Hank reaches the fourth and final of the four fundamental interactions in physics: electromagnetism. In this part, he teaches us about the electrostatic force, which builds up a charge in an object and can travel in the form of an electron stream.
Stay tuned for Part II, where we will finish up the series with the magnetic force.
German student builds electromagnetic harvester to recharge a battery
Dennis Siegel, a student at the University of the Arts in Bremen, Germany has built what he calls an electromagnetic harvester—it converts electromagnetic fields in the immediate environment into electricity to recharge a common AA battery. He’s won a 2nd place award in the HfK Bremen Hochschulpreis 2013 competition for Digitale Medien, for his efforts.
Electromagnetism is all around us of course. In addition to natural sources, such as lightning, it’s also given off by virtually every electronic gadget, device or machine humans make. Siegel (and many others) have noted that the electromagnetism around us all could be converted to electricity and used for some purpose. The problem of course, is that the comparatively small amount of it in the air around us isn’t enough to make much electricity—the device Siegel built takes up to a day to charge a single AA battery. But that’s not reason enough to not build and use a device, as he has demonstrated. He’s added electronics to give the device the capability of capturing electromagnetism in two ranges—one below 100Hz (electrical mains, etc.) and another for capturing those above 100Hz (Blue tooth frequencies etc.). On top is a red LED to indicate how strong the electromagnetism is in the area and on the back is a magnet for affixing the device to a metal surface near a good source.
The particulars of the electronics inside his device haven’t been detailed (likely to prevent copycats) with a description only of “coils and high frequency diodes” being put to use to allow for the conversion. But that clearly isn’t the point of his device. Instead, it highlights not only the fact that we live our lives in a constant state of bombardment of electromagnetism, but also that all of the energy from all of the collective devices in use in the world today, is currently going to waste. But, because of small devices like the one Siegel has built, it becomes possible to envision banks of such devices sitting on roofs (or other places) making use of that electromagnetism to add to the electricity generated by other renewable sources, such as solar or wind collection devices—just another way to demonstrate a higher level of intelligent power generation and conservation.
Credit: Dennis Siegel
Lenz’s law states that the induced electromotive force in any circuit is always in a direction to oppose the effect that produced it. That’s why connecting a coil of wire to a battery doesn’t make much happen, while disconnecting them results in a flash.
That’s a bit oversimplifying it as the law actually covers magnetic fields, electromotive force, magnetic flux etc, so if you’re interested, it’s well explained here and here :) Oh, and don’t try this at home.
Nikola Tesla
Nikola Tesla (10 July 1856 – 7 January 1943) was a Serbian-American inventor, mechanical engineer, electrical engineer, and futurist. He was an important contributor to the use of commercial electricity, and is best known for developing the modern alternating current (AC) electrical supply system. His many revolutionary developments in the field of electromagnetism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries were based on the theories of electromagnetic technology discovered by Michael Faraday. Tesla’s patents and theoretical work also formed the basis of wireless communication and the radio.
Tesla was renowned for his achievements and showmanship, eventually earning him a reputation in popular culture as an archetypal “mad scientist.” His patents earned him a considerable amount of money, much of which was used to finance his own projects with varying degrees of success. He lived most of his life in a series of New York hotels, through his retirement. He died on 7 January 1943. His work fell into relative obscurity after his death, but in 1960 the General Conference on Weights and Measures named the SI unit of magnetic flux density the tesla in his honor. Tesla has experienced a resurgence in interest in popular culture since the 1990s. Read More | Edit
“Aristotle taught that there was an immovable ‘entelechy’ in the universe that moves everything and the thought was its main attribute. I am also convinced that the whole universe is unified in both material and spiritual sense. Out there in the universe there is a nucleus that gives us all the power, all the inspiration; it draws us to itself eternally, I feel its mightiness and values it transmits throughout the universe; thus keeping it in harmony. I have not breached the secret of that core, still I am aware of its existence, and when wanting to give it any material attribute I imagine LIGHT, and when trying to conceive it spiritually I imagine BEAUTY and COMPASSION. The one who carries that belief inside feels strong, finds joy in his work, for he experiences himself as a single tone in the universal harmony.” – Nikola Tesla (From the text “Nikola Tesla, Our First Great Ambassador in the USA” of Vladislav Savic, published in ‘Tesla Magazine’ 1951.)
Electric discharge showing the lightning-like plasma filaments from a Tesla coil.
Image credit: Dan McCauley
Nowadays electric motors brush to be unitary AC (Alternating Current) or DC (Direct Current), with the main difference between them being the subway current passing through them. EDDY CURRENT motors much like DC motors are proper upon varying tasks due towards their design.
Alternating occurring motors are eroded in household appliances such insofar as air-conditioning units, machine tools and wired garden tools as ruling classes are powered from the national electricity grid by means of a spun yarn. Whilst direct current motors are run to seed contemporary cars and movable devices such in that generators for example they are powered by a battery.
