http://institute.nsta.org/web_seminars.asp

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LIVE INTERACTIVE LEARNING _at_ YOUR DESKTOP
NASA/NSTA Web Seminar Energy and a Sustainable
Habitat
http//institute.nsta.org/web_seminars.asp
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Energy and Sustainable Habitats

• Anuradha Koratkar,
• Susan Hoban,
• Albert Hill, and
• Brendan Shaughnessy

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Imagine

• 6 astronauts, 6 months, the Moon
• What will they need to have?
• What resources will they already have?
• How much energy will they need?
• How will they generate this energy?

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Solar Energy

• The study and use of solar energy is called
  photovoltaics from

• Phos Greek for light
• Volta Count Alessandro Volta created the first
  electric battery and is considered one of the
  fathers of electricity

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History of Solar Energy

• Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel discovered the
  photovoltaic effect in 1839.

• William Coblentz created the first solar cell in
  1883.

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Photovoltaics

• Light is composed of tiny particles called
  photons.
• An atom is a tiny nucleus and a relatively large
  electron cloud, so the photon usually hits an
  electron.

• Electrons may then have enough energy to separate
  from the atom.

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What is the charge of the?
Remaining Atom
Photoelectron
Positive
Positive
Negative
Negative
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Classical Solar Energy

• Cell has a positive and negative coating
• A photon can excite an electron enough to flow as
  electricity
• The electricity is then conducted across a wire
  to power a load

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Solar Energy on Earth

• The Suns energy is reflected or absorbed by
  Earths atmosphere

• The Earths atmosphere receives around 1350 watts
  per square meter
• North America receives about 125 - 375 watts per
  square meter

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What causes the energy from the Sun to be
distributed across the Earth like this?

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Solar Energy in Space

• Negligible atmospheric interference
• In general, Esun1366/d2
• How often is sunlight available?

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Energy Flow
SOURCES
SINKS
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Food and Water
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
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Air

• Possible energy sinks
• Heating/Cooling 100-200 kWh / month
• Circulation 100-200 kWh / month
• Filtration, Pressurization
• Can you think of more?

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Other Sinks
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
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How much energy does an average family of 4 use
in the U.S?
Poll Question
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Energy usage (kWh/month)
Food 100 400 700
Air 600 800 1000
Water 200 300 400
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Energy usage (kWh/month)
Equipment 500 750 1000
Habitat 100 250 500
Miscellaneous 100 250 500
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Your Solar Energy Farm

• If a 1 meter x 1 meter panel creates 30 kWh per
  month, what is the size of the energy farm?
• Stamp the picture that is closest to the size of
  the necessary solar array.

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Where will you locate the solar farm on the Moon?

• Lunar days and nights are 14 days long.
• Are there locations with near continuous
  sunlight?

• Where are these locations and why do they exist?
• Is this near water resources?

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Closed Ecosystems

• Ideally do not require or produce matter
• Usually do have energy inputs and outputs
• Energy input ideally equals energy output
• Can you name any closed ecosystems?

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Sustainable Habitats

• BIOS 3
• Crew of 3
• Longest mission was 180 days long
• Dried meats were introduced to the system
• Used algae to recycle oxygen
• Required 400 kW

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Sustainable Habitats

• Biosphere 2

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Sustainable Habitats

• Biosphere 2
• Located in Oracle, Arizona
• Crew of 8
• Longest mission was 2 years long
• 1991 1993
• Eventually required oxygen and other materials

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System Requirements

• What are some other important considerations in
  designing a closed, sustainable habitat?

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• Thank you so much for participating in our web
  seminar!
• If you have any questions let us discuss them on
  the discussion listserv.
• Flavio will send you a link for you to subscribe.

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National Science Teachers Association Gerry
Wheeler, Executive Director Frank Owens,
Associate Executive Director Conferences and
Programs Al Byers, Assistant Executive Director
e-Learning
NSTA Web Seminars Flavio Mendez, Program
Manager Jeff Layman, Technical Coordinator Judith
Lopes, Administrative Assistant Susan
Hurstcalderone, Volunteer Chat Moderator
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