Effortless Solar Tracking

This article details the research of a student research project out of MIT that explored solar tracking without the use of electricity. There inspiration stemmed from heliotropic plants that track the sun by responding to differences in temperature. They used temperature sensitive materials to produce a solar tracking device that reacts to the location of heat for the sun's rays...
It requires no energy at all...

Heres the link...

A good example of whats possible with collaborative thinking from students...

Solar Thoughts...

Here is an example of solar power generation using mirrors to magnify the intensity of light hitting a given amount of solar cells...

http://www.solarfeeds.com/ecofriend/4867-eco-tech-cleveland-researchers-develop-portable-1500-watt-solar-power-plant.html

The interesting thing is the disadvantage of the mirrored surfaces, which have to be cleaned often to maintain their efficiency. So whereas they do not require as much as much investment in expensive solar cells, they have increased maintenance costs...

Arduino for beginners

Here is an extension of Arduino Lesson #3...

int redPin = 13;
int greenPin = 12;
int bluePin = 11;

void setup()
{
pinMode(redPin, OUTPUT);
pinMode(greenPin, OUTPUT);
pinMode(bluePin, OUTPUT);
}

void loop()
{
digitalWrite(redPin, LOW);
digitalWrite(greenPin, HIGH);
digitalWrite(bluePin, HIGH);
delay(1000);
digitalWrite(redPin, HIGH);
digitalWrite(greenPin, LOW);
digitalWrite(bluePin, HIGH);
delay(1000);
digitalWrite(redPin, HIGH);
digitalWrite(greenPin, HIGH);
digitalWrite(bluePin, LOW);
delay(1000);
digitalWrite(redPin, LOW);
digitalWrite(greenPin, HIGH);
digitalWrite(bluePin, HIGH);
delay(100);
digitalWrite(redPin, HIGH);
digitalWrite(greenPin, LOW);
digitalWrite(bluePin, HIGH);
delay(100);
digitalWrite(redPin, HIGH);
digitalWrite(greenPin, HIGH);
digitalWrite(bluePin, LOW);
delay(100);
digitalWrite(redPin, LOW);
digitalWrite(greenPin, HIGH);
digitalWrite(bluePin, HIGH);
delay(100);
digitalWrite(redPin, HIGH);
digitalWrite(greenPin, LOW);
digitalWrite(bluePin, HIGH);
delay(100);
digitalWrite(redPin, HIGH);
digitalWrite(greenPin, HIGH);
digitalWrite(bluePin, LOW);
delay(100);

}

...This just makes the the lights alternate in a rhythm.

Oh yea and this is a sketch model lamp I made for the Arduino LED setup

The Beginning

So this is it. This is my blog. My name is Taylor McKenzie-Veal and I am interested many things. Perhaps most importantly, I am interested in seeing how design can change the world for the better. I found this quote today while looking at a Furniture Designer's website....

"Good design should serve the needs of humankind and the interests of the environment" - Guy Martin

Simple really.
I think that these words shed light on my interests. it also relates to the theme of the classes I am taking this year...

There is more to come...