Alternative Energy

Maker Faire Detroit: Kinetic Push Mill

Maker Faire Detroit: Kinetic Push Mill Interview

The projects at Maker Faire always run the gamut, with a healthy balance between the whimsical and the practical. Maker Faire Detroit, taking place this weekend, July 28 and 29, at The Henry Ford, is no exception. Last week we got a window into the Great American Horn Machine, mobile platform of awesome whimsy, and […]

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20 Kilowatts from Wood Chips, Gasified

It’s been a pleasure to watch the gasifier technology from ALL Power Labs improve over the years as they bring each new version of their generator to Maker Faire. What began as a cobbled-together contraption charred around the edges, later became a clean-burning Gasifier Experimenter Kit, and is now a full-fledged downdraft gasifier that generates […]

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My Week with the Chevy Volt

My Week with the Chevy Volt

As part of their sponsorship of Maker Faire, Chevy offered to loan us a Volt for a week leading up to the Faire. When I heard about this, I jumped at the opportunity to review it. So, here’s the first MAKE car review. Hybrid Chevy doesn’t bill the Volt as a hybrid, but rather, an […]

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Fluttering Wind Generator Lights it Up

Fluttering Wind Generator Lights it Up

ITP students Michell Cardona and Nelson Ramon Ramirez created several different oscillating wind generators before settling on something that works the best. Similar to the Humdinger in function, their Linear Wind Electricity Catcher works by fluttering a magnet in close proximity to a transformer, which translates kinetic energy to electrical energy after being rectified.

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