7. Ecocapsule, an off-grid sustainable unit

Introduction

I came across the Ecocapsule on Facebook and would like to share my design critique on it. The Ecocapsule is fully sustainable small housing unit that the inventors claim that it will bring freedom to the owner. Here is my opinions on it:

Pros

1. Renewable energy

The Ecocapsule is entirely self-sustainable with solar cells and a wind turbine. This means that the user would not have to pay for energy bills and also clean energy is produced and used. 

2. Portability

The user would be able to decide where to live and when to move. While it is not shown in the video, I believe the Ecocapsule moves much like a trailer house, where it can be attached to a vehicle and transported with ease.

Cons

1. Not enough energy

I highly doubt the small wind turbine and solar cells will be sufficient for the user to live comfortably. There would only be select regions that the Ecocapsule would be viable in such as locations with low variability in climates.

Locations with extreme weather conditions such as snow, ice, and little sunlight hours would not be ideal for the Ecocapsule because energy production will be staggered.

2. Location

One would not be able to "place" their Ecocapsule anywhere they want. Unless the user owns the land, there will be problems that arise revolving around the location of the Ecocapsule. Especially around high-density areas as mentioned in the video, fees such as property tax will have to be paid.

3. Design

I believe the design is aesthetically pleasing, but when trying to optimize space and efficiency, I do not believe this design is ideal.

For one, it looks too much like our idea of what an alien capsule would look like. A more modern design to blend in with surrounding homes is more ideal than this one.

Also, the round exterior is not ideal for solar panels because curved flexible panels are more expensive and less efficient. The round exterior also limits the space within the Ecocapsule. It looks very cramped and the space does not appear adequate for comfortable habitation.

Final Thoughts and Verdict

I believe the idea of homeowners being self sustainable will eventually be the way of the future. There are homes out there that already sell energy back into the grid and do not pay their own bills. The Ecocapsule captures that idea in the essence but needs to be redesigned to provide adequate needs for the user to be comfortable.

Verdict: Fail

6. Wind Turbines, in the Sky

Introduction

 Since fossil fuels and non-renewable energy are becoming more and more scarce, an important topic in the engineering field is alternative energy sources. Especially those that are considered renewable. One source of renewable energy is wind energy harnessed by wind turbines. The main problem with traditional wind turbines are inconsistent winds and the space required to install a wind turbine. I came across a technology that addresses these issues. But, like many other technologies, it is not without its own problems.

Design Analysis

After watching the video, it is clear that there is potential for this type of technology to be a large contribution to renewable energy. One of the major issues with the proposed design above is that it uses helium to keep the system afloat. Looking into helium, it is becoming a scarce commodity itself. And thus, helium has become expensive. While these designers are heading in the right direction, I do not think the use of helium is a cost efficient design.

Design Considerations

There is a lot to consider when creating a floating wind turbine. Below is a list of a few points that one has to consider when creating a viable system:

1. Jet Streams - These turbines will have to be located strategically to fully harness jet streams
2. How to raise the system - How will the system rise into the sky? A few solutions are helium, a solid structure, a vertical turbine (like a helicopter), hot air, wind itself (like a kite)
3. How high to raise the system - This is a complicated question in itself. One has to raise it high enough to avoid the boundary layer between the earth and the atmosphere, but low enough not to escape the troposphere. As we raise higher, wind speeds increase but air density decreases. One would have to study the atmosphere to optimize these two aspects.
4. Weather - If one decides to raise it lower than the clouds, one would have to take into consideration the weather.
5. Air Traffic - Since these wind turbines are flying high into the atmosphere, a new problem arises where airplanes would have to avoid these areas in order to avoid collision.

Design Proposal

Below is a design proposal I made that addresses the problem of using helium. The system is far from perfect but could be a step closer to finding the best solution. The idea of the design is to launch a wind turbine into the sky, while tethered by a conductive wire on the ground. The balloon will be inflated from convection by a filament that is powered by the wind turbine itself. The purpose of the filament compared to a flame, much like the traditional hot air balloon, is to have the heat more controlled in a environment that contains high winds and low temperatures. The whole system would be fully sustainable because it is self powered and made with high quality material.

The material that contains the helium may be porous and helium would eventually leak through diffusion. This means that it would need to be re-inflated, and thus, periodic maintenance will be required. With this new design proposal, maintenance would not be as periodic as the helium balloon.

Helium Shortage

http://www.peakscientific.com/learn/articles-and-application-notes/availability-of-helium/

Helium Vs. Hydrogen

http://www.airships.net/helium-hydrogen-airships

Layers of Atmosphere

http://www.weather-climate.org.uk/02.php

Research and Design Proposal by Stanford University

http://news.stanford.edu/news/2009/june24/high-altitude-winds-062309.html

5. Drain Water Heat Recovery System

This technology is relatively old, but I have never heard of it up until now. I am surprised this system is not automatically installed when a new home is installed. Obviously there is a small upfront cost when installing, but the system will pay itself off in the long term.

