Key To Japan's Nuclear Disaster: ALGAE

                                                           By: Zabin Bashar

      Definitions

Penchant- Tendency to do something

Sequester- Isolate

Culture Bacteria- Grow Bacteria

Summary and Discussion

Recently, Japan has undergone one of the most tragic and expensive natural accidents in history. It experienced a 9.0 earthquake, which struck some nuclear power plants. Many of these power plants experienced a meltdown and have released much waste, including the deadly radioactive isotope called strontium-90. Strontium-90 has a similar size to calcium, making it difficult to separate the two. This is where the algae, Closterium Moniliferum, comes 

into play. This algae has a "unique penchant for sequestering strontium into crystals". Generally, C. Moniliferum, tries to go after barium. However, stronium-90 has a size in between calcium and barium, so the algae vacuums this isotope too. One benefit to this algae is that it does not convert the harmless calcium. In addition, the conversion factor could be speeded up by seeding barium in the nuclear power plant's site.

This find could be crucial to helping Japan in its effort to clean up this disaster by saving money and time.  The algae is effective in both of these categories. It is cheap to culture and can start precipitating strontium-90 crystals in half an hour. This ingenious solution to the nuclear crisis is an excellent example of how science can be applied to problems in real life. The algae is an excellent find by scientists and will provide tremendous help for the people of Japan. 

Citations: Dillow, Clay. "Algae Could Be Key to Cleaning Up Nuclear Accident Sites." 

     Popular Science. Popular Science, 1 Apr. 2011. Web. 7 Apr. 2011.
     <http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2011-04/
     algae-could-be-key-cleaning-nuclear-accident-sites>.

CSB #5: New Nanotech Solution Cuts Engine Friction By More Than Half

In any metal on metal machine (i.e: car engines and industrial machines) energy is lost as heat to friction. While this loss can be minute (as in the case of a toaster), the losses could be huge amounts (as in cases like car engines). However, a new nanotech solution, created by Dr. Guojun Liu, could reduce the amount of energy lost to friction. This chemistry professor at Queen's university used base automobile engine oils with nanoscale polymer particles just tens of nanometers in size. When tested under simulated conditions that imitate sufrace metal contact on car engines, these particles reduced friction by more than 50%. Since metal-on-metal machinery is used widely around the world, this cutting edge friction reducing "nanolube" could save enormous amounts of energy. Due to this potential, Dr. Liu has been awarded the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers' Captain Alfred E. Hunt Memorial Award. I think that he is deserving of the award because this has the power to save massive amounts of energy. Being a lubricant, this product is cheap and simple. In a world dominated by energy, this lubricant will be of vital importance. I chose this article, because I am interested in cheap, yet practical methods to solve problems. This is a simple method, in where a lubricant could save much energy in the future. Many people try looking at complex ways to save energy (i.e: solar panel and hybrid cars). However, Dr. Liu found a simple, yet ingenious method to save energy: a lubricant. Small advancements like this, which many people can use, will be necessary in the near future as our energy-wasting ways catch up with us.


Resources:


1) Dillow, Clay. "New 'Nanolube' Could Cut Engine Friction by More Than Half." 
PopSci. N.p., 2 Mar. 2011. Web. 7 Mar. 2011. <http://www.popsci.com/cars/article/
2011-03/ new-nanolube-could-cut-engine-friction-more-half>.

BACTERIA HAS EATEN MUCH METHANE FROM BP OIL SPILL

Definitions:

Oxidize: Combine chemically with oxygen


Methanotrophs - Bacteria that oxidize methane as an energy source

Methane: A gas


Summary:

Last year, we were witness to a terrible oil spill that was detrimental to the Gulf. The cleanup operation as hardly a success, and environmentalists all over the world were worried about this catastrophe. An investigation led by John Kessler, an oceanographer at Texas A&M University has found out that methanotrophs, a species of bacteria, were feasting on the spill. Bacteria have evolved to live with the Gulf's naturally occurring oil seeps and high methane concentrations so they are effective in taking out methane. Their effectiveness is a relief, considering what would have happened without them. In mid-June, scientists found methane concentrations nearly 100,000 times above normal levels, and learned it was decomposing slowly. It was suggested that it would take many years for the hydrocarbon to dissipate. However, within four months of the oil spill, bacterial blooms had removed more than 200,000 metric tons of methane. Kessler and colleagues conducted this investigation by taking three cruises aboard the NOAA ship Pisces between Aug 18 and Oct. 4, collecting 207 separate water samples and measuring their oxygen and methane concentrations. Since oxygen drops when vacteria breath methane, researchers say the depleted oxygen levels can only be explained by the consumption of methane. They also examined the genetic sequences of bacteria in the samples, which suggested a growing population of methane eating life forms. Funnily enough, methane was what started the whole BP oil spill. A methane bubble surged from the Macondo well up the Deepwater Horizon's drill column, busting several seals on its way to the rig, causing a huge explosion. This not only killed 11 people, but also cause 83 days of oil spilling into the Gulf.


