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Solar power is defined as the energy produced by converting sunlight into heat or electricity. It is one of the most abundant and affordable sources of energy available. However, it is difficult to harness (and even impractical) in some parts of the world, so it is important to explore the process of converting sunlight to power. Shows three primary ways to produce solar power on a large scale: solar power–generating plants, photovoltaic cells, and solar thermal heaters.
(Source: DCMP)
University of South Florida engineering professor Norma Alcantar and her team are using the Prickly Pear Cacti to clean up oil and other toxins from water. With support from the National Science Foundation, Alcantar has spent the last few years confirming something that her grandmother told her years ago – that cacti can purify water. The objectives of this research are to develop a water purification system based on an economically feasible method of water purification.
In Bruce Logan's lab at Penn State University, researchers are working on developing microbial fuel cells (MFC) that can generate electricity while accomplishing wastewater treatment. In a project supported by NSF, they are researching methods to increase power generation from MFCs while at the same time recovering more of the energy as electricity. Through their research projects, Logan’s team has already proven that they can produce electricity from ordinary domestic wastewater.
Humans have always been intrigued by the idea of flight. Experiments with Hot Air Balloons led to a pig and duck being the first air travel passengers. From there, the Wright Brothers created the first airplane, and aviation was off to the races. From the jet engine and military aircraft to passenger planes, worldwide travel is now a matter of hours rather than days or weeks.
In this episode, Pete Nelson describes his passion for building tree houses, and inventor Anthony Lenzo describes how he plans to turn a smart phone into an underwater camera. Host Mo Rocca features an architect that is creating vertical gardens on Mexico's highways, and the final story explains why the railroad world ditched stream engines for diesel. Part of "The Henry Ford Innovation Nation With Mo Rocca" series.
First in the series of three productions designed to let students learn by doing, guiding them through the science and history behind the Wright Brothers' invention of powered flight. This first component contains six ten-minute segments that explore (1) humankind's historical preoccupation with the idea of flight and the life and times of the Wright Brothers; (2) the science concepts of control, lift, and propulsion; and (3) evolution of the science of flight since the Wright Brothers.
For centuries, land travel was restricted to how fast and far humans or animals could walk. In the 19th century, the invention of the bicycle transferred human energy to a set of wheels. During the Industrial Revolution, the invention of the steam engine led to the railroad, a change in transportation that created the tourist industry. In the early 20th century, the invention of the automobile forever changed how humans travel, and with the assembly line, Henry Ford forever changed how goods are manufactured.
Cars use airbags. Packages use airbags. Why shouldn't eggs use airbags too? Students model NASA's airbag landing system in this activity from "Design Squad Nation." They design and build protective covers made of balloons to protect an egg dropped from a height of three feet. Their systems model the airbag landing systems used by three NASA Mars missions. The students use the engineering design process, apply a variety of science concepts, and learn about NASA's exploration of the solar system. Part of the "Design Squad Nation" series.
One of the fifteen parts of the "Farm to Market" series. Consumed by both people and animals, corn and rice are two of the most important food crops in the world. Shows how they are grown and harvested. Talks about different types of corn, such as popcorn. Planting rice in flooded fields from the perspective of a person in a rice-seeding plane is overviewed. Also shows how these crops have alternative and environmentally friendly uses, such as rice straw and fuel.
The Nanosystems Engineering Research Center (NERC) for Advanced Systems of Integrated Sensors and Technologies (ASSIST) at North Carolina State University is developing technology that will alert someone when air pollution is about to take its toll on their heart and lungs. ASSIST Director Veena Misra and her multidisciplinary team are using nanotechnology to develop small, wearable sensors that monitor a person’s immediate environment, as well as the wearer’s vital signs. Part of the National Science Foundation Series “Science Nation.”
Half a century ago, astronauts got on top of a really big rocket and sent a tiny little capsule on a 384,000 km trip to the moon and back. They were able to do it because a lot of extremely smart and dedicated people pushed engineering and chemistry to the limits. In this episode, host Joe Hanson travels to NASA in Houston to talk to astronaut Don Pettit about the rocket equation. Part of the "It's Okay to Be Smart" series.
