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Nanotechnology Project

This section is dedicated for Nano Technology technical articles. We will cover all those aspects of Nanotechnology which should be helpful enough for you to understand it completely. Following are the headings which we will be focusing on shortly. If you think any important heading is missing do let us know by leaving comments and will be include them as well

Stay tuned, Nanotechnology articles coming shortly

what is Kyoto protocol

What is Kyoto Protocol?

Introduction

In December of 1997 many countries got together to sign an agreement called the Kyoto Protocol. When Russia approved of it in early 2005, this agreement came into force. This agreement was devised the reduction of greenhouse gases released in the atmosphere and was developed by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The gases include Methane, Sulphur hexafluoride, per-fluorocarbons, Hydro-fluorocarbons and Nitrous oxides. Should any of the agreeing countries fail to meet their targeted reduced emissions then they would have to trade in emissions. That would be done by buying credit from the other nations who also exceed their target and this would cause an offset.

Aim

The main aims of the Protocol were to ensure that the participating nations will work in harmony to reduce the effects of greenhouse gases in out atmosphere by at least 5 percent by the year 2012, as compared to those of the year 1990. Although 5 percent was a collective figure, different nations were give different targets to ensure global reduction of the deadly gases. For example, Canada and the US were required to reduce emissions by 7 percent whereas; Africa needed to drop emissions only by 1.5 percent. Another aim of the protocol was to allow developing nations to flourish, which is why India and China were not in any obligation to reduce the greenhouse gases. This is due to the fact, that it was considered inappropriate to apportion blame on nations which were not exactly responsible for the deadly emissions. This point remains one of the major bones of contention amongst the aims of the Kyoto Protocol.

Approval and Signing

The signature of the Kyoto Protocol is of a symbolic nature, as almost every nation in the world has signed this agreement. The repercussion will only come in effect after the signee has done a ratification of the agreement. This US and Australia are the only two nations who have not ratified the agreement. The remainder of the countries is a hundred and sixty nine in total.  The US and Australia both failed to ratify the agreement because it would have an effect on their economies, or so they stated. A major issue of concern is the fact that the US is one of the largest emitters of carbon dioxide per person than any other country in the world.

After Kyoto

Today, the major opposition of the Kyoto Protocol is hard core politicians and patriotic activists. These seem more like rebels without a cause and they aim at disrupting this agreement on the pure basis that it would deny their countries and opportunity to excel in the economic world. Cutting down emissions would mean that you would have to cut back on transport, industry and so many other important constituents that all play a part in increasing the global emissions. The scientist brethren all over the world have made their point. The world is quite nearly on the brink of a major catastrophe for which none other than us humans are responsible. This issue does not want to bother about how good or bad a country is doing economically, whether or not one country is a super power or a developing nation. In case Kyoto takes its complete effect, the world will become safer by the day and in case it does not, only the worst or inevitable will occur. It is not a matter of how but a matter of when.

Conclusion

Every person on this planet needs to be aware that his/her nation is a part of a protocol which is only aimed at making this planet more livable. Behind all the red tape and all the diplomatic bureaucracy, this world is at the mercy of each and every one of us. The Kyoto Protocol is just a gateway to safety for mother earth.

What is soft energy

Soft Energy Technology

Introduction

There are five major factors which can help determine as to what soft energy really is. Firstly, any energy that is renewable is soft energy, secondly, it should be a source which is diverse and efficient, thirdly it must be a simple to use energy source, fourthly it should be designed for the users to benefit from it and lastly, it should be of a high quality.

Soft Energy Sources

Wind energy is one of the most common and one of the most widely used renewable energy source. This goes right alongside with solar energy and tidal wave power. The reservoirs of all three types of energy sources are limitless, solar energy from the sun, wind energy from the air around you and tidal energy, harnessed from the large expanses of water on earth.

Wind Energy

Wind energy is one of the most widely used renewable sources available to man today. Not only is it clean, it ensures the no by-products are back into the atmosphere through the use of their sophisticated instruments which are basically massive rotor blades that rotate through the power of the wind and store clean green energy. This stored energy can later be used at required times to fulfill the needs of communities.