Discussion:
I chose this article because I am interested in the BP oil spill and bacteria.  It is amazing that such basic forms of life could have such a huge impact on the environment. This article not only opened my mind to how catastrophic the BP oil spill was, but to how every life form has a place on this planet. It makes me think what my place on this planet is. In addition, I think the Gulf is lucky that the methanotrophs were so efficient or its sea life would face much more trouble than they are now( although they still are facing a lot of trouble.

Questions:

1) Is the genome for the methane harvesting part of the methanotroph mapped out? If so, could we put this in another bacteria and grow methane eating bacteria to put in the atmosphere or another oil spill.?

2) Can we speed up the process of methane eating in methanotroph with genetic engineering?

Citations:
Boyle, Rebecca. "Bacteria Ate All the Methane From the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, New Study Says." PopSci. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Jan. 2011 <http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2011-01/bacteria-ate-all-methane-deepwater-horizon-oil-spill-new-study-says>.

The Sensor Magician: Santosh Kumar

By Zabin Bashar

Definitions

Accelerometer- This is a device used to measure acceleration, typically that of an automobile, ship, aircraft, or spacecraft, or that involved in the vibration of a machine, building, or other structure.

Gyroscope- This is a rotating mechanism which comes in the form of a universally mounted spinning wheel that offers resistance to turns in any direction

http://www.popsci.com/files/imagecache/article_image_large/articles/SantoshKumarJuly20_1.JPG

Summary

Santosh Kumar, an Indian professor at the University of Memphis, has created revolutionary, low-powered, cost effective tracking sensors that have widespread uses. One example is his AutoWitness system, made up of playing-card size sensor and a remote server. This inexpensive sensor can track property using cellular signals and inexpensive components. First it detects incriminating motion, as the software can recognize the difference between a theft and rearranging a roof. If the stolen item ends up in a car, the sensors, from time to time, report data about the car’s motion over a cellular network to a remote server along with the signal’s geographical coordinates. Then, the server text messages the car’s last “seen” location to the authorities.  All this can be accomplished with a 1-dollar wireless sensor, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a GSM radio, and some complex software. Another example is Kumar’s AutoSense, a system, worn under clothing for monitoring stress levels. Autosense uses a chest band and an armband to track respiration, heart rate, and blood pressure, and features an activity monitor. Software can be loaded onto a smart phone, which analyzes the data. For examples, say an addict in treatment is indoors, outdoors, or smoking. With this information, the software can identify the stress and self-destructive behavior and anticipate when the addict is about to relapse, alerting him or his therapist about his new vulnerable states. These sensors have endless possibilities that can only mean good for the world.

Discussion

These cheap sensors are practical for poor third world countries who need to guard their belongings. With these simple cheap sensors, poor citizens will never need to fear for their few belongings. These sensors are also good to monitor people in therapy like a drug addict or depressed person as this device can identify his state of mind and report it to therapists. These sensors are simple, yet effective and have great potential.

Questions

1) When will these sensors start being mass produced for people to use?
A: Probably when he has added finishing touches such as making the device greener.

2) How accurate are these sensors?
A: I think these sensors are really accurate because the police in some areas want to use them.

3) Can anyone’s smart phone use the software
A: Santosh Kumar will probably put this in an app store like Itunes or the Android Market

Sources and Citations:  

Cantor, Doug. "Brilliant 10: Santosh Kumar, the Sensor Guru." PopSci. N.p., 16      Nov. 2010. Web. 18 Nov. 2010. <http://www.popsci.com/science/article/      2010-10/brilliant-10-santosh-kumar-sensor-guru>.

Genetically Modified Silk Worms that Weave Spider Silk

                                                                           Definitions
 
Synthetic: Compunds made artifically by humans rather than by a process of nature.
 
Transgenic: An organism whose genome has been altered by the transfer of a gene from another organism

Transposon: a genetic element that can move from one site in a chromosome to another site in the same or a different chromosome and thus alter the genetic constitution of the organism

                                                                            Summary

A Spider Web

A mature silkworm is pictured just before it starts spinning its transgenic silk.

