Current Event 17
Review Article
David ShultzFeb. 14, 2017 , 7:15 PM, 2017 Jeffrey MervisFeb. 14, 2017 Martin EnserinkFeb. 14, 2017 Gretchen VogelFeb. 14, 2017 Jocelyn KaiserFeb. 14, 2017 John TravisFeb. 13, 2017 Feb. 14, 2017 Feb. 10, and 2017 Feb. 9. "Wind Turbines Inspired by Insect Wings Are 35% More Efficient." Science | AAAS. N.p., 14 Feb. 2017. Web. 15 Feb. 2017.
In the article, “Wind turbines inspired by insect wings are 35% more efficient”, a new, more effective method of constructing turbines is discussed. Researchers found “by drawing inspiration from the flexible wings of insects, scientists have found a way to make wind turbine blades 35% more efficient at producing energy.” They discuss how efficiency of wind turbines is not about the fast rotation, but actually achieving the optimal intermediate speed. Most importantly, though, is the angle at which the wind hits the blades. The flexibility of insects’ wings allow them to avoid this problem. Their wings are “able to direct the aerodynamic load in the direction of their flight, increasing the power”. Scientists have created model turbine wings that resulted in 35% more power, unleashing a variety of possibilities. Their final challenge though is scaling these models to full size turbines.
This study is greatly applicable to society, as it would make this alternative method of energy more effective and plausible for regular use. As our world tries to move away from fossil fuels and other polluting sources of energy, scientists are constantly testing new methods. This advancement could mean a lot of great things on an environmental front as we try to better implement these green technologies.
I thought the author of this article did a pretty decent job, but there were still some areas he could have improved upon. For the most part, I felt his writing was very clear and concise. I was able to really understand this material which can sometimes be difficult with scientific articles such as this one. Still, I felt the author could have gone into some more depth. It was a shorter article it seemed, and I felt as though he just skimmed the surface. I am still really curious about how researchers came upon this idea or if anything similar has been attempted before.
I read Grace Randall’s review of the article “Wind Turbines Inspired by Insect Wings are 35% More Efficient” about a new way to build wind turbines. Grace talked about how the article discussed that the efficiency of wind turbines is based on achieving the “optimal intermediate speed”. She then when on to explain how the design of the wings of an insect can be beneficially to the blades on a wind turbine. Flexibility in the wings allows the insects to be aerodynamic and by creating blades based off of an insect's’ wings resulted in 35% more power. Grace then stated that the last challenge that will be faced is scaling the models to a full sized wind turbine. I chose to read Grace’s review because the topic seemed interesting and innovative.
ReplyDeleteI think that grace could have improved her review by including more details and giving more information so that it is easier for the reader to understand. I also think she could have explained why the challenge of making the model a full sized turbine would be such a large challenge.
I learned some new information from this review about a new innovative technology and how scientists are always looking for new ways to increase efficiency. This will change my life understanding of how scientists think and how new technologies are constantly being discovered to better our lives.
David ShultzFeb. 14, 2017 , 7:15 PM, 2017 Jeffrey MervisFeb. 14, 2017
ReplyDeleteMartin EnserinkFeb. 14, 2017 Gretchen VogelFeb. 14, 2017 Jocelyn KaiserFeb. 14, 2017 John TravisFeb. 13, 2017 Feb. 14, 2017 Feb. 10, and 2017 Feb. 9. "Wind Turbines Inspired by Insect Wings Are 35% More Efficient." Science | AAAS. N.p., 14 Feb. 2017. Web. 15 Feb. 2017.
http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/02/wind-turbines-inspired-insect-wings-are-35-more-efficient
Grace did a very good job on her review. There are a few aspects of it that I enjoyed. First of all, I enjoyed how she used statistics in her review. This helped relate her review back to the article that she read. I also liked how she quoted the article as well. Like her use of statistics, quoting the article it helped connect her review back to what she read. I also believe that her second paragraph really showed that she understood what the article about, she clearly had a good understanding it of it.
Although I thought that she did a very good job on her review, there are a few things in which she could improve upon. She could have improved her article by explaining some of the vocabulary that she included in her review from the article. This could have given it a more clear understanding. As well, she could have explained why making a full size turbine is such a challenge. This would have added some extra detail that would have been very interesting.
Overall, I think that Grace did a very nice job. Prior to reading her review, I did not know that this existed. I am happy that I was able to learn something new through it.
David ShultzFeb. 14, 2017 , 7:15 PM, 2017 Jeffrey MervisFeb. 14, 2017 Martin EnserinkFeb.
ReplyDelete14, 2017 Gretchen VogelFeb. 14, 2017 Jocelyn KaiserFeb. 14, 2017 John TravisFeb. 13,
2017 Feb. 14, 2017 Feb. 10, and 2017 Feb. 9. "Wind Turbines Inspired by Insect Wings Are 35% More Efficient." Science | AAAS. N.p., 14 Feb. 2017. Web. 15 Feb. 2017.
Grace did a great job on his review of “Wind turbines inspired by insect wings are 35% more efficient” by David Schultz. I particularly enjoyed Grace’s eloquent and clear description of what she means by “efficient.” Grace defined “efficiency of wind turbines is not about the fast rotation, but actually achieving the optimal intermediate speed.” By providing a clarification of a key term Grace established authority and clarity that makes her review more understandable for the average reader. An additional element upon which Grace flourished was in her assertion of this article's importance. Grace states this study is “greatly applicable to society...as our world tries to move away from fossil fuels and other polluting sources of energy...advancement could mean a lot of great things (including more ) green technologies” like this. It is essential Grace nails the importance paragraph, as she did so expertly, so the reader really understands the breakthroughs that have been made as well as their implications. A final element Grace did well was in her analysis/critique paragraph of the article. Grace asserted that while “the author of this article did a pretty decent job...I felt the author could have gone into some more depth.” By presenting both the pros and cons of the article we as readers understand the in depth analysis Grace partook in order to write her review. Additionally, by realizing what not to do, we as readers and Grace herself understand what not to do when we write scientific articles.
