Science
Joy and Delight
In a small suburban neighborhood, there lived an elderly woman named Evelyn. Her days were filled with solitude, and the passing years had taken their toll on her spirit. But amidst the monotony of her routine, Evelyn discovered a source of pure joy and delight—a garden that bloomed with vibrant life.
By Peace Nwachukwu3 years ago in Earth
Could water be the future to waste management
Did you know that you can start fire with water? Yes you heard me right you can start fire with the thing they use to put out fires with. Well, not exactly the same stuff. To start a fire with water, This stuff burns organic material that we’re trying to get rid of, like poop. And scientists think it can be used to get rid of even more persistent waste, too. Like forever chemicals. Supercritical water has the potential to burn all sorts of waste, and might get us over more than one hurdle on the way to clean drinking water. If water is liquid, ice is solid, and steam is gas, supercritical water is the fourth option.~ It’s water that’s been compressed and heated into something that’s not quite a liquid and not quite a gas.Instead, it looks like a gas and in some ways behaves like a gas, but in other ways also behaves like a liquid. To make that happen, you have to heat it under high pressure, to temperatures well above boiling. Imagine putting water on the stove. Normally, when water reaches approximately 100 degrees Celsius it starts to boil. At that temperature, the pressure inside the water equals the pressure of the air outside the water, so the water can become steam. But if you raised the air pressure using a pressure cooker, it would also raise the internal water pressure needed to start boiling. So by raising the air pressure, you can create an environment where water doesn’t boil at 100 degrees. Instead, water inside a conventional pressure cooker boils at about 120 degrees. That’s why pressure cookers can cook food so quickly. By keeping water at a higher pressure, they can heat food to temperatures hotter than the boiling point. If you can increase that pressure even more than a pressure cooker, you can raise water’s boiling point to even higher temperatures. But you can’t keep that up indefinitely. At a certain point, liquid water just can’t keep itself together anymore, no matter how much pressure you put on it. That point is called the critical point, and it happens at 373 degrees Celsius. It also requires a pressure of 217 bars, or more than 200 times the air pressure you’re most likely feeling right now. Once water reaches the critical point, it has to change states. But because of the pressure, it can’t turn itself into ordinary steam. Instead, it becomes something that looks like water vapour, but has some very different properties. Like a gas, supercritical water can make its way through tiny gaps in solid objects. But like a liquid, it can dissolve materials. That last bit is what makes supercritical water so special. Because it’s already really hot, more than three times hotter than ordinary boiling water, it can dissolve substances that wouldn’t normally dissolve in room temperature water. See, when water that hot hits organic material like the stuff that makes up our waste, it breaks the bonds between molecules. So those molecules are now free to react with oxygen in what’s called oxidation. The short and sweet of it is that the waste molecules lose electrons and become more positively charged. And that process of oxidation is what’s chemically happening when you start a fire, too. What we see as burning is actually fuel being oxidized, which is why fires go out when you take away their source of oxygen. That means fires burn away organic waste in a very similar way to supercritical water. When supercritical water encounters a molecule of waste, it breaks up the bonds between the atoms, letting them react with oxygen. That leads to oxidation that burns away what’s left of it. This process is known as supercritical water oxidation. It allows for burning without the same danger as fire. While we do see tiny hotspots of fire in a supercritical water reaction, for the most part, the reaction burns organic material really cleanly, without flames. Which makes it a great method for getting rid of sewage, especially in places where we can’t start fires. Like for example, spacecraft. Researchers at the European Space Agency have found that mixing supercritical water with organic waste materials like ammonium, can dispose of the waste cleanly, turning it into by-products like water and carbon dioxide, both of which can be recycled back into the spacecraft for use later on. Astronauts can use that water, and, well don’t think too much about where it came from. And the CO2 can be used to sustain plants, which can then provide oxygen and food to astronauts so they can stay in space for longer. That means supercritical water could be used to send astronauts on longer and longer space voyages, like the ones that we’ll need to get to Mars. Now, this process still has a few hurdles to overcome before it can be widely applied. The procedure leaves you with salt. And if you have ever lived near the ocean, you know that salt wreaks havoc on delicate machinery, making it dangerous on something like a spaceship. After all, oxidation is responsible for a lot of chemical changes, like corrosion that breaks down metal. But the end product of clean drinking water is worth working out these kinks for, both in space and here on Earth. One of the problems standing between us and clean drinking water at home is per- and polyfluoroalkyls, otherwise known as PFAS. PFAS are chemicals that have been used to manufacture non-stick cookware, but that can now be found in water sources all over the world. They’re called “forever chemicals” because they don’t degrade easily, which makes them difficult to get rid of. But when supercritical water encounters a PFAS molecule, supercritical water oxidation can break it down. So treating contaminated water with supercritical water oxidation can make it safe to drink again!, this oxidation still produces CO2. And while CO2 is useful in space, it’s a pollutant here on Earth. So any large-scale application of supercritical water to clean up our PFAS crisis will need to make sure our climate crisis doesn’t get any worse in the process. Researchers are working on ways to eliminate the CO2 emitted by the reaction before it can reach the atmosphere. When they can’t convert it into something more stable, they inject the CO2 deep into the ground where it’s locked away. With the rapid innovations development, I see a future with a whole lot less waste
By Hlengiwe Meyiwa3 years ago in Earth
The Last Breath of the Forest
Once upon a time, in a lush and vibrant forest, there lived a diverse community of creatures. Towering trees stretched toward the heavens, their branches forming a verdant canopy that shielded the forest floor from the harsh sunlight. Animals of all shapes and sizes called this place home, their lives intricately woven together in a delicate balance of harmony and interdependence.
