How can one convert Mechanical energy into Electrical energy

[jaurg]

We have all seen those "shake flashlights" and the "Hand crank radios."

If I want to build a motor to generate electrical energy, how would I do that. Maybe there is some science store that sells a kit.


Also, assume you have this motor, which when you exert mechanical energy, converts it into electrical, how would you store the said converted energy.

Thank You!

[shawn]

Well, looking through the Equipment and Materials Shopping links at http://energyteachers.org/Links.php?LinkTopicSelect=54 I found:
Flinn's kit "Build Your Own Simple DC Motor":
http://www.flinnsci.com/Sections/PhySci/experiments.asp
Sargent Welch's AC/DC electric motor:
http://sargentwelch.com/motor-generator/p/IG0038421/
Or their AC hand generator kit, from scratch:
http://sargentwelch.com/ac-hand-generator/p/IG0038425/
A serious generator we're using in a lot of our classrooms, connecting it to a bike:
http://www.windstreampower.com/

On storage:
You can store in a rechargeable battery (my favorite), a capacitor, or a Leyden jar.