| Biographies |
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| Federico - The inspiration for our project came from the idea to improve the world’s energy resources so that clean and renewable energy can be used on a larger scale. Through our dedication, my partner and I were able to discover an underdeveloped method to improve the efficiency of solar energy, one of the most prevalent and clean sources of energy. We discovered that with our method, we were able to improve the efficiency of solar energy by incorporating the thermoelectric effect, which converted the heat difference around the solar panel to electrical current. Our future goal is to incorporate quantum mechanics to improve the energy efficiency of both solar panels and the thermoelectric effect. I aspire to learn more about theoretical physics to gain a better understanding of the universe and perhaps, use my knowledge to enhance current technologies that rely on quantum mechanics to function. For other students who are thinking of starting a project, my advice for success is to have passion and dedication and KNOW MATHS. In the words of the famous astronomer, Galileo, “Math is the language of science.” | | Adree - The insipiration for our project came from the desire to enter a scientific domain where few have entered before, yet still have enough information to develop an innovation which could create a change for the betterment of the planet. To improve energy conservation, we chose to use new techniques to reduce waste energy from photovoltaics which could be applied on the industrial scale. In our project, heat could be turned into usable energy. Yet, we still have a long way to go. We want to incorporate quantum mechanics to create a theoretically better energy efficiency increase. My partner and I are interested not only in physics, chemistry, and photonics specifically, rather,we are interested in all of science and hope to pursue our ambitions in the scientific field of our choice in the future, for me, that is bioengineering. For anyone who is aiming to create their own project in the future, I have only one piece of advice. "Pick a flower on Earth and you move the farthest star" (Dirac) in the universe, the flower may be the science fair, and the universe may be science itself. |
| Federico Cao, Adree Khondker
Augmenting Solar Energy: Application of Thermoelectric Effect on Photovoltaics
| Challenge: | Energy | | Category: | Senior | | Region: | Bay Area | | City: | Hamilton, ON | | School: | Westdale S.S. | | Abstract: | This innovation will increase the efficiency of photovoltaics globally by converting waste heat energy into usable electrical energy using the thermoelectric effect. The apparatus will be tested to find properties of thermoelectric devices with respect to voltage, current, and temperature gradient, utilizing semiconductor junctions and distributions of electric charge when induced by temperature changes. |
| Awards | Value | Excellence Award - Senior
Bronze Medal
Sponsor: Nuclear Waste Management Organization | $100.00 | University of Ottawa Entrance Scholarship
Senior Bronze Medallist - $1000 Entrance Scholarship
Sponsor: University of Ottawa | $1 000.00 | Western University Scholarship
Bronze Medallist - $1000 Entrance Scholarship
Sponsor: Western University | $1 000.00 | | Total | $2 100.00 | |
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