Maria Telkes and the Solar House
Maria Telkes and the Solar House,Whether you’re looking to invest in a home, purchase a house, or even live in a solar house, you may have questions. You may be wondering how solar houses work, and how much money you will spend on the project. This article will provide you with all the information you need to know.
MIT II solar house
Among the many accomplishments of the MIT II solar house was the invention of the world’s first modern house heated by the sun. Developed by Maria Telkes, this system relied on a box-like collector, an air heater, and a series of pipes to capture sunlight and heat water.
It was a unique and aesthetic achievement that made it onto the cover of Popular Mechanics magazine. It also was a testament to the public relations success of the project.
Telkes was a pioneer in solar-heating research. She helped develop solar-powered desalination machines, which supplied clean drinking water in arid areas. She earned twenty patents for her work. In 1952, she was the first woman to receive the Society of Women Engineers Achievement Award. She was also inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
She became a citizen of the United States in 1937. In addition to her solar-heating work, Telkes helped develop a device to record brain waves. Her inventions were used in military projects, including an improvised solar-powered oven.
Although she did not contribute much to the MIT II solar house, Maria Telkes did participate in a solar energy project that was funded by the US Department of Energy and MIT. She developed a method for storing heat using sodium sulfate. This was a far cry from the solar panels we have today.
Dover Sun House
During World War II, Dr. Telkes invented a solar distiller, a device that could convert seawater into fresh water. It was used by soldiers in the Pacific war. It was also included in military emergency medical kits.
When the war ended, Telkes moved to New York University College of Engineering. There she founded a solar energy lab. She continued to develop solar energy applications. She received several patents for her work. In 1977, the National Academy of Sciences Building Research Advisory Board honored Dr. Telkes with its first Women Engineers Achievement Award.
The Dover Sun House was an experimental solar building that was constructed in Dover, Massachusetts, in 1948. It was the world’s first modern solar-heated home. The building featured a large south-facing sun collector and three heat bins.
The building was constructed from corrugated aluminum and glass. The south-facing wall of the second story featured a bank of 18 windows. The building was wedge-shaped to maximize sunlight harvesting. The house was built at a cost of $20,000.
The Dover Sun House’s design relied on solar-heated air. Fan-driven air was circulated through the walls to transfer heat. The heat from the warmed air was then absorbed by chemical salts. These chemical salts could store heat up to seven times better than water. The salts were made of crystallized sodium sulfate. These salts melted at about 90 deg. and recrystallized when it got cold.
Invention of a solar distiller
During World War II, Maria Telkes invented a solar distiller that vaporizes seawater and recondenses it into drinkable water. It was used by American soldiers in the Pacific theater to help them survive. It was also included in military emergency medical kits on life rafts. The distiller proved to be a lifesaver for stranded airmen and sailors.
In the years following the war, Telkes returned to academia, working on a series of practical applications of solar energy. She also developed a simple and inexpensive stove that could be used by poor villagers in arid areas. She continued her research and development of solar applications until the end of her career.
She also developed an air-conditioning system that stored coolness at night and reduced power demand during hot spells. The system was designed to minimize the risk of electrical brownouts.
In 1953, she became the first woman to receive the Society of Women Engineers Achievement Award. She was also inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. In 1977, she received a lifetime achievement award from the National Academy of Sciences Building Research Advisory Board.
As a scientist, Maria Telkes invented many inventions that converted heat into electricity. She also devised a method for storing solar energy in sodium sulphate. She received several patents for her work.
