Energy, Environmental & Earth Science

The project Under Pressure’s purpose was to save fuel, transport, money, and the environment. The hypothesis is which plastic drink bottles can withstand more pressure than the desired amount of plastic. Take bottle uncap and replace cap with one with a gauge attached. Uncap and replace cap with one with a gauge attached, shake bottle to see if the liquid creates pressure, record pressure, dump all contents out of bottle, weigh bottle, pour water in bottle,add dry ice, cap bottle with the gauge cap, allow pressure to build until bottle explodes, record rupture pressure, determine if burst pressure was more than necessary. In the end regular store brand bottles are the best to use and should be used by providers of plastic bottles around the world.

Every day the human race pumps out about 90 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. We have already seeing the effects of our reckless behavior on the environment in ways like global warming, respiratory diseases, and acid rain. Unfortunately, this barely covers the extent of the consequences of pollution. Thirty percent of carbon waste is absorbed by the oceans, approximately 22 million tons absorbed per day. This causes ocean acidification, which has lowered the average pH of the oceans by 30%. This monumental change may have deadly consequences on freshwater and marine life. We decided to research how it might affect microorganisms, which are the foundation for all life on our planet.

We added the same amount of bacteria supplement to 7 different cups with the same pH value initially. We then changed pH levels of 6 cups to different levels (whole numbers 4-9) and left one control unchanged (which was 8.7 originally). We monitored the microbe populations of all cups over a period of four days by counting daily the number of microbes in using a hemocytometer under a microscope.

From the results of our experiment, we have concluded that by changing the pH levels of the samples of water, the microbe populations changed as well. The microbes of the pH levels which are farther away from the original pH will have fewer microbes. This is because the microorganisms will not be able to adjust to a sudden change causing most of them to die off.

These days, we are using fossil fuels to generate electricity, without considering how they could hurt the environment. Solar energy is one out of the many ways for generating electricity in an environment-friendly way. Keeping our environment clean is very important, due to the fact that air pollution, which can be caused by fossil fuels, is thinning our atmosphere. If my project is successful, it can do many great things, associated with keeping the environment clean and healthy. It is also important to have a backup plan to charge a device when the power is not accessible.

We are exhausting our supply of electricity. We take electricity for granted, not considering that it will run out someday. I think that finding small ways to cut down on non-renewable sources of energy could be really helpful.

To solve my problem, I tried to create a device which is portable and can harness energy easily. I tried to keep the material list short, while also making sure that the device would be complete. I first checked how much voltage the battery had before I did anything, so that I would be able to compare it later on. I then connected the mono plug, and all four power leads from the battery and the solar panel, to the controller’s input terminals. I then, placed the device outside and let it soak up the sun rays. I checked it every hour to see how much the voltage had increased.

My device was successful, because we were able to convert sunlight into solar energy, which was able to charge the battery. Using the charged battery we were able to charge a mobile device, like a smartphone. Every hour of being exposed to sunlight, the battery voltage was increasing by 0.5. Which meant that the battery was getting charged by solar energy, and was storing it. The stored energy, was then used to charge the smartphone.

With the results, I was able to conclude that my device does indeed work, and can be used in many great ways. It can be used on the go when you are off the grid and you need a clean way to charge your mobile device. It can help people all around the world that need a way to get electricity.

A Study of How to Minimize Sinkholes- Improving Road Conditions ID# EEES-573 The purpose of this experiment is to determine the relationship between underground erosion and sinkholes. The goal was to find out which material was the most susceptible to withstanding erosion. The materials for this experiment are topsoil, industrial grade sand, PVC pipes and connectors, PVC glue, plastic container, timer, and wire mesh. A PVC pipe with holes drilled into it acted as a leaking water pipe running underneath the surface of the road. The experiment tested how long it takes for the top layer of material to become submerged in water or collapse. The materials were either compressed, or layered using wire mesh, to come up with the most effective manipulation. The longer it took for the water to erode away the material, the better suited it would be for real life applications. From the experiment, it was clear that industrial grade sand was stronger than topsoil in all three categories; Layering the sand proved to be the most effective. In conclusion, layered sand should be used in areas more prone to underground erosion to prevent sinkholes from occurring.

Project Title: SAVE AQUATIC LIFE – An alternative to toxic chemicals in sunscreen The objective of this project was to find a substitute ingredient for the toxic chemical, Oxybenzone, in sunscreen that negatively affects aquatic life. Six freshwater ghost shrimps were seperated into 3 seperate tanks. Added 3 different ingredients that protects our skin from UV rays into each tank. First tank, Test A, with regular SPF 30 Sunscreen. Second, Test B, with Neem Oil. third, Test C, with Neem Oil and Sesame Oil. As a baseline, I measured each shrimp’s activity level before adding the ingredients. Then, I added the ingredients in each test. Everyday for a minute, I recorded each shrimp’s activity level. I also measured the amount of UV ray each ingredient blocks using UV light and a UV meter. Test A’s shrimps’ activity level averaged to around 28 movements/minute while it was around 41 movements/minute before the sunscreen was added. Test B’s shrimps were still healthy but not as healthy and active as Test C’s shrimps. Test C’s shrimps’ activity levels averaged to 37 movements/minute. Neem oil sample that I tested blocks 7.9 MW/cm2 of UV light, while Neem oil and Sesame oil together blocks 9.1 MW/cm2. The shrimps in Test A grew very weak while Test B’s and C’s shrimps stayed around the same. Overall, the compound mixture of neem oil and sesame oil had the least impact on the shrimps confirming the hypothesis. It also provides necessary UV protection for our skin. Further work needed to confirm this mixture as a consumable sunscreen alternative.