The University of Toledo

Focus Area: K-12 Alternate Energy

Principal Investigator:

Robert Sintobin
Toledo Technology Academy
3301 Upton Avenue
Toledo, OH 43613

Project Dates: 07/01/2010 – 06/30/2011

UT-UTC Designation: TTA-4

Abstract:

The Alternative Energies Team is an extracurricular program that involves approximately 20% of the student body. The AET has investigated bio-fuels, solar energy, wind energy and hydrocarbons. They have developed projects using alternative energies to power test vehicles. The team has converted or built go-karts that are powered by propane, electricity, and E-85. They have produced a hybrid vehicle for the Toledo Zoo that is powered by electricity and propane with the intention to convert to bio-gas (methane generated from animal waste) when time and funding permits. The team has investigated bio-fuel production by experimenting with transesterification of vegetable oils and anaerobic digestion of elephant waste.

Students have presented their karts at car shows and other public functions where they have explained the energy efficiency of hybrid vehicles and the different fuel source options for vehicles to the public. The TTA go-karts have been pace cars for several Junior Achievement Gran Prix races bringing attention to the different energy sources available.

A senior engineering design and development project will be to automate the electrolysis of water to produce hydrogen and to fill metal hydride cylinders with that hydrogen. The goal is to produce an automated system that can be left unattended for long periods of time. The electrolysis of water by wind or solar generated power could take extended periods of time to produce the volume of hydrogen that might be needed for vehicle propulsion, The hydrogen cylinders from this project will be used in the fuel cell go-kart to test the feasibility of this process. The electricity for the electrolysis will initially come from line voltage however it can easily be converted to solar or wind generated power.

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