Farhana | Bluestamp Engineering

Farhana’s Final Blog

Six weeks in BlueStamp was the best time in my life because it changed my career plan. As an elder daughter growing up in Bengali family I was always told to become a doctor. I never consider studying Engineering; however, after working in BlueStamp I am planning to study biomedical engineering. For my final project I build a Wind Turbine which was originally designed by Dustyn Roberts.

I chose this project because renewable energy sources, such as: wind, solar energy, geothermal power and biomass crops, are necessary to eliminate our dependency on fossil fuels and to prevent extreme global change. In addition, solar collectors capture power only when the sun shines, but wind power is available 24 hours a day; therefore, I chose to use wind energy and build a vertical turbine that can light up LED. My favorite part of the project was the circuit board because I knew how to follow the schematic. However, I faced some difficulties with the mechanical parts because Laser cut parts were fragile and drilling screws were difficult. Finally, I put together all the parts and luckily nothing went wrong and the wind Turbine lit up an LED. While many people may censure me working for five weeks to light up an LED, I will say my Turbine did not just light up LED. It also illustrates that the project works and in the future I can improve and make something better. For next step I want to add solar panel and Batteries to constantly store energy. I build a charge controller based on a 555 timer to maintain the battery and not overcharge it. I want to thank BlueStamp for allowing student like me to explore in the Engineering world. I would like to contribute a poem to demonstrate my journey:

Journey to BlueStamp

Life is annoying clock

It always does tick tock

Neither it drop nor it stop

I wonder how long it took the engineer to build this annoying clock.

To find the answer and to involve in engineering world

I took a train that’s land on the Freedom land called BlueStamp.

BlueStamp gave me freedom from homework.

Freedom from blame and loss

Freedom to gain and freedom to share

Freedom from inner world and explore the universe.

First day at BlueStamp I was convoluted with all the work

However, with the help of my instructor I was not lock

Yet, the most annoying was the mail clerk

Delaying delivering parts

Making everyone mad

I learned a lot

Respect is a lesson that everyone has learn

Respect must be given before an expected return

Respect is something that’s given for free

To all peers of mine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLxYCts7bwY&list=UUxUp2lxSRLPpF4XUZ7UEa_Q&index=4&feature=plcp

Thank you for watching the video

Respectfully

Farhana

Farhana’s Milestone

I have accomplished my milestone of building the mechanical parts. I have faced difficulties with the sail holder because the slots were too thin to put fit the aluminum sleets through it. However, to fix the problem I plan to drill screws in the Sail holder which can hold the Aluminum sleets. It was difficult to drilling screws in the laser cut because it was very fragile. If I have broken the Sail holder then I would have to wait three more weeks. I could not afford to wait three more weeks because I have only three more weeks left at BlueStamp. Luckily nothing went wrong and I was able to put the turbine together. In addition, the gear ratio was wrong therefore; when the turbine spins there are some resistance. Finally, the mechanical part basically operates as the sail catches wind it spins along with rod. As the rod spins it gives motion to the motor and the LED lights up. I enjoyed working on the Turbine. The best moment of my life was: when the Wind Turbine works!!!

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Farhana’s Wind Turbine Milestone

After my first two weeks in BlueStamp Engineering program, I have completed the electronic parts and the base of my final project, a Wind Turbine. I was interested in this project because renewable energy sources, such as: wind, solar energy, geothermal power and biomass crops, are necessary to eliminate our dependency on fossil fuels and to prevent extreme global change. In addition, solar collectors capture power only when the sun shines, but wind power is available 24 hours a day; therefore, I choose to use wind energy and build a vertical turbine that can light up a LED.

The wind Turbine electronic parts basically operates as, the wind turbine catches wind which led the rod and the two gears to spin. As the gear moves it gives motion to the motor which light up the Led. I will discuss the parts of the circuit board and their functions. It also has 8 diodes which only allow the electrons to flow in one direction and create a full rectification and allow the LED (Light-Emitting diodes) to light up. The two capacitors allow AC (alternating current) to be transfers into DC (direct currents) and to store energy. Motor is connected to the circuit board by four different wires soldered to a male header pin.

I really enjoyed doing the electronics parts of my project because I got to learn the function of the parts and explore on mechanical and electrical schematics. However, I had trouble with the motor because I was unaware that the motor does not function after opening the screws that holds the motor together. I was scared at first that I have destroyed the motor but finally I discovered the problem and the solution. Thanks BlueStamp!!!!!

Thanks for watching and reading
Respectfully
Farhana

Farhana’s Tiny Solar Car Starter Project

For my starter project, I build a tiny solar car. It basically operates as, the solar cell absorbs the sunlight, and the 0.35F power capacitor stores the power from the solar cell. The voltage detector detects the voltage from the power capacitor and tells the transistor to turn on. As the transistor turns on, the power transfers from the power capacitor to the motor which allow the car to run. The tiny solar car is pretty powerful for its size. Also, this project reminds me of a quote “good things comes in small packet”

The sun serves as a giant nuclear heater in space and continuously bathing our planet with free energy; therefore, I choose this project as an opportunity to use the sun’s energy and create a tiny solar car that can conserve power. The tiny car may not conserve abandon amount of energy, but it’s a good place to begin. In addition, through this illustration I wanted to influence others to explore further on the use of renewable resources.

I really enjoyed doing this project because it was my first time experience on the engineering or building world. I was nervous about soldering because it’ seem complicated. However, I was able to do it correctly with the help of my instructors. Finally, I believe BlueStamp Engineering Program is a fantastic opportunity for High School students to explore on engineering world. I personally want to thank the BlueStamp program for giving me a chance to explore and create fun products.

Thanks for reading and watching