Wilton Student Selected as Finalist for CT Science Fair

Jonathan Wu of Wilton is in 8th grade at Middlebrook School and will compete in the CT Science Fair as one of four finalists for his project entitled: Harness the Power of Wind and Solar.

In Jonathan’s study he writes:

An average family needs 20,000 kWh of electricity per year, equivalent to 45 solar panels or a 10-kW wind turbine. For the experiment, solar panels were placed on the blades of a wind turbine to determine if it is a viable idea to make the blades of a wind turbine out of solar panels to utilize both wind and solar power. First, a wind turbine was assembled and produced an average of 0.92 volts of electricity. Next, solar panels were acquired. The average electricity produced under a steady light source by a single solar panel was measured at 0.89 volts. Finally, the same solar panels were installed on the blades of the wind turbine. The average electricity produced by the wind turbine and a single solar panel was 1.57 volts. The experiment demonstrated combining solar panels and wind turbines produced more electricity than using solar panels or wind turbines alone. However, the solar panels affected the aerodynamics of the blades and the rotation of the blades reduced the surface area of solar panels facing the sun, so both systems are less effective when combined than if they were installed separately. Additional research was performed to find other options of combining wind turbines and solar panels. A prototype was constructed with 2,800 square feet of solar panels arranged around a 20’x20’x10’ WindCube. The prototype reduces installation costs and effectively uses both wind and solar energy. This experiment confirmed it is possible to combine wind turbines and solar panels into one unit.

Semifinalists were selected from over 2,054 applicants. Nominees qualified to enter the Broadcom MASTERS by placing in the top 10 percent of the participants at their Society for Science & The Public affiliated science fairs.The three other finalists are:

• Catherine Marie Herrick, Sandy Hook, now in 8th grade at St. Rose of Lima School, Newtown The Investigation of the Presence of Plastic Microscopic Fibers in Effluent Sewage Water and the Long Island Sound
• Gabriel Hunter Mesa, Canton, now in 9th grade at the University High School of Science & Engineering, Hartford, Graphene Enhanced Piezoelectric Generator for Environmental Energy Conservation
• Prastik Mohanraj, Ansonia, now in 8th grade at Engineering and Science University Inter-district Magnet School, Hamden Using Wettability to Develop Reusable Freezer Bags

The winner will be chosen on September 17. Finalists will receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., October 24 through October 28 to show their projects and compete in a four-day STEM competition. The top education award is $25,000 presented by the Samueli Foundation.

For more information about the CT Science Fair, click here.

Photo: CT Science Fair website