did not get a picture
Hydrogen Fuel Cell
Hydrogen fuel cells run on compressed hydrogen that is fed into a fuel cell that makes electricity to power a vehicle. there are six different kinds of fuel cells: alkaline, phosphoric acid, molten carbonate, solid oxide, direct methanol, and polymer electrolyte membrane. The electricity is produced when when a positively charged hydrogen ion reacts with oxygen. the motors ran off at 1.5v for this project, and this worked perfectly even though a normal fuel cell doesn't produce that much volts
Hydrogen fuel cells run on compressed hydrogen that is fed into a fuel cell that makes electricity to power a vehicle. there are six different kinds of fuel cells: alkaline, phosphoric acid, molten carbonate, solid oxide, direct methanol, and polymer electrolyte membrane. The electricity is produced when when a positively charged hydrogen ion reacts with oxygen. the motors ran off at 1.5v for this project, and this worked perfectly even though a normal fuel cell doesn't produce that much volts
Solar Panels
solar panels use the suns energy to produce electricity, this happens when solar cells absorb the energy, if there is more sunlight and more solar cells, more electricity can be made. Even though solar panels are very expensive, they are very effective and they can save you loads of money over time because it would take reasonable amounts of money off of your electricity bill. These are also very effective because they can produce heat with the use of the sun as well. Overall solar panels are a great invention and they will probably be used a lot in the future.
solar panels use the suns energy to produce electricity, this happens when solar cells absorb the energy, if there is more sunlight and more solar cells, more electricity can be made. Even though solar panels are very expensive, they are very effective and they can save you loads of money over time because it would take reasonable amounts of money off of your electricity bill. These are also very effective because they can produce heat with the use of the sun as well. Overall solar panels are a great invention and they will probably be used a lot in the future.
Series and parallel circuits
A series circuit only has on path for the current to flow, unlike a parallel circuit that has multiple paths for the current to flow. In a series circuit, if the one path is disrupted, the electricity will be unable to flow, for example with Christmas lights, if one light goes out then all of them will. In a parallel circuit, if one path is disrupted, then the flow will cut to the other path instead of the entire circuit.
A series circuit only has on path for the current to flow, unlike a parallel circuit that has multiple paths for the current to flow. In a series circuit, if the one path is disrupted, the electricity will be unable to flow, for example with Christmas lights, if one light goes out then all of them will. In a parallel circuit, if one path is disrupted, then the flow will cut to the other path instead of the entire circuit.
reflection
Overall, this was a very interesting project, i did not know anything about hydrogen fuel cells until i learned it this year in class and during this project. I think that our group worked really well together. Aiden did most of the construction and design while me and Ryan did most of the measurements with the multi meter for the hydrogen fuel cell. Our design was really unique because we had the drive wheel in the back. It could have been improved if we made the drive wheel pull the car instead of pushing it. Overall I enjoyed this project and I enjoyed learning about hydrogen fuel cells.
Overall, this was a very interesting project, i did not know anything about hydrogen fuel cells until i learned it this year in class and during this project. I think that our group worked really well together. Aiden did most of the construction and design while me and Ryan did most of the measurements with the multi meter for the hydrogen fuel cell. Our design was really unique because we had the drive wheel in the back. It could have been improved if we made the drive wheel pull the car instead of pushing it. Overall I enjoyed this project and I enjoyed learning about hydrogen fuel cells.
Circuit Schematics
3. Shine a bright light source on the solar panel, always keeping at least 8 inches of separation between the two to avoid melting the solar module plastic.
Set your multimeter to measure voltage and connect the multimeter test leads to the solar panel terminals. Move the solar panel or light source to determine the location that produces the highest voltage value. You may want to mark the positions with some tape. Record the open-circuit voltage. Note the current is zero, since a voltmeter has nearly infinite resistance.
VOC = Open-Circuit Voltage _____1.54 volts_____
Power = VOC x 0 A = 0 W
4. With the test leads disconnected, set your multimeter to measure current. Return the solar module to the same exact position that produced the highest voltage value and measure the current. Record this short-circuit current. Note that the voltage is zero, since an ammeter has nearly zero resistance.
ISC = Short-Circuit Current _____.144 amps_____
Power = 0 V x ISC = 0 W
5. Calculate the amount of power that would be produced by the solar module if it could simultaneously produce the voltage and current you measured in the previous two steps.
