Atmospheric pressure can be measured using a barometer. The first mercury barometer was developed in 1643 by Evangelista Torricelli. Later, an aneroid barometer was invented in 1843 that functions without liquids. In 2004, Cold Energy obtained a patent for a device that generates electricity by exploiting differences in atmospheric pressure between geographic locations using a pressurized air pipeline. This concept could generate enough renewable energy to power 250,000 homes.

1. Alex Aylward

2. What is atmospheric pressure?
 The pressure exerted by the weight of the atmosphere.
 At sea level this pressure has a mean value of 101,325
Pascals (roughly 14.6959 pounds per square inch).
 Atmospheric pressure
may be measured
using a barometer.

3. What is a barometer?
 A barometer is a device used for measuring
atmospheric or barometric pressure.
 The pressure acts on the basin containing liquid
driving the mercury levels in the tube up or down.
 Evangelista Torricelli, an Italian
physicist, developed the first
mercury barometer in 1643.

4. Cox’s timepiece
 James Cox working with John Joseph Merlin developed
a timepiece running on changing barometric pressure
in the 1760s.
 A mercury barometer was used
to power this device.
 James Cox was an entrepreneur
and a goldsmith.

5. Aneroid Barometers
 Aneroid barometers were invented by French scientist
Lucien Viddie in 1843.
 An aneroid barometer is another
form of barometer that functions
without using liquids.
 Aneroid barometers use a small
sealed cell composed of beryllium
and copper to measure changing
pressure.

6. More about atmospheric pressure
 Changing atmospheric pressures are responsible for
our winds and weather patterns.
 Elevation and uneven temperatures affect pressure
levels.
 Areas of high pressure will flow to areas of low
pressure.

7. Cold Energy, LLC
 In 2004 Cold Energy, LLC obtained a patent for a
device deriving its power from differing atmospheric
pressures in geographically spaced locations.
 The idea involves running a pipeline from an area of
relatively high pressure to an area of relatively low
pressure allowing air to flow through this pipeline.
 These winds are capable of
generating 1,000 to 1,400
Megawatts of electricity.
 This is enough to power to
250,000 5 Kilowatt homes.

8. Conclusion
 Barometric pressure is a viable and clean source of
renewable energy.