超越極限的越野蟑螂車
在本研究中，我模仿蟑螂的行走方式，來製作可以在各種地形以不減速的方式前進的機器車。在偶然機會下，我觀察到，蟑螂可以順利爬越米堆，因此對蟑螂的運動方式感到興趣。我用微型網路攝影機拍攝及觀察蟑螂的行走方式。發現蟑螂在快速行走時，是以三隻腳為一組，六腳兩組交互進行前進的動作。由於三點構成一平面，使蟑螂在快速移動時，相當的平穩。我將此原理融入蟑螂車的設計，並根據這個原理，利用舊玩具四驅車改裝成「六驅車」，成功的製作出模仿六足昆蟲行走方式且可以在各種地形順利前進的機器車。為了更客觀的比較，我應用樂高積木的馬達組合，製作了一部純轉動前進的六輪傳動車，及另一部轉動兼走動的六輪蟑螂車。並利用微電腦控制兩種車維持相同的驅動速度前進(93.33 rpm)，於各種路面實地測試，證實蟑螂車越野的性能的確強很多。未來若可以將六足昆蟲行走方式的概念應用到汽車製造，車輛的越野性能必然大幅提昇。\r \r In this research, I developed a six-wheel driving vehicle simulating the movement of cockroach. The resultant motion machine can un-intermittedly run on terrains without speeding down. Occasionally, I observed that the cockroaches can crossover a heap of rice. Therefore, I was very interested in and eager to learn how cockroach runs. I recorded the movements of cockroaches by using mini web camera and analyzed the moving characteristics of cockroaches. It was discovered that the cockroach marches quickly by interchanging two groups of foot in which each group consists of three feet. As a table can be supported by three legs, the cockroach runs steadily and rapidly. I have designed a motocross vehicle based on the mechanism of the way that cockroach runs. A six-wheel driving car is constructed by modifying four-wheel driving toy cars. By simulating the motion complex of six-foot insects, the six-wheel driving car turns out to be an all-terrain vehicle. To be more objective in comparison, I built two types of six-wheel driving cars by utilizing the LEGO TECHNIC motor building set: one with regular and synchronous rotation, and the other one with eccentric shaft rotation emulating cockroach marching movement. I applied a microprocessor to control the motors in order to maintain the same driving speed (93.33 rpm) for both cars during the road test. The experimental results show that the proposed cockroach motocross car performs superiorly especially for the rugged terrain. In the future, the off-road capability of a jeep can be improved by introducing the concept of six-foot insect movement to vehicle design.
The Titanium Dioxide Toilet Disinfectant
This project aims to improve the quality of toilet hygiene. The product designed should fulfill the requirements of being an environmentally friendly, user friendly and economical toilet seat system which guarantees the safety and hygiene of the toilet. This project also aims to discover the efficiency of the toilet seat system in eliminating pathogens through conducting various experiments.\r In this project, the photocatalytic property of titanium dioxide is applied. When titanium dioxide is under exposure to ultraviolet radiation, they generate free radicals, which are efficient oxidizers of organic substances. Also, research has shown that the safest ultraviolet light used will be UVA. Thus, by using titanium dioxide paint under exposure to ultraviolet light to oxidize pathogens and toxins, the aims will be achieved. Other than that, experiments will be conducted to explore the efficiency of titanium dioxide under exposure to UV radiation in eliminating pathogens by counting the number of bacteria on the toilet seat system after different time intervals the seat system has been turned on.\r The procedure of constructing the product includes drafting the product, purchasing the appropriate apparatus and materials, constructing the prototype, and checking if the product fits the goals set. Lastly, improving the design based on the flaws found during the checking procedure, as well as checking the product to see if it fits the original goals set.\r The procedure of the experiments aimed to explore the efficiency of titanium dioxide under exposure to UV radiation in eliminating pathogens conducted includes\r counting the number of bacteria on the toilet seat system after different time intervals by inoculation of bacteria on the agar plates.\r Test results showed that the number of bacteria had a steady and notable decline after different time intervals. Results also showed that bacteria would be thoroughly terminated after the system had been turned on for at most one hour. The information was then used to set the delay timer to restrict the amount of time the ultraviolet lamp was turned on to save energy.\r Moreover, the toilet seat system has also been improved so that it will complete the automatic cleaning procedure even without the user lowering the toilet seat. This improvement was made so that the product could be more convenient to toilet users.\r The system also deodorizes the toilet as the oxidization of bacteria and organic substances reduces the putrid odor released by them when they carry out chemical reactions.\r In conclusion, the project succeeds in accomplishing the goals set and is capable of improving the quality of toilet hygiene, especially in common households. The project is also successful in finding out that the toilet seat system is efficient in eliminating pathogens.
Wind Power
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.
