TechXplore 2009

1. TechXplore 2009 Sponsored by the National Science & Technology Education Partnership (NSTEP) The Elements

2. Our Statement • This TechXplorer project was started and completed by Bernadette Verdule, Tinisha Roberson , Ciera Savage, Brittney Ling ,Felicia Thomas, and Andre Jackson, OF Blanche Ely High School. This Experiment dealt with the problem of drivers being a danger to humans and animals.

3. Introduction • The problem that the world is currently facing deals with damages done by drivers on humans and animals. Drivers are clearly having problems avoiding humans, animals, stop signs, and trees especially during the night.

4. Problem: • What solution can we come to, to stop damages done by drivers on humans and animals at all times.

5. The members: • Bernadette Verdule: Blanche Ely High, Junior, Class of 2010, Medical Magnet, Soon to be Doctor • Tinisha Roberson: Blanche Ely High, Junior, Class of 2010, Medical Magnet, Soon to be Forensic Scientist • Brittney Ling: Blanche Ely High, Junior, Class of 2010, Medical Magnet, Soon to be Pediatrician • Felicia Thomas: Blanche Ely High, Senior, Class of 2009, Medical Magnet, Major in Dance • Andre Jackson: Blanche Ely High, Junior, Class of 2010, Medical Magnet • Ciera Savage: Blanche Ely High, Junior, Class of 2010, Medical Magnet, Major in Pharmacy

6. Possible Solutions: • Solution A. Motion detector/alarm • Solution B. Radar • Solution C. Night Vision

7. Research of these solutions: • SOLUTION A. Motion detector/alarm: At first we wanted the car to detect motion around itself, set off an alarm so the driver would be aware of anything to close. We later determined that the car would go off multiple times for even the unimportant things

8. Solution B • Radar : The radars result will be the same as the motion detector, but without the alarm and it would detect things in a certain range. Since the radar, as well as the alarm will detect unimportant things, the driver will not be able to differ humans from an animal or stop sign.

9. Solution C • Night vision: our last but best resort. How does infrared night vision work? An infrared night vision system senses heat radiated by objects; and produces a video picture of the heat scene. So in the middle of the night detecting a couple walking on the side of the road ahead of time will be a piece of cake.

10. Solution C. cont’d • A heat-sensitive photocathode contains a very thin layer of such a metal coated on an optically flat piece of glass. A lens focuses heat from the scene you want to "see" onto the photocathode glass. The metal layer on the glass is so thin that when heat photons strike its front surface, they propel electrons from its back surface. It turns a pattern of heat into a corresponding pattern of electrons.

11. Solution C. cont’d • A high voltage flings the electrons at accelerating speeds against a phosphor-coated anode layer located very close. The electrons pick up so much energy in flight that they make the phosphor glow when they hit. This turns the pattern of electrons into a pattern of light. That's the picture you see.

12. Solution C. cont’d • One photon striking the photocathode can release dozens of electrons from the phosphor, which intensifies the image. Most modern systems, however, do much more. They send the electrons through narrow channels with highly-charged walls. The electrons bounce through these walls and knock out hundreds, then thousands, even millions of other electrons. The original photon can release more than one million electrons. With such a system you can "see" heat from the stars.(Wonder Quest, 2008)

13. Solution C. cont’d • There are many different variables that can affect the distance that you can see with a Night Vision device. First, what are you trying to see? Are you looking for another boat on the water or are you looking for a rabbit in the woods? The larger the object is the easier it is to see. Secondly, are you trying to see details (what we call recognition range) or are you just trying to see if something is there ? Maybe you will see some movement but won't be able to determine exactly who or what it is. This is called detection range. Another variable is lighting conditions. The more ambient light you have (starlight, moonlight, infrared light) the better and further you will be able to see. You can always see further on a night when the moon and stars are out then if it is cloudy and overcast. We typically state that you can tell the difference between a male and a female or a dog and a deer at about 75 to 100 yards. However, if you were looking across an open field and there was a half moon out you could see a barn or a house 500 yards away. Remember, that the purpose of an NVD is to see in the dark not necessarily a long ways like a binocular. " Copied with permission from ATN Corporation, ATNCorp.com, Night Owl Optics and Excalibur Electro Optics "

14. In conclusion in regards on the design: • As you can see in the photo we prefer the night vision to be located on the dashboard where it could be seen easily

15. References • Infra-red night vision. (2008).Retrieved March 19,2009 from Wonder Quest web site:http://www.wonderquest.com/InfraredVision.htm • Night Owl Optics and Excalibur Electro Optics. (2009). American technologies network corp. web site: www.atncorp.com • Dashboard. (2009).Retrieved May 05,2009 from German Fan Cars website : http://www.worldcarfans.com