Cactus Needles Inspire New Method Of Cleaning Oil From Water
Tiny spikes of copper, inspired by cactus thorns, have the ability to remove micro-droplets of oil in water, according to Chinese researchers, and could lead to more effective cleanups of oil spills. The researchers, who noted that the cone-shaped spines of cactus can harvest water from the air and move it to their base due to surface tension and the shape of the spines, emulated that natural design function in a new development using artificial … [Read more...]
Quote of the Day: 8/9/13 – Maria Mitchell
"The world of learning is so broad, and the human soul is so limited in power! We reach forth and strain every nerve, but we seize only a bit of the curtain that hides the infinite from us." - Maria Mitchell … [Read more...]
Food For Thought…
Metabolix Engineers Plants To Make Cheaper, Cleaner Bioplastic
Petroleum-based plastic may be fantastic, but due to the durability that makes the material so popular it may take hundreds of years to break down. Plastic made from renewable biomass, known as bioplastic, is a biodegradable alternative to fossil fuel versions. A company called Metabolix, based in Cambridge (MA), has been working on a technology to genetically engineer plants such as switchgrass to create a biodegradable polymer that can be … [Read more...]
New technique for turning sunshine and water into hydrogen fuel
A new technique developed by a University of Colorado Boulder team converts sunshine and water directly into usable fuel. The technique involves concentrating sunlight in a solar tower to achieve temperatures high enough to drive chemical reactions that split water into its constituent oxygen and hydrogen molecules. In this way, the team says it should be able to cheaply produce massive amounts of hydrogen fuel. The team's solar thermal system … [Read more...]
Raising the Visibility of Coal Plant Water Pollution
Who knew a beauty contest could be so gross? Activists in St. Louis staged a Hazmat Swimsuit Contest last week to highlight the immense amount of toxic pollution that local coal plants dump into the area's waterways, an article by Sarah Hodgdon reports. "Rather than wear swimsuits, the competitors all wore hazmat suits to illustrate that St. Louis area water is too toxic to swim in, let alone drink!" said St. Louis Beyond Coal Organizer Sara … [Read more...]
What Uses Do You Have For Lemons?
Most people are familiar with the traditional uses for lemons to soothe sore throats and add some citrus flavor to our foods. However the diversity of applications for lemons far exceeds general knowledge. Here are just a few examples: High Blood Pressure Lemon contains potassium which controls high blood pressure and reduces the effect of nausea and dizziness. Mental Health Lemon water can also prep up your mood and relieve you from … [Read more...]
Quote of the Day: 7/31/13 – Philip Zimbardo
“The greatest gift that you can give to others and to yourself is time. Embrace the gift of time whether you give it or receive it.” … [Read more...]
Easy Ways To Detox This Weekend (And They Don’t Involve Juicing!)
1. Take a break from technology. Sure, living in a connected world has its perks, but there's the flip side, too. We're often not present in the moment, because we're lost in screens. Try a mini-tech detox: can you switch off your phone during dinner time? Maybe for 24 hours during the weekend? Try a few variations to see which one gives you the biggest boost and works best with your life. 2. Detox your vocabulary. As the saying goes: Watch … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- …
- 20
- Next Page »