By Robin William3 years ago in Earth
A climate change
Once upon a time, in a small coastal village named Havenbrook, nestled between lush green forests and the shimmering ocean, lived a community whose lives were deeply intertwined with the changing climate. For generations, the villagers had relied on the bountiful sea and fertile lands, but now they faced an uncertain future as the effects of climate change began to manifest.
By PHILEMON MAMOSADI3 years ago in Earth
What if drinking water becomes limited on earth.
Water Scarcity: A Global Challenge Water scarcity occurs when the demand for water exceeds the available supply in a region. According to the United Nations, more than 2 billion people worldwide already live in areas facing high water stress. As population growth continues and climate change alters precipitation patterns, water scarcity is expected to intensify. This scarcity affects not only developing nations but also regions in traditionally water-rich countries.
By prathamesh3 years ago in Earth
PAUL TIERNEY as the referee for the FA finals 2023
In a momentous announcement that sent waves of excitement across the footballing world, the team of match officials for the highly anticipated 2023 Emirates FA Cup Final has been confirmed. Among them, Paul Tierney, a name synonymous with integrity and expertise, has been bestowed with the extraordinary honor of refereeing the grand final at the iconic Wembley Stadium connected by EE.
By Mobilyte Emeribe3 years ago in Earth
DECODING ZODIAC SIGN PERSONALITY TRAITS: A FASCINATING JOURNEY THROUGH DATES AND CHARACTERISTICS
Astrology has intrigued and captivated humanity for centuries. The belief that the alignment of celestial bodies at the time of our birth can shape our personalities and destiny continues to be a subject of fascination. One popular aspect of astrology is the Zodiac, a circle of twelve signs, each associated with specific personality traits and dates. In this blog, we will delve into the intriguing world of zodiac signs, exploring the unique characteristics they are believed to bestow upon individuals.
By Darshan mukunda3 years ago in Earth
The Vanishing Shore
As the sun made its first appearance of the day, it cast a warm, golden light across the still waters below. An elderly fisherman named Juan was spotted on the deck of his rusty boat, tightly gripping the steering wheel with his calloused hands. Juan had a beard and graying hair. His nostrils were filled with the reassuring scent of saltwater, which combined with the memories of a lifetime spent working on ships His eyes were filled with the memories of a lifetime spent working on ships. Today, on the other hand, was not like other days; rather, there was a pervasive and overwhelming sense of unease that permeated the area. For a good number of generations, Juan's family has made this stretch of coastline their permanent home. The ocean provided them with food, a safe haven, and a means to support themselves throughout their existence. While they were throwing their nets in these waterways, they did it with a great sense of reverence and wonder for the delicate balance that nature maintains. But as the years passed, a shadow emerged on the horizon, and Juan knew that he could no longer deny the truth: it was vanishing, evaporating like sand between his fingers. He had no choice but to accept reality. He could no longer turn a blind eye to the truth. His treasured beachfront had been chipped away by coastal erosion, and the once-familiar landscape was vanishing piece by piece. Coastal erosion. The pounding waves that had put him to sleep were now mercilessly chewing away at the weak dunes, consuming his history and leaving his future uncertain. This had the effect of putting him to sleep. It was as if the sea itself had turned against him, transforming him into a determined adversary who had no regard for the memories that were etched into his heart. It was as if the sea had turned against him. On the day when Juan set sail from land in the direction of the ocean, he couldn't help but feel the weight of an impending loss. The briny breeze carried with it the reverberations of the many fishermen whose livelihoods had been obliterated as a result of the merciless forces of nature. These echoes were transported over land by the wind that came off the sea. His soul hurt for them because they went through the misery that was shared by all of them, a sorrow that transcended country boundaries and connected all of their hearts. Because the shoreline continued to recede and make the community more exposed, the hamlet became more susceptible to severe tides as the days passed. This was because the village got more exposed. The persistent waves were eroding the foundations of residences that had been standing for decades, which placed the homes in a precarious position on the verge of collapsing. It became necessary for families to uproot themselves and leave behind their houses, their memories, and