Scientists in the Arctic have discovered a new global warming threat that is twenty times more dangerous than carbon dioxide. Evidence of the release of underground stores of methane due to the melting of permafrost in the waters has been found by the Arctic scientists. (more…)
There are fears that a flu pandemic is overdue, and experts are preparing for the inevitable. “This will come, it will be real and only if we plan can we reduce its impact,” Sir Liam Donaldson, the Government’s Chief Medical Officer, has said of the expected flu. (more…)
The beautiful Red Kite was hunted until extinction in Ireland almost two hundred years ago, and their numbers are threatened in many other countries across the world. In recent years, the RSPB has worked hard to re-introduce these magnificent birds of prey into Ireland, and 27 of the kites were released in July of this year. (more…)
Have you ever wondered why magpies have a reputation for stealing things that are shiny? Recent experiments have shown that magpies can recognise themselves in mirrors, which is a feat that has rarely been seen amongst birds. Thus far, self-recognition has been limited to humans, monkeys, elephants and dolphins making this an exceptional discovery. (more…)
Jellyfish have been threatening the British coast, and are having an increasingly harmful effect on marine life as well as tourism. Mass stinging episodes on swimmers has occurred in the Mediterranean, and damage to several fish farms in the Black Sea and the Atlantic has transpired wiping out hundreds of fish. (more…)
Most people are doing their best to become greener and help the environment. Changing to energy-saving light bulbs and doing your home recycling may seem like little things to do, but every little thing does help! A life-altering new idea is being tossed around to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases which could be on the cards at the beginning of next year. This new innovation would see everyone with a personal carbon allowance which they could use throughout the year. (more…)
The G-Wiz Automatic Electric Vehicle (AEV) is the greenest car in Britain. It is a carbon neutral vehicle with zero emissions, so drivers no longer need to worry about damaging the environment with toxic fumes. (more…)
Earthrace is an environmentally friendly state of the art speedboat which has been undergoing a race around the globe. It recently beat the world record to travel around the globe on carbon-neutral fuels by an amazing near fourteen days. The crew will be doing a two year promotional tour visiting several places around the world.
The Asus Eco Notebook is an environmentally friendly laptop, which not only looks great but is made from mainly recyclable parts. The outside of the computer is made from bamboo which gives it a very unique and special appearance.
Record increases in fuel prices and concerns about global warming are again directing attention to electricity powered vehicles. Other main alternative solution offered to those concerns, biofuels, is currently taking flak because they are perceived to have contributed to the world food crisis.
Main problems holding back the battery powered vehicles are, the time it takes to recharge the battery and the limited range of the vehicles developed so far, such as EV1 from General Motors. Hybrid vehicles offering a combination of battery power and internal combustion are more popular. However their battery powered range is much smaller; the most successful hybrid, Toyota Prius, can barely make 1 mile on battery alone.
That is why researchers around the world are working hard to improve the technology.
They are increasingly turning to lithium ion batteries. This type of battery made the recent success of the mobile devices possible. They are light weight, and retain full capacity till completely depleted, instead of deteriorating with each recharge as with most other types of batteries.
Nickel-metal-hydride batteries, already in use in Prius, offer durability and better energy density for now. But they are heavy and most researchers think that lithium ion batteries will overtake them in low cost and energy capacity. While currently expensive, large lithium ion batteries may become cheaper once mass production starts and economies of scale kick in.
Some researchers are working on replacing expensive cobalt in lithium ion batteries with other substances like manganese and iron phosphate, though they have not been completely successful in getting the same efficacy as cobalt so far.
Lithium ion batteries are kept back by other reasons; a tendency to explode when over charged or over heated. Larger the battery, larger the potential explosion will be; not very good for vehicles. Getting over this problem is a major focus of research.
In any case here is reason to be hopeful; most experts expect efforts to make batteries competitive with internal combustion to be successful in the not too distant future.
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