Paul Andersen 7/9/18 Paul Andersen 7/9/18

Programmable Droplets from MIT

Description: Researchers from MIT have developed a technique for moving droplets of fluid around using electric fields. This could allow biological tests and research (which normally use pumps) to move micro amounts of fluid around more economically. This design solution could be used as an anchoring or supporting phenomenon around electric charge, electromagnetic fields, and Coulomb's Law.

Web Resource: Programmable droplets - MIT News

Paul Andersen 7/8/18 Paul Andersen 7/8/18

Candle-Powered Car

Description: The candle-powered car is an application of the Seebeck Effect. This effect is the result of thermal energy conversion directly into electricity. This phenomenon can be used in elementary school to show energy conversion from heat to electricity to the kinetic energy of the car. A more detailed explanation will be required in high school related to electron response to temperature differences in different materials. The Seeback circuit used in this candle-powered car can also be connected to a voltmeter and used as a temperature sensing thermocouple.

Web Resource: Seebeck Effect, Candle Car Kit - Amazon

Paul Andersen 6/10/18 Paul Andersen 6/10/18

Programmable Magnets

Description: Programmable magnets are engineered to have multiple magnetic regions. This allows engineers to build magnets that concentrate force, align spatially, or both attract and repel. Students can design simple solutions to human problems that use this cutting-edge technology.

Web Resource: Programmable Magnets - Wikipedia