"Wisdom begins in wonder" – Socrates
Disinfection By-Products
01/02/25
“What by-products can be created after chemical water treatment?”
Water disinfection is a foundational part of water treatment. Oftentimes chemicals are used for cleaning. This can lead to chemical reactions that produce Disinfection By-Products. Disinfection by-products are present in drinking water supplies all over the world.
Uninterruptible Power Supply
01/01/25
“How can we provide uninterruptible power supplies to critical loads?”
Critical loads such as servers or medical systems need a continuous supply of power. Outages are incredibly dangerous because even leaving these machines off while the power source is switched can cause mass damage. So what if we were to attach multiple sources of power that can instantly switch on when one goes out. Well, this is the idea behind Uninterruptible Power Supply. The power backup usually only lasts a short time for the main electricity provider to return to operations.
What Living Quarters Were Like on Sailing Ships
12/31/24
“What were living quarters like on 17th-century ships?”
It’s common for people to go on cruises for vacations, expecting luxury at sea. But in the age of the sail, ship living was anything but easy. People in lower ranks of authority would live in dense, unsanitary cabins, sleeping in hammocks. Vermin infestations were common, stitches were strong, and the diet monotonous (consisting mainly of salted meat and hard sea biscuits). Nevertheless, this was What Living Quarters Were Like on Sailing Ships.
The Science Behind Flaming Cocktails
12/30/24
“How causes flaming cocktails to happen?”
Flaming cocktails are a gripping encounter. Their intensity and ferocity make for a truly special show. But how does this work? Well, when cocktail liquids have a certain flash point where ignition is possible. This allows for the magic of The Science Behind Flaming Cocktails.
Image credit: https://upload.wikimedia.org/
Flash Point (Materials)
12/29/24
“What’s the point where liquid materials catch fire?”
Flaming liquids are a marvel to behold. The juxtaposition of a chaotic physical structure engulfed by a menacing fire produces a fascinating spectacle. But how does this work? Well, all liquids have a vapor pressure associated with them. At a certain set of conditions called the Flash Point, the concentration of the liquid’s vapor in the surrounding atmosphere will suffice for ignition when a combustion source is applied.
Why American Gerontocracy is Statistically Intertwined With White Supremacy
12/28/24
“Why is American gerontocracy statistically intertwined with white supremacy?”
The US is commonly described as a gerontocracy, a political system structured to privilege people older than the median age over those who are younger. While the median age in the US is 39, only 6% of congress members (as of writing) are under 40, and the incoming President is 78 years old. The housing system is set up to benefit old-time homeowners who bought property when prices were low at the expense of young, first-time homeowners who are locked out of purchasing any properties viable for a strong quality of life. Meanwhile, younger generations are much more diverse than their older counterparts, with non-white people composing over half of Gen Z but only around a quarter of senior citizens. Given these privileging factors, it’s clear to see Why American Gerontocracy is Statistically Intertwined With White Supremacy.
Why Oil is Used in Cooking
12/27/24
“Why do people use oil to cook?”
The art and science of cooking involves using heat to warm up food. The more efficiently a medium transfers heat, the more efficiently it will cook. Oils can cook at higher temperatures than water, allowing for faster and more even cooking. Some oils will also impart a delicious flavor to what’s cooked. This is Why Oil is Used in Cooking.
Appropriate Technology
12/26/24
“How do we create technology that’s appropriate for a local society and environment?”
When people talk about modern technology, many picture items using the latest advances in electronics and sensors. However, that may not be appropriate for communities that live in remote areas or don’t have access to consistent electricity or high-tech supply chains. People may need access to Appropriate Technologies built with the local community and environment in mind. An example of appropriate technology is a machine that washes clothes without electricity using locally repairable parts for off-grid, remote communities.
Image credit: https://lifewater.org/
Cancer Clusters
12/25/24
“What’s special about geographic areas with high numbers of cancer cases?”
Cancer is one of the most common causes of death around the world. Some areas are found to have higher numbers of cancer cases than average over a specific period of time. These Cancer Clusters might result from genetic factors of the local population or nearby pollutive industries. Cancer Alley in Louisana is an example of a cancer cluster.
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