Frenchman and chemist Louis Pasteur revealed the effect of geomagnetic fields on plant growth in 1862. In 1936, Albert Roy Davis, considered the modern father of biomagnetics, discovered that the north and south poles of a magnet affect the development of animals, people and plants. The line of force enters at the south pole of a magnet and exists at the magnet's north pole. In 1950, Davis received a patent for his process for magnetically treating seeds. A research angle could examine the viability of magnetism to increase yield per acre. Examine how the treatment of water, soil, fertilizers and seeds with magnetic waves effects the size, color and vitality of plants and what this means for replenishment of tropical region and the global food supply.
Wind gusts lift dust particles, consisting of soils and dry sand, into the air and carry the particles for meters or across oceans. These particles, heavier than air, eventually fall back to the surface. Dust storms occur around the world; however, the largest storms occur in the Sahara and Gobi Deserts. These particles end up on other continents and countries like the United States and Mexico. Southwestern states such as Texas and Arizona have dust storms due to droughts and barren soil during the winter season. You can use a camera to photograph localized dust storms and the effects on the sky of major ones, as well as predict the direction where they are headed.
The significance of dust storms lies in the potential health effects, such as asthma, respiratory or damage. Particles also contain pesticides, animal waste and fungi . The removal of rich soil also affects crop yields. Investigate the development of dust "devils" by taking photographs and making video. Reveal the conditions that cause these whirlwinds . Another approach gathers samples of particles and uses a x100 powered-microscope to determine what samples contain and the possible implications for people, animals or the environment.
Examples of parabolic reflectors include flashlights, vehicle headlights and satellite TV antennas. Find out the "what" about which makes the "parabolic" shape that renders it invaluable for viability solutions for many products and applications. A possible objective for this project would examine the question of what the optimal position is for a parabolic reflector for transmitting and receiving signals with light. This would help when trying to determine the positioning of reflectors for antennas to receive signals. This necessitates understanding concepts such as parabola, parabola reflector and light emitting diode (LED). The researcher also requires knowledge of the principles of current, resistance and Ohm's law.
The tips of some airplane wings have short vertical fins called "winglets." Winglets break up turbulent airflow from the tornado-like air vortexes that form behind the plane and keep an airplane from flipping due to these miniature tornadoes. Winglets also reduce the drag on the plane, which decreases fuel efficiency, by breaking up air vortexes. This project employs a wind tunnel to test airfoils with and without winglets. A possible approach to this topic examines forces that act on airfoils in a wind tunnel and how winglets influence these forces and flight performance.