Category: research

Summary
Photons from sunlight with energy slightly higher than that of the band gap of silicon create electric current within a photovoltaic (PV) cell. However, many photons from sunlight have either insufficient or excess energy. This study was conducted to find the effect of different photon transmission mediums on the temperature and voltage output of photovoltaic cells. Two different photovoltaic cells were tested under a 20-watt halogen lamp with 6 transmission mediums: 5% NaCl solution, 5% sugar solution, deionized (DI) water, canola oil, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), and the control (air). It was hypothesized that the mediums with higher specific heats would result in relatively lower temperature increases, maintain higher voltages and have increased efficiencies compared to the mediums with lower specific heats. The voltage drop for EVOO, canola oil and air were higher than that of the aqueous solutions such as 5% sugar solution, 5% NaCl, or DI water. The results show an estimated increase of 5-6% in the performance of conventional photovoltaic cells by simply placing a layer of aqueous solution above the PV cell.

Syamantak Payra and Susan Long

Abstract:
We created silver nanoparticles using silver nitrate and sodium alginate
through a method of mixing and heating the two solutions. The nanoparticles
were confirmed by spectrographs and electron micrograph investigations. They
proved to be very effective inhibiting the growth of E.Coli when embedded in
agar.

Nicholas Deraney, Chloe Davis, Erik Hobbs
Chris Pollard, Charlie Hobbs, Erik Hamnquist, Dan Michaud, Jacob Valluzzi

Click here for PDF file: 2012[5]

Students’ Attitudes Toward Tap Water: The Case of Seoul City’s Arisu

by

H.S. Yoo

Abstract

Recent years have witnessed vast numbers of people paying closer attention to various health issues. Young consumers are beginning to shun fast-food products in favor of healthy alternatives such as organic food and MSG-free products. This trend may also apply to drinking water. Producers of bottled water tempt consumers through attractive advertising and promotional campaigns, and as a result, bottled water has become the product of choice among consumers across the world. However, tap water can be just as pure and safe as any bottled water, and it is generally free. Therefore, consumers’ preference for bottled water may be a poor choice. In addition, adults’ drinking habits may be different from those of young individuals. However, previous studies have focused mainly on adult consumers of drinking water. In this regard, this study examines students’ attitudes toward tap water and investigates whether there is any gender difference in these attitudes by considering the case of Arisu, a brand of tap water supplied by the Seoul metropolitan government of Korea. According to the results, there was no significant gender difference in attitudes toward Arisu. In addition, both male and female respondents preferred bottled water to tap water. Further, both male and female respondents identified the smell of tap water was the most important factor influencing their decision to avoid tap water. The results have important practical implications for the Seoul metropolitan government as well as for other local governments wishing to promote their tap water.

Keywords: Seoul, Korea, Tap Water, Arisu, Student, Attitudes

Abstract
This thought experiment addresses loss of volume that occurs when a three-dimensional object is
contracted due to relativistic processes. Specifically we investigate the dependence of contraction
due to orientation relative to direction of motion. Length contraction states that relative constant
velocity will lead to a shortened distance in the direction of motion, when viewed from a
separate inertial reference frame. When applied to two dimensional shapes, this results in a
reduced area. The problem initially focuses on a square pyramid with the height perpendicular to
the direction of motion. Using geometry, it is found that the area of the base is invariant under
rotation. The problem is then expanded to general shapes. Any shape can be approximated by
inscribing circles within the perimeter, coming arbitrarily close to the shape’s actual area. Since
circles are fundamentally invariant under rotation, the change in area of a circle is independent of
orientation. This argument is used to postulate that any two dimensional shape, when contracted
in one direction, will have a reduced area that is invariant under rotation. Therefore the
contracted area and subsequent reduced volume depend only on the Lorentz factor γ, and not on
relative orientation of the object. A key next step is to determine if this can be extrapolated to
three dimensions, using spheres instead of circles.

Morgan Andrew Davis
Hanjoon Kim
John Patrick McCulloch
Mason Duran Waaler

Click here for PDF file: 2012[4]