Hydrogen Cells
Hydrogen cells were discovered over 175 years ago. They were first used more than a century later in satellites and space capsules for NASA. That was only the beginning. Since then, they have been used in things like backup or primary power sources, busses, cars, boats, etc. All fuel cells consist of an anode, cathode, and electrolyte that allow positive ions to flow through each side. Phosphoric Acid, Alkaline, Polymer Electrolyte Membrane, Direct Methanol, Molten Carbonate, and Solid Oxide are the 6 types of fuel cells
Solar Panels
Solar panels use light from the sun which then converts into energy. That energy will then be converted into electricity, which can be used to power a number of things. Basically, a solar panel allows particles of light called photons to knock electrons free from different atoms. This generates a big flow of electricity. If you install a lot of solar panels in a sunny area, you can make a lot of electricity in a small amount of time, and it can power a house for a long time. Solar panels are usually used to power houses and buildings.
Series and Parallel Circuit
There are two different types of circuits that are used frequently. One is called a series circuit and the other one is called a parallel circuit. A series circuit is a circuit where there is only one path for the current to flow in. If this path is broken anywhere in the circuit it will power off completely. A parallel circuit has more than one path for current to flow through. If one of the paths is broken anywhere on this circuit, the current can take another path and not power off. Combination circuits can be made by using one of each of these circuits for something in one large circuit. Series circuits are more powerful but parallel circuits are more efficient.
Physical Picture of Circuit
Pictorial Picture of Circuit
Reflection
Overall I think our project went pretty well given our time and given situations. James and I missed a couple of days and Maya was by herself, and also we didn't have a lot of time to do this large project anyways. Sometimes our hydrogen cell wouldn't charge, so we would have to charge a new one, and that usually took about 5 minutes to charge each time we had to get a new one or recharge it, so we didn't have a lot of time each day to test our car. Also, we originally went with a gear system to power the axle. The gears seemed to have too much torque, so we had to completely remove them before we were able to get the axle to move. Overall I think our group did great given the time period and material to work with.
Activity 1.3.1
1. Read the Fuel Cell User Guide.
2. Follow the directions in the Fuel Cell User Guide under the section Preparing the Fuel Cell for Use.
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 _____1.5V_____ 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 _____114mA_____ 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 = ____0.171W___
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 ____2v______
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 = ____200mA______
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 = _____400_____ 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 _____0.2_____
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 = ____30mA______
14. Calculate the power delivered by the fuel cell. P = Load Power = I V = _____6W_____ 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___
16. With the test leads disconnected, set the multimeter to measure voltage. Connect the multimeter test leads to the motor terminals. Record the voltage value.
V = Load Voltage ____3V______
17. 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 motor terminals. Record the current value.
Load Current = __________
18. Calculate the power delivered by the batteries in series. P = Load Power = I V = __________ for batteries in series
19. Using the breadboard, connect the batteries in parallel with each other and with the motor. Is there enough power to turn the motor? If so, is there enough power to turn the motor with the wheels on the ground? ______
20. With the test leads disconnected, set the multimeter to measure voltage. Connect the multimeter test leads to the motor terminals. Record the voltage value.
V = Load Voltage __________
21. 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 motor terminals. Record the current value.
Load Current = __________
22. Calculate the power delivered by the batteries in parallel.
P = Load Power = I V = __________ for batteries in parallel
1. Read the Fuel Cell User Guide.
2. Follow the directions in the Fuel Cell User Guide under the section Preparing the Fuel Cell for Use.
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 _____1.5V_____ 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 _____114mA_____ 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 = ____0.171W___
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 ____2v______
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 = ____200mA______
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 = _____400_____ 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 _____0.2_____
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 = ____30mA______
14. Calculate the power delivered by the fuel cell. P = Load Power = I V = _____6W_____ 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___
16. With the test leads disconnected, set the multimeter to measure voltage. Connect the multimeter test leads to the motor terminals. Record the voltage value.
V = Load Voltage ____3V______
17. 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 motor terminals. Record the current value.
Load Current = __________
18. Calculate the power delivered by the batteries in series. P = Load Power = I V = __________ for batteries in series
19. Using the breadboard, connect the batteries in parallel with each other and with the motor. Is there enough power to turn the motor? If so, is there enough power to turn the motor with the wheels on the ground? ______
20. With the test leads disconnected, set the multimeter to measure voltage. Connect the multimeter test leads to the motor terminals. Record the voltage value.
V = Load Voltage __________
21. 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 motor terminals. Record the current value.
Load Current = __________
22. Calculate the power delivered by the batteries in parallel.
P = Load Power = I V = __________ for batteries in parallel
Conclusion question
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?
Because of our time constraints, we were not able to get that far. I would probably say the best one to go with would be the two AAA batteries in a series circuit because it is a simple direct route, but we were not sure exactly.
2. Did voltage, current, or power best describe the suitability of a power source?
N/A
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.
N/A
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.
N/A
5. Describe and defend a system that you believe would best utilize a solar hydrogen system to meet the needs for an average driver.
I think the driver would need something that doesn't distract them too much. I think it would be best for the solar panels to be on the top of the car like a house, out of the way, and the hydrogen cell stored where the engine would be now. If the engine had to stay the car, they could keep the hydrogen cell in the trunk or under the car or some where it won't leak and cause major damage to the hydrogen cell .
6. How does a photovoltaic cell work? Record the source of your information.
Photovoltaic cells use the photoelectric effect, which causes certain materials to release electrons when they capture and absorb photons. When the electrons are captured they create an electrical current that can be used as electricity to power a number of different things. Photovoltaic cells are made of thin cells that are specially treated create an electric field, negative on one side and positive on the other, called semiconductor cells. When photons touch the semiconductor, the photoelectric effect occurs, and if electrical conductors are attached to the positive and negative sides of the semiconductor, the electrons are able to be captured and they can create an electrical current.
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.
Electrolysis is the act of separating water into separate oxygen and hydrogen cells. This is the easiest and cheapest way of separation, but isn't the most efficient. When a current of electricity is ran through the water, the positive ions are taken and collected by the negative electrode, and they become neutralized. This is the same with the negative ions and the positive electrode.
Because of our time constraints, we were not able to get that far. I would probably say the best one to go with would be the two AAA batteries in a series circuit because it is a simple direct route, but we were not sure exactly.
2. Did voltage, current, or power best describe the suitability of a power source?
N/A
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.
N/A
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.
N/A
5. Describe and defend a system that you believe would best utilize a solar hydrogen system to meet the needs for an average driver.
I think the driver would need something that doesn't distract them too much. I think it would be best for the solar panels to be on the top of the car like a house, out of the way, and the hydrogen cell stored where the engine would be now. If the engine had to stay the car, they could keep the hydrogen cell in the trunk or under the car or some where it won't leak and cause major damage to the hydrogen cell .
6. How does a photovoltaic cell work? Record the source of your information.
Photovoltaic cells use the photoelectric effect, which causes certain materials to release electrons when they capture and absorb photons. When the electrons are captured they create an electrical current that can be used as electricity to power a number of different things. Photovoltaic cells are made of thin cells that are specially treated create an electric field, negative on one side and positive on the other, called semiconductor cells. When photons touch the semiconductor, the photoelectric effect occurs, and if electrical conductors are attached to the positive and negative sides of the semiconductor, the electrons are able to be captured and they can create an electrical current.
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.
Electrolysis is the act of separating water into separate oxygen and hydrogen cells. This is the easiest and cheapest way of separation, but isn't the most efficient. When a current of electricity is ran through the water, the positive ions are taken and collected by the negative electrode, and they become neutralized. This is the same with the negative ions and the positive electrode.