My school requires year 13 students to complete a year long project of a topic of their choice, culminating in the presentation of a thesis, a display and speech to a public audience. Many different topics appealed, but in the end I decided to build a micro wind-turbine. I have always been fascinated with mechanics, mathematics, engineering, aerodynamics and electricity. A wind turbine is a mixture of these technologies, with the overall goal of electricity production. In a world that is starting to see the true costs of fossil fuels, renewable energy seems to be increasingly popular and the demand for electricity is always growing.\r I was aware that building a wind-turbine from the foundations up wouldn’t be easy. Many of the experts I contacted in the early days cautioned me against trying such a complex thing in one year, at the same time as completing a full Year 13 course. There were, however, people prepared to support me. Michael Lawley, who builds micro wind turbines in New Plymouth was very helpful, just full of priceless knowledge and gave me a few basic parts to start with. The knowledge gained from Doug Clark, who also builds his own 11 kW wind turbines, was such an inspiration. Later I had practical help from Wilson Springford and Darron Matthews.\r I investigated and documented the history of and current state of wind technology, as well as my own experience and learning in the design, construction and testing process. I thought it would be interesting to find out how the electrical and mechanical side works.\r The generator, a washing machine motor, needed to be completely rewired, and converted to DC (direct current) from AC (alternating current). I built my own 3-phase AC to DC converter.\r Other parts like the disc brakes and bearings had to be found. The rest was hand-made and every part, to a certain extent, had to be modified. Probably more than twenty braking system design attempts led to the final decision to incorporate the wind-activated hydraulic disc brake where the wind paddle starts to ease the brake on over a certain wind speed.\r I studied the dynamics of wind turbine blades, their shape, the material they were made from and how this affected their performance. The decision to make my own blades helped me gain a great sense of achievement and knowledge of blade design. I found some New Zealand made 100% recycled plastic pipe, an added bonus because I wanted to have minimal environmental impact. I designed the turbine with three blades to give better starting torque along with a lower top speed, perfect for how I wired the generator.\r I designed the swivel, the part of the wind turbine that enables the power cables to get from the turbine down the tower without twisting up and has the job of carrying the whole turbine, which is mostly made from recycled aluminium. The steel and bearings used to create the swivel were all second-hand parts and materials. The power from the turbine passes through the swivel into the cables and down the tower. The main mast of the tower is a little over 4.7 metres and pivots on two shorter supporting poles which go down around 2.6 metres to the bottom of the reinforced concrete foundation.\r I managed to, design and construct an operational prototype micro wind-turbine, incorporating recycled and recyclable materials as much as possible, with the end result surpassing all expectations.

This chemistry project was designed to measure the vitamin C levels within liquid cold and flu remedies, and see if they had been accurately stated on the package. A range of Cold and flu drinks was selected, including one made with only cold water (Lemsip Original, Lemsip Max, Effer-C-Cold Water, Relief and Lemting) .The procedure used to carry out the experiment was a redox titration, each trial required two titrations, with the first being a blank titration to determine a sodium thiosulfate concentration in the absence of vitamin C. The following Drinks had more Vitamin C than stated on the packaging – Lemsip Original (19.4%), Lemsip Max (22.1%), Effer-C (17%) and Relief (8.8%). Lemting was the only drink made to directions that had less Vitamin C than stated by 31.8%. Two conclusions can be drawn from these results, the first being that Lemting has the most inaccurately recorded mass of vitamin C and is also the only drink with less vitamin C than stated. The other interesting result is that Effer-C (the only drink made with cold water) had 170mg of extra vitamin C. Of the other drinks that had more vitamin C, Lemsip Max was next with an extra 22.8mg. Early research had showed that Vitamin C was affected by high temperatures (above approximately 70oC) and, as cold and flu drinks are commonly made with hot water the Vitamin C levels might change when they were made up. This poses a further possible research question which is, in making cold and flu remedies with hot water is some of the available Vitamin C being destroyed?

