Week 4

This week was a paradigm shifting one for me. I started out by modeling the international house in Encitra with Konrad (as part of the software training mandated by the Swedes). On wednesday, after communication with my fellow solar team members, I started research on regenerative braking systems. I made a database of transportation networks that use such technology, as well as possible storage systems that we could use for our own regenerative braking. Afterwards, I worked on the solar and design team presentations.

The International house



My research on regenerative braking systems

Week 3

This week was a very calm one, as the Brazilians went on vaction. This week, I finished the first project in Encitra (making a house). I also brainstormed some ideas with for creating the "strap in" mechanism for solar panels. In addition, I did some research on how to make emulate the Brittmore group automatic solar pv system.

Ideas for fastening the solar panel

Ideas for attaching the solar panel

 Hello everyone, as you all know, we are trying to design a fastening system to keep the Solar panels in place. Specifically, we want the solar panels to be able to directly attach on to the guideway without any other contraption acting as a "middle-man". And after an excellent lunchtime brainstorming session with Ron Swenson, we have come up with 12 ideas.

1. Pen inspired lock

Taking inspiration from a pen, we could have a mounting system that "locks in" when pushed in, and with proper care can be taken out.

2. Latch

Latches are similar to the fasteners that you see on suitcases. One simply has to "click on" the solar panels to the guide-way

3. Nuts and Bolts

Nothing too fancy here, only using nuts and bolts to directly pin the Solar panels on to the guideway.

4. Adhesives

Adhesive materials could be used to directly stick the solar panels on to the guideway. Advantages of this method include not needing to use mechanical parts, less weight, and aesthetic pleasure, while disadvantages include potential issues with upholding the solar panels and susceptibility to temperature variations

5. String

Use sturdy string to maintain the guideway

6. Explosives

Ron suggested the rather interesting idea of using explosives to fasten the solar panels to the supports. The idea is modeled in the following picture. The first object is a cylindrical object that is partially empty with a diameter and an opening with a smaller diameter. The second rod represents the fastening system, with a diameter that matches the opening. Once we insert the rod inside, a chemical reaction will take place, causing the portion of the rod in the can to expand, locking it in to the can.

7. Velcro

Simply use Velcro to attach the solar panels to the mount the solar panels to the guideway. You can think of this like a less intense version of the adhesive

8. Monkeytrap

Similar idea to the explosion. In Africa, hunters have devised these jar-like system in which bate is placed inside to lure monkeys. The monkeys will be lured to jar, place their hand inside to grab the bate, and will be unable to escape because their fist will be too large for the diameter.

9. Chinese finger trap

Translate the Chinese finger trap system  to the superway?

10. Cable tires

Use Cable tires to fasten the panels to the track?

11. Grommets

Use Gromets as holes, and attach the solar panel in, and use button like objects to fit in to the gromets

12. Magnets

Use magnets to fasten the superway together?

Week 1 + 2

Wow! What a time everything has been! I have joined the solar team, having a really good time with my roomates. For my work, I have decided to write an academic paper concerning how shadows cast in an urban environment can impact the power generation of solar panels. To do this task, I will the the Encintra modeling software to recreated the south campus route, and then analyze the shadows cast during morning, noon, and afternoon. My work will be published at the SOLAR 2016 conference in San Fransisco. I have finished writing the first draft, and now all I have to do is learn to use the software.