Abstract:

Inspired by Al Gore's plan for a Unified Energy Frid by 2020, this project researched the many renewable energy sources and their ability to create electricity. The goal was to find the best type of green source to power a city of approximately 30,000 people. The chosen location was the Borough of Princeton and Princeton Township. Design matrices and calculations determined the best energy source. After renewable energy sources were researched, the transmission systems and their certain capabilities and problems were investigated, especially with their acceptance of renewable evergy.

Another step in the team's research was done regarding a hybrid energy system. Hybrid systems are often a synergy, and this would be most beneficial for electricity production in the future. A conceptual design was based on current systems, while integrating current research and ideas and leaving room for improvement in the future. The ultimate goal was to find the best electricity provider while reducing the maximum amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are currently endangering the atmospher and increasing global warming.

Abstract:

Space exploration has been severely curtailed since 1969, when NASA first sent a man to walk on the moon. An entrepreneurial enterprise to re-energize the space program in which lunar resources would be mined and processed is conceptualized in this research project.

This project involves the methodology consisting of the three components of lunar exploration: i) Earth-to-Moon cargo and personnel transport, ii) assembly of a sustainable lunar colony, and iii) the processing of minerals from lunar soil.

The lunar soil or regolith is comprised of many minerals. Various product outputs from processing regolith will be analyzed to determine the most profitable resource combination after twenty-five years of operation. Ilmenite (FeTiO3), a mineral in regolith, would be processed to yield solid titanium for spacecraft manufacture and oxygen to be used as breathable air for present or future exploration. Quartz, another mineral in regolith, would be refined into silicon for use in solar energy. In addition, Helium-3 would be separated from the regolith for use in nuclear fusion reactors.

Design a system capable of transporting materials needed for a lunar colony from the earth to the moon. Keeping in mind the economical and practical aspects of such an undertaking, compare and contrast this design with NASA’s proposed Constellation program and two alternatives.

Using current and emerging technological developments, design a system capable of transporting materials needed for a lunar colony from the earth to the moon.

Main Objective:
To design a Lunar Colony that will be cost-effective, durable, and expandable. This will provide the foundation for a permanent Lunar Colony.

Background Information:
Geography:
Radioactive equator, poles with constant sunlight and frozen resourcesSoil:
Mostly basalt type rocks, composed of Iron, Silicon, Titanium, Oxygen, HeliumAtmosphere:
Very thin layer of 90% Nitrogen, Trace Helium, HydrogenTemperature Range:

-150° to +100° C at equator

-50° to +50° C at poles

Major Objectives:

Advance the ION Drive System

Create a new tile system for the shuttle

Find a method of cooling the tile system for the shuttle

Construct a model of the hybrid design

Enter our design into different competitions (held in Langley, VA)

Purpose:

Design a plane that can be used for both scientific purposes and for the military.
The plane must be:

Flexible

Adaptable

Capable of performing reconnaissance work

Geo-Mapping ready

Able to collect samples of various pollutants

Ready to conduct “Search and Destroy” missions
&

Prepared to research in general

Development of triple rotor blade wind turbine:

10-100 kW range

Choose blade design

Use active profile control

Choose shape memory alloy (SMA)

Compare efficiency of new model with current designs

The NASA SHARP Summer Program students will be offered the following options for their summer research.

1) They can select from a variety of current research within in the NASA core enterprises (of Aerospace Technology, Space Science, Earth Science, Space Flight, Biological and Physical Science) that are suitable for the NASA-NSIP competition. NASA SHARP participants will work with a faculty mentor during this summer and continue the project during the next Fall/ Spring to submit an entry for the NSIP competition.

2) Revolutionary Vehicles: Personal Air Vehicle Systems and Technologies. There is a separate category for high school juniors and seniors. A letter of intent to participate in the 2005 competition is required by December 31, 2004. New Jersey Space Grant will be happy to sponsor successful applicants.