Solar Energy

One of the safest and reliable sources of soft energy is the sun. The unending incoming solar radiations are of a massive use to mankind. This source of energy, like wind energy, is free and abundant. This enhances its diversity and efficiency. This energy source once used appropriately also ensures the cleanliness of the environment.

Tidal Wave Power

The vast array of oceans holds power and energy which can be of immense use to the human race. Tidal Wave energy helps in the development of power through the use of turbines and generators which take the power of the ocean or a fast moving river, and convert it into useful soft energy.

Benefits

Soft energy has innumerable benefits owing to its unique properties of sustainability and reliability. The alternative to our present choices of fuel is an extremely lucrative deal and one must not out rightly negate the properties of these energies that may end up saving the world one day. Soft energy is diverse and easy to procure. The health benefits are unmatched; imagine a world which is smoke free because of the small changes we make in our lifestyles today, our future generations will reap the fruits of soft energy. Soft energy is not only reliable but also serves in access to the end users. Its users will be proud for contributing to the environment and the end users can close social gaps once everyone is in need and in possession of soft energy generating technologies and know how.

Conclusion

Soft energy is a window into the future. All men and women alike will be a part of a growing awareness that teaches us to be gentle to the environment. With the amount of green house gasses being spewed in the oceans it is only a matter of time; people will stop becoming couch potatoes and will contribute however little they can to improve the environment. At first, soft energy may seem lesser cost effective and a hassle, but time has its own way of bringing balance. It should be no wonder how people are adapting to new techniques of reducing the effect of global warming.a

What is low carbon technology?

Low Carbon Technology

Introduction

The world as we knew it before the dawn of the industrial era is of course on a decline. Much of it is owed to the increasing carbon emissions and the deadly green house gases. The atmosphere is receding into a dilapidated state. The world is in terrible need of saving; else these green house gases will completely consume all the breathable oxygen left in the atmosphere. With the introduction of low carbon technologies, the aim is to ensure a much needed drop in the carbon emission and toxins released into the atmosphere. There are tens of projects in pipe-lines across the world to make low carbon technology a norm.

Human Energy

The human body is an unending source of renewable energy. By using intelligent technologies and various energy solutions, we can tap into this resource without too much off that treadmill-fear association. Through the use of human energy in the agricultural sector, a little effort will go a long way and be much more cost effective. By going to work on a bicycle instead of a car, not only can one avoid that crazy rush hour traffic, but will also help to rid cities of a million harmful pollutants. If not possible, intelligent thinking can always help us reduce these emissions. Car pools are a good example. Treadle pumps for irrigation purposes instead of diesel or electric powered pumps can be extremely cost effective.

Bio Energy

The plants store heat energy from the sun and this captured energy can be put to use. If every one of us was to plant a seed, we would be contributing massively to bio-energy. The amount of photosynthesis that would take place would actually be enough to reduce CO2 levels in cities by up to thirty seven percent. All you did was plant a seed. When trees are cut down to fulfill our energy and other socio-economic needs, we are reducing the process of photosynthesis, hence there is more CO2 left in the atmosphere. Just by taking into account the number of trees being cut down, if we were to plant two more, they would sustain bio-energy and help in reducing the carbon dioxide content in the air. Bio-energy is an efficient way of reducing our immense use of coal, oil and natural gas. If trees are not planted at the same rate at which they are cut, bio-energy would not be a renewable source of energy. Thus our dependency on fossil fuels will increase all over again.

Wind Energy

By producing wind energy, we can safely say that whatever technology is employed would thus be low carbon technology. Wind energy has been used for thousands of years to power mills. There are many turbine designs that are utilized in today’s world to ensure that the wind energy is harnessed as much as possible and most efficiently. There are hundreds of ideas triggering the minds of designers and architects alike so as to ensure that homes and building can be run purely on this energy source. One of the latest developments are in the designs of high rise sky scrapers, which intend to use massive fan like structures at a certain altitude above the surface where the wind hardly dies down. Wind turbines will not only cut down on electricity usage but would also cull the use of fossil fuels thus reducing the carbon emissions in the atmosphere.

Conclusion

The use of low carbon technologies are on their way in. Fossil fuel reserves are running lean and will sooner than later deplete. It is only a matter of time that man will realize the potential of low carbon technologies and stream line their usage into the daily use of the human race. These were just a few of the low carbon technologies that are being effectively put to use today. Soon, and hopefully, the use of such technologies will become a norm.

