The main scientific principles:
1. Similar effect as Leidenfrost effect
- We took inspiration from the Leidenfrost effect which occurs when a liquid comes into contact with a solid surface that is at a much higher temperature than the boiling point of the liquid
- In our case, the dry ice comes into contact with the ground (room temperature about 20°C) which is at a much higher temperature than the sublimation temperature of dry ice (-78.5°C)
2. Low friction
- Cushion of vapour provided by the sublimation of dry ice
3. Thrust from propellers
- The driving force of our hovercraft is from the 2 front and 2 back propellers
- 2 propellers are used on each side to cancel out the torque from each propeller such that the hovercraft can move in a straight line
4. Turning of hovercraft
- By controlling the speed of each of the motors for turning right or left, the direction of the hovercraft can ideally be controlled (eg. to turn right, the motor on the motor on the left is faster)
- The motors are also placed such that the the faster motor will provide the torque that helps with turning as well (eg. when turning right, the left motor is faster hence the left motor rotates clockwise to assist with turning)