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Electricity

USB POWERED FAN

Start with the video, then use the science notes and recommended parts below to follow the idea behind the build.

ElectricityBuild

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How it works

What this project is testing.

USB power is small, steady, and surprisingly useful when the load is modest. This project demonstrates how low-voltage electrical power becomes magnetic force inside a motor.

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The fan is an energy conversion chain: electrical power becomes rotation, the blades push air, and friction and heat take their share along the way.

P = V I

The fan available power is limited by USB voltage and current.

τ \propto I

Motor torque generally rises with current through the motor windings.

Recommended parts

Products used in this project.

Affiliate links may earn Keystone Science a commission. Match ratings, values, sizes, polarity, and safety requirements to your own build before buying.

Goupchn Universal P6100 Oscilloscope Clip Probes 100MHz with Accessories Kit 1X 10X 2 Pack

test probes / leadstest equipment

Goupchn Universal P6100 Oscilloscope Clip Probes, 100MHz, 1X/10X, 2 Pack

$13.994.7(126)

YIHUA 926 III 60W Digital Display Soldering Iron Station Kit w 2 Helping Hands, 6 Extra Iron Tips, Lead-Free Solder, Solder Sucker, S/S Tweezers, °C/ºF Conversion, Auto Sleep & Calibration Support

soldering ironfabrication

YIHUA 926 III 60W Digital Display Soldering Iron Station Kit

$39.994.4(6,900)

EDGELEC 120pcs Breadboard Jumper Wires 20cm Wire Length Optional Dupont Cable Assorted Kit Male to Female Multicolored Ribbon Cables

jumper wires / hookup wirewiring

120pcs Breadboard Jumper Wires, 20cm Dupont Cable Assorted Kit, Male to Female

$6.984.7(4,500)

EUDAX 6 Set DC Motors Kit, Mini Electric Hobby Motor 3V -12V 25000 RPM Strong Magnetic with Shaft Propeller, 2 x AA Battery Holder,9V Battery Clip Connector,Plastic Wheels for DIY Science Projects

electric motorelectromechanical

EUDAX 6 Set Mini DC Motors Kit, 3V-12V, with Propellers, Wheels, Battery Holders, and Connectors

$11.994.5(1,500)

AC Infinity MULTIFAN S3, Quiet 120mm USB Fan, UL-Certified for Receiver DVR PlayStation Xbox Computer Cabinet Cooling

fanelectromechanical

AC Infinity MULTIFAN S3, Quiet 120mm USB Fan

$14.994.7(37K)

Apple 2025 MacBook Pro Laptop with Apple M5 chip with 10‑core CPU and 10‑core GPU: Built for AI, 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD Storage; Space Black

computercomputing

Apple 2025 MacBook Pro Laptop with Apple M5 chip with 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU: Built for AI, 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD Storage; Space Black

$1,538.304.7(107)

Preferred Apple laptop option for coding, editing, and project-control work.

Anker USB A to USB C Cable, 2 Pack, 6ft

USB connector/cablewiring

Anker USB A to USB C Cable, 2 Pack, 6ft

$9.994.7(143K)

Cable recommendation; use connector/breakout boards where project wiring requires them.

Hakko CSP-30-7 - Wire Stripper, 16-26 Gauge

wire stripperfabrication

Hakko CSP-30-7 Wire Stripper

$20.754.7(843)

Lead-Free Solder Wire Rosin Core Flux 0.8mm Electric Solder Fine Sn99 Ag0.3 Cu0.7 Flow 0.032in 0.11lb No Lead for Electronics Soldering Unlead 50g

solder wirefabrication

Lead-Free Rosin Core Solder Wire

$8.994.6(858)

3M Scotch Vinyl Electrical Tape Super 88, 3/4 in x 44 ft, Black, 1 roll, Premium Grade, Rubber Resin Adhesive, PVC Backing, A

electrical tapefabrication

3M Scotch Super 33+ Vinyl Electrical Tape

$4.534.8(2,814)

Project files

Prints, kits, and downloads.

Diagrams, printable files, kits, or companion downloads will appear here when they are ready to use.

Coming soon

Contact

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