As regional shortages of fresh water become more prevalent, solar distillation using a single-effect basin holds promise as a method to bring low-cost, clean, and ecologically-responsible water to remote area dwellers. Compound parabolic concentrators (CPCs) can be used to direct more light onto the still increasing the throughput and efficiency of these passive solar devices. A computer program has been developed that uses the properties of materials and the solar energy characteristics of the site to calculate the increase in output of water due to reflectors of different height. For reflector 2.5 times the width of the still, the output per unit area per day roughly triples with only ~10% increase in cost and moderate maintenance (weekly tilts), indicating that CPCs have a significant economic advantage in producing solar distilled water.

Consider the Source

Ashok Gadgil of Berkeley Lab has developed a low-cost and highly efficient method to remove arsenic from water to less than 10 parts per billion (ppb) – the World Health Organization and U.S. EPA standard for drinking water. The technology has been tested in Bangladesh and Cambodia and proven effective. The cost of the treatment is projected to be substantially less than current technologies because it uses a material that is already a waste product to remove the arsenic.

This invention “Arsenic Removal Using Bottom Ash” or ARUBA is based on coating the surfaces of particles of bottom ash (a finely powdered and sterile waste material from coal-fired power plants) with ferric (hydr)oxide . The manufacturing process is conducted at room-temperature and atmospheric pressure. Thus, the material can be produced with relatively simple equipment at low cost.

Removing arsenic from contaminated drinking water is simple. ARUBA is mixed into the water, where it reacts with and immobilizes arsenic by adsorption and/or co-precipitation. The resulting complex can be filtered or settled out of the water, and is safe enough for disposal in municipal landfills, per EPA standards.

Bottom ash is much less expensive than solid ferric oxide particles, which are often used as a filter media to bond arsenic species. Moreover, it has a high surface to volume ratio meaning that less material is required for water treatment, and hence less waste is produced.

The cost of raw materials needed for ARUBA production is expected to be low- less than 0.5 cents ($0.005) per kg ARUBA. Based on field results over three trips to Bangladesh in 2007 and 2008, treating 1 liter of Bangladesh groundwater at an initial arsenic concentration of 400 ppb requires approximately 4-5 grams of ARUBA

Consider the Source

NASA has successfully tested its first rocket engine component made through 3D printing. On Thursday, NASA subjected its new rocket engine injector to a series of high-pressure fire tests involving liquid oxygen and gaseous hydrogen, demonstrating that additive manufacturing (its official name) could one day help the agency build the next generation of rockets faster and at lower cost.

Additive manufacturing uses layers of metallic powder traced in specific patterns by lasers. The technique isn’t too far removed from traditional 3D printing, except it uses high-powered laser beams. While an engine injector is normally one of the most expensive components of a rocket engine to produce, additive manufacturing not only reduces development time from over a year to a number of months, it also cuts costs by more than 70 percent. Following the successful test, NASA says it will look to scale-up and establish production requirements for the injector, helping it “demonstrate the feasibility of developing full-size, additively manufactured parts.” However, the agency says has no plans to test its printed components in a live test flight until 2017.

Consider the Source

If you are a vegan or vegetarian with a secret stash of candy, jelly beans or dark chocolate, join the club. A constant craving for carbs with occasional headaches, muscle or joint pain may be due to a slight deficiency of protein.

The symptoms of a severe protein deficiency include:

• Edema (swelling)
• Thinning brittle hair and/or hair loss
• Ridges in finger and toe nails
• Skin rashes; dry skin
• Weakness
• Constant Fatigue
• Muscle soreness and cramps
• Slow healing
• Skin ulcers
• Sleep issues
• Frequent headache
• Nausea
• Fainting
• Depression/anxiety

Sooo, what can we do to reverse this condition? Carnivores and omnivores simply chow down on anything that moves. Vegans and vegetarians have a slightly more complicated problem, but one that’s nonetheless manageable. Here’s a list of protein sources found in Kingdom Plantae:

• Seeds, sprouted
• Nuts
• Beans
• Lentils
• Whole grains (in order from highest to lowest protein content): Wheat, amaranth, oats, rye, triticale, teff, spelt, wild rice, barley, buckwheat, quinoa, millet, sorghum, corn, rice.
• Soy
• Peas
• Peanuts
• Spinach
• Potato
• Sweet potato
• Algae
• Seaweed

Consider the Source

Two 3d printed metal samples made with EOS 3d printers. A Formula 1 race car’s custom heat exchanger and an artificial joint.

Consider the Source

URBEE is a return to fundamentals, a rethink of traditional automotive design and manufacturing. As a species endangered by our own actions, we must quickly learn to stop burning fossil fuels. Surely, the ultimate goal of Design is to serve the ‘public good’. Therefore, corporations and individual designers have a responsibility to offer products that are not only useful, but in balance with the environment.

