earthquakes: a usable power source ? - Page 3

Christenson · 2011-03-20, 21:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by science_man_88

I was thinking the original base 10 version sorry.

So have you made any progress on even the homework problem posed above?

science_man_88 · 2011-03-20, 21:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christenson

So have you made any progress on even the homework problem posed above?

I don't have the money to buy all of that.

lavalamp · 2011-03-20, 22:35

I don't think it was intended for you to actually buy it and make some sort elaborate Rube Goldberg device to extract useful power from falling sand. Merely to illustrate how difficult it is to take a relatively large amount of energy and spread it out over a long period of time.

The moral of the story is that while, yes, there is a lot of energy involved in an earthquake, that doesn't mean it can be usefully harnessed in large quantities.

On the other hand, it might be useful for remote sensors. If you want them to send data on earthquakes, they could be designed to generate power from the various oscillations, and then use that power to record and transmit data on the oscillations back to a receiving station.

xilman · 2011-03-21, 08:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by science_man_88

I don't have the money to buy all of that.

You were meant to design a system which could extract the enaergy, not (necessarily) to build one.

In other words, all you need is thought and, perhaps, pencil and paper.

Paul

science_man_88 · 2011-03-21, 10:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by xilman

You were meant to design a system which could extract the enaergy, not (necessarily) to build one.

In other words, all you need is thought and, perhaps, pencil and paper.

Paul

Okay I'll add it to my list of things to think about ( which includes how many legal chess positions there are ( I'm trying to get more exact numbers so far I've figured out around 800,000 positions that seem legal)).

Brian-E · 2011-03-21, 12:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by science_man_88

[...] so far I've figured out around 800,000 positions that seem legal)).

You're not a troll, and only trolls post unrelated nonsense to attract diversions. You're someone who is genuinely interested in what you and others write, so come on, take up the challenge and post your thoughts on Christenson's homework problem.

science_man_88 · 2011-03-21, 15:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian-E

You're not a troll, and only trolls post unrelated nonsense to attract diversions. You're someone who is genuinely interested in what you and others write, so come on, take up the challenge and post your thoughts on Christenson's homework problem.

well transferring kinetic energy slowly means slowly slowing things down to transfer as much as can be. I originally said force plates to send electrical signals but unless you can transfer the force in amounts that don't break the force plates etc. you can't use that. slowing of kinetic energy seems to point towards foam for me but I don't know of any that aren't biologically hazardous that are solids.

CRGreathouse · 2011-03-21, 17:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by science_man_88

I don't know of any that aren't biologically hazardous that are solids.

Why limit yourself?

science_man_88 · 2011-03-21, 17:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRGreathouse

Why limit yourself?

I'm limiting to no hazardous things so the environment doesn't get destroyed.

lavalamp · 2011-03-21, 19:19

I don't know what you mean when you talk about slowing down kinetic energy.

However, if you want the energy to be released from a bag of sand slower, poke a smaller hole in the bag.

CRGreathouse · 2011-03-21, 19:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by science_man_88

I'm limiting to no hazardous things so the environment doesn't get destroyed.

If you have an idea, say it. It can always be tweaked.

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2011-03-20, 22:35	#25
lavalamp Oct 2007 Manchester, UK 2514₈ Posts	I don't think it was intended for you to actually buy it and make some sort elaborate Rube Goldberg device to extract useful power from falling sand. Merely to illustrate how difficult it is to take a relatively large amount of energy and spread it out over a long period of time. The moral of the story is that while, yes, there is a lot of energy involved in an earthquake, that doesn't mean it can be usefully harnessed in large quantities. On the other hand, it might be useful for remote sensors. If you want them to send data on earthquakes, they could be designed to generate power from the various oscillations, and then use that power to record and transmit data on the oscillations back to a receiving station.

2011-03-21, 19:19	#32
lavalamp Oct 2007 Manchester, UK 2²·3·113 Posts	I don't know what you mean when you talk about slowing down kinetic energy. However, if you want the energy to be released from a bag of sand slower, poke a smaller hole in the bag.