Write for us!
-
For Email Newsletters you can trust -
Recent Posts
Categories
Citizen Scientists League on Twitter
Meta
Category Archives: Energy
New Wind Turbine Produces Potable Water
A new design of wind turbine uses the energy it generates to condense and purify drinkable water from the air. Such a system is being tested in the Arabian deserts of Abu Dhabi very encouraging initial results. Continue reading
Posted in Energy, Experimentation, Invention, Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Corona Type Electrostatic Motor – Construction & Experiments
This paper summarizes the construction and initial experiments of a corona type electrostatic motor modeled after similar motors built by V.E. Johnson in 1921[1]. My version of this motor self-starts at one microampere (1mA) with 12 kilovolts (kV) Direct Current (DC). One variant achieved 4,200 revolutions per minute (rpm). Continue reading
Posted in Amateur Science, Electricity, Energy, Invention, Machine Shop, Physics, Projects
3 Comments
An April Fool’s Day Offering
From a duck to a skeleton to a robot dinosaur: scientists created this fabulous kinetic sculpture, called On the Move, to demonstrate to children the concept of energy transfer. Continue reading
Posted in Energy, General Interest, Invention, Physics, Science Education
1 Comment
Butane Fueled Experimental Thermoelectric Generator
Experimental butane/propane fueled thermoelectric generator (TEG) that demonstrates direct thermal to electric energy conversion. A thermal input is converted to an electron current via the Seebeck Effect (c. 1822). Continue reading
Posted in Amateur Science, Electricity, Energy, Experimentation, Physics, Projects
Leave a comment
Thermoelectric Generator with Voltage Regulator & Energy Storage Module
This paper treats the TEG as a system with voltage regulation and energy storage – two essential aspects for energy harvesting applications. The purpose of the experiment was to characterize the performance of the thermoelectric generator (TEG) as a system with a voltage regulator and energy storage module. The intent was to regulate the TEG output potential to ensure it did not exceed the maximum voltage rating for the 5.5 volt energy storage capacitors. Continue reading
Posted in Electricity, Electronics, Energy, Projects
5 Comments
Thermoelectric Generator Prototype: Design, Fabrication & Experimental Investigations
These notes cover the design & fabrication of a thermoelectric generator test bed prototype and the associated experimental investigations from 22 December 2006 to 30 December 2007. Continue reading
Posted in Amateur Science, Electricity, Energy, Machine Shop, Physics, Projects
Leave a comment
Lenz’s Law – Apparatus & Demonstration
This brief paper describes Lenz’s law and discusses the demonstration of Lenz’s law as an excellent example of the conservation of energy, i.e., one must expend energy to produce an electric current by induction. Continue reading
Posted in Electricity, Energy, Physics, Projects, Uncategorized
Leave a comment
“Coffee cup” Thermoelectric Generator
This TEG was designed to demonstrate waste heat energy harvesting, i.e., direct conversion of waste heat to an electrical output. This TEG consists of five thermoelectric modules connected in series around a heat source (coffee cup). Continue reading
Posted in Amateur Science, Electronics, Energy, Physics, Projects
4 Comments
The Value of Experimenting With What We “Know”
Over at the blog Skulls in the Stars is an interesting post about some experiments to test whether light can go faster than light. The first question that comes to mind is, “Why bother?” But just because something has been proven doesn’t mean there isn’t something more to be learned about it. Continue reading
Posted in Best Practices, Energy, Physics
Leave a comment
Large Areas Around Fukushima to be Off Limits, Possibly for Decades
Earlier we reported on indications that the radiation levels surrounding the Fukushima reactors has reached unprecedented levels. As the situation surrounding this disaster continues to deteriorate, it appears that the Japanese government is prepared to take drastic measures in response. Continue reading
Posted in Breaking News, Energy, Environment, Rapid Reaction Reports
Leave a comment