Energy Harvesting via Ballonet Altitude Control; Fighting Fossil Fuels: An STS Perspective into the Development and Deployment of Clean Energy Harvesting Methods

In my undergraduate work, I focused on the urgent need to advance clean energy technologies, examining both technical and social aspects of the global effort to address climate change. My technical project and STS research were aligned in their core objective: identifying novel solutions to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. The technical project involved developing a ballonet-based energy harvesting device, while the STS research explored the current landscape of clean energy technologies, particularly wind and solar, and emphasized the importance of continued innovation.

Through my STS research, I analyzed the progress of wind and solar energy in the United States and highlighted their growing role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, I also found that fossil fuels still make up most of the energy mix, underscoring the need for further development of alternative energy solutions. Novel energy harvesting technologies offer potential in specific environments where traditional renewables may not be effective and allow for the capture of energy that may otherwise go unused. This research reinforced the importance of diverse, location-specific solutions and the need to consider technical feasibility and social responsibility in energy system design.

The technical portion of my work involved building a small-scale prototype of a ballonet energy harvesting system. Our team used a helium-filled ballonet and a lightweight pump system to control vertical movement, generating electricity as a pulley system turned a motor during ascent and descent. We addressed challenges such as minimizing energy loss and selecting appropriate materials, and our results demonstrated the potential of vertical kinetic energy as an underexplored renewable energy source.

Completing the technical and STS components of this project deepened my understanding of the relationship between engineering and society. I learned that meaningful innovation must be grounded in ethical considerations, environmental impact, and the needs of diverse communities. This experience strengthened my commitment to pursuing sustainable, responsible engineering solutions that can make a lasting contribution to the global energy transition.

School of Engineering and Applied Science
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Technical Advisors: Michael Momot, Frank Lagor
STS Advisor: Richard Jacques
Capstone Team Members: Clarisse Forro, Vivienne Hughes, Troy Meink, Ashlin Schultz, Robert Stambaugh, Richard Yau, Yining Xu