The purpose of this experiment is to determine whether or not wood can be used as an alternative testing method for sunscreens and which species of wood are good for this objective. This will be accomplished by applying varying strengths, or SPFs, of sunscreens onto thin wood veneers. They will then be exposed using a weatherometer, in which real light and sun conditions will be simulated. Using a device called a Pulmac, the samples of wood will be pulled apart from the centre at zero span. Based on the consistency of the strengths, it can be determined how the wood reacts to the sunscreen and whether that species of wood is suitable as a testing medium. Trees are an important commodity which enrich the lives of many people, particularly those who live in British Columbia. They provide the means of living and recreation for numerous people, whether it is employment, business, housing, or camping. Since trees are a renewable resource, they are convenient and realistic to use for testing. There are two possible extensions to this project. If the active ingredients in sunscreens can be determined, then we may be able to use these elements to create a new type of stain for fences and other structures. This could make the necessity for painting less frequent, creating cheaper options for the homeowner. The second possible extension of this project is to use the results to as an initiative to reduce the amount of animal and human testing done by manufacturers. This is important, as animal testing not only causes unnecessary pain, but often the results are not very accurate. Overall, I determined that this method of testing sunscreens would work quite well, especially with the following species, listed in decreasing order. 1) Yellow Cedar 2) Yellow Poplar 3) Maple 4) Hemlock These results were based on how tightly grouped together the means of the strength values were for each species. The closer they were, the more consistent that type of wood and therefore the better they are for testing. Overall, I think this method of testing sunscreens would work quite well, particularly with the yellow cedar, maple, yellow poplar and hemlock, as they resulted in fairly consistent strength values. Generally, the sunscreens with a high SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, resulted in a lower strength loss than the sunscreen with SPF 15. In addition to proving that sunscreen is a good method for preventing UV rays from reaching the skin, this experiment has also confirmed that there are other methods of testing sunscreens, which can be researched further. Along with my main presentation I will be showing various graphs, statistics, and pictures. They will be supplemented by a booklet of “Commonly Asked Questions and Answers” and species descriptions for each type of wood.

本研究以結構穩定、能溶於水，並會影響人體生長發育的固醇類激素──副腎上腺皮質激素作為探討對象，嘗試了解此類之類固醇類激素對植物的生長發育是否有影響。結果發現無論是雙子葉的豆科植物或是單子葉的禾本科植物，其根、莖、葉的生長皆會受到激素的抑制，且出現激素濃度越高，抑制情形越顯著的情形。此外，統計學的結果顯示，類固醇會蓄積在植物體內，造成累積性的抑制作用，此現象和動物使用過量類固醇類激素時產生之副作用十分相似。 The present study investigates the effect of cortical sterile on the growth of plants. The results show that it has effect on both dicotyledons and monocotyledons in the roots, stems and leaves. It is also shown that the higher the concentration, the more marked suppression of their growth. Statistical analyses suggest a cumulative effect, which has also been found of overdoes of cortical sterile on animals.

本研究從理想城鎮(Ideal City)街道開始，討論平面上相異n 點到某一點的最短距離和。經研究後發現：當n 為偶數時，則到相異n 點的最短距離和所形成的區域可能是一個點、一個線段或是一個矩形；當n 為奇數時，則相異n 點的最短距離和所形成的區域將會退化成一個點。此外，本研究將理想城鎮的街道換成正三角形的街道幾何平面，同樣是討論平面上相異n 點到某一點的最短距離和。經研究後發現：當n 為偶數時，則相異n 點的最短距離和所形成的區域可能為一個點、一個線段、一個四邊形、一個五邊形及一個六邊形；當n 為奇數時，相異n 點的最短距離和所形成的區域則可能為點、三角形的情況。假使考量各點重要性的比重，分別加權後再求最小點。研究發現無論在理想城鎮或正三角形幾何平面上，皆可將各點視為多個權數相同之點重疊於此點上，便可利用先前的方式求得最小點區域。透過這次的研究，可以利用n 個相異點到某一點的最短距離和實際應用在貨物運送的問題或是消防設施配置等問題。The present study was intended to start with the Ideal City and proceed to discuss the sum of the shortest distance between a point and n different points on a plane. After the discussion, it was found that if n is even, the formed region could be a point, a line segment, or a rectangle. If n is odd, then the formed region must be a mere point. Further, the current study transformed the Ideal City into the geometric plane of an equilateral triangle. Similar to the previous discussion, if n is even, the formed region could be a point, a line segment, a quadrangle, a pentagon, or a hexagon. On the other hand, if n is odd, then the formed region could be a point, or a triangle. The result of this study, which investigated the sum of the shortest distance of a certain point to n different points can be applied to the real life situation, such as transporting goods or distributing fire control facilities.

