Author: Isaac Gendler

Hypergeometric Distributions

Hypergeometric Distributions

Hypergeometric Distributions

03/06/19

“How can we measure the probability of drawing something without replacement?”

Sometimes, we would like to know the probability of choosing certain types of cards and that we either choose the right or wrong card. The problem with this is that the probability will change with each card drawn. As a result, this will take on a special Hypergeometric Distribution.

The probability of choosing the desired card can be found with the equation

With N being the total population, n being the number of draws, K being the number of successful members of the population, and k being the amount of the successful members desired.

Image credit: Wikipedia

Nuclear Waste Management

Nuclear Waste Management

Nuclear Waste Management

03/05/19

“How can we manage radioactive waste?”

Nuclear power is one of the most hefty and carbon-free sources of energy on the planet. However, they also produce large amounts of nuclear waste which is not only deadly to human health but also does not stop being radioactive for tens of thousands of years! As a result, nuclear power operators will need to grapple with Nuclear Waste Management. This includes isolating the byproduct and designing containers such that no radiation escapes.

Image credit https://images.newscientist.com

Decarbonizing Air Travel

Decarbonizing Air Travel

Decarbonizing Air Travel

03/04/19

“How can we make air travel carbon-free?”

One of my favorite things to do is travel. Although I don’t get the opportunity often, I love the ability to see new lands, meet new people, and really change my perspective on the world. And one of my favorite parts is traveling to the destination by plane. Being able to gaze upon the entire world through my plane window almost makes me feel like a child again.

However, as a sustainability enthusiast, I feel bad every time I take a flight. I am aware that in one round-trip flight from San Francisco to New York I’ve generated about 20% of the greenhouse gases emitted by the average American car travel. In 1992, it accounted for 13% of all transportation emissions and is expected to grow in the coming years. As a result, Decarbonizing Air Travel is a necessity for achieving a climate-friendly world. This can be done through a multitude of sources, most notably replacement or decarbonization of jet fuel.

Why Cold Waves are Bad for Traditional Energy Generation

Why Cold Waves are Bad for Traditional Energy Generation

Why Cold Waves are Bad for Traditional Energy Generation

03/03/19

“Why does traditional energy generation suffer from cold waves?”

When the weather becomes extremely cold, such as the American Midwestern polar vortex, energy generation in traditional generation facilities becomes much less efficient. This stands in stark contrast to wind turbines, which are much more resilient to colder weather. This is Why Cold Waves are Bad for Traditional Energy Generation.

What Type of Glass do Airplanes Use for Windows?

What Type of Glass do Airplanes Use for Windows?

What Type of Glass do Airplanes Use for Windows?

03/02/19

“Why are airplane windows so strong and lightweight?”

I don’t know about you, but looking out of the window is one of my favorite things to do while traveling. I get to see a whole variety of landscapes from a new perspective, whether it be the city I live in looking like a model replica or the vast open countryside. But this also gets me thinking about how the engineers have to design the glass. The glass that we use for our window buildings is quite fragile, one thrown object can completely shatter it! This is completely unsuitable for air travel, where the plane can be traveling at high speeds in high-pressure differences. If a single person breaks their plane window, the entire crew can be killed!

For this reason, aircraft windows are made of plexiglass. This allows them to be lightweight while strong and transparent. This glass is also slightly layered, with a little whole in the middle portion to get rid of condensation. This is exactly What Type of Glass do Airplanes Use for Windows.

The Difference Between Reliability and Resilience

The Difference Between Reliability and Resilience

The Difference Between Reliability and Resilience

03/01/19

“What is the difference between reliability and resilience?”

In the sustainability world, the word resilience is tossed around a lot. However, many times people are actually referring to reliability. Reliability is the measure of how a system can withstand extreme events and resilience is the ability to recuperate from them. This is The Difference Between Reliability and Resilience.

How Trimming Trees Near Transmission Lines Could Increase Infrastructure Resilience in Drought-ridden Areas

How Trimming Trees Near Transmission Lines Could Increase Infrastructure Resilience in Drought-ridden Areas

How Trimming Trees Near Transmission Lines Could Increase Infrastructure Resilience

02/28/19

“How could hot areas become more resilient by trimming trees?”

Electrical transmission lines can fault for a variety of reasons. But one of the most common is from being near untrimmed trees. These can fall onto the power lines, causing power disruption. In the case of extreme drought, static buildup can even rupture a fire, as seen in the 2018 Northern Californian Camp Fire. To prevent this, we can simply trim the trees. This allows for increased safety against extreme weather. This is How Trimming Trees Near Transmission Lines Could Increase Infrastructure Resilience in Drought-ridden Areas.

Algae Biofuel

Algae Biofuel

Algae Biofuel

02/27/19

‘How can we get fuel from Algae?’

Fuels supply is one of the most difficult things to decarbonize. Their unmatched energy density means that machines that rely upon them will have a difficult time replacing them. But how can we use our scientific mindset to get around this? Well, we know that Algae can produce energy from sunlight and store it in the form of oils. So if we were to extract these oils we can essentially have solar powered fuels! This Algae Biofuel could be a revolution for low-carbon industry.

Biochar

Biochar

Biochar

02/26/19

“How can we have a safe form of carbon which can’t easily escape into the atmosphere?”

Carbon is one of the most fundamental elements in the world. Given its role in energy production and global warming, it is both the foundation and destroyer of our civilization. But can there be a cleaner form of carbon? Well, if we burn dead organic matter such as plants in a container with very little oxygen, then it will release very little fumes and turn into a stable form of carbon known as Biochar. The energy created in the burning process can be used to power mechanical processes.

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