MYSTERY BOX EXHIBIT IDEAS

1. Hybrid Wind-Solar Power System

Items:

• Small DC Motor (from old toys or gadgets): Acts as the wind turbine generator.
• Broken Solar Cells (from discarded solar-powered devices): For solar energy generation.
• Plastic Bottles and CDs/DVDs: To create wind turbine blades and rotors.
• Old Electrical Wires: For connecting both systems.
• Old Cardboard or Styrofoam: To construct the mounting for both the solar panel and the wind
turbine.
• LEDs or Rechargeable Battery: For storing and demonstrating the energy produced.
• Diodes (from broken electronics): To prevent reverse currents from the two energy sources.

IDEAS FOR MAKING

✓ Wind Turbine Setup: Create blades from the plastic bottles and attach them to the DC motor
using an old CD as the rotor. Mount this on a sturdy cardboard or foam structure.
✓ Solar Panel Setup: Wire the old solar cells together in series to increase voltage. Mount them
on a piece of cardboard angled to face the sun.
✓ Integration: Use diodes to connect both the wind and solar systems to a common circuit that
powers an LED or charges a small battery.
✓ Display: When both wind and sunlight are available, the model should generate power from
both sources simultaneously.

2. Magnetically Levitated Wind Turbine (Maglev Turbine)

Items:

• Strong Magnets (harvested from old hard drives or speakers): To levitate the turbine.
• Plastic Bottles and CDs: To construct the turbine blades and rotor.
• Old DC Motor: To generate electricity from the spinning turbine.
• Old Copper Wire: To create coils for generating electricity.
• Cardboard: For the turbine housing and structure.
• Superglue or Tape: For holding magnets in place.

IDEAS FOR MAKING

✓ Maglev System: Arrange the magnets in a repelling configuration, where one set of magnets is
fixed in the base and another is attached to the rotor. This will allow the rotor to hover, reducing
friction.
✓ Turbine Blades: Use plastic bottle pieces to create lightweight blades and attach them to a CD that
serves as the rotor.
✓ Coils and Motor: Wrap the copper wire around the base to create a coil system that interacts with
the magnetic field of the rotor. Alternatively, connect the DC motor to the rotor to generate
electricity.
✓ Display: When the wind turns the levitated rotor, the magnetic field will induce a current in the
coils or spin the motor, lighting up an LED or charging a small battery.
3. Water-Powered Hydraulic Generator (Archimedes Screw)

Items:

• Plastic Tubing or Old Plastic Bottles (cut into a spiral): To make the Archimedes screw.
• Old Motor: To generate electricity from the water flow.
• Old Pipe or Cardboard Tube: To hold the Archimedes screw.
• Small Water Pump (from broken appliances): To circulate water, or rely on gravity-based water flow.
• Copper Wires: For connecting the motor to an LED or battery.
• Old CDs/DVDs or Bottle Caps: For constructing the base and supports.
• Water Basin (can be a used plastic container): To collect and pump water.

IDEA FOR MAKING

✓ Archimedes Screw: Build the screw using a plastic bottle cut into a spiral or plastic tubing coiled
inside a pipe. Mount this on an axle (an old pencil or skewer) and connect it to the generator.
✓ Water Flow: Use a water pump or a gravity-fed system where water flows through the
Archimedes screw, turning it as it moves upward.
✓ Electricity Generation: As the screw turns, it will spin the motor connected to a small LED or
battery.

4. Thermoelectric Generator

Items:

• Peltier Module (from broken coolers or mini-fridges): To create a temperature differential.

• Old Aluminum or Metal Can: To act as the heat sink.
• Used Copper Wire: For electrical connections.
• Old LED Bulb: To show the electricity generated.
• Plastic or Foam (insulation material): To trap heat on one side of the Peltier module.
• Hot and Cold Water Containers (old plastic bottles): To create the necessary temperature differential.

IDEAS FOR SET UP

✓ Setup the Peltier Module: Place the Peltier module between two aluminum plates, one connected
to a heat source (hot water) and the other to a cold source (cold water or ice).
✓ Thermoelectric Effect: The temperature difference will cause a voltage to be generated across the
module.
✓ Electricity Generation: Connect the copper wires to an LED and demonstrate how electricity is
generated from the heat difference.
✓ This model showcases how thermoelectric power can be used in remote or emergencies using
waste heat and cooling.

5. Wave Energy Generator

Items:

• Plastic Bottles (used): To create a floating buoy.

• Old Copper Wire: For building a coil.
• Old Magnets (from speakers or hard drives): For generating electricity.
• CD/DVDs or Bottle Caps: To create the internal rotating mechanism.
 • Cardboard or Plastic Tubing: To build the structure.
• Old Motor: As an alternative generator.

