Fun Science
Scientists love a challenge and the need to find viable new sources of energy is a technological doozy.
Powerful Pond Scum
Swimming pool owners can attest to the fact that algae multiplies faster than almost any other organism on the planet. Now entrepreneurs are extracting oil from these rabbits of the plant world and converting it to biofuel, suitable for burning in airplanes and automobiles. Algae also consumes carbon dioxide, a major contributor to global warming.
A California company called Valcent uses a closed, vertical system to grow algae in long rows of moving plastic bags. This exposes the slime to more sunshine, something it can never get enough of. The bottom line is that while crops grown in the dirt look better on the dinner table, they can’t compete with muck when it comes to producing clean energy.
Whispering Winds
Wind turbines have a whole new look this season. The northern New York landscape is now dotted with energy producing structures that resemble giant stacks of Venetian Blinds. Engineers at an organization called ETLLC claim that their machines are quieter, safer and more efficient than propeller style turbines. And since all of the mechanics are at ground level rather than 300 feet, these turbines will also be easier to maintain.
The inner workings of turbines are getting an upgrade as well. Traditional power plant generators are built to operate at a constant speed. But a new model designed by Exro Technologies of Vancouver, British Columbia uses an electronic transmission which can adapt to variable wind speeds, so dealing with gusts and lulls is all in a day’s work.
October 22nd, 2009 at 2:08 pm
No es lo mismo degustar un coctel en un vaso común y sin ningún tipo de decoración, que beberlo en un recipiente el cual ha sido preparado con ciertos elementos que lo hacen más apetitoso.