haque design + research
this is a place where we can remind ourselves of things we’ve made or encountered that might be useful somewhere down the line… see www.haque.co.uk for more info.
2 months ago
Frayne’s device consists of a flat, taut membrane that flutters within its housing as air passes through it. At each end of the membrane are magnets that oscillate between metal coils as the band flutters, effectively creating an electric charge. According to the 28-year-old Frayne, prototypes of the Windbelt have generated 40 milliwatts in 10-mph slivers of wind, making his device 10 to 30 times as efficient as the best microturbines.
video: http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1214137061?bctid=1233395616
2 months ago
Submersible Robot Runs on Sea’s Heat | LiveScience
To power its propulsion, the submersible gathers thermal energy from the ocean. When it moves from cooler water to warmer areas, internal tubes of wax are heated up and expand, pushing out the gas in surrounding tanks and increasing its pressure. The compressed gas stores potential energy, like a squeezed spring, that can be used to power the vehicle.
2 months agoWater collected from any dehumidifier is technically distilled water in that it does contain few of the minerals and other particulates that are removed in a true distillation process.
An intelligent system is more sophisticated and interprets the property changes of the smart polymer. For example, it consists of a material that emits a stimulus and of an adaptive material that controls the adaptations of one of its properties to counterbalance the stimulus and to maintain a stable state of the system. More precisely, for example, a structure that vibrates in a given phase of operation is associated with a responsive polymer. A vibration sensor informs a generator of stimulus that requests the responsive polymer to modify the mechanical properties of the unit and to counterbalance the vibratory state.