For this illumination level, the solar module will deliver, at most, about 70% of this theoretical maximum, and will do so at a resistance between zero and infinite resistance.
Maximum Theoretical Power = VOC x ISC = ___.22176 watts____
6. Attach the solar panel to the solar hydrogen automobile. Using a standoff or another suitable method, prop up one end of the chassis so that the motor-driven wheel is not in contact with the ground. Connect the motor leads to the solar module using the breadboard to make the connections. Position the light source to produce maximum voltage leaving a minimum distance of 8 inches between solar module and the lamp. Is there enough power to turn the motor? If so, is there enough power to turn the motor with the wheels on the ground? ____yes_____
7. Set your multimeter to measure voltage. Connect the multimeter test leads to the solar module terminals. Record the load voltage value.(Drive gear should be engaged)
V = Load Voltage _____.76 volts_____
8. Disconnect the test leads and set your multimeter to measure current. Connect the multimeter in series with the solar module. Record the load current.
I = Load Current = ____24 amps______
9. Calculate the power delivered by the solar module when it is loaded by the motor with the wheels off the ground.
P = Load Power = I V = _____18.24 watts_____ for solar module.
10. Energize the fuel cell by using one of the power sources according to the directions in the Fuel Cell User Guide under the section Powering the Fuel Cell (Electrolysis).
Fuel cells can be damaged by high current. If using a DC power supply with the Heliocentris fuel cell, do not use more than 500 mA. Do not use a battery to energize the fuel cell.
11. After the fuel cell is energized, attach the fuel cell to the motor using the breadboard to make the connections. Is there enough power to turn the motor? If so, is there enough power to turn the motor with the wheels on the ground? ___yes___
12. With the test leads disconnected, set the multimeter to measure voltage. Connect the multimeter test leads to the fuel cell terminals. Record the voltage value.
V = Load Voltage ____1.3 volts______
13. With the test leads disconnected, set the multimeter to measure 10 A current, using the 10 A meter receptacle. Connect the test leads in series with the fuel cell.
Caution! Never measure current from the fuel cell without a resistor, motor, or other load in series with the ammeter. Doing so can permanently damage the fuel cell.
Record the current value.
Load Current = ____.12 amps______
14. Calculate the power delivered by the fuel cell.
P = Load Power = I V = ______.156 watts____ for fuel cell.
15. Remove the fuel cell and solar module and attach the two AAA battery holders to your vehicle using zip ties. Using the breadboard, connect the batteries in series with each other and with the motor. (See next step for wiring hints.) Is there enough power to turn the motor? If so, is there enough power to turn the motor with the wheels on the ground? __yes____
Conclusion
1. Using the measurements you made, compare and relate the four options you explored. Was the car best powered by a single fuel cell, a single solar module, two AAA batteries in series, or two AAA batteries in parallel?
My group did not record this data due to time management purposes.
2. Did voltage, current, or power best describe the suitability of a power source?
The power best descrides each of the power sources because the power was the output force of each source.
3. If you had many solar modules, how many of them would be needed to get the same performance from the car as the performance observed with two AAA batteries? Describe or sketch how would you connect the solar modules in terms of parallel and series circuits.
We were not able to test the car with the AAA batteries due to lack of batteries.
4. If you had many fuel cells, how many of them would be needed to get the same performance from the car as the performance observed with two AAA batteries? Describe or sketch how would you connect the fuel cells in terms of parallel and series circuits.
We were not able to use the AAA batteries to be able to compare to the fuel cell.
5. Describe and defend a system that you believe would best utilize a solar hydrogen system to meet the needs for an average driver.
If somehow hydrogen fuel cells could produce more power, we could use them on real cars and other forms of transport, which would greatly decrease the pollution emitted from current year vehicles.
6. How does a photovoltaic cell work? Record the source of your information.
They convert light into electricity at the atomic level. They absorb photons of light and release electrons creating an electric current.
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2002/solarcells/
7. Detail how electrolysis separates hydrogen and oxygen. How is electricity produced as the fuel cell allows the hydrogen to reunite in a bond with oxygen? Record the source of your information.
Electricity is put into water through an anode and cathode. This is able to separate the hydrogen molecules from the oxygen molecules by attracting the hydrogen to the cathode and the oxygen to the anode.