Host Lisa Van Pay visits the scientists and engineers working to make the electric car of the future a reality today. One of the toughest parts is storing enough potential energy in the battery. Graduate student Katharine Stroukoff from the University of Texas-Austin explains how her research may help build a better battery, while Mike Nawrot and Dan Lauber, members of the MIT electric vehicle team, describe the advantages of their fully electric Porsche 914.
Enzymes are proteins which are manufactured by the human body during the process of protein synthesis. They are catalysts that drive every chemical reaction taking place in the human body, and they enable the human body to be built from proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Enzymes are highly specific in their activity and form an enzyme-substrate complex speeding up processes as they lower the activation energy during a given reaction period. Through genetic engineering and by isolating specific enzymes, it has become possible to harness the power of enzymes.
Using mud, clay, and tons of stone, ancient civilizations built buildings and monuments that are still standing today. The Egyptians built the Great Pyramid with an accurate measuring system, the ability to calculate areas and volumes of triangles, and a tremendous workforce that transported 1,000 tons of stone each day for 15 years. Other civilizations, such as the Romans, created marvels of engineering like the dome of the Pantheon, and built clean cities that included conveniences such as water management and sewers.
Using only gasoline to power cars back in 1905 was cheaper and easier, so the hybrid car was forgotten-until recently. The modern hybrid car has two distinct power sources working together to make it run: gas and electric power. Since the fuel widely used now is a non-renewable resource and becoming increasingly less affordable, the hybrid car is making a comeback. The benefit of the hybrid is that instead of running on gas, it uses non-polluting electric power when possible. Also, it helps cut pollution and saves drivers money at the gas pump.
Students design and build magnetic-field detectors and use them to find hidden magnets in this activity from "Design Squad Nation." They also learn how NASA uses magnetometers to learn what is going on inside a planet or moon. As they build their magnetic detectors, they use the engineering design process, apply a variety of science concepts, and learn how a planet's or moon's magnetic field gives NASA scientists insights into its structure. Part of the "Design Squad Nation" series.
Analyzing samples from a planet, moon, or asteroid helps scientists learn about its chemistry, geologic history, and potential to support past or present life. Nearly every NASA surface mission collects samples. In this video from "Design Squad Nation," students design and build coring devices that can poke into a potato "asteroid" and extract a core sample. The students use the engineering design process, apply a variety of science concepts, and learn about NASA's exploration of the solar system. Part of the "Design Squad Nation" series.
Vickie Gutierrez began working at NASA in 2002, but her first step toward her career began as she watched Neil Armstrong take his first step on the moon. Gutierrez's interest continued to grow as she experienced her own thrill of a countdown and launch of a rocket she built for a fifth grade class demonstration. After taking a career assessment test in middle school, Gutierrez found that aerospace engineering was among her top choices. It was then that she began to put a name to her future; she wanted to work at NASA. Part of the "Women@NASA" series.
As a boy growing up in Brazil 40 years ago, Marc Meyers marveled at the lightweight toughness of toucan beaks that he occasionally found on the forest floor. Now, with support from the National Science Foundation, the materials scientist and mechanical and aerospace engineer at UC San Diego, is conducting the first ever detailed engineering analysis of toucan beaks. He says makers of airplanes and automobiles may benefit from his findings. In fact, panels that mimic toucan beaks may offer better protection to motorists involved in crashes.
In less than a second a sandfish lizard can dig its way into the sand and disappear. The sandfish's slithering moves are inspiring new robotic moves that could one day help search and rescue crews find survivors in piles of rubble left from disasters. With support from the National Science Foundation, physicist Daniel Goldman and his team at Georgia Tech are studying the lizard’s movements, using x-rays to track it underground. Their findings will contribute to engineering designs for deployable robots that could one day help canine search and rescue teams find survivors more quickly.
Showing collections 1 to 2 of 2
Resources to teach younger students about animals
A collection containing 58 resources, curated by DIAGRAM Center
Biology related concepts
A collection containing 59 resources, curated by Benetech
