Scientists are developing inexpensive,
energy efficient lithium ions batteries for electric vehicles by using silicon based
anodes made from the fossilized remains of single celled algae called diatoms. The
research at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) could lead to the
development of ultra-high capacity lithium ion batteries for electric vehicles
and portable electronics. The anode of lithium ion batteries is mostly made of
graphite but the mineral’s performance is a limiting factor in making batter
batteries and expanding their applications. Silicon, which can store about 10
times more energy, can be an alternative anode material, but its production is
expensive. To change that, the team turned to a cheap source of silicon –
diatomaceous earth (DE) – and more efficient chemical process. Using a process
called magnesiothermic reduction, the group of scientists converted this
low-cost source of silicon dioxide to pure silicon nano=particles. A significant
finding in our research was the preservation of the diatom cell walls –
structures known as frustules – creating a highly porous anode that allows easy
access for the electrolyte.
Saturday, 5 November 2016
A Toothpaste That Is Almost As Good As Statins
Specially-formulated toothpaste
that identified where plaque is on the teeth could help prevent heart attacks. The
toothpaste was found to remove twice as much plaque as normal toothpaste. It also
helped to reduce inflammation levels by 29%, which is almost the same kind of
reduction achieved by statins (37%) that are used to lower cholesterol. Reducing
inflammation is important as people who have gum disease have higher rates of
coronary heart disease, which can lead to a heart attack. It isn’t clear
whether this is because of a direct biological link between the two – for example,
that the process of inflammation of the gums directly affects the build-up of
plaque in the coronary arteries – or because people who have gum disease are
more likely to have unhealthy lifestyle habits, which would directly contribute
towards coronary heart disease. Using the toothpaste is a fairly simple thing
to do, yet it seems to have a big impact. And there are no side effects that
researchers know of. We get the benefit of better oral health and potentially
big heart benefits too.
Your Footstep Can Generate Electricity
Move over solar energy! Researchers
have developed a novel, inexpensive and simple method that can convert
footsteps into usable electricity. The method developed by researchers at
University of Wisconsin-Madison in the US puts to good use a common waste
material: wood pulp. The pulp, which is already a common component of flooring,
is partly made of cellulose nanofibres – tiny fibers that, when chemically
treated, produce an electrical charge when they come into contact with
untreated nanofibers. When the nanofibres are embedded within flooring, they
are able to produce electricity that can be harnessed to power lights or charge
batteries. Because weed pulp is a cheap, abundant and renewable waste product
of several industries, flooring that incorporated the new technology could be
as affordable as conventional materials. Existing materials for harnessing
footstep energy are costly, non recyclable and impractical.
This New Bike Lock Makes Thieves Vomit Uncontrollably
A new bike lock brings on immediate
vomiting and trouble breathing for anyone who tries to break open it. Two inventors
from San Francisco, irritated by seeing bikes stole, have created a new lock
that makes anyone who tries to break through it be sick. The lock is triggered
whenever it senses someone who tries to break into it – and when it is, it
shoots out a burst of noxious spray, like a skunk, that has effects similar to
pepper spray. The lock was created after the inventors kept seeing their
friends have their bike stolen. The new lock doesn’t cause any lasting damage –
but does induce horrible effects in anyone that tries to break into it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)