Students at George Mason University, in Virginia, has found a new way to fight fires. Their innovative fire extinguisher works off of sound waves, extinguishing flames without any chemicals like those used in commercial fire extinguishers. It can even put out grease fires in kitchens, a notoriously common problem. No pollution and safe for all to use, this green technology gets two thumbs up.
Peace and Health
Mark Masselli
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research has announced a green breakthrough for the leather industry. They have come up with a new dispersing agent which halves the amount of water necessary for the tanning process. In India alone, this will save 200 million liters of water daily. Another part of the process has been sped up from 72 tours to just 30 minutes.
Peace and Health
Mark Masselli
Protecting our environment starts with educating our youth. At George Washington high school in Guam, students were challenged to come up with green projects to protect their island and utilize renewable energy sources. The results were a slew of solar and hydro powered ideas. I hope some of them get used!
Peace and Health
Mark Masselli
A new study has shown that Saturn’s moon Enceladus is spewing tiny silica grains, which is evidence of hydrothermal activity taking place on the moon. This gives us fabulous insight into what it must be like on the floors of Enceladus’ ocean. In order for these grains to form, temperatures would need to reach 194 Degrees Fahrenheit.
Peace and Health
Mark Masselli
After years of planning, the Magnetospheric Multiscale spacecraft was finally launched. The main purpose of the craft is to study magnetic reconnection. We know that this has the potential to generate vast amount of clean energy, but we don’t know how to harness it. Hopefully they find a way!
Peace and Health
Mark Masselli
Even though we (obviously) cannot see the Earth’s mantle, it has a large impact on our environment. Scientists at Princeton are mapping it in 3D to allow for a better study and understanding of this part of our planet. This project will allow us to understand what is going on beneath the crust, and may aid us understanding earthquakes better. Sweet.
Peace and Health
Mark Masselli
The first attempt to fly around the world entirely under solar power began Monday in Abu Dhabi. If it succeeds, this will be the capstone to 13 years of research and development by the two Swiss pilots. The plane is about the size of a jumbo jet, but barely weighs more than a civilian car. I will watch this journey with interest.
Peace and Health
Mark Masselli
A supercharged biogas engine using concepts from Back to the Future has been selected for an award from the British government meant to support “game-changing” green technology development. 40 different technologies were funded in this first round. This is part of an initiative by Energy Catalyst, a UK project to tackle the energy “trilemma” of reducing carbon, reducing cost, and increasing supply.
Peace and Health
Mark Masselli
The Assiniboine Park Conservancy is using a geothermal energy system to control the climate of their Journey to Churchill exhibit. This not only diminishes pollution caused by the energy needed for the exhibit, but also draws attention to the importance of using green technologies to stop global warming. Global warming is threatening polar bears, so fighting against it is of paramount importance.
Peace and Health
Mark Masselli
The Dutch have been using windmills for power since the 13th century, but this new prototype will really take the cake! It will be 570 feet tall, house 72 apartments and 160 hotel rooms, and provide its own power through wind and biogas generation. Read the Smithsonian’s analysis here.
Peace and Health
Mark Masselli
Mark Masselli Goes Green 