Engine4You

Awards & Nominations

Engine4You has received the following awards and nominations. Way to go!

Global Nominee

Dynamix

High-Level Project Summary

Dynamix is an ambivalent system that not only stores energy but also takes advantage of the conditions of the Venusian terrain to produce it. Our system consists of two main elements: the Li2S battery, which is resistant to high temperature, and the Tesla turbine, which provides 97% efficiency. Our system is reliable and rechargeable, providing about 2 years of battery life.

Link to Final Project

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Un218tWyaxx-VxfEJW3BPnH2NwxuEZSn/view?usp=sharing

Link to Project "Demo"

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rfjrt52vLN15SOOnXAIn82fZkYvtG47g/view?usp=sharing

Detailed Project Description

DYNAMIX is more than just a battery, it is an ambivalent energy storage and production system. Our compact, modular system consists of:

BATTERYTESLA TURBINE

BATTERY

Our battery features a lithium-sulfur compound with higher energy density (up to the theoretical maximum of 2738 Wh - Kg-1) and is resistant to a temperature of 510°C and 100 bar.

The battery is rechargeable by induction (i.e., wireless) to reduce components exposed to the corrosive atmosphere, is composed of a sulfur-graphene cathode, has a protective carbon casing, Kevlar, and a special polymer foam insulation.

It weighs only 3.56 kg which makes it versatile. Due to its operating structure, it is sized for a daily load of 4800 Wh

We have better features than our competitors; we do not use a much less efficient radioisotope thermoelectric generator, but a turbine that harnesses wind power even at low speeds. We have created a control system to extend the life time of the batteries and make them more efficient

TURBINE

recharging is done through a Tesla turbine that extends the life of the batteries by more than 60 days, with an efficiency of 97 percent, allowing the weight savings of the storage system.

Why choose Dynamix?

First of all, it is an advanced system that allows us not only to store energy, but also to produce it, taking advantage of the host planet's conditions (e.g., winds).

Dynamix is a reliable system, as it withstands multiple charge/discharge cycles and, thanks to Tesla's dual turbines, ensures both system balancing and redundancy with the dual alternators that recharge the batteries.

Is able to withstand the mechanical and physical stresses of launch and landing

in addition, thanks to the redundancy of the systems, Dynamix can handle partial failure of the systems by up to 50 percent.

Finally, our system ensures cost containment through the use of already developed technologies.

easy manufacturing/supply chain

For this project we need key partners such as Nasa, ESA and other space agencies including private ones, along with their MISSIONS.

This new way of storing and distributing energy depends on the fact that DYNAMIX

withstands the high temperatures of Venus' atmosphere and its corrosive winds, increasing the possibility of studying the planet Venus and all those environments hostile to conventional systems.

The main costs to be incurred are development, design and construction, and product improvements are supported through mission revenues.

Our road map presents 4 main steps:

IDEA: Our project starts from the conceptualization, analysis and sizing phase of the system.
FINANCING: Then follows, the presentation of Dynamix and the search for funders/stakeholders to carry out beta testing and future missions.
PROTOTYPING: The third step is the implementation of the system, tested in controlled environments and then assembled with the rover
MISSION LAUNCH: Finally, the launch window is opened and the interplanetary mission begins.

Space Agency Data

We used various space data from Nasa and other sources.

We gained insight into Li2S battery technology and its use in high corrosivity, temperature, and pressure environments. Specifically from the nasa data we extrapolated the battery life, energy density, electrical and mechanical resistance. With these from the we were able to calculate through simulations the energy power of the battery itself and study a charging system based on Tesla's turbine. On the turbine, which we use as an electric generator, we conducted studies and simulations on the Venusian wind flow and the pressure difference it creates.

Hackathon Journey

How would you describe your Space Apps experience?

Returning to Space Apps in presence was really a unique feeling, working in a team was very stimulating and productive as everyone had their own well-defined role and working together was really easy and very productive.

What did you learn?

The Engine4You team learnt how to cope with new types of challenges, with some difficulties over the 2 days, but fortunately thanks to the help and discussion with other participants and experts in the field it was possible to arrive at a solution before the hackathon ended.

This is why we support the mixing of ideas and teamwork even between different types of skills from the more humanistic to the scientific.

What inspired your team to choose this challenge?

We chose the challenge 'Exploring Venus together' as it was one of the challenges that would stimulate us the most due to its difficulty. It is essential for us to enhance our knowledge and skills.

How did your team resolve setbacks and challenges?

We solved challenge-related difficulties thanks to our out-of-the-box approach, thinking together on a solution to solve a present and future problem.

Is there anyone you'd like to thank and why?

We would like to thank the entire organizing team of the Rome location (Frascati), the US Mission in Italy at the US Embassy together with the Lazio Region with Lazio Innova, and all those who believed in us from the beginning.

Engine4You

Rome | Exploring Venus Together