In this section you will need to identify various sources of power for robotic systems and describe them.

Place the answers to these questions in a document in your ePortfolio.

Part 1 - Batteries (Electrochemical energy systems)

• Explain the basic physics that causes a battery to function.

• Why are Lithium ion batteries the most common type of battery right now?

• What kind of batteries should we see in the future?

Part 2 - Pneumatic and Hydraulic Systems

•  Explain Pascal's Law and how it makes hydraulics work.

• Use a chart to explain the advantages and disadvantages of a pneumatic or hydraulic system.

Part 3 - Wind Power

• Where can you find the highest wind speeds in the earth's atmosphere?

• How does a hydraulic actuator help the kite wind technology store energy?

• Explain why wind turbines have three blades and not two or four.

Part 4 - Solar Power

•  What reasons does the video suggest solar power is mode widely used today than in the past?

•  What is the photovoltaic effect?

•  What factors affect the efficiency of solar power?

Part 5 - Biological Power

• What are three ways that human (biological) power can be harnessed to create other forms of electricity?