Global Warming Causes, Effects, and Controversy

By Angela Ralano

image: depositphotos

Living things are able to survive on Earth because of its atmosphere. Without it, there would be no life and Earth would be just another inhabitable planet like the other planets of our solar system.
Because of our atmosphere, greenhouse gases are able to trap in heat that would otherwise escape from Earth. In many ways, this is a very good thing because we don't want the Earth to be too cold. However, the problem is that due to pollution from burning fossil fuels, car exhaust, and other chemicals we use, we are building up too much of the greenhouse gases too quickly for the Earth's biosystem to remain stable.

The greenhouse gases are:

• Carbon dioxide (CO2)
• Water Vapor (H20)
• Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
• Methane (CH4)
• Nitrous Oxide (N20)

Carbon Dioxide
Scientist have reported an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide due to our reliance on fossil fuels. Plants help to decrease the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere because they use it during photosynthesis and then release oxygen.
However, not only have humans been busy driving their cars (car exhaust is one of the biggest contributors to carbon dioxide emissions), but they've also been busy destroying the world's rainforests. If the rainforest continues to be destroyed at its present rate then there won't be enough trees and plants available to lessen the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere from pollution.

A H2o Filter Can Take Care Of Your Wellness

by Ray L. Taylor

image: depositphotos

A h2o filter is an important health consideration for the family members. These come in many styles and dimensions. Water filters are for your kitchen, shower or even the whole home filter. So selecting the very best h2o filter to suit your needs may be confusing. Allow me to help, continue reading through through please.

 Health: first Priority

 The initial priority is to discover h2o filter that safeguards your wellness by getting rid of all water borne pollutants. While you shop the initial guide is product performance data. Inside a couple of states, h2o filter publication rack needed to provide these particulars together with their sales literature. But regulation isn't across the country, so based on where the organization are available, they is most likely unable or prepared to disclose performance particulars.

 Product Performance Data

 Don't buy any h2o filter that doesn't provide product performance data. This really is really the very first rule for looking for h2o filters:

 Product performance data sheets can help you compare the effectiveness of an item (what it really leaves in, what it really removes), with the cost helpful, either if the involves gallons water strained or maybe this requires time. It might be somewhat difficult to determine in the beginning, but heres the easiest formula that people have discovered.

Why Would You Need A Portable Water Filter?

By Kristie Brown

image: depositphotos

Years have shown you that you can get by without a portable water filter, so why should you put out the cash for one now? Not that you drink a whole lot of water in the first place, because you'd much rather have a soda or another cup of coffee, but in a pinch you can always buy bottled water. So what's the big deal about people buying straws and drink cups that have filters in them? Is this really a necessity of 21st century life?

To start with, no matter how young you are, you need to start thinking about your health. When you're hanging out with friends, the Cokes and beers probably flow freely. However, beverages other than water aren't providing your body with the hydration it needs to stay healthy. Without enough water in your system, your kidneys can shut down, and waste products remain in your system far longer than they should. Only water will do an adequate job of sustaining your healthy body and mind, which is a good argument for carrying water with you at all times.

Bottled water is proving to be no bargain. People spend a fortune on bottled products that don't contain water that's any better than what they can get from their own taps. In fact, many of the bottling plants actually pump local tap water into their bottles, and municipal water is far from perfect. If you're looking of water that's of a consistently-high quality, you're better off using a portable water filter and creating your own.

Solar Panels

By Yusuf Chy

image: depositphotos

In general, solar energy can be described as the energy that is received from the sunlight and converted by a mechanical source for home use. It's cheaper and reliable for operations since the sun is readily available. On the other hand, solar panels are the mechanically built materials whose main purpose is to convert solar energy to electrical energy. They are built from an element called silicon. It is the core duty of the silicon element to covert the solar energy to electricity. The solar power can either be directly or indirectly gotten from the sunlight. When it's cloudy the intensity of the solar power delivered perfectly, the photovoltaic solar materials deliver sun rays into electricity and the solar thermal receiver changes the solar power into heat solvents, such as oil and water. This type of power is used in, iPod chargers, charge batteries water heaters, cell phone chargers and spacecrafts.

How do solar panels work? They practically work on the photovoltaic invention. Its name is derived from the technology used, which is also known as PV, which is made from silicon element. They are basically semiconductors made from sand built into large computer chips. When sun rays falls on the PV materials, the PN junction in it with its metal conductor helps produce electricity. At this juncture, the PN junction is the positive and negative charges that assist to produce electric current. Solar energy is available in different systems, grid connection, inverters and power storage. In a different system, the PV takes up large space up the roof to produce more energy. It can also be built on land space and produce up to 5-9 Megawatts per hour. They can also be useful in street lighting.

