Hello,
I am Ethan Yeow, the assistant group leader and organiser of this team. This week, was a tough week for us. This week, we had to make our report about the product we are going to make. Our initial idea was to make 2 products, one solar powered while the other kinetic powered, so that we can be different. However, our teacher Ms Toh told us to make one product. My team had to discuss whether to make a solar power macbook charger or use kinetic energy to charger rechargeable batteries. We discussed the benefits and disadvantages. We finally came up with a final decision that we will focus and make that product to the best ability we can. We came to an unanimous decision to make a machine which uses kinetic energy to charge rechargeable batteries. We chose it because it was a simpler choice cause we do not know any engineering and the other reason was because it was much cheaper than solar power. We are currently doing as much research to make this product a success. We would try to update this blog to provide more information. Thank You.

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The kinetic energy of an object is the extra energy which it possesses due to its motion. It is defined as the work needed to accelerate a body of a given mass from rest to its current velocity. Having gained this energy during its acceleration, the body maintains this kinetic energy unless its speed changes. Negative work of the same magnitude would be required to return the body to a state of rest from that velocity.

Kinetic energy to power something:
Benefits:
• Minimize number of charged batteries needed to be carried around
• Usage of regenerative energy instead of non-regenerative energy
• Charge-up your batteries while on the move
• No need to sit by charger to wait for battery to be charged

Features:
• Portable design
• Environmental friendly
• Efficient power-charging method
• Revolutionize the way we think about charging batteries

Electromagnetic generator ----------> Step up transformer -----------> Rectifier -------------> Regulator


Electromagnetic generator – This block is made up of bar magnets moving in a copper coil inducing electromagnetic power. Due to the movements of the user, the magnets will swing in and out of the wire coils and will therefore induce the generation of voltage in the coils. The generated voltage will then be harvested via wires connected to the coils. The harvested energy from this block will be transferred to the Step-up Transformer component.

Step-up Transformer – This block is made up of wires coiled around metal bars. The primary coil will have fewer coils than the secondary coil. The fraction of coil difference will be determined after a consistent output from generator is obtained. The transformer will receive the output of the generator and step it up to the optimum output that we require for the battery. The output voltage will then be used to power the recharging process.

Rectifier – This circuit is built to convert the electrical output from the transformer from AC to DC in order to charge the batteries. This circuit will mainly consist of diodes in certain arrangement to regulate the current flow in one direction.

Regulator – This circuit is built to ensure that there is no voltage spike and ensure that the power supply remains constant. By using a component like a Zener diode, we could regulate the voltage supplied to the charging device without spoiling it. It also ensures that the power stored in the battery does not leak back into the device.

Generator – We will test the output of the generator to ensure that we can get a decent voltage output from a small movement and also from a vigorous shaking. We will measure the voltage and current output so as to know the range of power that we will be dealing with.

Transformer – We can test this by inputting a voltage from a function generator and then measuring the output of the transformer via an oscilloscope or voltmeter. From the ratio of the output voltage versus input voltage, we can verify whether the generator is working as planned.

Rectifier – We can test this circuit by using a function generator to supply an AC voltage current to the rectifier circuit and then measuring the output of the circuit to see if it is in DC voltage. We will also have to minimize the ripple of the output.

Regulator – This circuit can be tested by sending in a range of voltages using a function generator and checking the output of the circuit on an oscilloscope. When the voltages are above or below the designated voltage range of the device, the output of this circuit should be zero volts.



DUE TO INEXPERIENCE I TOOK MOST OF IT FROM AN EXPERIENCED TEAM ON THE INTERNET BUT IT APPLIES THE SAME TO OUR PROJECT. I DIGESTED THE INFORMATION AND ADDED THE APPROPRIATE INFORMATION FOR THE CHEAPEST AND BEST PLAN.


By: Yeo Chong Han (Ivan)

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Hello. I am Daniel the group recorder. For the survey, we had abit of problems. We had some trouble coming up with relevant questions for the survey. However the group was very cooperative and we managed to come up with the questions quickly. Other than that , we had no other problems
please click on this link for a short and simple survey:
Click Here to take survey
provided by ethan yeow

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Hi,
I am Jarrett Yong, the group questioner. There was problems such as unable to have a gathering at others house. We have to create a survey preferably an electronic one, has a bit of a problem. In the end, we manage to find time to have a gathering. We have learn how to plan our time properly and work better as a team.

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Hello,

I am Sin Kang, the group encourager. The project this week is pretty tough, as we have to do more guiding questions and think of a product idea. However, we managed to pull through as we had learnt to interact and communicate more with each other. We understand each other better now and can cooperate.
Thank you thats all for now. See you next lesson.

YikSK

UPdate: This is the week 4&5 worksheet....

Download Link : CLick HEre

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Week 3 worksheet,

Download link: Grace week 3

Hi,

This is Daniel Wen. I am the group recorder. For this worksheet, I had some trouble getting the group together to do it. We also had some trouble list the guiding questions. I have learnt to cooperate better with my group members through this experience. Thank you for your time.

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The week 2 project is finally done

Download : HERE

REflection: Hello, i am Ethan Yeow, the assistant leader of this group. This week we learnt many this such as aerosol, CFC, pollutants, etc. We also learnt what affects the ozone layer and global warming. We have learnt what we can do to save the earth. The informations are in the download above. This week, we are having much better teamwork and communication. Daniel is more cooperative now. Thank you and will see you next lesson.

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The link to download the week 1 project is:

Grace Week One Project

REflection:

WE selected our topic and what we want to do next is to arrange a date and confirm it. I, Ivan or Chong Han the leader as of today is helping to get the team together we are always busy. Me, myself have 3 days of the week occupied. Gettting the team together is a tough job hope we do well and the team has spoken to me about what they think and their trying, well as least 4 of us are. Daniel Is tough to handle but he is okay, i think. Thanks and see you next week. Oh and sorry for the late submission.

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Well...welcome to our blog, did a little editing.

Yeo Chong Han(Ivan)

5/1/2009

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