Wake Forest physics professor Timo Thonhauser, center, demonstrates an alternative energy source to elementary school students at Sciworks.
Associate professor of physics at Wake Forest University, in collaboration with SciWorks science center, has developed an interactive mobile exhibit to demonstrate the application of alternative fuels to school children.
Part of Timo Thonhauser’s 2012 National Science Foundation CAREER Award, this outreach project is awarded to few junior faculty who perform exceedingly well as teacher-scholars. According to Thonhauser, awareness is a major step to promote the adoption of novel technology. At the exhibit, he demonstrated the alternative energy cart to a group of children from second, third and fourth grades, explained the issues associated with present-day fossil fuels, and the possible solutions that can be achieved by using alternative fuels such as hydrogen.
The alternative energy cart provides a hands-on learning experience to both old and young alike and promotes awareness on alternative fuel options. This science project will enable visitors to try out a car powered by hydrogen and to explore other alternative energy demonstrations, including wind power. In fact, students can use a model hydrogen fuel cell car to separate water into oxygen and hydrogen and observe how the gas thus generated is able to power the car.
Toyota will roll out its first commercial hydrogen-powered car in December 2014. According to Thonhauser, such developments underline the need to educate people about alternative fuel sources. He also spoke at a SciWorks Science Café that highlights the studies of regional scientists, customized for the general public.
I am definitely excited that real cars, going beyond prototype models, will be available soon. Once people see them on the road, the technology will attract much more attention, which in turn will boost further development. People in general don’t know enough about alternative fuels, and awareness is an important first step in getting the technology accepted.
Timo Thonhauser, associate professor of physics
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