In this research, we investigated the interactions between goldfish’ (Carassius auratus) sensory experiences (electric shock, high osmotic pressure and colors). We separated the sensory experiences into two parts. One of them, we used different kinds of environmental color-models to analyze goldfish’s environmental preference behavior and different kinds of stress experience(electric shock and high osmotic pressure) to build the animal model of environmental preference behavior. We found that goldfish prefer brown-colored environment (compared with white) and different stress has different effects on fish’s environmental preference behavior. It proves that fish has the ability to learn and memorize the stress experience and shows that there are complicated interactions among environmental stimulus, memories of stress and behaviors caused by different kinds of stress. Also, we investigated the interactions between spatial memory and color distinction. We measured the duration of goldfish getting through the color-marked barriers driven by regular electric shock. We found that goldfish spend less time to get through color-marked barriers than those unmarked. It shows that there are some interactions between spatial memory and color distinction. In conclusion, the research proves that different sensory experiences can affect goldfish’s behaviors.本實驗利用感官經驗(電擊、高滲透壓、色彩)，探討與朱文錦(Carassius auratus)行為調控的交互作用。我們將感官經驗分成兩模式：利用環境色彩特徵的差異，探討不同逆境刺激經驗(施予電擊或高滲透壓環境)，與魚類環境偏好行為的交互作用，建立朱文錦環境偏好行為之動物模式。我們發現朱文錦偏好土色環境(相對於白色環境)，而不同性質的逆境經驗，對魚類的環境偏好行為具有不同的影響，顯示魚類具有記憶逆境環境的學習能力，且證明「環境刺激—經驗(記憶)—行為表現」三者之間具複雜的交互作用。另外，我們亦探討空間記憶與色彩辨識的交互作用，利用規律的電擊刺激使朱文錦通過有色彩標示的關卡，以研究色彩差異與空間變化對朱文錦通過關卡能力的影響。我們發現色彩的標示可降低通過關卡的時間，且不同的色彩具不同程度的效果，顯示空間記憶與色彩辨識具交互作用。本實驗證明了不同的感官經驗或刺激，對朱文錦的行為調控具質與量的差異。

We report an investigation on the synthesis, characterization, and application of photonic crystal. In the study of the synthesis of SiO? nanoparticles for the building blocks of photonic crystal, it is found that by changing the concentration of NH3 solution, we are able to control the size of SiO? nanoparticles. After trying several different methods, we discover that the vertical substrate method is the best way to arrange nanoparticles into a periodic structure. From scanning electron microscope, we confirm that SiO? nanoparticles can form a three dimensional hexagonal photonic crystal. From transmission experiment, we find that the wavelength of the minimum transmission is proportional to the size of nanoparticles. This result implies that using photonic crystals we can control the behavior of electromagnetic wave. Finally, we fabricate CdS nanoparticles on the top of photonic crystals with different diameter of SiO? nanoparticles. Using photoluminescence measurements, we show that by controlling the lattice constant of a photonic crystal the luminescent efficiency of CdS nanoparticles can be substantially enhanced. Out results, therefore demonstrate that photonic crystals are very important for the application of light emitting devices. 本研究主要是著重於探討光子晶體合成、特性分析及其應用。在有關合成光子晶體之奈米二氧化矽顆粒方面， 發現在合成過程中利用氨水的溶量可以控制顆粒的大小。在將奈米顆粒排列成光子晶體的研究中， 嘗試了多種方法後， 發現垂直基座法為最快速有效的方法。從掃瞄電子顯微鏡的觀測， 證實奈米顆粒是以六角對稱排列成整齊的光子晶體。在光子晶體的特性分析中， 利用光穿透實驗， 發現電磁波穿透率最小的波長與奈米顆粒成正比關係， 這顯示出可以利用光子晶體來控制光的行為。最後，本研究將光子晶體與硫化鎘奈米顆粒結合，經由光激螢光譜， 證明光子晶體確實可以增進物體之發光效率,這對發光元件的應用， 將有很大的幫助， 可以節省大量的能源

