How Does a Battery Work

We use batteries for a great many purposes. Portable sources of energy that can power anything from a mobile phone to a mobile crane. But how do these power sources work, and what are the functions inside?

Most batteries contain three basic parts. Electrodes, an electrolyte and a separator. Within every battery are two electrodes, both of which are made of conductive material.

One electrode, known as the cathode, connects to the positive end of the battery and is where the electrical current leaves (or electrons enter) the battery during discharge, which is when the battery is being used to power something.

The other electrode, known as the anode, connects to the negative end of the battery and is where the electrical current enters (or electrons leave) the battery during discharge.

A series of chemical reactions occur in the electrodes. These are collectively known as oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions. These reactions result in the flow of ions between the anode and the cathode.

Solar Panels and How They Work

Used by people the world over. Solar panels are an energy technology that looks to bring power to many of us for the foreseeable future. But one thing that is less known about them, is just how they work.

To understand this, it’s important to know how energy from the sun arrives at planet earth.

Energy travels the 93 million miles from the Sun in approximately 8 minutes, arriving in the form of light and heat of varying wavelengths. This sunlight can be converted into electricity by the use of photovoltaic cells that collect the energy.

When the sun strikes the molecules in photovoltaic cells it knocks electrons loose that generate electricity as they flow through it. This process does not require bright sunshine and hot conditions, which means that a more temperate climate is just as good for producing electricity from a solar array as hotter climates.

How a Trebuchet Works

During the middle ages there were many battles fought with the use of siege weapons. One of these siege weapons was the Trebuchet catapult.

A trebuchet consist of five parts. The frame, counterweight, sling and guide chute.

The main body of the trebuchet is the frame. This supports all of the other parts as well as providing a raised platform from which the counterweight descends.

For a trebuchet to build up the force used to shoot the projectile, gravity pulls down the counterweight. This rotates the beam connected to it, which in turn pulls the sling.

The guide chute guides the sling through the frame and supports the enclosed projectile until acceleration is sufficient to hold it in the sling. The sling accelerates and holds the projectile until release.

For the sling to release the projectile it must accelerate around an arc until it eventually swings ahead of the release pin. At this point the loops slips off and the sling opens.

 

 

Finishing and Packaging – Finishing Techniques

In production and manufacturing industries, a process of packaging items is often used. Done after an item has been fully built, tested and optimised, this process is carried out so the item has a means of storage and protection. During the final stages of packaging, the packaging material goes through several finishing techniques.

Cutting and creasing

Packaging materials are often cut or creased after they have been printed. Cutting and creasing techniques are used when creating packaging, pop-up books and cards, and press out-shapes for model making.

Die cutting

This process is used to create multiple, duplicate shapes from a packaging material. Working much like a biscuit cutter, a die cutter will cut using a shaped blade. The material to be cut is placed under the die and the die is lowered onto it.

Creasing

For creasing, blunt blades are used. The blade does not cut through the material but creases it. This is useful for materials that need to be folded such as surface developments or popup mechanisms.

René Descartes – The Method

Born in France on 31 March 1596, René Descartes was a philosopher, mathematician and scientist.

He has been dubbed the father of modern philosophy as much of modern philosophy, as well as psychology and the concept of scientific method was enabled by his work. He also developed the Cartesian coordinates graph, a visual diagrammatic method of analysing equations. A visual method used commonly to this day.

During Descartes time developing his philosophies, he refused to accept the authority of previous philosophers, and refused to trust his own senses. It was in his suspending of reasonable doubt that he developed a sense of deep rational analysis. Going so far as ignoring, as well as realising the influence of emotions, or ‘passions’ as they were known at the time.

His method of rational analysis set a foundation for other modes of thought to grow from, such as Scientific method. A practice used throughout the modern world.

The Kalinin K-7 Experimental Aircraft

Designed in 1930, the Kalinin K-7 heavy experimental aircraft was an unique plane. With a large wingspan close to that of a B-52 and a much greater wing area, the K-7 was one of the biggest aircraft built before the jet age. Powered by six tractor engines on the wing leading edge and a single engine in pusher configuration at the rear. The K-7 could attain speeds of up to 21 knots (140 mph).

One of the most striking features of the plane were the large underwing pods. These housed the landing gear along with machinegun turrets, with room inside each for several people. The area inside the wings was also physically accessible with enough space to arrange passenger seats lengthways.

The K-7 first flew on 11 August 1933. There were initial issues with vibration and instability, after these were resolved the aircraft saw seven successful test flights before a crash due to a structural failure of one of the tail booms.

 

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