Liquid Batteries Doubling As Stability Control for Weight and Balance, and Ballast

By Lance Winslow

image: depositphotos

If you look at a hybrid car, or a fully electric automobile, then you will note that they have quite a few Batteries. Those batteries have liquid inside, and that liquid does move around. Yes, often they have membranes, baffles, or even a webbing which also doubles as a component of the battery to help it charge faster, or hold the charge longer. However, as long as they have liquid inside, we might be able to turn that challenge into an opportunity.

Okay so, let's talk about all this for second if we might.

There was a brilliant article on Physorg (dot) com recently titled; "Liquid batteries could level the load," posted on February 14, 2012 by David L. Chandler. Interestingly enough, the title of that article reminded me of an old engineering concept that I had long ago about a UAV or unmanned vehicle which would eat itself as it flew, as the wing spar would be wrapped in fuel and as it used up the fuel the wing would decrease its camber, and not needing that extra weight after climb-out it would increase its speed. Anyway you get the point.

Now then, taking this article title in Physorg (dot) com and dismissing what the article was really about, which was distributing the level of electric output - and then considering my engineering design, think about liquid batteries and how they might assist in the stability of aircraft, vessels, motorcycles, cars, rail, submarines, or other transportation devices when it really matters. What if the batteries were not box shaped, but layered on top of each other?

Making A Yurt Rafter Ring

By Robert Frederick Lee

image: depositphotos

One of the most basic components, yet one of the most crucial structural elements of any yurt is the rafter ring. This device holds each rafter in place, ensures geometrical and structural integrity of the building, allows for installation of the essential dome vent and must be installed so as to apply uniform weight and pressure to each rafter at the same time that each rafter equally holds it in place. There are a number of pieces that make up this assembly, whether it is designed and constructed in-house or custom ordered.

The ring, in some instances, is built from one piece of wood. However, this is quite a costly venture, relative to the total cost of the yurt. Other wooden rings use a layered approach, sandwiching a layer of OSB between pieces of dimensional lumber, or the reverse. Other rings are constructed from metal, or metal and wood combinations, while a few are built of polymers. Since most yurt-dwellers have a core of self-sufficiency, I recommend constructing the ring completely from dimensional lumber, in layers.

For this piece of your modern Mongolian yurt, you will need fourteen eight-foot lengths of one by six spruce, fir or pine planks. As well, one quart of carpenters glue and one hundred eighty two-inch construction screws complete your parts inventory. For tools, you will need a variable speed drill, � inch drill bit, screwdriver bit, jig saw with blades and a small paint brush.

Begin by cutting all of the eight-foot lengths of planking into four-foot lengths. Lay them side by side, using nine pieces on the first layer to form a near-square. Due to the actual width of a six inch plank (5.5 inches) he total width should be 49.5 inches - slightly wider than the length. At this point, this is not important. Next, tie these boards together temporarily, using one of the four-foot lengths screwed across the centre point of the nine boards. Apply a liberal coat of carpenters glue to the surface.

Convert Waste Paper Into Free Fuel With a Paper Log Maker

By Paul C H Smith

image: depositphotos

As utility bills continue to rise, more and more people are looking for an alternative way of heating their homes which offers significant savings to their heating costs. A Paper Log Maker enables you to recycle your waste paper, junk mail, envelopes and even leaves into free fuel, which in turn should save you money on your heating bills whilst also helping to conserve woodland and reduce landfill. Paper logs can burn as well as wood for up to two hours at a controlled rate in a fire grate or wood-burning stove.

DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) has estimated that each person in the United Kingdom sends around 300kg of household waste to landfill each year, of that under 40% is going on to be recycled. Much of the waste ending up on the landfill sites is used newspapers, cereal boxes, junk mail and envelopes that people simply can't be bothered to sort into the correct recycling bin for collection. This could all be converted into free heating using the paper log maker, and it will also contribute thus reducing landfill and helping to lower your usual heating costs. Estimates show that each household could create around five hundred paper logs just from the waste we send to landfill each year.

There are several different types of log maker. The most popular is the wet fill model. The all metal construction has two levers and a removable well. Using the paper log maker is a simple process. Wet the newspapers, junk mail, envelopes etc. by placing them into a large bowl, bucket or drum full of water. Once they start to break down, lift them out and squeeze to get rid of any excess water. Then place the soggy paper into the paper log maker's well. Once full, press the handles to squeeze out any excess moisture and create the brick shape log.

Time to Redesign Our Wind Energy Future

By Lance Winslow

image: depositphotos

From an engineering stand point, I'd say all these very large modern wind turbine designs are rather cumbersome and less-than-optimal. No, I am not taking anything away from the brilliant engineering designers using high-tech materials to make all this work, truly it's an amazing feat. We now have carbon-composite blades with special aerodynamic tricks, one design even uses the organic evolutionary design from the leading edge on the fin of a hump back well, and to that I say; Bravo, and Well Done!

