Conceptual Model
Identify the Problem:
The civilization we currently live in has collapsed. Currently we are using oil as an energy source but we will run out soon so our job was to build an alternate energy source using the wind.
Generate Ideas:
The first idea my partner and I came up with was getting 4 water bottles and cutting them to be skinnier. We would attach them all to a water bottle cap and connect the cap to the motor. We realized this idea would take up a lot of materials, time, and not spin as efficiently. The second idea we came up with is building a cardboard wind turbine with folds that allow it to spin because of the resistance. We thought it was a good idea but we did not know how to attach the blades to the motor and allowing it to turn. The next idea was to get a couple straws and insert the motor in the straws. The straws will hold and be glued to the blades. This idea was efficient but there was no possible way for the straws to spin and stay on the motor correctly. The idea we used was our final idea. We used a bottle cap and attached blades that were put to an angle around the perimeter of the cap. The cap is attached to the motor at the center. We attached the model to a stand and our final product was created.
Constraints:
The wind turbine must be made of recycled material. Must be self standing. It also must fit in the box.
Criteria:
The wind turbine must be efficient.
Research
We searched up some examples of wind turbines so we could examine an efficient wind turbine and build off it.
Through trial and error, we realized we needed a spinning center. Our previous attempts didn't work because of this.
Possible Ideas
My possible idea was to build the cardboard turbine with the folds for the resistance. I planned to attach all of the triangular blades a stick of balsa wood that was connected to a little cardboard contraption where the motor is connected and will spin. I would fold one of the angles of the triangular blades all the same direction. My partner, Enzo, had the idea of the cardboard turbine with a bottle cap in the middle. He planned to attach the turbine to the motor and attach the motor to the stand.
Idea Matrix
Ideas
Criteria J E
Effectiveness 1 2
Total
Summary
We chose the last idea because it seemed to be the more efficient turbine. It was self standing, produced 0.4 volts, and was considerably light weight. When we tested this model, it worked the best. Others had issues like interference or the turbine fell of the motor.
The civilization we currently live in has collapsed. Currently we are using oil as an energy source but we will run out soon so our job was to build an alternate energy source using the wind.
Generate Ideas:
The first idea my partner and I came up with was getting 4 water bottles and cutting them to be skinnier. We would attach them all to a water bottle cap and connect the cap to the motor. We realized this idea would take up a lot of materials, time, and not spin as efficiently. The second idea we came up with is building a cardboard wind turbine with folds that allow it to spin because of the resistance. We thought it was a good idea but we did not know how to attach the blades to the motor and allowing it to turn. The next idea was to get a couple straws and insert the motor in the straws. The straws will hold and be glued to the blades. This idea was efficient but there was no possible way for the straws to spin and stay on the motor correctly. The idea we used was our final idea. We used a bottle cap and attached blades that were put to an angle around the perimeter of the cap. The cap is attached to the motor at the center. We attached the model to a stand and our final product was created.
Constraints:
The wind turbine must be made of recycled material. Must be self standing. It also must fit in the box.
Criteria:
The wind turbine must be efficient.
Research
We searched up some examples of wind turbines so we could examine an efficient wind turbine and build off it.
Through trial and error, we realized we needed a spinning center. Our previous attempts didn't work because of this.
Possible Ideas
My possible idea was to build the cardboard turbine with the folds for the resistance. I planned to attach all of the triangular blades a stick of balsa wood that was connected to a little cardboard contraption where the motor is connected and will spin. I would fold one of the angles of the triangular blades all the same direction. My partner, Enzo, had the idea of the cardboard turbine with a bottle cap in the middle. He planned to attach the turbine to the motor and attach the motor to the stand.
Idea Matrix
Ideas
Criteria J E
Effectiveness 1 2
Total
Summary
We chose the last idea because it seemed to be the more efficient turbine. It was self standing, produced 0.4 volts, and was considerably light weight. When we tested this model, it worked the best. Others had issues like interference or the turbine fell of the motor.
Working Model
After we created the basic model, we noticed that the stand kept moving back because it was so light. We added layers of cardboard to the bottom of the stand to help. I thought that the blades were too light and would be more efficient with weight on the back of the blades. we glued cardboard to the back and the wind turbine became more efficient.
Mathematical Model
The mathematical model helped us by showing that the heavier the turbine, the slower the turbine spun. We chose to make the weight to be close to the average weight for a more efficient turbine.