How to Make a Wind Turbine Science Project
Light Wind
Build a simple wind generator.
Use wind to power a motor and generate enough electricity to light an LED.
Video Demonstration
Tools and Materials
- Small hobby motor, 6-12 volts
- Red, high-intensity LED
- Four craft sticks
- Small paper cup for fan blades
- Medium cup for base
- Hot-glue gun and glue
- Scissors (not shown)
- Drill
- Drill bit that matches the size of the motor shaft (we use AWG#50)
- Fan or windy day
- Optional: other motors and LEDs, hookup wire, alligator clip leads
Assembly
To Do and Notice
Test out your wind generator with a fan or on a windy day. Can you generate enough power to light an LED?
Note: LEDs only work in one direction in a circuit. Your motor will output DC current, but it may be in the reverse of the direction your LED needs. If you have trouble getting the LED to light up, try switching the leads to make sure it's connected in the correct orientation.
What's Going On?
A generator is a device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. This is the opposite of how a motor works, which uses electricity to create motion. This activity uses a hobby motor in reverse to create an electric current. By attaching blades to the motor, wind can be used to provide mechanical energy to the motor so that it works like a generator and supplies electricity. This electrical output could be measured with a multimeter, but an LED provides an easy readout that shows power is being generated. This simple wind generator is a model for wind turbines used to generate electricity around the world. Though they operate on a larger scale, they use the same physical principles to convert wind energy to electricity.
Going Further
This Snack provides a basic template for constructing a wind generator, but there are many opportunities to engineer a better design. What adjustments can you make to the overall design to solve these problems:
- By using a high voltage motor, the wind generator should readily light a red LED with a room fan. Can you design a generator that works with a 3-5V motor?
- Some wind generators allow the blade frame to rotate to optimize its position depending on the wind direction. Can you design a stand that will turn into the wind?
When testing your design, it helps to make the parts of the wind generator modular so components can be readily swapped in and out. For example, you can use alligator clip leads or hookup wire to make it easier to change the LED if you are testing different load devices. Can you design an easy way to test different wind blades?
Teaching Tips
Depending on the torque of your motor and the intensity of your LED, it may be difficult to see the light turn on. Play around with different materials to find a combination that works for you and your wind source.
Resources
This Snack is adapted from an activity developed by the CuriOdyssey museum at Coyote Point, near San Francisco. Check them out at www.curiodyssey.org.
Related Snacks
How to Make a Wind Turbine Science Project
Source: https://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/light-wind