However, Grace did have two areas of her review in which she could improve. Primarily, I would recommend that Grace include more quotations from experts. Throughout her review Grace did not mention a single expert’s opinion or viewpoint. Expert opinions are necessary in order to establish the authority and relevance of a piece to its audience. In order to improve this Grace simply needs to be diligent about including relevant quotes and opinions in order to enhance her review. Additionally, I felt Grace could improve her review by providing more details in general. Her review was concise, which is usually preferred, but there is a delicate balance between concise and lacking details. In order to remedy this problem Grace must include more ideas or possibly investigate other articles on her topic in order to create a more comprehensive review. By providing further details Grace would assert a greater authority and significance to her review.
Overall, Grace did a brilliant job of creating a well-written piece that exemplifies the current development of wind turbines modeled after insect wings. This review brought up the ever-relevant and important idea that we must learn from nature in order to create more efficient technology. Mother nature has perfected so much it seems logical to follow her examples and advice. As our world becomes increasingly advanced in terms of technology, we must always remember no algorithm will show us the way to make, for example a wing, better than a hummingbird out in your backyard. This article reminds me that inspiration is often close to home and not located in some far off complicated laboratory. Discoveries can be made anywhere and at anytime, no matter who you are.
ReplyDeleteDavid ShultzFeb. 14, 2017 , 7:15 PM, 2017 Jeffrey MervisFeb. 14, 2017 Martin EnserinkFeb. 14, 2017 Gretchen VogelFeb. 14, 2017 Jocelyn KaiserFeb. 14, 2017 John TravisFeb. 13, 2017 Feb. 14, 2017 Feb. 10, and 2017 Feb. 9. "Wind Turbines Inspired by Insect Wings Are 35% More Efficient." Science | AAAS. N.p., 14 Feb. 2017. Web. 15 Feb. 2017.
http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/02/wind-turbines-inspired-insect-wings-are-35-more-efficient
I read Grace Randall’s review of “Wind turbines inspired by insect wings are 35% more efficient” and thought that she did a very good job. I particularly liked her summary of the article and its main points. She kept her summary short and concise, which summaries are supposed to be, yet still included enough information for the reader to understand what happened in the article. In addition, I enjoyed her use of quotes in her review. She includes this quote when speaking about the ways in which the continent is not like all other continents when writing that their wings are “able to direct the aerodynamic load in the direction of their flight, increasing the power”. I also liked how she gave details and specific percents, especially when saying, “by drawing inspiration from the flexible wings of insects, scientists have found a way to make wind turbine blades 35% more efficient at producing energy”. These numbers helped provide the reader with more information on the efficiency of the turbine.
Although Grace did a very good job in her review, she could use some improvement. For example, Grace never expands on the challenges of making the model. This could have been helpful for the reader to know why we are not using these turbines all over the world. Lastly, while Grace did speak about the ways in which the article was not perfectly written, she should have given specific examples of when the author does not go into enough detail. By giving us an example, we could have understood what she was criticizing a little bit better.
I thought that the review was written very well and Grace chose a great article to talk about. I think that the topic is very interesting and relevant and Grace has further educated me on the topic. I never knew about this topic before reading Grace’s review and now feel knowledgeable on this topic. Overall, I really enjoyed Grace’s review and learned a lot from it.
David ShultzFeb. 14, 2017 , 7:15 PM, 2017 Jeffrey MervisFeb. 14, 2017 Martin EnserinkFeb. 14, 2017 Gretchen VogelFeb. 14, 2017 Jocelyn KaiserFeb. 14, 2017 John TravisFeb. 13, 2017 Feb. 14, 2017 Feb. 10, and 2017 Feb. 9. "Wind Turbines Inspired by Insect Wings Are 35% More Efficient." Science | AAAS. N.p., 14 Feb. 2017. Web. 15 Feb. 2017.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/02/wind-turbines-inspired-insect-wings-are-35-more-efficient
I read Grace’s review of the article “Wind Turbines Inspired by Insect Wings are 35% More Efficient” by David Shultz. I thought that Grace did a good job of describing the efficiency of the wind turbines and how they are based on achieving optimal intermediate speed. I liked how Grace included some statistics and quotes into her review, including those helped make her review stronger. I also enjoyed how Grace described the design of the turbines and how it is based on wings of insects. She clearly described why they are used and her second paragraph showed that she really understood the article.
I think that Grace could have improved her review by explaining some of the vocabulary that is difficult to understand. This would have given the reader a better understanding of some parts of the article. I also think she could have included a few more quotes from the article and reference a few more experts opinions and viewpoints.
Overall I think Grace did a very good job explaining what a wind turbine is and how these new ones are beneficial. Before reading this article I did not know that they based the wind turbine shape on insect wings. I learned a lot of new information about the new and different types of technology scientists are using to increase efficiency.
I read Grace's review of the article, “Wind Turbines inspired by Insect Wings are 35% more Efficient.” I enjoyed reading her article for three reasons. The first reason is that she provided a very good summary of the article. The second reason is that she quoted the original article which added credibility to her summary. Finally, I enjoyed how she kept her review concise and did not include any useless information.
ReplyDeleteAlthough her review was well written, she could have improved two aspects of her review. The first was that she could have improved on her grammar, as this would have made the review much easier to read. In addition to this, she could have discussed what possibilities this new technology would bring forward.
Overall, Grace wrote a very good review of the article and it was able to teach my a lot of things about innovations in clean energy using nature as a guide.