 

Lewis and Malcolm Fraser at the University of Notre Dame have announced that they have bred transgenic silkworms that they genetically modified to weave spider silk. Breeding these silkworms were done using a DNA transposon called “piggyBAC.” This transposon can insert itself into a cell’s genetic material. The researchers used snippets of spider DNA into silkworm embryos, resulting in silkworms that spin a hybridized part-silkworm, part-spider silk. To insure they had engineered a new silkworm, the researchers added fluorescent protein to the spider DNA. The mutant silkworms received glowing red eyes, and their silk turned out to be fluorescent green. Amount of silk is no issue for these silkworms whose cocoon contains more than a half-mile of silk thread. . Spider silk is a natural phenomenon which is much stronger than steel.  This silk has so many practical uses. These include artificial ligaments, super-strong wound dressings or even body armor as it is stronger than Kevlar. There could even be spider-silk replacement tendons, parachute cords and more. It could even be used to transport drugs. With such practical uses, spider silk will be an important resource in the future.

                                                                       Discussion
Spider silk is a strong, flexible, and durable material that can be used for many purposes. Now that we have found a way to make a lot of spider silk safely, we will soon be able to mass produce spider silk. With more silk, many new breakthroughs could be made using this material. Researchers have already envisioned artificial ligaments, strong wound dressing, body armor, spider silk replacement tendons and parachute chords, we already know many possibilities to use spider silk for. It can even be helpful in the medical area with transport in drugs. Body armor could be revolutionized and made super light with this spider silk that is 10x stronger than Kevlar. A hot field in the future could be uses of spider silk.
                                                                        Questions
1. Can spider silk be used for important applications apart from the ones I listed? Will it be the cloth of the future?

2. Can spider silk be used to make comfortable clothes? If so, then all people will be safe as they will have bulletproof material.

3. Is it possible to genetically modify other animals, apart from goats, to make spider silk? (Genetically modified goats can already do this with proteins in their milk)

                                                                           Citations
Article- Boyle, Rebecca. "How Modified Worms and Goats Can Mass-Produce Nature's Toughest
     Fiber." Popular Science. N.p., 6 Oct. 2010. Web. 15 Oct. 2010.
     <http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-10/
     fabrics-spider-silk-get-closer-reality>.

Definitions- "Synthetic, Transgenic." Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. N.p., n.d.
     Web. 15 Oct. 2010. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/>. 

Spider Web Picture-. Google Images. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2010. < http://www.vinnova.se/upload/ bilder/Resultat/Artiklar/spindelv%C3%A4v.jpg.bmp >.

Stanford Researchers Create a Low Powered Water Filter Made of Cotton and a Solution of Carbon Nanotubes and Silver Nanowires

Definitions:

Nanotube- A hollow cylindrical  molecule made of one element, usually carbon.


Circumvent- To go around


Biofouling- The impairment or degradation of underwater surfaces or equipment as a result of the growth of living organisms.

Silver Nanowires A microscope image shows the

silver nanowires in which the cotton cloth is dipped. 

Courtesy of Yi Cui, Stanford University

  

                                                        

                                                                                                    

Summary:

A Stanford Research team has found a simple, cheap, and efficient way to filter water using cotton dipped in a solution of carbon nanotubes and silver nanowires. They made this filter to solve a severe problem in the world today. Many developing countries and countries plagued with natural disasters often have very little to no clean water. Therefore, they use water filters, which often filter using tiny pores which the water flows through to get rid of bacteria . These filters have three problems; they are slow, often need  lots of electricity, which is a scarce resource in these countries, and are susceptible to biofouling, which in this case would be bacteria clogging the pores. The Stanford team’s filter circumvents most of these problems by simply letting the bacteria pass freely through the filter, zapping the bacteria with a lethal amount of volts.  The filter that was able to kill 98 percent of Escherichia coli bacteria in water with a minute 20 volts of electricity, much less than the electricity required in normal filter pumps. Carbon nanotubes were used because they are efficient conductors of electricity, and silver has bacteria-killing chemical properties. These Stanford researchers have achieved a miracle. They have created water filter that is cheap, efficient, and fast.

Discussion:
This water filter is practical for people in developing countries or countries plagued by natural disasters. It's materials, cotton, a negligible amount of silver, and carbon nanotubes, is quite cheap and practical for people living in these areas. This water filter is an amazing device which will hopefully soon supply water for people who are in dire need of fresh water.

Questions:

1) This water filter filters out bacteria, but does it also filter out debris and other sediments found in water?

2) How would people get a hold on the silver nanowires and carbon nanotubes?

3) How can this filter be improved so the 98% of bacteria killed becomes greater like a 100%?

Citations: 

Article: http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-08/cotton-filter-soaked-nanotech-cheaply-and-quickly-purifies-large-volumes-water

Picture of Water:  http://www.scholastic.com/safewater/images/rightColumn/clean_water.jpg 

Definitions: http://www.dictionary.com