"Wisdom begins in wonder" – Socrates
Category: Engineering
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?
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
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
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
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
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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Quantum Dots for Solar Panels
02/25/19
“Why are quantum dots for solar panels so useful?”
Quantum dots are bringing a revolution into the world of semiconductors. And since semiconductors are the backbones of solar panels, things will be greatly changed for them as well. The extra emissivity offered by quantum dots means that two and possibly three electrons can be generated for every photon received, vastly increasing its potential! Quantum dot solar panels can achieve as much as 65% efficiency, nearly double of the theoretical limit of normal panels. This is why Quantum Dots for Solar Panels are so exciting.
Image link https://upload.wikimedia.org
Quantum Dots
02/24/19
“What is the next big revolution in semiconductors?”
Semiconductors technology is going through a revolution. Nanosize semiconductor materials known as Quantum Dots which can give off light when illuminated are starting to be developed. Their small size allows them to be much more efficient than typical semiconductors and can give off a broader range of lights.
Image credit i.ytimg.com
Wholesale Electricity Markets
02/23/19
“How do utility companies purchase electricity generation?”
Utility companies are responsible for transmitting electricity. However, they do not always own generation facilities. Instead, they may purchase it on a competitive platform known as a wholesale electricity market. This decoupling of electrical generation and transmission can create a multitude of opportunities for Power Purchase Agreements.