Design Improvement

As mentioned in the video above, this system is only effective when taking a a shower because the drained hot water is pre-heating the cold water before entering the water boiler. So the system is not active when homeowners are taking bath. I don't think this system would be efficient, but perhaps bathtubs can also be made of conductive material and the dissipated heat through the bathtub can be used to also pre-heat cold water entering the water boiler. As of now, hot water from baths is dissipated into the air and is not used for anything.

4. How is recycling sorted?

I came across this video yesterday which showcases how recycling is sorted and organized. It's method of sorting through a large variety of materials is a fascinating process. This video clearly explains the step by step process of how it's done.

At one point of the video, it mentions how optics are used to identify each type of material to perform the sort. I needed a refresher of the science behind the process and found a nice article to explain it.

How optics can be used to identify materials

Most Canadian students have already learned this in grade 12 chemistry, whether we remembered it or not. 

First, we need to recall that every type of material is made up of atoms which, at the core, is a composition of elements. Each atom carries a specific number of electrons along with it, which rest on certain levels of energy orbits around the atom.

The energy levels that the electrons rest on can be identified as level 1, 2, 3... X, etc. These atoms absorb or release energy whenever the electrons jumps to different energy levels. Since the electrons rest on specific energy levels, the wavelengths of energy that is absorbed or released are specific to the levels of energy.

So, to identify a type of material, energy can be introduced in the form of a laser and shot at the material. This material will absorb a specific wavelength of light from the laser. Then we can analyze the missing wavelength of light when we receive the laser reflected back to us. According to which wavelength is missing, this information will allow us to identify which material the piece of recycling is.

http://classroom.synonym.com/spectroscopy-identify-elements-11256.html

3. Nora, a solution to Snoring

Introduction

I came across this device on Kickstarter and it claims to solve the problem of snoring. Obviously, when anyone comes across a device that seems too good to be true, they are skeptical. After watching the video and reading into how snoring is caused, this is my intake on the device.

Pros

1. Prevents Snoring

I don't know if the claim is true, but if the device works as stated, then this is a huge plus.

2. Elegant Design 

The design is minimalistic and has a sleek design. It does not impede on comfort while sleeping.

3. Rechargeable battery

It claims that Nora can be used for 3 nights before needing to be recharged. This could be brought along a short trip without needing to carry the charger.

Cons

1. Pillow Required 

I know some people, including myself, find pillows very uncomfortable and prefer not to sleep with a pillow. Nora is said to be used in conjunction with a pillow, so if one does not use a pillow, I don't think Nora is the solution.

2. Large size

Judging by the picture, the travel bag looks rather large, about the size of a a thick briefcase. I doesn't look like it would be able to fit inside a backpack. It would have to be carried by hand or inside a suitcase.

Final Thoughts and Verdict

If Nora promises results as stated, then I believe there will be a good market for it. But looking at the retail price of $300, I can see the majority of the audience being deterred. If the price can be knocked down to a range of $150-$250 and solves what it claims to solve, I can see a lots of units being sold. There is a specific market for this item, and it is couples that sleep together and one or both individuals snore. Knowing how much of a nuisance snoring can be, couples will be glad to have this has a household item. A couple can drop $300 dollars and purchase a Nora, or they can sleep in different rooms. What will it be?

Verdict: Pass

Side thought: Recalling all the different devices that are in the bedroom, sleeping has become rather mechanical. Imagine an individual sleeping with an alarm clock, a Tempur-Pedic mattress, a heating pad, a T.V in their room and finally a Nora. What ever happened to just sleeping in a room with only a bed?

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/behrouz/nora-the-smart-snoring-solution?ref=discovery

2. Self-driving cars, the Future.

Introduction

I've read a few articles on self-driving cars, and most of them state that this technology would not be fully autonomous. But let's take a step back and imagine how much of an impact on everyday life this could entail if we perfected this technology and used it to our advantage. Here is a list of benefits to perfecting self-driving cars.

6 Reasons Why Self-Driving Cars are the Future

1. Car sharing

There would no longer be a reason to owning a personal vehicle. All vehicles would be standard and be owned by the government and/or another entity. A driver's license, car insurance, vehicle maintenance, parking tickets, and every other expense to owning a vehicle would be ruled as obsolete.

2. Improved high-density location space management

A driveway will no longer need to be created with every residence. Passengers could board within their garage or along the sidewalk. This would also mean more residences could be created within a given area.