IDEAS FOR MAKING

✓ Floating Buoy: Build a floating buoy using plastic bottles, and attaching magnets to it.
✓ Coil Setup: Create a coil from copper wire and mount it inside the plastic tubing. As the buoy
moves up and down in simulated wave motion (using a fan or manual movement), it moves the
magnets inside the coil, inducing current.
✓ Electricity Generation: Connect the coil to an LED or a small battery to show the electricity
generated from wave motion.
✓ This model demonstrates how wave energy can be harnessed to power coastal communities or
remote areas.

6. Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) Model

Items:

• Old Bicycle Pump: To compress air into a container.

• Plastic Bottles (thick): To act as the air storage tank.
• Old DC Motor (from toys): To generate electricity.
• Old Tubing and Valves: For connecting the air tank to the generator.
• Copper Wire: For the electrical connections.
• Cardboard or Plastic Containers: To build the base and support structure.

IDEAS FOR MAKING

✓ Air Compression: Use the bicycle pump to compress air into a plastic bottle through the tubing.
✓ Energy Release: When air is released from the bottle, it spins the motor, generating electricity.
✓ Electricity Storage: Wire the motor to an LED or small battery to show the generated electricity.
✓ Display: The model illustrates how compressed air can store excess renewable energy and release
it when needed.

7. Solar-Powered Water Heater

• Plastic Water Bottles (used): Act as the water container.

• Aluminum Foil (from food packaging): Used to reflect and concentrate sunlight.
• Old Rubber Tubing (from worn-out equipment): For water circulation.
• Cardboard Boxes: Create the solar collector (frame) and insulation.
• Black Paint: Painted on the water bottles to absorb heat.
• Old Glass Sheets or Transparent Plastic: To cover the heater and trap heat (greenhouse effect).

IDEAS FOR MAKING

✓ Paint the plastic bottles black and arrange them in a row.

✓ Use cardboard to create a box around the bottles, lining it with aluminum foil for reflection.
✓ Attach tubing to allow water to flow through the system.
✓ Cover the top with transparent plastic/glass to enhance the heating effect.
✓ As sunlight heats the black bottles, the water inside warms up.
8. Vortex-Induced Vibration (VIV) Energy Harvester

Items:

• Plastic Bottles or Old Straws: To create cylindrical objects that will oscillate.
• Strong Magnets (from speakers or hard drives): For creating electromagnetic induction.
• Old Copper Wire: To create coils for generating electricity.
• Cardboard or Foam: To build a frame for holding the oscillating structures.
• Used Fishing Line or Thin Wire: To attach the oscillating object to the structure and ensure flexibility.
• Old LEDs or Rechargeable Battery: To demonstrate the generated electricity.
• Small DC Motor (optional): To serve as an alternative generator.

IDEAS OF MAKING

✓ Vortex Structure: Attach the plastic bottles or straws to fishing lines, allowing them to oscillate
when wind or water flows past.
✓ Electromagnetic Induction: Place strong magnets near the oscillating object and wrap copper
coils around them. The oscillation will cause the magnets to move, inducing current in the coils.
✓ Electricity Generation: Wire the coils to an LED or battery to show how energy is generated from
vibrations caused by fluid flow.
✓ Display: The model simulates how VIV can be harnessed for sustainable energy from wind or
water currents, using minimal mechanical parts.

9. Artificial Leaf Solar Panel (Inspired by Photosynthesis)

Items:

• Thin, Flexible Plastic Sheets (from packaging): To create leaf-like solar cells.
• Broken Solar Cells (reused from discarded devices): To serve as the artificial photosynthetic material.
• Copper Wire: For connecting solar cells.
• Plastic Tubing (from old IV lines or fish tanks): To simulate water channels for the artificial leaf.
• Used Sponges or Foam: To hold water for the artificial leaf system.
• Old LED or Battery: To display the generated electricity.
• Cardboard or Wood Pieces: To build the support for the "leaf."

IDEAS OF MAKING

✓ Leaf Structure: Cut plastic sheets into leaf shapes and insert broken solar cells onto the surface to
mimic a leaf's structure.
✓ Water Channels: Use plastic tubing and sponges to simulate water absorption, as in natural leaves,
placed at the base of the leaf.
✓ Solar Power Generation: Wire the solar cells to an LED or battery to demonstrate energy collection
from sunlight.
✓ Display: The model demonstrates how artificial photosynthesis could be used to generate renewable
energy, inspired by nature's processes.

10. Thermal Updraft Tower (Solar Chimney)

Items:

• Plastic Bottles or Aluminum Cans (cut open and flattened): To form the structure of the tower.
• Old Plastic Wrap or Transparent Plastic: To trap heat at the base of the tower.
• Old DC Motor: To generate electricity from the rising air.
• Old CDs or Bottle Caps: To build a small wind turbine that rotates with the airflow.
• Copper Wire: For wiring the motor to an LED.
• Used Cardboard or Foam Board: To construct the base and guide the airflow.
IDEAS OF MAKING

✓ Chimney Tower: Build a tall cylindrical tower using cut plastic bottles or aluminum cans, keeping
it hollow to allow air to flow through.
✓ Solar Collector: Create a circular area at the base of the tower using transparent plastic, trapping
heat from sunlight, which will cause air inside the tower to rise.
✓ Turbine Setup: Place a small wind turbine at the top of the tower. As the heated air rises, it spins
the turbine, which powers the motor.
✓ Electricity Generation: Wire the motor to an LED to demonstrate electricity generation from the
rising hot air.
✓ The model demonstrates how solar energy can generate electricity through natural convection
without direct solar panels.

