We are interested to see how well a small-scale terraforming experiment in Peru will turn out. A mountain is being covered with white paint (an eco friendly one) in order to increase reflectivity that would have been there from glaciers which have now melted. This will, in theory, help to restore the glaciers to the mountain.
Carbon Nanotubes Could Be Secret to Greater EV Range
Scientists at MIT have developed a positive electrode made of carbon nanotubes that significantly boosts lithium ion battery performance and could lead to much greater range in electric vehicles and longer battery lives for gadgets. The carbon nanotube electrodes enable lithium ion batteries to deliver ten times more power than a conventional battery and store five times more energy than a conventional ultracapacitor. The nanotubes accomplish this because they have a very high surface area for storing and reacting with lithium, which increases the battery's storage capacity and the speed at which it can charge and discharge.
Can Painting Mountains White Save Glaciers?
We've all heard about painting roofs white to keep buildings cooler, but will the same idea work for a mountain? The World Bank is funding an experiment in Peru to see if whitewashing mountains can slow glacial melt. The hope is that as sunlight is reflected off the white surface, back into the atmosphere, the peak's surface will become cooler, creating a cold micro-climate that will regrow its glacier.
Astounding Phase-Change Windows
A remarkable new glazing system has been available in Europe for several years and is now being brought to the North American market. The GlassX window is an insulated glass assembly that incorporates a phase-change material (PCM) between two of the glass panes in the window. At lower temperatures, the PCM is a translucent solid. But, as it heats, the PCM melts and becomes transparent. This lets the window itself absorb heat from solar energy during the day, and then releases the energy again later on, as the material cools again.
Europe Will Be Powered By Saharan Sun in Five Years
The super-sized solar projects being built in the Sahara desert will start generating and providing Europe with clean energy within the next five years, according to the European energy commissioner. This is much sooner, than the initial 10-year time frame given to the project.
Government Mandates New Labels for Light Bulbs
The US Federal Trade Commission has announced a final ruling on new labels for light bulbs. The labels will break down the "lighting facts" of bulbs much like a nutrition label on food products. With CFLs, LEDs and other lighting technologies filling the shelves alongside incandescents, the labels will help consumers find what they're looking for.
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