Finding parking in high density areas will no longer be an issue. One could simply be dropped off at their desired location and have the vehicle park on the outskirts of the high density area.

3. Improved fuel economy and efficiency

It is said that everytime we brake our vehicle, it cost 3 cents of fuel. Whether or not the figure of 3 cents is correct, the underlying principle is true. Whenever we brake, we are transferring our kinetic energy to friction, which isn't useful to us when driving. A smart driving system would allow us to drive at higher speeds and brake when only necessary. Both of which saves us fuel.

Secondly, I know that many passengers do not carpool and drive large vehicles for extra safety and comfort. With self-driving cars, this would eliminate the use of SUV's and other high fuel consuming vehicles. The introduction of single passenger cars will also be of new. There is a large portion of mass in 4 seaters that is not needed for when there is only one passenger in the vehicle which consumes more energy.

Another idea that came into mind is integrating wireless charging into our vehicles. Similar to existing wireless chargers for smartphones, if this technology could charge electric self-driving cars, our cars can charge in parking lots overnight and during the day when the vehicle is not in use. Since battery technology is lagging fully electric vehicles, "charging zones" can be placed between cities of long distances. One would leave their depleted vehicle in a charging zone, and transfer to another vehicle that is already fully charged and continue their trip. No more gas is, no more pollution.

4. Increased Productivity

Let's say a one way commute to work is 15 minutes, and another 15 minutes for your trip home. In a 5 day work week, that would amount to 2 and a half hours of time committed to commuting alone. This could be used for other more productive work.

5. Industries that would be transformed

Transportation of Goods and Services - Truck drivers, taxi drivers, and any other driver would be off the road. These jobs would be eliminated, and the human resources could be moved elsewhere

Consumer Goods and Grocery - Imagine being able to order all your groceries online and have a worker pick and pack all your groceries for you. They would then load them into a specially designed cargo vehicle and it will drive right up to your doorstep where you only need to bring them inside your house. This will save every family 2-3 hours per week from a grocery trip.

People would be encouraged to start small business where the cost of transportation would be highly offsetted by this technology.

6. Total Safety

This goes without saying, but there will no longer be fatalities revolving vehicles.

Conclusion

The list is endless, I've only dented a few major points. But I believe the last point hits the home run. Any technology that reduces fatalities is a good technology. With all the money and time that could potentially be saved with self-driving cars, are you convinced that they are the future?

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/a9541/the-12-most-important-questions-about-self-driving-cars-16016418/
http://www.engadget.com/2015/01/07/mercedes-benz-f-015-autonomous-concept-interview-photos/

1. Alternative Transportation

Initial Thoughts

At a first glance, the question that pops into my mind is "What is trailing behind the hover craft?". It appears to be a tether that links the hover craft to a track. It would believe the sole purpose of the linkage is to limit the hover craft from rising too high and also to limit the hover craft's movement to a parallel motion along the rail.

Pros

1. Large Interior space

I would estimate there to be 1000-1500 seats available on this hovercraft. Compared to a Boeing 747, which has 416-660, this hovercraft beats it by far. In addition to having a larger passenger capacity, there is also more free space compared to any traditional airplane. Comfort would be a lot higher in this aircraft compared to any other vehicle in the market.

2. Entrance integrated with station

There's a unique design concept here, and it is that the landing dock for this hovercraft is integrated into the station. Compared to an airplane, in order to load and unload passengers, a jet bridge would always have to be erected. This design would allow for passengers to load and unload more efficiently.

Cons

1. No Inner-city locations

It appears that the location of the station is off of a highway. Because of the shear size of the aircraft, this design would only be plausible where high-rise buildings are scarce. This means the location of stations could only be between cities where there is no structures in between the cities.

2. Downward vertical winds 

There are four vertical jets that are pointed downwards to allow this aircraft to lift off. The force required to lift off the aircraft would be extremely large, and would disrupt anything beneath it. Take a helicopter for example. The wind generated by the rotor is very disruptive for a 2-5 passenger helicopter. Imagine the force generated by the jets which needs to lift off the mass of itself and also 1000-1500 passengers.

3. Turning

I would imagine the track would have to bend or curve at some point, and performing the maneuver does not appear possible without very large and dangerous stresses on the linkage connecting the aircraft to the track. Without going too in depth, failure could be induce on the linkage.

Final Thoughts and Verdict

While the design and concept is very appealing, it does not appear to be safe by any means An existing alternative would be a sky train, similar to the one located in Vancouver. Space would also be a large issue with this design that limits it's feasibility within the city.

Verdict: Fail

Link: https://www.facebook.com/worldbulletin/videos/1136275596399437/

Hello World!

My intentions of this blog is to critique and pass judgement on engineering designs.