超音波霧化降溫之研究探討
本研究（超音波霧化降溫研究）由二實驗組成。實驗一主要針對超音波霧化器（以下簡稱霧化器）之造霧性能進行探討；實驗二則為霧化器之降溫應用。實驗一以改良傳統造霧方式，進而維持最佳造霧效果為主。由於先前的霧化方式是直接放置霧化器於水面，致使最佳霧化水深因霧氣蒸散、水位下降而無法維持；所以在實驗一裡，我們針對霧化器的使用設計一套「漂浮造霧法」：本法運用浮體使霧化器懸於水面，和水面等起伏，使霧化器底部距水面高度不變，藉以維持最佳造霧水深、造霧效果。實驗二乃霧化降溫之探討。本實驗在相同的霧化量下，操縱風速和接觸表面積的差異；利用霧、氣接觸面積與蒸散速率呈正向關係的原理，找出最佳的降溫條件。同時，也期待在兼顧環保的前提下，將之應用於未來開放空間的降溫。The research（Heat Control by Supersonic Vaporization）includes two experiments. One is focused on atomized effect of Supersonic Vaporization（so-called Atomizer）; the other is about applying atomizer to temperature decrease. Exp.1 adapts formal way of atomization. Since previous way of atomization is to put atomizer directly on the water, making the change of atomizer’s distance from water as water evaporates, Exp.1 creates a way called “Floating”. In Floating, atomizer is suspended in a float; constantly keeps the bottom of atomizer from same distance from surface of water. Thus, no matter how much volume of water is evaporated, the best depth of water for atomization and also, the best atomized condition, could stay. Exp2 inquires in relation between atomization and temperature decrease. In Exp2, the atomized volume is fixed, while wind speed and air-contact area are mastered elements. By the theory that, “the wider contact area is, the more efficiently water evaporates,” we could manage out the best condition in temperature decrease. In that way, with the theory practiced, this research, considering environmental case, is supposed to be applied to open-air area one day.
Viable Energy From Ocean Waves
(a) Purpose of Research To investigate the wave conditions offshore along the South African coast to determine wave heights, intervals, and patterns. These results have demonstrated the power potential of ocean waves and identified sites for offshore power stations. The waves off of the South African coast are the most viable, as they have wave heights of between 2.7m (9ft) and 14.6m (48ft). It is also to assist in the development of my power station design, through research into offshore wave composition, principles, periods and characteristics. (b) Procedures I have used various calculations including the surface pressure of salt water per square meter to calculate the potential power produced by a buoy. These figures have been expressed in Kilowatt Hours, and are then able to be divided by the known consumption of a single USA household in 1 year. A figure of the amount of households that can be supplied by a single generator will then be reached. An approximate power output for a single buoy is between 200 and 300 homes per year (Dependant on wave height) A concept for a maintenance free electrical generator suitable for marine use has been investigated. The design will be made as: ● A working demonstration model capable of producing electricity, which consists of a Rotary Induction Generator, ● a scale model to show the appearance of one such generator & ● A large scale model to show how generators can be congregated to form a power station offshore. (c) Data Utilising the calculations of potential power output and the wave data, the financial viability of the generator has been calculated, in relation to current fossil fuel power stations, down to a cost per Kilowatt. Wave data from international marine monitoring websites that provide real time wave condition graphs, have been tracked by myself daily for over 1 month and recorded to provide a large data resource. This provides wave heights of multiple weather systems as well as averages. Costs have been investigated from Internet sources for electrical integration to the national power grid, as well as the generator manufacture. These are estimates, as the exact specifications of my device cannot be finalised without further prototypical research. (d) Conclusion With conclusions reached by thorough research into wave dynamics, weather patterns and their effects on wave heights, Rotary induction power generation and costs related to multiple power systems, I intend to demonstrate fully to the International Electrical Producers, that coal fired power plants are more costly and environmentally damaging than my revolutionary concept for a truly economically viable, ocean based generator system.
DNA Detection by EGFET using GaN Nanowires Gate
DNA感測器近年來蓬勃發展,應用層面包括基因工程,醫學及藥物的開發等,然而目前較常使用的感測方法,需要繁瑣耗時的標定過程,且所使用的化學藥劑對環境容易造成傷害,鑒於以上方法的不完善處,我們決定設計一套新的感測系統,此研究結合了氮化鎵奈米線(GaN Nanowires)及延伸場效電晶體(EGFET)的優點,成功的發展出創新的DNA感測系統,氮化鎵奈米線的高生物匹配性及高感測面積,能有效提高靈敏度,延伸式場效電晶體的設計,史感測器具由免標定及時感測的特性,且易於組裝及操作,我們將探針DNA(probe DNA)修是在氮化鎵奈米線作為之延伸閘極上,由於DNA在中性水溶液中帶負電,且DNA之間具有強烈的互補特性,因此當目標DNA(target DNA)與探針DNA接合,形成雙股DNA,氮化鎵奈米線(閘極)的表面電位即會有所變化,並造成FET特性的改變,藉由此性質及能成功感測DNA,研究結果顯示,此研究所發展出的DNA感測器,愈有相當高的靈敏度(10-18),相較於其他以FET技術所設計出的DNA感測器,靈敏度提升了三個數量極,此外此感測器亦具有高選擇性,即使單一鹼基對的突變也能成功辨別;-hybridization based detection techniques are widely developed due to their promising applications in genetics, medicine and drug discovery. However, current DNA detection techniques based on labels or reagents are time-consuming, environmentally-harmful and complex to implement. In this study, we have successfully demonstrated a label-free extended-gate-field-effect-transistor (EGFET) sensor utilizing a GaN-nanowires electrode with DNA probes immobilized, capable of specific DNA sequence identification. The principle behind the design is based on the change in surface potential and charge transfer after hybridization. GaN nanowires, being bio-compatible, provide direct transfer path and high surface area, thus offer an unprecedented opportunity of DNA sensing with high sensitivity. In addition, our EGFET design facilitates easy assembly and operation of DNA detection. Comparative studies on complementary and non-complementary DNA were performed to verify the specificity of the sensor. By adapting GaN nanowires structure, the assay time of DNA was shorten to within thirty minutes. Moreover, our sensor displayed an ultra-high sensitivity in the level of attoM: three orders of magnitude higher in resolution than that of other FET-based DNA detection methods.