Sustainable Vehicle Lab
Overview
• Experimental Objective
• Background Information
• Materials
• Procedure
• Assignment
• Closing
Experimental Objective
• Test the capabilities of solar panels and wind turbines
• Test the capabilities of the citrus cells, hydrogen fuel
cells and capacitors
• Design a sustainable energy car to compete against the
other groups
Background Information
• Electrolytic Cells
• Renewable Energy
• Solar panels
• Wind-turbine technology
• Hydrogen fuel cells
• Electronic Components
Electrolytic Cells
• Uses two different electrodes and an
electrolytic solution
• Applications in industry include electrorefining and
production of high-purity copper and zinc
• Electrolytic Solution
• Non-metallic part of circuit
• Electrolytes dissociate free ions to create an
electrically conductive solution
• Lemon juice used as electrolyte
• Electrodes
• Two metals of differing electron affinity
Renewable Energy
• Harnessed from natural resources
• Clean energy sources
• Sources for energy are abundant
in supply[1]
Solar Panels
• Made from silicon or copper
indium gallium (di)selenide
(CIGS)
• Converts sunlight to electrical
current
• Absorbed sunlight excites
electrons to allow freedom of
motion (generates an electric
current)[2]
Wind-Turbine Technology
• Use pressure difference generated by the
wind to spin the turbine blades
• Converts mechanical energy into electrical
energy
• The wind vane is used to determine the
direction the wind-turbine will face[3]
Hydroelectric Generation
• Nearly identical to wind turbine
• Geographically constrained
• Largest source of renewable energy generation
Hydrogen Fuel
• Stores chemical energy and
converts it into electrical energy
• Types of fuels used include (but are
not limited to) hydrogen, methane,
and gasoline
• Reversible fuel cells can separate
water into hydrogen and oxygen,
then use it to generate electrical
energy [4]
Capacitors
• A capacitor is an electrical device used to store charge
• Capacitors can be connected in parallel (increases
charge stored) and in series (increases voltage
stored)[5]
Capacitors
• Store electrical energy
• 1 F (Farad) polarized capacitor
Positive Negative
Capacitor Charging
• Capacitor charge limit is restricted by charge voltage
• Maximizing applied voltage maximizes energy stored
• Capacitor is charged in time increments called the time
constant (tau):
τ = RC
R = resistance, C = capacitance
Percentage Charged
• Charge is logarithmic
• It takes approximately 4τ to charge the capacitor
Ex:
Materials
• Horizon Wind-Turbine • Alligator cable sets
• Solar Battery Panels • Standard Lego Car Chassis
• Water Turbine plus Lego parts kit
• Adjustable Table fan • Mini Electric propeller
• Heat Lamp • LED (Light Emitting Diode)
• DMM (Digital Multi-meter) • Lego to Alligator Cable Clip
• Music Voltmeter Connector
• 3V DC Motor • Scissors
• Horizon Hydrogen Fuel cell • Tape
• 1 Farad 2.5V Capacitor
Materials Price List
• Horizon Wind-Turbine ($7.50/each)
• Solar Battery Panels ($10.00/each)
• Water Turbine ($5.00/each)
• Horizon Hydrogen Fuel cell ($4.00/each)
• 1 Farad 5.5V Capacitor ($3.00/each)
• Alligator cable sets ($0.50/each pair)
• 2oz Lemon Juice (with cup): ($0.50)
• Cu and Zn: $0.75/strip
• Lego to Alligator Cable Clip Connector ($0.10/each)
• Duct Tape ($0.10/feet)
Procedure
• Part 1: Test the power storage devices
• Lemon juice
• Hydrogen fuel cell
• Capacitor
• Part 2: Test the assigned power source using music
voltmeter
• Solar panel
• Wind turbine
• Water turbine
• Part 3: Design a sustainable energy car using the power
sources and power storage devices of your choice
Competition Rules
• Power storage devices must be contained in the car
• The sustainable energy car may not be pushed or
launched
• The sustainable energy car should not be touched after
it has started to move
• The car will run for up to five minutes or until the car
comes to a stop
Competition Ratio
𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 [𝑓𝑡] 100
𝐶𝑅 = × + 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒[𝑓𝑡]
1 𝑠 + 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒[𝑠] 𝐶𝑜𝑠𝑡 [$]
Where distance is measured in feet (1 tile = 1 ft), time is time
elapsed for the trial, and cost is the total cost of constructing the
car
Assignment: Report
• Team lab report
• Title page
• Discussion of topics in the manual
• Include a picture of your vehicle
• Scan in lab notes (ask TA for assistance)
• TA must initial that table and graph were completed
Assignment: Presentation
• Team presentation
• State rules of competition
• Describe your design and its concepts
• Include table of class results, cost and photo/video of design
• How could your current design be improved?
• Refer to “Creating PowerPoint Presentations” found on
EG website
Closing
• Have all original data signed by TA
• Submit all work electronically
• Clean up workstations
• Return all materials to TA
Works Cited
1. Eriksson, J.. "Renewable energy vs. fossil fuel." Renewable power news. N.p.,
2010. Web. 26 Jul 2012. <[Link]
2. [Link]
Overview/News-Detail/[Link]/1014?newsitem=1273.
3. . The structure of a modern wind turbine – an overview. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Jul
2012. <[Link]
4. Reg Tyler, . "Types of Fuel Cells." Energy efficeny and renewable energy. U.S.
Department of Energy, 2011. Web. 24 Jul 2012.
<[Link]
5. . Rotational Equilibrium. WWU, n.d. Web. 26 Jul 2012.
<[Link]
6. [Link]
Sustainable Vehicle Lab
QUESTIONS?