11. Piezoelectric Road Energy Harvester

Items:

• Old Piezoelectric Elements (from speakers, alarms, or electronic components): To generate voltage
when compressed.
• Old Rubber or Foam Mats: To simulate a roadway that compresses under pressure.
• Old Copper Wires: To connect the piezo elements.
• Cardboard or Plastic Sheets: To create the base for the "road."
• Old LEDs or Small Batteries: To display the electricity generated.
• Weights or Toy Cars: To simulate the pressure from vehicles.

IDEAS OF MAKING

✓ Piezo Roadway Setup: Embed the piezoelectric elements underneath a layer of

foam or rubber, simulating a road surface.
✓ Pressure Application: Use toy cars or weights to simulate traffic moving over the
piezoelectric elements, causing them to generate electricity.
✓ Energy Collection: Connect the piezo elements to LEDs or a small battery to
demonstrate energy collection from the simulated traffic.
✓ Display: This model showcases how piezoelectric roads could harness energy from
vehicles and pedestrians, turning wasted vibrations into electricity.

11. Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Model

Items:

• Two Water Containers (used plastic bottles or bowls): One for warm water and one for cold water.
 • Plastic Tubing (from old IV lines or fish tanks): To simulate water circulation.
• Old Copper Wires: To create a thermoelectric system.
• Peltier Module (from broken coolers or mini-fridges): To generate electricity from temperature
differences.
• Old Fans or Motors: To demonstrate how energy can power small devices.
• Used Cardboard or Plastic Sheets: To build the structure.

IDEAS OF MAKING

✓ Setup Water Containers: Place one container with warm water (simulating surface water) and
one with cold water (simulating deep ocean water).
✓ Thermal Difference Generator: Place a Peltier module between the two containers. The
temperature difference will generate electricity through the thermoelectric effect.
✓ Water Circulation: Use plastic tubing to simulate the flow of warm and cold water in the system.
✓ Electricity Generation: Wire the Peltier module to a small fan or LED to show the electricity
produced.
✓ Display: The model demonstrates how ocean thermal gradients can be used to generate
renewable energy on a larger scale.

12. Perpetual Motion Machine (Educational Model)

Items:

• Old DC Motors: To serve as generators.

• Broken Solar Panels (small, reused from toys or gadgets): For solar energy input.
• Piezoelectric Discs (from alarms or speakers): For additional energy input.
• Copper Wire: To connect all components.
• Plastic Bottles, CDs/DVDs, or Straws: To create a wind turbine for wind energy generation.
• LEDs or Small Rechargeable Batteries: To display the energy generated.

13. Bioelectricity Generator (Microbial Fuel Cell)

Items:

• Plastic Containers (used soda bottles or small tanks): To serve as chambers for the fuel cell.
• Copper Wire: For electrical connections.
• Old Nails or Metal Scraps: To serve as electrodes.
• Activated Charcoal or Old Charcoal: For anode material.
• Soil or Organic Waste (kitchen scraps): To fuel the microbial reactions.
• Small LED or Multimeter: To measure or display the generated electricity.
• Plastic Tubing or Straws: To help with oxygen exchange between the chambers.

IDEAS OF MAKING

✓ Fuel Cell Construction: Fill one container with organic waste or soil. Place an anode made of activated
charcoal and an old nail or metal scrap in this chamber.
✓ Oxygen Chamber: Create a second chamber filled with oxygen (air or water with dissolved oxygen),
placing a second metal electrode inside.
 ✓ Electrons Flow: Connect both electrodes using copper wires. As bacteria break down the waste, they
release electrons, which flow through the wires to generate electricity.
✓ Display: Wire the system to a small LED or multimeter to demonstrate electricity generated from waste.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Model
✓ Objective:
✓ Build a small electric vehicle using a motor and waste materials, demonstrating clean transportation
solutions.

14. Electric Vehicle

Items:
• Old Toys' Wheels or Bottle Caps: Used for wheels.
• DC Motor (reused from toys): To power the vehicle.
• Old Battery (rechargeable): For powering the motor.
• Cardboard or Plastic Containers: To create the body of the vehicle.
• Skewers or Straws: For the axles.

IDEAS FOR MAKING

✓ Build the car's body using cardboard or plastic.

✓ Attach the wheels (bottle caps or toy wheels) to the skewer axles.
✓ Connect the motor to the wheels and the battery to power it.
✓ Show how an electric vehicle works without using Petrol