It’s been so long since I’ve done one of these, and since I’ve promised that I would get going again – I don’t even want to address that. However, I am very sorry for the delay.
Here we go:
Readers who remember me: Hello, and sorry – I’ve been slacking! To those that don’t, and are like ‘wtf is a Sliznometry’ I’ll say: excuse the fact that this post is written like a spoken monologue, and just peep out the science-shit we’re throwing at ya.
I’m organizing this post like a bunch of mini-entries, that I just wish more people knew about and appreciated:
Solar Roads:
This is one of those ‘how can it be so simple’ type ideas – which, usually are the best. The hardest part of executing this, at least from what I can think of with my limited knowledge and experience, is making it rigid and tough enough to withstand tons of abuse and require very minimal maintenance. Combining this idea, with the expanded use of polystyrene foam in road-base construction could really work, and could really make this world a better place. Comparing the idea of a network of electricity-generating-and-distributing roads built quickly, efficiently and strongly using a foam base (instead of gravel) really makes what we’ve thus far seen in the 20th century, seem really antiquated.
Do I even need to say how cool this is? I mean really, its like an industrial water balloon (kinda)! Leave it to the Japanese to make something like this – those people are smart. Ever accidentally mixed chlorine and ammonia when cleaning? Remember that harsh, burning gas that you immediately notice and can’t breathe? These throw-able fire extinguishers work similarly; with the liquids inside of them mixing (upon impact, not before) and reacting to release C0-2 based gases that suffocate the flames.
A Sunless, Indoor Farm:
As a horticulture enthusiast, I have limited knowledge and experience with something like this. Hydroponics-users probably are the #1 consumers, currently, but that should change because this technology could vastly improve society. Plants need certain wavelengths of light to perform photosynthesis; the sun is a massive nuclear furnace that produces energy of all kinds in excess. Most of the energy the sun produces, that reaches Earth, isn’t used positively, and instead is wasted. Most of what is wasted actually damages life. I know, from my horticultural-themed endeavors, just how much water plants need to just keep from drying up. Most of that water is evaporated from the soil, and from the leaves to cool the plant. Now imagine, if a fraction of all that water (and the energy used to clean and deliver it) was utilized, because the plants are simply feeding, instead of fighting dehydration. Now imagine if you could use the sun, to power the LED lights with the right wavelengths, to grow the plants without any other energy-generation needed. Now, imagine all of the above in the context of this article: http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/pot-article/
Voila – the world is now WAY better.
Cars fueled by Hydrogen-beads:
And I’m not talking about the conventional Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle you assumed I was. This is a way to retrofit our existing infrastructure (gas stations on every corner, with underground storage tanks) to a cutting-edge technology and eliminate all the danger and implementation-concerns associated with condensing and carting-around one of the most combustible liquids in the universe (Hydrogen). This idea totally circumvents all the problems we currently face with implementing Hydrogen fuel-cell cars, which everyone has heard about and knows the benefits of; primarily those problems related to the technology necessary to condense Hydrogen to a liquid, and keep it there (extremely low temperatures = HIGH energy and expensive materials) – both at the vehicle-level (gas tank) and distribution-level (gas stations). Using beads that are cheap to make, easy to transport and can be reused = why didn’t I think of that. Now, read this and let us know your thoughts: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=european-commission-proposes-push-gas-diesel-cars-out-cities&WT.mc_id=SA_CAT_ENGYSUS_20110331
First-ever orbiter photos of Mercury:
This is just plain cool, and makes me PROUD to be human.
The biggest black-hole ever ‘found’:
This is scary, and really – really cool at the same time. I think its a matter of time before black holes are inexplicably linked to the development of life, the linking of all ten spacial dimensions, and the quantum theory of gravity – just to name a few. They are just too powerful not to play crucial roles in everything.
Viruses promote Evolution; could be responsible for the divergence of Human and Primate DNA:
Peep here first, and here next.
Um. wow. I watched a program recently on National Geographic about this. I must say, I was skeptical at first too – but the evidence is quickly mounting and becoming interesting at the very least and convincing at the very most.
Is the speed of light NOT the universal speed limit?
Learn about this kid first, right here!
This kid’s brief mention that the universal speed limit should be somehow related to the density of the universe, instead of the speed of light, just actually seems a little intrinsic and sensible. Many of the major questions physicists still grapple with, and concepts that aren’t fully understood are mostly all related to the fact/assumption that the speed of light can never be exceeded; so if this kid turns out to be right…we might be on the verge of the next great Scientific Revolution (Einstein was responsible for the last one, with his theory of relativity). I also think the density of the universe seems intrinsically related to quantum mechanics and quantum theory – and that could mean the gap between quantum theory and relativity (both special and general) can be bridged. That is BIGTIME.
A big thanks to the Monster, and other friends of mine, for sending some of these articles along to me in the first place!
I hope that whets, and then fulfils, yalls appetites for knowledge. I’m gonna be better about submitting posts to this excellent blog moving forward. Until next time, KEEP WONDERING!
sliz
So glad we have another one of these on the books! Such an interesting read. I’m going to have to get in-depth on this soon, but the Mercury picture is DOPE, and very cool to learn about. The throwable fire extinguishers?! Not only awesome, but highly practical.
A little more background on the Mercury-photos can be found here:
http://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/post.cfm?id=nasa-probe-returns-first-ever-orbit-2011-03-29&WT.mc_id=SA_CAT_SPC_20110331
To clarify – we have had pictures of Mercury before, but only ever from fly-by satellites and earth-based telescopes, due mainly to complexities originating from its proximity to the Sun. They also have never been able to chart the entire planets’ surface, until this orbiter arrived!
Very neat – and goes to show you that even if we’re not sending astronauts on moonwalks (and haven’t in a LONG time) space exploration hasn’t really slowed down that much, contrary to what some may think.
Sliz! Nice work man. Always enjoy reading this stuff that I would probably miss otherwise!
Slob Sliz always comes correct with cutting-edge science tech information. I wouldn’t know anything scientific if it weren’t for this man.
Personally, the solar roadway and the throwable fire extinguishers are my favorites of this bunch. The roadway seems like such an obvious thing that we should be doing. I wonder what the total expense for a mile of it would be. Could it be paid for by subbing in a few LED panels in between (and powered by) the solar panels and selling advertising to run on those panels?
Sick post, Sliz! Glad you’re back.
Where’s the Love Slobs? I would hate to think that half your sources come from a man on the brink of his second science degree without some sort of shout out!
lol – thanks all! and dirty mcgriddles – you’re right, I shouldve more specifically thanked you as a source of some of the articles – ‘some other friends of mine’ didn’t quite cut it. my b!
i always know a good science lesson from you z!
Atta Boy Slobs! I like those rods!
Haha “horticulture enthusiast,” is that what they’re calling it these days…
Yo, just another example that Sliz is way ahead of the curve. This morning, CNN did a piece on the Solar Road project. Weird since CNN’s site ran a story on this back in January (I just found it when I was searching for the video). It sounds like things have progressed a bit and they may actually start implementing some of these brilliant panels in the next year to year and a half.
Good lookin’ out, Sliz!