To solve crimes and determine a Pharaoh’s Cosmetics call QEMSCAN!
A CSIRO invention, involving scanning electron microscopy and X-Rays, called QEMSCAN was originally developed for the mining industry to analyse and identify minerals. It has now found all sorts of applications including:
• Forensic Geology: In the UK QEMSCAN analysis has helped solve more than 40 major crimes, including murder cases, by comparing rock particle samples taken from suspects (eg sole of the shoe) to the crime scene
• Archaeology: Determining the ingredients of a mummified pharoah’s cosmetics, classifying ancient pottery and concrete samples, imaging fossils in limestone.
Story sourced from Queensland Government Mining Journal Autumn 2008. More information on QEMSCAN can be obtained from Intellection (www.intellection.com.au ).
Carbon used to reduce CO2 emissions!
Impossible you say? Not if you are a King Island resident. One of the problems with solar power has been how to store energy when the sun is not out and overnight. A new system uses graphite (pure carbon for those who have forgotten their school chemistry!) blocks for storage.
CBD Energy's solar installation at King Island in Tasmania – a joint venture with Hydro Tasmania –has developed an energy storage system. The company is currently installing on the island six dual axis tracking solar photovoltaic systems supplied by German solar energy company SOLON AG – a major shareholder of CBD – and six carbon block energy storage units.
It is the first time the storage system built by CBD will be used following successful trials of the technology in November. Each unit features 19 tonnes of graphite blocks in the size of a standard transport container. The blocks contain 420KW of silicon carbon heating elements, each with the capacity to reach about 800°C. Heat energy is then released for various applications.
CBD executive chairman Gerry McGowan said the energy storage units are one of the most marketable features of the solar system.
“Lack of commercially viable energy storage has been a barrier to wider adoption of renewable energy,” he said. “In addition, CBD’s technology has the potential to store energy on a large scale, with modules developed for transportability.”
The installation adds 100KW of renewable energy generation to the island’s renewable energy capacity. It is expected to deliver around 190 MWh a year to the King Island mini-grid and a reduction in diesel consumption of about 30,000 litres per year, resulting in CO2 savings of around 90 tonnes per year. Story sourced from www.EnvironmentalManagementNews.net Chilling out in Supermarkets!
GreenChill Dramatically Reduces Greenhouse Gases from Supermarket Industry. The GreenChill Advanced Refrigeration Partnership is a USA EPA cooperative alliance with the supermarket industry and other stakeholders to promote the adoption of technologies, strategies, and practices that reduce emissions of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and greenhouse gases (GHGs) and increase refrigeration system energy efficiency.
Working with EPA, GreenChill Partners:
• Transition to non-ozone-depleting refrigerants.
• Reduce emissions of both ozone-depleting and non-ozone-depleting refrigerants.
• Promote supermarkets’ adoption of advanced refrigeration technologies that offer:
• Reduced ODS/GHG emissions (e.g., reduced refrigerant charges and leak rates);
• Potential for improved energy efficiency;
• Reduced maintenance and refrigerant costs;
• Extended shelf life of perishable food products; and
• Improved system design, operations, and maintenance.
• Reduce the total impact of supermarkets on ozone depletion and global warming.
Since launching last November, the GreenChill Advanced Refrigeration Partnership has nearly tripled its membership and prevented emissions of 2.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, equal to the annual emissions of almost 500,000 cars.
To see if these initiatives might apply to your business go to: http://www.epa.gov/ozone/partnerships/greenchill/
Reflection: Put a Little Science in your lives
This reflective article from Brian Greene, a professor of physics at Columbia University, links a soldier in Iraq, children, Ipods, schools and the Universe. It focuses on how science can help give life context and meaning. The article was published in the New York Times and can be accessed by clicking on http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/01/opinion/01greene.html?_r=1&pagewanted=1&oref=slogin
Brian Greene is also the author of “The Elegant Universe” and “The Fabric of the Cosmos.”
With thanks to Glen Moore of the Wollongong Science Centre and Planetarium, a hands on experience of Science for kids of all ages. (For more on the Science Centre click on http://sciencecentre.uow.edu.au )
Cancer Treatment with reduced side effects?
University of Wollongong’s Marie Ranson, Phillip Clingan, Tamantha Stutchbury,
Craig Patch, John Bremner and Wilf Yeo have received a significant National Health and Medical Research Development Grant for research into “Optimised delivery of chemotherapy for solid tumours." Chemotherapy plays a key role in cancer treatment, however, problems persist with severe adverse toxic effects.
Combinations of anti-cancer agents give better results, but these agents still have major negative effects, for example, on veins and peripheral nerves and they must be given separately. The UOW researchers have developed a novel, all-in-one formulation of Oxaliplatin with 5-Fluorouracil
and Leucovorin, with the potential for fewer toxic effects and improved patient care. Total grant awarded for further work is $197,250
For more recent Research and Innovation News from University of Wollongong go to: http://www.uow.edu.au/content/groups/public/@web/@raid/documents/doc/uow045022.pdf
Event: My Business - knowing it and growing it
This one-day interactive workshop, of the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited’s (AMTIL) LYNX Project Workshop Series, aims to help you understand and control your options for planning, marketing, manufacturing, finance, and more. It is presented by Mr Linsey Siede, a 30-year veteran business builder in the global automotive and advanced manufacturing industries. The workshop is for senior managers and directors of small to medium sized manufacturing firms.
AMTIL states: “If you are so busy you don't have the time for attending an all-day workshop – that is precisely why you should attend this all-day workshop.” This seminar is to be held on 7 July 2008 from 9.00 am - 5pm at Level 2, 470 Church Street, North Parramatta. To register call 03 9800 3666 or email dgoldfarb@amtil.com.au .
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