SpaceSloths

Antalya | Exploring Venus Together

Transforming Natural/Mechanical Energy Into Electricity In An Extreme Environment

High-Level Project Summary

Our project is designed to take the powerful wind waves on Venus' surface and transform it into kinetic energy using a flywheel. The device can then transfer the torque into an alternator, placed right under the clutch, and then be transformed into electricity on demand. This is a power source that is completely triggered by nature and it has a really long lifespan. Furthermore, as long as the wind maintains, the device can produce infinite electricity. Therefore, we rely on the powerful flow of wind on Venus and think that this is a suitable solution to the problem.

Link to Final Project

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/18er1ooStY2N6UbUhXKpLKE7G5H28WgLN?usp=sharing

Link to Project "Demo"

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1pf3NEqCGa9GQ0TYCU72Rcc6MP7AT96hT?usp=sharing

Detailed Project Description

The main purpose of our project is to obtain electricity with maximum efficiency in an environment that is very different from Earth. We have identified that the extreme conditions on Venus are not only the temperature and the pressure but the speed of the wind. Thus, we have decided to use this to our advantage and created a wind turbine. Then we connected this turbine to flywheel energy storage units which are closed boxes with magnetically elevated coils inside them. These coils need a small triggering force (we have decided to use wind for that purpose) to start turning and store kinetic energy inside them. We have added three units to our source, then connected these units to a clutch that can be controlled manually. When the clutch is pressed, the majority of the force is transferred down to an alternator placed under the units. The alternator then transforms the kinetic energy into electric energy and gives us electricity as an output. For this device to withstand the extreme conditions on Venus, we have designed a shielding cover that has an outer layer of carbon fiber (very high melting point, very little weight, very resistant to corrosion) and an inner layer of insulating space tiles (which absorbs the heat but does not pass it to its surroundings). By doing so, we can solve the temperature issue. To solve the problem of pressure, we have designed a metal skeleton that significantly reinforces the frame and stands up against the extreme environment. We have put tons of thinking and research into the subject and united all our opinions into one. Thus, we came up with this project. Finally, we have used AutoDesk Fusion 360 for modeling this project to bring it to life.

Space Agency Data

We have surfed through many data provided by Nasa. The Messenger spacecraft has inspired us in many ways. The materials used on it were great examples for us. We have also researched rovers on Mars and identified their power sources in order to have an idea about what technologies have been preferred in previous missions. However, our biggest inspiration was from the G2 Modules that Nasa has in hand. This changed and shaped our perspective on the topic and helped us when we were creating our final design.

Hackathon Journey

Throughout our time at Antalya Bilim University, we met many different people that helped us in many different ways. We have learned about many official sources that we did not even know existed. Our reason to choose this topic was pure because of our ambition for design and science. We had fun while doing our project and enjoyed working collaboratively.

Therefore, we all think this was an exciting and a helpful challenge for all of us.

PS: Special thanks to one of our members Arda Pirim for leading us on our 3D design and acting as a leader.