[02/04/2008] So, tomorrow is the first real day of spring term for me (today was registration day). Basically, this means less free time. Although, with an actual schedule, I might not waste the free time I have as much as I did over January …
Speaking of which, I don’t remember if I’ve explained this before, but MIT has a special thing called the Independent Activities Period, which lasts all of January. Basically, it’s a one-month long mini-term where classes that wouldn’t otherwise survive are offered. I decided to take 2.670, “Mechanical Engineering Tools”. Each student in the class builds a Stirling engine, which is basically a device that converts heat into mechanical energy. They’re basically the most efficient type of mechanical engine in existence. Read the wikipedia article if you’re curious as to how they work. At any rate, here are pictures of my engine:
It was clocked doing about 635rpm. Faster than the average for this particular design, but nothing too spectacular. The record over all the years this class has been run was apparently an unmodified engine that ran 1500rpm, built by one very meticulous biology major.
Anyway, see you all next week, when … we have some semblance of a plot!?
