Using magnets to create electricity?

[Ethan Bork]

This is just another idea me and some friends came up with as a possible renewable energy.

 

So when two south or north sides of magnets meet they will push away from each other. What we were thinking is if you were to have a sort of "X" shaped piece with magnets on each end. Now this "X" would be able to spin freely on its center. Around each end of the "X" you would put a north/south magnet to push away on each side. Think of a graph and at a 30, 60, 120, 150, 210, 240, 300, and 330 degrees you would put a magnet. the x and y axis of the graph would be the arms of the previous piece.

 

If you were to push the arm, with the same magnet as the other ones, into one of the previously listed angles then it would push away from it. This would then bounce into the other angle where it would be pushed away again. this would create a bouncing back and forth sort of movement that could be used to generate energy.

 

Cons:

-the bouncing motion would eventually stop

-requires a push to start it

-probably doesnt make sense haha

 

Pros:

-renewable

-magnets dont release any pollution

-we have access to some really strong magnets

Edited March 6, 2017 by Ethan Bork

[Bender]

cons:

- even really strong magnets don't magically create energy: you can only generate as much energy as you put in, less since you cannot have 100% efficiency

- powerful magnets use rare elements and are not renewable

- mining these elements causes environmental harm

- certainly doesn't make any sense

Edited March 6, 2017 by Bender

[fathiyaqaan]

How about using electromagnetic object in circular solenoid with separate power supply storage and power output. The power supply storages are regularly switch form using and charging. Is it possible?

[Bender]

Not sure what you mean without figure. Are you referring to the mechanism that converts shaking motion to electricity in some flashlights?

 

There are plenty of ways to convert mechanical energy to electricity using magnets. All of them require you to put in more mechanical energy than the electrical energy you get in return.

[fathiyaqaan]

this is what i had in mind, but instead using pure magnet, wire in coil is used.

[Bender]

Not sure what you are trying to do. That's just a picture of an electromagnet.

[KipIngram]

Ethan, all the points others have made above are entirely valid. Electromechanical energy conversion is the field of my graduate research (though I spent most of my career in my undergraduate field, digital electronics), and I can assure you that an enormous number of man-years have been invested in honing our abilities in the area. In general conversion efficiency can be quite good, but they are certainly less than 100% - there is no free lunch.

 

The geometry you suggested feels crude to me - most generators use continuous circular motion. I'd be happy to discuss this with you further, either here or via private messages, if you like. One of the other members here has a nice quote in her signature about the dangers of "a little knowledge"; maybe I could help you gain more in this area.