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Out of the Classroom:

Out of the Classroom:. Suzanne Amador Kane Joshua Schrier Physics Chemistry. Supported by: The Marian E. Koshland Integrated Natural Sciences Center Endowment Center for Peace and Global Citizenship

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Out of the Classroom:

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  1. Out of the Classroom: • Suzanne Amador Kane Joshua Schrier • Physics Chemistry • Supported by: • The Marian E. Koshland Integrated Natural Sciences Center Endowment • Center for Peace and Global Citizenship • Howard Hughes Medical Institute • Henry Taylor ’74 Exploring solar energy Across the curriculum

  2. The Venue • Physics Superlab (PHYS 316) a one-semester course • 5 students participating (senior and junior physics majors) • Students did this project in addition to weekly homework, 6 hours of lab/week, two exams and building a working microcomputer

  3. Goals • Design and build a working photovoltaic solar energy unit that can be used for classroom demonstrations • Plan and purchase a larger unit for rooftop installation (more power) • Learn about electronics and sustainable energy sources in a real-world setting, but also • Learn teamwork, practical problem-solving, communications, logistics

  4. Interactions & Resources • Ron Tola (Facilities) • Claudia Kent (campus sustainability officer, Arboretum) • Bruce Boyes (instrument designer)

  5. Haverford College Energy Usage • 13,669,906 kWh electrical usage 2007-2008 • 7,565,850 kWh May-Oct • 6,104,056 kWh Nov-Apr And how our electricity is generated locally… • Annual production of our solar array • 850 kWh (1 kW starter system) • 4,300 kWh (5.5 kW final system) Student lessons about the big picture…and how hard it is to reduce fossil fuel dependence

  6. Outcomes Demo unit Outdoor array To be installed on a venue to be decided (Facilities is currently investigating Marshall Fine Arts Center or the Foundry with the FA department) ; reverse side of north-facing skylights Grid-tied 1 kW, expandable to 5.5 kW Payback: 10 years • 30 watts output • Can be moved into lectures to use as a demonstration in courses ???

  7. Student outcomes • Martin Blood-Forsythe (Physics ‘10) • Gail Gutowski (Astro/Physics ‘10) • Anna Klales (Harvard, Physics PhD program) • Andy O’Hara (U. Texas Austin, Physics PhD program) • MunikShrestha (Arizona State, Computer Science)

  8. Curricular Synergies (many with KINSC & CPGC support) Kaye Edwards: Quaker Perspectives on Sustainability (First year seminar) Physics Superlab & other labs: Photovoltaic project Jerry Gollub: Energy Options and Science Policy Chemistry Superlab: dye-sensitized solar cells Helen White: Environmental Chemistry (Gen Chem) (Upper Level) Environmental Studies Concentration (in development)

  9. Chemistry Superlab: Dye-sensitized Solar Cells Images: Wikipedia, SolIdeas

  10. Chemistry Superlab: Dye-sensitized Solar Cells • Nanoparticle characterization • Dynamic light scattering • Atomic force microscopy • Powder x-ray diffraction • Dye molecular characterization • Natural product isolation • Cyclic voltametry • Ab initio quantum chemistry • Device construction/characterization • Photoelectrochemistry • IV-curves • Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (kinetics) • First iteration: Fall ‘09 Images: Wikipedia, SolIdeas

  11. Photovoltaic Project Biomass waste oil generator? Windpower purchasing Hydroelectric generator? Solar hot water heaters Conservation Ground-source heat pump (geothermal HVAC)

  12. Waste vegetable oil to Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Utilize waste oil from Dining Center • HC produces 25-30 gallons of waste vegetable oil per week • We pay to have this disposed • Combine with BMC: 50 gallons/wk total • Generate electricity and hot water • Filter oil (to remove debris) • 5 kW diesel generator, optimized for WVO • Heat piped to water heater • Payback: 4 years @ 50 gallons/week Image: http://www.vegawatt.com/

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