Author: Isaac Gendler

How Plastic Bottles are Recycled

How Plastic Bottles are Recycled

04/28/19

“How are plastic bottles recycled?”

Plastic bottles have become an emblem of recycling. However, how exactly are they be recycled? Well, first they must be collected from their bins and separated from all of the trash and other materials. Afterwards, the bottles must be cleaned of any food or liquid waste inside. The bottles must then be ground up and shredded into flakes, where they are melted down into rice-sized pellets that can be used in other products. Although not everything can be exacted, it still saves more energy and materials then not doing so. This is How Plastic Bottles are Recycled.

How Much of a Plastic Bottle Can Be Recycled

How Much of a Plastic Bottle Can Be Recycled

04/27/19

“Exactly how much of a plastic bottle can be used after its been used?”

In the United States, plastic water bottles can be found everywhere. Whether it be in the supermarket for grocery shopping or on the picnic blanket for plying. However, the plastic that makes these bottles pose numerous threats to the environment. This can be mitigated through recycling. But exactly how much of the material be recycled? Well, if the bottle is made from a polymer known as PET, then approximately 62% of it can be recovered! This is How Much of a Plastic Bottle Can Be Recycled.

Advantages of Utility-Scale Solar over Rooftop Solar

Advantages of Utility-Scale Solar over Rooftop Solar

04/26/19

“What are the advantages of utility-scale solar over rooftop?”

Utility-scale solar often competes with rooftop solar. Although we here at Isaac Science Blog believe in the value of both, we also like to inform of the costs and benefits. The main advantages of utility-scale solar are that it is cheaper and can be put over brownfields. These are the Advantages of Utility-Scale Solar over Rooftop Solar.

Energy Storage Mandates

Energy Storage Mandates

04/25/19

“How can governments use policy to increase the amount of storage on the grid?”

`Energy storage is one of the hottest things in the energy world right now. But despite its seemingly invincible potential, it still needs government action to come online. One clever way to do this is to make a policy stipulating that utilities need to adopt a certain amount of energy storage through an Energy Storage Mandate. This is commonly implemented in California and other governments to meet their carbon neutrality goals.

Image credit inhabitat.com

Chernozem

Chernozem

04/24/19

“What are some of the most fertile soils in the world?”

Soil is quite literally one of the bedrocks of human society. And just as Earth’s geography is greatly diverse, so are its soils. Some of the most fertile soils have a high percentage (upwards of 16%) of humus and other nutritious substances. This Chernozem is commonly found in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and parts of the upper North American Midwest. Because of its recognizable dark color, the word Chernozem comes from the Russian words for black soil (chorny + zemlya).

Humus

Humus

04/23/19

“Why is broken down organic matter so important to soil quality?”

Organic matter can be found everywhere in the soil. This is typically broken down by plants over time, and when it becomes decomposed enough it will take on very important properties. This structure will be able to hold on to a large amount of nutrients, water, air, and microbes. These give humus great potential to supply plant matter the essentials for life.

Why the Oceans Are Becoming More Acidic

Why the Oceans Are Becoming More Acidic

04/22/19

“How are CO2 emissions changing our oceans?”

Every second of every minute of every hour more and more carbon dioxide is being pumped into our atmosphere. Since the carbon intensity in the air will increase, the ocean will absorb more CO2. This larger amounts of this element will react with the H2O in water to form Carbonic Acid (H2CO3) and Hydrogen ions (H+). With a higher volumetric makeup of the latter elements, the oceans will become more acidic, threatening the stability of sea-life. This is Why the Oceans Becoming More Acidic.

Why Offshore Wind in the U.S Might Soon Face Logistic Bottlenecks

Why Offshore Wind in the U.S Might Soon Face Logistic Bottlenecks

04/21/19

“Why is offshore wind in the U.S having logistic problems?”

Offshore wind in the United States is expanding at a rapid pace, particularly in the Northeast. However, since offshore wind turbines tend to extremely large in nature, it takes a large amount of transportation infrastructure such as cranes and heavy trucks for transportation logistics. Due to the limited supply of these components, these projects face the possibility of being stalled. This is Why Offshore Wind in the U.S is Facing Logistic Bottlenecks.

Returns to Scale

Returns to Scale

04/20/19

“How does cost scale with physical production?”

Cost tends to scale with increased production of a particular element. However, the amount of cost of each item might get larger or smaller! The rate of change of each element to increased production is known as the Returns to Scale. This information is vital for the renewable energy industry, as the optimal deployment size will depend on the best return to scale.

Image credit
https://sites.google.com/site/economicsbasics