在此研究中，我們用類似反演變換的方法，以一個定圓創立並證明了一種新的幾何變換，稱為 「調和變換」 · 我們得到點、直線、圓與圓錐曲線經過變換的關係 ·。1 .直線可以映射成原直線或一圓錐曲線 · 2.圓可以映射成一種特殊曲線。 3 .圓錐曲線可以映射成兩條圓錐曲線或一條圓錐曲線和一直線。此外我們還發現調和變換和反演變換的特殊關係 · 最後，由於調和變換可以簡化圓錐曲線的關係，我們將調和變換應用在行星輾些的證明上，並得到了良好的結果。In this research, we use a method similar to the inversion to establish a new geometric transformation, called harmonic transformation, by a fixed circle O, we prove some of its properties. We have gotten the relationship among points. lines, circs, conies and their images: 1 .The image of a line is a conic or a line itself. 2.Thc image of a circle is a special category of curve. 3.The image of a conic with its focus at the center of O is two conies or a line and a conic. Further mote, we also find the special connection between harmonic transformation and inversion. Finally, since the harmonic transformation can simplify the conic, we apply the harmonic transformation to identify the orbit of a planet, and obtain a nice conclusion.

古籍上記載山藥益肺氣，養肺陰，且最近研究報告發現山藥含有珍貴的dioscorin，其為山藥貯存養分的重要蛋白質，有抑制胰蛋白水解?之活性。而塵?糞便、屍體中的消化蛋白?會破壞呼吸道上皮細胞緊密連接處引起過敏氣喘反應。我對此甚感興趣，進而利用山藥的萃取蛋白dioscorin、塵?粗萃取蛋白及呼吸道上皮癌細胞A549，藉細胞培養、免疫螢光染色、螢光顯微攝影來實驗山藥是否真能保護上皮細胞緊密連接處。再利用膠體電泳、西方墨點法中抗體的高專一性、二抗的高靈敏度來確知我之前的實驗。另外也用ELISA 來實驗dioscorin或塵?引起A549 發炎的情況是如何。由實驗得知，dioscorin 可抑制及預防塵?引起的過敏氣喘反應；而經由ELISA 實驗發現，dioscorin 對於塵?刺激A549分泌發炎物質Eotaxin 並沒有助長或是降低的效果。It was believed that Chinese yam have benefits in treating asthma. Recently, it was found that the valuable dioscorin can be isolated from Chinese yam. The major function of dioscorin is nutrition-storage, however, it also have activities in inhibiting trypsin-like protease. This inhibitory activities trigger my interests. Because the major allergens, mites, and their stool may destroy the tight junctions of airway epithelium cells through their trypsin-protease activities. I therefore carry out an in vitro study to identify whether dioscorin can be used in protecting epithelium from the attack of mites. My results showed that dioscorin can protect the tight junctions of A549 cells from the attack of mite crude extract protein. I believed that dioscorin can be a good candidate in pharmacology application. The genetic and proteomic information are my further focus. On the other hand, we also investigated the possible activity of dioscorin in inhibiting mites-induced inflammation through using A549 as a model and employing ELISA. We found dioscorin neither inhibited nor enhanced the eotaxin being secreted from A549 under the stimulation of mites.

