RAT WHEEL TO GENERATE ELECTRICAL ENERGY John Park, Chris Teng, Suzy Yassen, Kristin Coleman
Background • Faraday’s law - Magnetic field change in the surface induces electrical potential on the boundary of that surface Figure. Integral and Differential form of Faraday’s law. Rate of change of magnetic flux through the circuit. E : Electromotive force, that force electron to move.
Magnetic Field • Magnetic Field is defined by the amount of magnetic flux that comes out of North pole and goes into the south pole. • The more the flux arrow penetrate an area, the more magnetic force. Figure. Magnetic field.
Magnetic field change and electric flow Figure. Electric flow depending on Magnetic field change
How to set up the device • Condition 1. The direction of coils winded should be properly aligned in one direction (Right- hand rule) 2. The distance between the coil and the magnet should be the closet as it could be 3. The size of the coil is optimal when it is closest to the boundary of the magnetic field
Magnetic field Induces Current
Plan for the Rat Treadwheel 1. Magnets. Are attached on one side of the treadwheel, symmetrical location 2. Coils. Are set up on the exact same symmetrical location as the magnets, oriented on the same direction, in order to induce proper electrical current. 3. Two ends of the coils are connected to voltage meter in order to record the voltage.
How to set up the device • Condition - The direction of coils winded should be properly aligned in one direction - The distance between the coil and the magnet should be the closet as it could be - The size of the coil is optimal when it is closest to the boundary of the magnetic field
Materials • Copper wire • Cardboard • Super magnets • Ceramic magnets • Lab tape • Voltmeter and leads • Hamster/rat wheel and appropriately sized axel
Methods • Due to rust on the wheel stand, the wheel was removed and a cotton swab was used for the axel • A Styrofoam plate was cut to be the same size as the diameter of the wheel • A total of 16 magnets were used: • 8 super magnets were placed on the outward-facing side of the Styrofoam plate, alternating polarities • 8 ceramic magnets were placed directly opposite of the super magnets on the inward-facing side of the plate
Methods (cont.) • 2 Coils: • 2 copper coils were wrapped clockwise and attached to a piece of cardboard • The coils were also attached both to each other and the voltmeter • The coils were placed near the magnets on the outside of the wheel • The wheel was spun at medium and fast speeds while the voltage was recorded every 5 sec.
Methods (cont.) • 4 Coils: • 2 additional coils were made and connected to each other and the previously made coils • The wheel was spun similarly to the way it was spun with just 2 copper coils, and the voltage was recorded every 5 seconds.
Results • Initially 1-2 mV recorded • Optimized device to get 9-10 mV • Absolute max 13.1 • http://youtu.be/JFXumV2mMyY
Discussion • Originally we wanted to use rats to spin the wheel, but using humans provided more control and less variation. • Came across a few problems regarding distance of the coils and the magnets. • Not the most efficient source of energy, but with more modifications can be better. • Interestingly, the amount and directions of the coils mattered greatly.
Conclusions • Given the task to “Harness a biological process as a source of electrical energy” we were quite successful. • Used the biological process of our muscle contraction and movement. • Used a variation of the Direct Current (DC) or Dynamo Generator. • Works by having the magnetic field push electrons inside of the wire, generating a electrical current in the wire.
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