Science Station
Now Open on Level 2
Imagine powering a miniature city - with hydrogen! H2NOW: The Great Hydrogen X-Change is an innovative approach to interactive exhibits that brings the science and technology behind this renewable energy source to visitors of all ages. In H2NOW, you can explore what hydrogen is, where it comes from, and many of its possible uses.
Start by picking up a hydrocell. Through the use of RFID technology, you charge your hydrocell with Hydrogen Energy Units - HEU’s you have earned by answering questions about hydrogen one of the interactive charging stations. Then, use those HEU’s to power the miniature city of Hydropolis. While there, check out the Renewable Energy Poster exhibit to discover the latest information about wind, solar, nuclear, and biofuels.
Written by Kim Hunter
|
22 January 2010
Posted in
H2NOW
- In 2006, the first hydrogen powered toy car, the H-racer, went on the market. It retails for $40.00.
- Princeton University has developed fuel cells to power lawn mowers, chainsaws, and other small tools and appliances.
- Disney’s Epcot will feature an interactive exhibit about hydrogen fuel cells. The exhibit will be called Fuel for Thought.
- California’s Disneyland has bought 10 hydrogen cars to shuttle employees and special guests.
- Las Vegas will open a new water park in 2011 that will be powered with electricity generated by hydrogen fuel cells.
- NASA used hydrogen fuel cells in the 1960’s to generate electricity for its Gemini spacecraft.
- The space shuttle uses fuel cells to generate electricity; the water produced is used for drinking water on the shuttle.
Written by Kim Hunter
|
09 December 2009
Posted in
H2NOW
After a year of testing, repairing and upgrading, H2NOW is better than ever!
This innovative exhibit is based on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). Tiny RFID tags inside each hydrocell track visitors’ progress as they earn Hydrogen Energy Units at one of the 6 charging stations to spend at different docking ports along the miniature city of Hydropolis. As many as twelve visitors at once can be working at different stages in the H2NOW experience - each with a different RFID address. All of this simultaneous tracking and recording required sophisticated software. Over this past year, the Science Center exhibit staff devoted hundreds of hours towards visitor observation and system testing, feeding data to the programmers from H2NOW’s design firm, i.d.e.a.s.
As some of you have experienced, the H2NOW software system was far from perfect. Many problems were detected and each one repaired. But as it so often goes, one repair frequently created two new problems. So i.d.e.a.s took action - they completely rebuilt the software system from the ground up, not only eliminating the problems, but upgrading the entire experience. The new and improved H2NOW software was installed last month, and it’s working fabulously. If you haven’t experienced H2NOW yet, check it out on your next visit. And if you have, try it again. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.
