turbine Work? The blades of a wind turbine catches wind which results in spinning. The spinning makes the main shaft rotate and that moves the generator. The moving of the generator causes electricity to be created Detailed Diagram of a wind turbine – Our designs are more simple than professional wind turbines.

5. DESIGN CONSTRAINTS … ▪ Length: 40cm maximum ▪ Weight: 200 grams maximum ▪ Reliability: Blades stay attached for 120 seconds in both moderate and strong winds ▪ Electrical Output: Output not to exceed 15.0 volts (rating of generator) ▪ Cost- benefit: Economical to moderate costs.

6. DESIGN 1 … (TAYLOR) ▪ Materials: ▪ Metal Pin ▪ Square piece of paper ▪ Cork ▪ Hot glue ▪ Blade Length: 16cm ▪ Weight: 13 grams Time Lasted (secs) ReadingVolts Moderate Wind 120606 Strong Wind12070.87

7. DESIGN 2 … (HANNAH) ▪ Materials: ▪ Paper Cup ▪ 4 toothpicks ▪ Cork ▪ Hot glue ▪ Blade Length: 6cm ▪ Weight: 5.8 grams Time Lasted (secs) ReadingVolts Moderate Wind 12080.88 Strong Wind120117.212

8. DESIGN 3 … (RACHAEL) Time Lasted (secs) ReadingVolts Moderate Wind 12011211 Strong Wind120150.515 ▪ Materials: ▪ 1 medium Dixie cup ▪ Scissors ▪ Cork ▪ Hot glue ▪ Blade Length: 6cm ▪ Weight: 7.6 grams

9. DESIGN 4 … (DAWN) ▪ Materials: ▪ 2 medium Dixie cups ▪ Scissors ▪ Cork ▪ Hot glue ▪ Blade Length: 16cm ▪ Weight: 13 grams Time Lasted (secs) ReadingVolts Moderate Wind 12050.25 Strong Wind120616

10. WHICH DESIGN WAS MOST EFFICIENT? DesignBlade Length (cm) Weight (grams) Time Lasted (Moderate Wind) Voltage (Moderate Wind) Time Lasted (Strong Wind) Voltage (Strong Wind) 116131206 7 265.81208 12 367.61201112015 412141205 6

11. WHICH DESIGN WAS MOST EFFICIENT? All of the designs lasted for 120 seconds, therefore, are not shown on the graphs above.

12. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? Design Three performed the best out of all the designs. ▪ Meet the criteria and constraints ▪ Shorter than 40cm ▪ Less than 200 grams ▪ Ran for the full 120 seconds ▪ Had the highest voltage ▪ 11 at moderate wind ▪ 15 at strong wind

13. What Could be Better? Prototype Design… ▪Create a larger prototype ▪Make the blades larger ▪Create more than four blades Testing Methods… ▪Test the prototypes more than once ▪Tweak the prototypes to maximize each of their potential ▪Test different sizes of the prototypes ▪Test multiple of the same prototype at once (in the same environment) to make sure it is consistent