Weeds are like fuel. Free Technical Library News

NEWS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, NOVELTY IN ELECTRONICS
Free technical library / timeline

Weeds as fuel

06.09.2000

It has long been noticed that weeds grow much faster than cultivated plants, are not afraid of pests, diseases, drought and do not require fertile soils. Spain intends to use this vital force of harmful plants.

In two provinces in the north of the country, by 2002, they are planning to build power plants that will use thistles as fuel for their boilers. Each of the two thermal power plants will need one hundred thousand tons of weed per year. To do this, they plan to sow 5000 hectares of waste arid land with thistles, where nothing else can grow. Moreover, the Spaniards intend to use a specially bred giant variety of prickly weed: its stems are up to three meters high, and the roots go seven meters into the soil.

Breeders from the Agricultural Institute in Madrid at first failed: the bred thistle variety was too sweet, and its sprouts were willingly eaten by field mice. Then a gene that gives bitterness was introduced into the plant, and the mice fell behind.

<< Back: Vertical keyboard 07.09.2000

>> Forward: Cancer magnet 03.09.2000

Latest news of science and technology, new electronics:

The existence of an entropy rule for quantum entanglement has been proven 09.05.2024

Quantum mechanics continues to amaze us with its mysterious phenomena and unexpected discoveries. Recently, Bartosz Regula from the RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing and Ludovico Lamy from the University of Amsterdam presented a new discovery that concerns quantum entanglement and its relation to entropy. Quantum entanglement plays an important role in modern quantum information science and technology. However, the complexity of its structure makes understanding and managing it challenging. Regulus and Lamy's discovery shows that quantum entanglement follows an entropy rule similar to that for classical systems. This discovery opens new perspectives in the field of quantum information science and technology, deepening our understanding of quantum entanglement and its connection to thermodynamics. The results of the study indicate the possibility of reversibility of entanglement transformations, which could greatly simplify their use in various quantum technologies. Opening a new rule ... >>

Mini air conditioner Sony Reon Pocket 5 09.05.2024

Summer is a time for relaxation and travel, but often the heat can turn this time into an unbearable torment. Meet a new product from Sony - the Reon Pocket 5 mini-air conditioner, which promises to make summer more comfortable for its users. Sony has introduced a unique device - the Reon Pocket 5 mini-conditioner, which provides body cooling on hot days. With it, users can enjoy coolness anytime, anywhere by simply wearing it around their neck. This mini air conditioner is equipped with automatic adjustment of operating modes, as well as temperature and humidity sensors. Thanks to innovative technologies, Reon Pocket 5 adjusts its operation depending on the user's activity and environmental conditions. Users can easily adjust the temperature using a dedicated mobile app connected via Bluetooth. Additionally, specially designed T-shirts and shorts are available for convenience, to which a mini air conditioner can be attached. The device can oh ... >>

Energy from space for Starship 08.05.2024

Producing solar energy in space is becoming more feasible with the advent of new technologies and the development of space programs. The head of the startup Virtus Solis shared his vision of using SpaceX's Starship to create orbital power plants capable of powering the Earth. Startup Virtus Solis has unveiled an ambitious project to create orbital power plants using SpaceX's Starship. This idea could significantly change the field of solar energy production, making it more accessible and cheaper. The core of the startup's plan is to reduce the cost of launching satellites into space using Starship. This technological breakthrough is expected to make solar energy production in space more competitive with traditional energy sources. Virtual Solis plans to build large photovoltaic panels in orbit, using Starship to deliver the necessary equipment. However, one of the key challenges ... >>

New method for creating powerful batteries 08.05.2024

With the development of technology and the expanding use of electronics, the issue of creating efficient and safe energy sources is becoming increasingly urgent. Researchers at the University of Queensland have unveiled a new approach to creating high-power zinc-based batteries that could change the landscape of the energy industry. One of the main problems with traditional water-based rechargeable batteries was their low voltage, which limited their use in modern devices. But thanks to a new method developed by scientists, this drawback has been successfully overcome. As part of their research, scientists turned to a special organic compound - catechol. It turned out to be an important component that can improve battery stability and increase its efficiency. This approach has led to a significant increase in the voltage of zinc-ion batteries, making them more competitive. According to scientists, such batteries have several advantages. They have b ... >>

Alcohol content of warm beer 07.05.2024

Beer, as one of the most common alcoholic drinks, has its own unique taste, which can change depending on the temperature of consumption. A new study by an international team of scientists has found that beer temperature has a significant impact on the perception of alcoholic taste. The study, led by materials scientist Lei Jiang, found that at different temperatures, ethanol and water molecules form different types of clusters, which affects the perception of alcoholic taste. At low temperatures, more pyramid-like clusters form, which reduces the pungency of the "ethanol" taste and makes the drink taste less alcoholic. On the contrary, as the temperature increases, the clusters become more chain-like, resulting in a more pronounced alcoholic taste. This explains why the taste of some alcoholic drinks, such as baijiu, can change depending on temperature. The data obtained opens up new prospects for beverage manufacturers, ... >>

Random news from the Archive

Russia creates Noah's Ark 29.12.2014

In the scientific and technological valley of the Lomonosov Moscow State University, it is planned to create a large-scale bank of biomaterials. This is reported by TASS, referring to the statements of the rector of the university Viktor Sadovnichy.

The project was called "Noah's Ark". It involves the formation of a cryogenic storage of cellular material, which in the future can be reproduced. The complex will include modern computer platforms for the accumulation and analysis of information. A special system will connect the new biomaterials bank with other scientific sites both in Russia and abroad.

"I call this project Noah's Ark. It involves the creation of a depository - a databank of all life on Earth. If this project is implemented, it will be a breakthrough in the history of Russia," said Mr. Sadovnichy.

The cost of creating a bank of biomaterials is estimated at 1 billion rubles. It is planned to include cellular material of endangered species and those that are not yet threatened.

The scientific and technological valley at Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov can be built by 2018. It will occupy almost 430 thousand m2.

See full Archive of science and technology news, new electronics

All languages of this page

Home page | Library | Articles | Website map | Site Reviews