Gravity Light Analysis

The gravity light is quite innovative and seems like a very simple concept, but it was difficult to figure out the specifics. Estimating and assumptions helped me conceptualize this device. I'm still not confident I know how this works though. This product seems viable to me.

Assumptions:

• We assumed the length of light is about 5 inches because the man's head looks about twice as long as the light. Measured my head and assumed a man's head would be a couple inches longer than mine
• Plastic bag appears 8 times as long as the light, 8x5= 40 inches (length of bag)
• Width of bag appears to be as long as light, 5 inches
• We used weight of bowling ball as a good estimate for the weight required to power gravity light, 10 lbs
• If a bowling ball was compressed into a 5x5 cube, then 5 of them could fit into the plastic bag
• 50 lbs seemed like it was too much so I halved it for realistic measures
• I'd say about 25-30 lbs is the weight required to power the gravity light

Building a safe Sharps Container

When brainstorming for the sharps container, we wanted something that would be sturdy enough so razors wouldn't cut through the inside of the box. Also something that wouldn't be too heavy. We found styrofoam and settled with that. It was pretty thick so a razor couldn't puncture a whole in it.

We tried to build a box out of it at first, and during this we thought of a simpler idea. We took a large piece of styrofoam and cut four slits in it, the long way. We covered it in duct tape to give it a second layer of protection for sturdiness.

The slits were also covered in duct take then cut open again. That way, we thought that there would be more support in holding the razors inside. The razors are inserted into the slits in the styrofoam for safe containing. We tested it and no razors fell out. It's simple and gets the job done.

Sharps container standing upright

I built a lantern

This project was overwhelming in the beginning because I didn't feel like I was given enough direction, but, but eventually I worked it out and thought it through with some help.
I had no experience building anything like this so it's pretty awesome. Difficult, but pretty awesome once completed. It required a new way of problem solving and thinking. One that I'm not used to as a humanities major at Wellesley. Scavenging was a good way to get innovative ideas so I used lots of what I found.

Materials:
1 9Volt battery
1 270 ohm resistor
1 LED
Paper clips
Gift wrap tissue
Paper clips
Duct tape
Floss
Magnet
Velcro
Plastic cup

Here is a sketch of my lantern, the circuit diagram and the calculations to select the right resistor:

I linked a chain of paper clips together for handles. I then made slits on the sides of the plastic cup with scissors. Then by hooking the clips into the slits, I created a handle for the lantern. Inside the cup I had my battery with the LED and resistor connected. I held the battery in place with velcro. 

I created the switch by tying a string of floss to the resistor and making it dangle from of the bottom of the cup. Then I tied a circle magnet to the bottom of the floss adding a weight. My switch functions because the weight of the magnet pulls the wires of the resistor and the LED together, thus turning on the lantern light. When you want to turn off the lantern, you lift the magnet and attach it to the side of the cup on top of the battery. Magnetic force attaches it to the battery inside the cup. And since there is no weight pulling the resistor and LED wires together, the magnet is off. 

I covered the body of my lantern with orange gift tissue wrap to improve aesthetics and because it maximized the light given off and creating a brighter light. Here is my lantern shining in the dark! 

Poor People's Energy Outlook

I enjoyed reading the two chapters because when I thought about important resources people lack, I usually do not think of energy. I think more about access to school, hospitals, food/water, shelter. But energy is integral to many of those categories and this reading gave a good overview. It was also surprising that smoke is one of the largest causes of ill-health and death when people don't have safe methods of using the stove and fuel. Lot's of people seem totally dependent on firewood for their cooking and fuel. How does this affect deforestation? I wonder how effective the approaches taken to rely less on wood have worked?

I also liked the gender analysis part that explained how energy is also an equity issue. Women in the developing world have work days that are much longer than men because they bear the burden of supplying energy resources. This affects them by greater fatigue, nutritional deprivation, withdrawal of children. Energy poverty disproportionately affects women compared to men. 

Introduction

I'm Maria Taha. A Peace & Justice Studies major and part of the class of 2014. I'm taking this class because I have an interest in international development and I think this course will teach me how to think creatively about problem solving in the real-world. Though I have no background in engineering,  I am solution oriented and I enjoy hands-on work. I look forward to learning as much as I can from this course. I also hope to participate in the winter session trip!