Energy
Energy storage optimization takes a great deal of wisdom, such as the proper trade-offs between energy density or power density. Batteries, which store energy by separating chemicals and are better for delivering lots of energy, while capacitors, which store energy by separating electrical charges, are better for delivering lots of power (energy per time).
Life would be simpler if both were always available without high cost.
At the AVS 57th International Symposium&Exhibition in Albuquerque, MIT reported on efforts to store energy in thin carbon nanotubes by adding…
Samshive |
See Nuclear Reactions for Beginners to get an introduction to the basic concepts
It should be clear by now that both the fusion and fission processes can generate energy - the trick is to make these processes sustainable. While I am keeping my fingers crossed that we can produce a viable means for generating electricity with fusion, I personally do not think this will happen within the next 20 to 30 years. I think one of the areas of active research should be on fusion power. The main issues with fusion is the large temperatures required to actually overcome the repulsive forces between…
Samshive |
To get a basic understanding of nuclear reactions, a high school level knowledge of a few basic concepts will suffice. In this regard, I'll start with a short recap of some concepts that will be used.
Structure of the atom
A basic atomic model will suffice for our discussion. In general, we can consider the atom to be composed of protons and neutrons tightly bound within the nucleus of the atom surrounded by electrons. The nucleus comprises almost the entirety of the mass of the atom, while the orbiting electrons make up the size of the atom.
Nuclear reactions
The 2 major types of nuclear…
Samshive |
"So whats wrong with going Nuclear," was what I thought was an innocent question to a friend, who in most aspects, I considered quite open minded. But it turns out that being open minded in some respects do not make you so in others. Nuclear power was one of these exceptions for her. I was astounded by an overall lack of understanding of the science involved, as well as exaggerated sense of the number of deaths caused by the industry. I'm obviously biased in this regard due to my current academic pursuits, but what truly surprised me was that seemingly rational, educated people have made up…
A thirteen year old girl from Montana was visiting family in the Denver area. The sight of a huge cloud of smog in the sky made the girl think, “Oh my gosh! What are we doing?” This shocking discovery led to an interest in renewable energy.
Today, that young lady is Chandra Macauley and she's a student at Montana State University majoring in chemical engineering. In 2009, she studied abroad in Sweden where she experienced a new perspective on renewable energy that showed her promising results she felt could serve as a model for renewable energy development in the United States. She…
I grew up on the Flathead Indian Reservation in western Montana. There is a National Bison Range located on the reservation where a herd of buffalo literally roam.
Chains of mountains line the valley I call home. The abundance of water on my reservation is outrageous as there are streams, springs, rivers, lakes, hot springs, ponds, and aquifers that “rezidents” rely on for drinking water, recreation, and healing. Luckily, my tribe was never faced with the decision and pressure by the government or private corporations to mine our beautiful land because there are no such mineral deposits like…
Water-gel-based solar devices, what researchers liken to "artificial leaves", can act like solar cells to produce electricity, bringing technology a bit closer to solar cells that more closely mimic the efficiency of nature and farther from the disaster of today that advocates want mandated and subsidized for questionable benefit. If it pans out, they will be less expensive and more environmentally friendly than silicon-based solar cells.
The bendable artificial leaves are composed of water-based gel infused with light-sensitive molecules – the researchers even used plant chlorophyll in one…
Energy from the air? How very Tesla of you! But unlike America's favorite quirky inventor, this isn't transmitted power and no dogs have to die. It's using moisture from the air - and the more humidity you have the better.
Similar to the way solar cells capture sunlight, hygroelectric collectors would collect moisture and use it to light a house or recharge an electric car. Bonus: Panels on the rooftops of buildings could prevent lightning strikes - and the technology is already in the early stages of development.
Scientists once believed that water…
Studies on biomass utilization in the rural India and its impact assessment on environment with suggestions for possible alternatives.
Santosh Sharma, Annapurna Rathore and Ashwini Kumar
New Generation Development and Globilization Foundation, 2-Kha-14, Sector-2, Jawaharnagar, Jaipur, 302004. India.
Email: ngdgf_nature@yahoo.com
Around 70 percent of the rural population lives in villages and uses biomass for fuel. The proper studies on the use of biomass as fuel by the villages are lacking. Hence during the present investigation as survey was carried out on the use of biomas s by the…
Rural energy needs of India and role of women in developing alternative sources of energy: a case study.
Annapurna Rathore, Santosh Sharma, and Ashwini Kumar
New Generation Development and Globilization Foundation, 2-Kha-14, Sector-2, Jawaharnagar, Jaipur, 302004. India.
Email: ngdgf_nature@yahoo.com
The changing scenerio of the rural energy needs and the role of women in developing alternative sources of energy has not been worked out for the semi-arid and arid regions of India. The present paper will describe the role of women in the developmen t of alternative sources of energy.
With…