大安水蓑衣（Hygrophila pogonocalyx）為局限分佈於臺中縣沿海溼地之稀有植物。大量境外復育栽殖後，造成近年來黑擬蛺蝶(Junonia iphita iphita)利用此種新寄主植物的比例增加。本實驗比較黑擬蛺蝶在原寄主植物臺灣馬藍(Strobilanthes formosanus)及新寄主植物大安水蓑衣上之生長環境遮蔽度、幼蟲生長發育、雌蝶產卵偏好的差異，探討大安水蓑衣復育對黑擬蛺蝶族群可能造成的影響。實驗結果發現利用大安水蓑衣之幼蟲生長發育較佳、羽化後成蟲體型較大、有效積溫常數較低。雌蝶產卵行為可能存在兩種偏好性，且子代雌蝶對寄主植物的偏好性與親代一致，不受幼蟲期取食植物影響。偏好新寄主植物之雌蝶其子代的生長發育，利用新寄主植物者顯著較利用原寄主植物者佳，顯示其對原寄主植物的適應顯著下降。本研究認為大安水蓑衣的復育結果，造成黑擬蛺蝶族群在可能共域的情況下，因為利用新的寄主植物可能已產生初步分化的現象。Hypgrophila pogonocalyx is a rare plant species which is distributed in wetlands along seashore of Taichung County. Recently, I found that the common butterfly Junonia iphita iphita recognized H. pogonocalyx as a new hostplant because of the restoration practices of H. pogonocalyx. We compared the differences of forest overstory coverage, larval growth performance and female oviposition preference between J. iphita iphita individuals exploiting the H. pogonocalyx and those utilizing the original hostplant Strobilanthes formosanus. Possible effects on J. iphita iphita by restoration of H. pogonocalyx are analyzed and discussed. It turns out that better growing performance and longer adult forewing length were found on the larvae feeding on H. pogonocalyx than those on the S. formosanus. Besides, the larvae feeding on H. pogonocalyx demonstrated lower constant value of effective accumulated temperature, suggesting that the new host may provide more energy to the larvae than the original host does. Two types of female oviposition preference seem to exist. No matter which hostplant the larvae fed on, the female adults still maintained the oviposition preference of the parental generation. Offspring of H. pogonocalyx-preferring female had better performance on this new hostplant. Our studies showed that the restoration of H. pogonocalyx might have caused primary differentiation of J. iphita iphita by using new hostplant in sympatry with the original hostplant.

Earthquakes are results of rapid sliding of two crystal blocks around fault inducing seismic motions. Huge disasters caused by large earthquakes as the Ji-Ji Earthquakes occurred on 21* September 1999 show importance of earthquakes forecast. In our country and foreign countries , there appeared not a small number of reports suggesting there are clear precursors of ground water and electro- magnetic changes amount other numerous phenomena. Recently there are reports that point out the possibilities to investigate slight motion of ground water near active faults using electro- magnetic instruments. In order to investigate the problem more in detail a simple laboratory experiment is designed to study the electric field induced by the simulated water flow. The electric field changes are compared with at without water flow. It is shown that there appeared electric potential changes of an order larger than measurement limits water motion during earthquakes occurrence process, and that monitoring the flow of ground water near active faults is useful method in the earthquake prediction.近年來科學家從事地震研究，發現地震前斷層附近地下水流以及電磁場會發生變化。但或因位置不確定，或因變化量甚小而不易量測。本研究真對上述地震預警中兩項重要的關鍵 - 水及電，嘗試製作電極，並利用室內模擬地下水流動而野外斷層的電位量測，檢測斷層活動期間電場的變化。其結果顯示，當地下水因地殼受擠壓而流動時，可明顯觀察到電場的變化。這表示借由本實驗測量地震前發生的電位變化，可監測地震前版塊應力的改變，進而提供地震可能發生的資訊。