Crushin' It With Pascal

Overview

Hydraulics! How are they so powerful? I set out to find the answer by building a model hydraulic system that could crush an aluminum can. A simple hydraulic system consists of a reservoir, pump, actuator, and a return. In my model system, I used a plastic bottle as my reservoir, syringes as my pump and actuator, and a ball valve as my return. I found that smaller pump syringes created greater pressure. I also found that using multiple large actuator syringes created more surface area. Together, the higher pressure and surface area create a greater hydraulic force making it easier to crush a can. The hydraulic principles explored in my project are used in many real world applications every day and make modern life possible.

Awards (1)

• Selected for CWSF 2026

Competition history

• CWSF 2026 Curiosity & Ingenuity

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