What is gasification

What is Gasification?

Introduction to Gasification

When solid fuels are converted into other fuels of a gaseous nature the processes involved are named Gasification. Pyrolitic distillation is the name also given to the process at times. This process involves the chemical conversion of products such as coal, carbonaceous and biomass material into gases for being used as alternate fuel. It can also be called as the system involving transfer of heat or the thermal conversion of materials which are organic in nature so as to produce gases like methane, hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The minor byproducts are water and char etc.

How gasification works?

The fluidized gasifier or the fluidized bed gasifier is a material which is sand-like in nature and this material is fluidized. The process involves passage of air under pressure through a porous surface and this is opened into a sand bed. The sand bed is pre-heated to a temperature of approximately 1150 degrees Fahrenheit. The granules of the sand obviously have a size which is conversant with the porous area of the sand bed and this allows for the agitation of the sand bed once air is allowed to pass at high pressure through the bed. This process gives the sand similar properties as that of a fluid more or less. Since the bed is preheated, therefore to an onlooker it would seem as if the bed is being boiled, just like water boils at close to a 100 degrees Celsius. The reason for this mixing is to provide for an even mixture of fuel and air. Too much air in the mixture would cause the mixture to be lean as it is having less fuel. On the other hand, too much fuel would enrich the mixture due to lack of air by proportion and this would cause problems once extraction of energy from the fluid or mixture is required. The bed can also be said to act as a thermal fly wheel as it ensures the variations in the mixture of the fuel and air are kept to a minimum.

Whenever waste products are exposed to extreme temperatures, a process called pyrolysis occurs. This heat is acting on the extremely volatile portion of the waste material once it is exposed to heat. It also causes very little quantities of tar to form. The fluidized bed gasifier is primarily almost completely made up of sand and has very small amounts of fuel added to it. That is why, its characteristics are only governed by the characteristics of the sand and not the fuel. Waste material is available in many forms i.e. it can be chunky, and in liquid form as well as chunky and flake like. The quality of sand ensuring the fluidizer’s characteristics allow for various types of fuel to be used. The sand bed fluidizer is does not have restrictions like other fluidizers of keeping their moisture levels low. Moisture evaporates in the sand bed. The moisture which is screened out in fact, acts as a dilute agent. This reduces the heating value of the gas. With an increase in the moisture, the gas becomes more and more difficult to burn. Therefore, moisture must be set a level that is not that high as well. This type of gasifier allows more efficiency of a wider range of operating limits.

Conclusion

The waste produced by the planet is of unlimited proportions. This process of gasification allows the human race to give back productively. The waste products will no longer become an unwanted commodity in times to come. The options available to us for making this planet more worthy of living are therefore endless. The waste materials of the huge variety of industries all over the world can finally be put to good use.

Why renewable energy?

WHY RENEWABLE ENERGIES

Introduction

It is a known fact that the natural resources of the world are being eaten up at a staggering rate by us humans. Thus it would only be fair that we as a race do what is needed to protect our planet. Sources like wind, hydropower, tidal power, solar power and bio-mass energy are extremely cost effective.

Renewable Energy Over a Long Time Period

In the long run, there is no denying the fact that renewable energy is not only cost effective but extremely useful. The prices of Electricity and Fuels keeps going up by the day and there is no telling how long it is from when you and I will be from a class that can no longer afford luxuries such as cars and air-con. Imagine how life as we know it will have to transport back to an era known to man before the industrial revolution.

Efficacy of Renewable Energy

It should not be taken as a surprise that today, 85 to 90 % of the world’s energy comes from fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are coal, oil and natural gas. The Earth holds only so much, so how long can we continue abusing these resources? Today we are completely dependent on fossil fuels for running our daily lives. Tomorrow our children and their generations may not be so fortunate. It took millions of years for these fossil fuels to become what they are today. It would take another few million years for them to replenish, sadly, man has only been using these fossil fuels for a few thousand years and he is already beginning to run short on supply. What will happen after another few hundred years? Therefore, there should be no harm or fear in saying that fossil fuels are irreplaceable and area non-renewable source of energy. It is only a matter of time that everyone will join the bandwagon of renewable energy.

What is Renewable Energy?