their fundamental sense of belonging as the ocean continued to advance into people's homes and lives. Juan's heart hurt for his community and the children who would have to grow up without the feeling of the sand beneath their feet or the sound of the joyful calls of seagulls. His heart also broke for the adults who would have to watch them suffer. There was a threat to his village. The fishermen were well aware that the destruction of their coastal history signified not only a loss of land but also a loss of identity and a terrible unraveling of the fabric that had held them together for a significant amount of time. This was something that they had been suffering from for quite some time. Juan's hopelessness served as the driving force behind his dogged perseverance. He ran away to the ocean for safety in a last-ditch effort to rescue his home and found the waves there to be very reassuring. He joyfully threw his nets into the water, hoping for a successful catch that would allow him to provide for his family as well as the countless others who relied on the wealth of the sea. He was not the only one who relied on the bounty of the sea. On the other hand, the waters that were once teeming with fish have turned desolate, creating the impression that the fish have fled in order to find protection from the changing currents. Juan, who was formerly skilled in the art of fishing, could be seen clutching his ancient fists in exasperation at this very moment. When he realized that the receding beach was removing not just their land but also the means by which they maintained their lives, it hit him like a ton of bricks. He had no choice but to accept reality. The precarious equilibrium that had existed between man and environment had been thrown off, and as a consequence, a void had been produced that no amount of resiliency could ever hope to fill. Juan found himself at a crossroads just as the sun was sinking below the horizon, casting a crimson hue on the beach that was fading behind him. The water, which had always been his refuge, now faced the threat of engulfing him in its totality, but he refused to concede defeat. The ocean had always been his safe haven. The fire of determination that burned within him was fanned by the recollections of previous generations, who had fought their own battles against the surging water. He was resolute to achieve success in a field in which his predecessors had been unsuccessful. Juan established himself as a leader by advocating not just for the safety of his community but also for the countless other coastal communities located all over the world that are facing a threat that is comparable to their own. He recounted their conflicts, their defeats, and the unwavering resolve they exhibited throughout it all. His words struck a chord in the hearts of those who listened to him, lighting a spark of optimism in a world that was otherwise devoured by melancholy. His remarks touched a chord in the hearts of those who listened to him. Juan made use of advocacy and storytelling in an effort to raise support, reawaken collective consciousness, and encourage people to take action against the forces that were devastating their beaches. He was successful in all of these endeavors. He spoke about his pain, his love, and his aspirations for a future in which his children and grandchildren would be able to feel the reassuring embrace of the sea once more and in which the retreating shoreline would become a thing of the past. He spoke about his suffering, his love, and his hopes for a future in which his children and grandchildren would be able to experience the comforting embrace of the sea once more. And as the tides continued to rise and as the coastline disintegrated beneath the inexorable onslaught of the oceans, Juan stayed strong as a sign of resiliency and as a beacon of hope in the midst of the impending darkness. He knew that even if the ocean ate his home, it would never be able to extinguish the flame of love and determination that burned within him, a flame that was inexorably linked to the shoreline that was receding into the distance. He knew this to be true even though he was watching the beach recede.
By Marvito Royals 3 years ago in Earth
Are We Really Alone in the Universe?
Introduction: The fascination with the idea of extraterrestrial life has captivated the human imagination for centuries. The question of whether we are alone in the vast expanse of the universe continues to intrigue scientists, philosophers, and enthusiasts alike.
By NOEL ENNIS3 years ago in Earth
Healing and Therapeutic Benefits
Once upon a time in a bustling city, there lived a woman named Emma. She had always been an avid gardener, finding solace and peace amidst the chaos of daily life within the confines of her small rooftop garden. Emma was no stranger to stress and anxiety, but she discovered that gardening had a transformative effect on her mental well-being.
By Ifeanyichukwu Emmanuel3 years ago in Earth