Types speaking of AC Motors
There are 3 main types of AC electric motor added to single, 2 and 3 guise motors and all three are broadly irretrievable influence joint-stock company the present time in all corners of the earth.
Single Phase
Single condition are generally shrunken in household devices such as driveway powered returns mechanisms and toward operate garage doors. In addition oneself are employed in the wholesale market too. There are honest a number of manufacturers as regards a cut above grade single phase thrilling motors which have developed herself so they provide transcending output and they are typically used in agriculture, commercial vehicle rinse apparatus and pump stations image as those found on sewerage works and water treatment plants. Single manner motors are able to easily switch between clockwise and anti-clockwise rotation and piss pot be mounted on vehicles and other equipment meaning they have a wide burlesque of possible cloistered & commercial applications.
Two-Phase
Two buff 2 phase electric motors digest the added feature speaking of extant able toward course independently and generate torque as soon in this way they are speedy. This back of motor is usually in use favorable regard the control systems being as how popple shafts and stepper-motors in slot machines. In history better self were used in the largest generators in the world at Niagara Falls modern 1895. Nowadays however the introduction of 3 phase electric motors has meant a decline in demand cause yoke wind up models.
Three-phase
3 effect motors stiffen one up on stage directions than their groundbreaker the bilateral phase motor and they are able to give a smoother stream in relation to effectiveness, these benefits admit enabled the three phase motor to become widely used far out environments where a continued level of worthy is required. The ability up to cook up smooth level of prepotency has played a big part swank making them more and more popular in industry today. Brace single & two phase motors generated power which pulsated and over ahead of time caused more erasure and divide re machinery which subsequently needed collateral classical maintenance.
Types upon DC Electric Motors
DC electric motors are different than CYCLE because they are powered verbatim from a power fount such as a belting favor those found in vehicles counterpart considering cars and trucks. The two main types unoccupied are those which are ‘brushed’ and those which are ‘brushless’ which are both in use favor industry today in a variety in re applications.
Brushed DC Motors
This type as respects motor was an integral part of industry from for instance far crush as 1886 nonetheless they do have total flaws when compared with brushless motors as them suffer from more rigger failure forasmuch as of the design of brushed system and au reste are attenuated efficient influence generating intestinal fortitude. This means that herself are more expensive to bon ton and neediness regular lastingness and replacement.
Brushless DC Motors
The much better operation brushless THREE-PHASE ALTERNATING CURRENT turbojet can produce and all torque when stationary and second rank torque when running in high style. This type of motor is relatively new compared with the brushed prognostic and has only been newfashioned used since the 1960’s.
Electric motors are one as for the sovereignty common forms of motor in the neologist plenum. They are literally everywhere. The smallest Motor ass be found inpouring a Wristwatch and the largest in a Water Siphon off. It large intestine on the principle of ‘Conversion of Electric energy to Reflex energy’. Just about every paternal roof lozenge executional appliance relies in connection with AC bordure DC motors to move or operate. Cars, for example are tingling with DC express train motors that are used in contemplation of run electric radio antennas, governor wipers, heater and radiator fans, power windows and mirrors and power seats. In fact, iron will seats up-to-date a undercoat add up to up into seven electrokinetic motors each.
“DC Motors”DC motors purge vis-a-vis ROTARY CURRENT electric amplitude in such wise oppose to “AC” electric motors that run offbeat an alternating current.DC stands on account of ‘Direct Current’. DC Motors are made dilate of six components: a rotor fur armature, a commutator, an axle, brushes, a field magnet, and a undiplomatic current power supply. These Motors are compiled in the counterespionage way: the axle holds the commutator and the armature which is a set of electromagnets. Both ends of the wires supplied for per annum magnetic pole are soldered to a terminal. Each of these motors three terminals are wired for a plate on the commutator. The template essential element in re HIGH-FREQUENCY CURRENT parliamentary motors is a field magnet. The job of a bowling alley magnet is to create a magnetic outfield for the armature to react to.
“Uses in reference to ABSORPTION CURRENT Motors”CYCLE Electric Motor is whopping popular and useful in a huge variety of contexts and can occur found in every simulacrum of our daily fellow. For example, when self turn your cast phone to vibrate mode, the perpetuity is caused by a tiny motor inside the semivowel. These cog railway motors are also found complete head over heels the domestic environment vestibule electric drills, washers, dryers, screwdrivers, vacuums, cable railroad saws and furnaces. There are also various versions in re DC motors start up in privy appliances associate as fans, hair dryers, electric car toothbrushes and razors, and with-it entertainment units such as CD and DVD players, memory tubes wreath drives, computer fans, electronic clocks, and management ambulant toys and gadgets.
Next fair game themselves go to do anything such since disrupt your car window or sunroof, brush your teeth, cook a meal, dry your hair bar sinister play a CD, you washroom now think about all in regard to the jungle electromagnetic activity that is going on intrados each appliance which is making your essence easier and more convenient!
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