It is that type of energy that can refill or replenish itself over a short period of time. It can do this without the use of power or force and naturally as well. It comes from many commonly known sources such as, thermal, solar, tidal, wind and geothermal etc. The ways and means that these resources can be used are immeasurable and are of extreme importance to the human race. Solar energy is used directly for generation of heat. Thermal energy is used in a similar fashion. Running water is utilized to convert the kinetic energy of water into power. When steam and heat are captured from the endless reservoirs beneath the earth’s crust, the ensuing power developed is termed as geothermal power or energy. These kinds of resources are limitless and are not in danger of running out. They do not produce any side effects which are of a degenerative nature for the earth in any way.

Future Anticipation of Renewable Energy

It is estimated that 60 to 65 % of all the earth’s energy requirements will be fulfilled by renewable energy by the year 2065. Colossal amounts of money has been put aside by many organizations to help charter the projects that are exploring the avenues available in the field of renewable energy. A number of new systems and concepts are surfacing every day. The future for fossil fuels is bleak. It should come as no surprise that the days of fuel guzzling glory are very nearly over. We can longer keep on taxing the earth from its limited resources of fossil fuels. The way to move ahead is only under the umbrella of renewable energy, no matter what form it comes in. The future of Renewable Energy is very bright, companies around the world are now required to show the efficiency of their technologies and show how safe they are for the environment, as smarter investors want consumers’ trust in a healthy society that isn’t brought to a halt by industry and its associated smog.

Video to help understand why renewable energy is important today

Sustainable Vs Renewable energies

SUSTAINABLE vs RENEWABLE ENERGY

Introduction

The terms sustainable and renewable energy both give ends to certain means however they spew a lot of debate that they are the same. In order for something to be sustainable, it is only logical that it is renewable one way or the other. Many schools of thought rightly disagree to this. For example, nuclear fission is sustainable means of producing energy; however, it is not renewable. To fully understand, we must find a basis to find differences between the two.

Definitions

Sustainable energy is an energy which is obtained from some source that is not expected to be depleted or finished within the duration of the expected timeframe of humans on planet earth.

Renewable energy may be defined as that energy which is obtained from a source such that the energy is continuously replenished and refilled during a relatively shorter period of time.

Differences between the Sustainable & Renewable

Since the source of something like nuclear fission would not be expected to deplete for a very long period of time, it is only logical to consider it as an energy that is not renewable but sustainable. This is also a sort of energy that does not contribute to global warming. The present amounts of uranium in world are enough to last at least a few billion years. Hydroelectric power on the other hand does not have an indefinite timeline along which it will keep on replenishing without plausible doubt. Hence, it can be termed as a source which is renewable but not sustainable throughout the course the human race on the planet. It is possible that the ecological environment due to a large dam is changed over time, causing a drop in rainfall. Then again this is a debatable topic. It will however be dependent on how the natural environment adapts to this manmade change. PV module solar energy sources are sustainable beyond reasonable doubt. Geothermal energy is again an energy that is sustainable throughout the course of the expected timeline of the planet. Whether or not biomass is sustainable or renewable depends entirely on the amount of wood that is replenished to the environment by growing trees. At present we are devouring a football stadium’s worth of a rainforest every minute, we don’t seem to be growing as many in return to the environment. Oil, natural gas and coal are neither renewable nor sustainable sadly. They are commodities which are being consumed and cannot be replaced unless we go through another ice age and complete annihilation of the human race for at least a few million years to say the least. There are some claims that the amount of oil being consumed today will render it extinct in another 60 to a 100 years maximum. Although these are no calculated assumptions nor are they backed by solid evidence, the scare is quite real isn’t it

Conclusion

The fact the sustainable and renewable energies are both good for the environment is the one fact that is undoubtedly common for these two modes of energy. Let us not forget that the human race is extremely adaptable. The earth has been around for billions of years, has gone through a major meteor strike, an ice age, the industrial age and the modern revolution. Let us not forget that Mother Nature has ways of balancing things more than we know. Yes, we are risking the well being of earth by deadly green house gases, but that does not mean that earth will cease to exist. It is for our existence that we have to keep evolving ways to generate clean green energy to sustain life on the planet, whether or not the energy source is sustainable or renewable is another issue. Both are beneficial for the environment in its own way.