Still I'd like to talk about this for a moment, because I was having a recent discussion with a graduate engineering student from the University of Maryland Baltimore County who has spent considerable time researching wind turbines. It seems that we really need to take all this to the next level, the next step, and do a complete re-design on the current modern day wind turbines. Today, they are top heavy, dangerous in high-winds, and the ROI is not anywhere near what's been purported, thus, it isn't the answer for inexpensive energy generation.

Many months ago, we were having a similar discussion on all this at our Think Tank considering all the challenges which have inadvertently been created with these wind turbine designs currently in use. Okay so, let's talk about this for a moment shall we?

Responsible Organic Solvents: Exploring Government Classifications

By Timothy Byron

image: depositphotos

Businesses invest quite a bit of cash into their machinery and mechanical parts, and consequently take upkeep procedures very seriously. While accumulation of dirt and dust is perfectly normal, the truth is that if these materials are not properly washed off machinery, they will cause long-term problems like corrosion.

More seriously, when these materials are not washed off of critical parts like ball joints, these components become dangerous to use and can lead to human fatality. For this reason, many organizations choose to use solvents to clean their machinery and parts. These substances use a solid, liquid, or gas to dissolve another solid, liquid, or gas. In the process, these materials end up being uniformly distributed so that no residue remains. Environmentally responsible organizations will go a step further and use organic solvents because their natural ingredients do not pose a threat to users or the environment. Yet when a company is concerned with more than just grime and needs to remove grease or oil, a degreaser/ MIL-PRF-680 will not only get the job done, but also allow the company to breathe easier knowing that their product is environmentally preferred.

Companies will find that there are actually four different classifications of MIL-PRF-680 degreasers. They are classified based on the four different types of petroleum distillates, and the degreaser's flash point. A flash point is simply the lowest temperature at which a material will vaporize. Additional information on each level of classification can be found below.

Organic Solvents: Environmentally Friendly Options Exist

By Timothy Byron

image: depositphotos

Industrial machinery represents a very high operating expense for organizations. It is no surprise then that corporations have a lot to gain by devoting time and energy to the upkeep of their various machines and parts. Businesses that take the time to care for essential machinery will extend the life expectancy of those resources, which ultimately affects the bottom line. One standard threat to industrial machinery is the accumulation of dirt and dust, which occurs naturally over time. While most companies would expect regular cleaning procedures to be sufficient, one can never be entirely sure. All it would take is just a hint of overlooked dirt to damage the metal of the machine, leading to corrosion. For this reason, many companies utilize solvents to ensure that their equipment receives a sufficient cleansing. So how do they work?

Put simply, a solid, liquid, or gas is used to dissolve another solid, liquid, or gas. Once one substance is dissolved into another, a solution is formed. During the chemical reaction, all of the ingredients end up being uniformly distributed, and no residue remains as a result. However, there is also a major environmental risk that comes from the use of solvents. If they reach the soil, they can migrate great distances which can quickly lead to widespread soil contamination. Even more troublesome is when solvents reach the water supply, which can induce health effects like damage to the nervous system, reproductive damage, kidney damage, and cancer.

Though there are risks, businesses should not stop using these substances altogether. Residue left on machinery will not only affect the condition of the machine, but when washing high precision parts like ball bearings, any remaining residue will have substantial safety implications of its own. The question remains: how do companies wash their essential machinery and parts without risking harm to the environment? The answer is organic solvents, which are made up of organic compounds and contain carbon atoms. Since their ingredients occur naturally, they are much safer for employees to work with and pose less of an environmental risk.

Mandatory Eco-Lighting Light Bulbs in Our Homes or More Efficient LEDs?

By Lance Winslow

image: depositphotos

The new eco-light bulbs that became mandatory in the US do use less energy. However they do not last as long as promised in some cases. Luckily, they seem to be of similar brightness. However, it may be that we could do one step better in the future with the new high-tech LED lights, and I'd like to talk to you about this for a few moments if I might.

There was an interesting piece recently in the Wall Street Journal on February 8, 2012 titled, The Quest for Cheaper, Better Lights - Start-Up Founded by Famed Scientist Seeks More Efficient, Affordable LEDs; Doubters Cite Cost" by Don Clark.

Yes, where as it is true that the price point is not quite there yet, the durability is, and it appears to be better than these current CFL bulbs we have just switched too. Not long ago, I was talking with Jeff of Eco Light Bulbs, and he told me that;

"Although many (most?) people have switched to CFLs (compact fluorescent Light Bulbs), the truth is that we can still do much better by utilizing the LED (light emitting diode) eco-friendly bulbs. These bulbs have the advantages of lasting much longer than even the CFL bulbs, plus they don't have the mercury like CFLs, they use even much less power than their CFL counterparts, and they're solid-state devices so they don't have the fairly-easily breakable glass tube. LED bulbs are generally still a little higher priced than CFLs, but it's money well spent."