URBEE is now crowd-funded to create the greenest car on Earth. A first prototype was completed in 2013. It became the first car to have its body 3D printed. The team recently initiated a second prototype, called URBEE 2. They are embracing Digital Manufacturing as essential to the design of an environmental car. Engineered to safely mingle with traffic, the two passenger vehicle will have its entire exterior and interior 3D printed.

Consider the Source

This podcast is one of the first seven Keynote Addresses, given by the Aevia Group’s Founder and Lead Trustee, to inspire the building of a next generation university and charitable service. This address specifically addresses the work of the Fact Acquisition and Dissemination (FAD) team and it’s unique curriculum focus.
Consider the Source

Understanding different types of plastics is crucial when making decisions on items for your family and home. Recycling numbers, ranging 1 through 7, are used to specify what type of plastic is contained in an item and in turn how that item may be recycled. They are found inside an M.C. Escher style triangle of arrows turned in on themselves on the bottom of most plastic containers. Of the seven different types of plastic available on the American market, all are based on a different resin. Each of these seven varies in both its effect on environmental safety and ease of recycling. What follows is a general outline of most types of plastics along with their most common uses.

PLASTIC #1: POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE (PET OR PETE)
Common uses: 2 liter soda bottles, single use water bottle containers, cooking oil bottles, peanut butter jars.
This is the most widely recycled plastic. Commonly recycled, PET is semi-rigid and very lightweight. It’s best suited for single-use containers as it can break down when exposed to light and heat, causing it to leach. PET can also be recycled into fabric, similar in strength and appearance to virgin nylon.

PLASTIC #2: HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE (HDPE)
Common uses: detergent bottles, milk jugs.
HDPE is a sturdy and reliable non-leaching translucent plastic. HDPE resists UV penetration, which can damage and discolor the plastic. Dishwasher-safe and able to withstand temperatures from -148 to 176° F (-100 to 80° C), it’s ideal for food and beverage storage.

PLASTIC #3: POLYVINYL CHLORIDE (PVC)
Common uses: plastic pipes, outdoor furniture, shrink wrap, water bottles, salad dressing and liquid detergent containers.
Most PVC vinyl products contain phthalates, which mimic human hormones and also affect various life forms including fish and invertebrates adversely. For this reason, we do not recommend products made from PVC for food storage.

PLASTIC #4: LOW DENSITY POLYETHYLENE (LDPE)
Common uses: dry cleaning bags, produce bags, trash can liners, food storage containers.
LDPE are safe, non-leaching plastics. Flexible, impact-resistant and microwave-proof, it’s dishwasher-safe and able to withstand temperatures from -148 to 176° F (-100 to 80° C). Safe for use with food and beverages.

PLASTIC #5: POLYPROPYLENE (PP)
Common uses: bottle caps, food containers, drinking straws.
BPA-free, polypropylene is commonly used for injection molding. It’s resistance to high heat generally makes it microwave and dishwasher safe, as well as a good option for food and beverage storage.

PLASTIC #6: POLYSTYRENE (PS)
Common uses: packaging pellets or “Styrofoam peanuts,” cups, plastic tableware, meat trays, to-go “clam shell” containers.
Polystyrene foam is a major component of plastic debris in the ocean, where it becomes toxic to marine life. Currently, the majority of polystyrene products are not recycled. This material should be avoided.

PLASTIC #7: OTHER
Common uses: LEXAN, certain kinds of food containers and Tupperware.
This plastic category includes any plastic other than the above named types. These containers can be any of the several different types of plastic polymers.
Polycarbonate is the most commonly-known #7 plastic. Proven to leach BPA, it is not recommended for food storage. Not all “other” plastic is polycarbonate, however. Plastics labeled #7 can also be a combination of several safe plastics. You should engage in due-diligence when making decisions about #7 plastics.

Consider the Source

Want to know why GMO foods are not labeled as such? The following “Representatives” have voted against legislation that would require truth in labeling. Well, we each have a vote too.

Alexander (R-TN), Ayotte (R-NH), Baldwin (D-WI), Barrasso (R-WY), Baucus (D-MT), Blunt (R-MO), Boozman (R-AR), Brown (D-OH), Burr (R-NC), Carper (D-DE), Casey (D-PA), Chambliss (R-GA), Coats (R-IN), Coburn (R-OK), Cochran (R-MS), Collins (R-ME), Coons (D-DE), Corker (R-TN), Cornyn (R-TX), Cowan (D-MA) ,Crapo (R-ID) ,Cruz (R-TX) ,Donnelly (D-IN), Durbin (D-IL) ,Enzi (R-WY) ,Fischer (R-NE) ,Franken (D-MN), Gillibrand (D-NY), Graham (R-SC), Grassley (R-IA), Hagan (D-NC), Harkin (D-IA), Hatch (R-UT), Heitkamp (D-ND), Heller (R-NV), Hoeven (R-ND), Inhofe (R-OK), Isakson (R-GA), Johanns (R-NE), Johnson (D-SD), Johnson (R-WI), Kaine (D-VA), Kirk (R-IL), Klobuchar (D-MN), Landrieu (D-LA), