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Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons

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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

An Inexpensive Maximum Power Point Tracking System For An Insulated Solar Electric Cooker Using An Off-The-Shelf Buck Converter, Andrew A. Perez Sep 2022

An Inexpensive Maximum Power Point Tracking System For An Insulated Solar Electric Cooker Using An Off-The-Shelf Buck Converter, Andrew A. Perez

Physics

A specialized control circuit using an off-the-shelf buck converter is built for an Insulated Solar Electric Cooker (ISEC). Cost and efficient power delivery are the focus. An ISEC is synonymous to a direct load heat resistor, allowing a specific maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm and fewer components. Only a microcontroller, voltage sensor, and digital-to-analog converter are used with the buck converter to maximize the power delivered by a 100W solar panel for the 3.3Ω load.


Developing Positive Thermal Coefficient (Ptc) Heaters For Solar Electric Cooking, Katarina Ivana Brekalo, Andrew Shepherd Sep 2022

Developing Positive Thermal Coefficient (Ptc) Heaters For Solar Electric Cooking, Katarina Ivana Brekalo, Andrew Shepherd

Physics

Positive Thermal Coefficients, PTCs, are materials that abruptly change in resistance in response to changes in temperature. The purpose of this experiment is to explore the viability of using the switching type ceramic PTC thermistor as a replacement for current resistive heaters. These types of PTCs have a nonlinear change in resistance with increases in temperature. This device will be used as a temperature-controlling heating element intended to power an Insulated Solar Electric Cooker (ISEC). The ISEC is designed to cook meals throughout the day for impacted communities as an alternative cooking method that doesn’t require biofuel as an energy …


Developing A Miniature Smart Boat For Marine Research, Michael Isaac Eirinberg Jun 2022

Developing A Miniature Smart Boat For Marine Research, Michael Isaac Eirinberg

Computer Engineering

This project examines the development of a smart boat which could serve as a possible marine research apparatus. The smart boat consists of a miniature vessel containing a low-cost microcontroller to live stream a camera feed, GPS telemetry, and compass data through its own WiFi access point. The smart boat also has the potential for autonomous navigation. My project captivated the interest of several members of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo’s (Cal Poly SLO) Marine Science Department faculty, who proposed a variety of fascinating and valuable smart boat applications.


Maximum Trapping Focal Length In Photophoretic Trap For 3d Imaging Systems, Jason M. Childers Jun 2022

Maximum Trapping Focal Length In Photophoretic Trap For 3d Imaging Systems, Jason M. Childers

Electrical Engineering

This product is a photophoretic trapping system which allows varying focal lengths to test which focal lengths are possible for trapping toner particles. This system establishes that there exists a maximum trapping distance limitation and is the first time the effect of focal length is studied in a photophoretic trapping system. Increasing photophoretic trapping focal length is necessary for improving this technology as a 3D display. The 3D imaging technology is realized by dragging a microscopic (micrometer-scale) particles with a laser beam to trace an image. This technology can display fully colored and high-resolution 3D images visible from almost any …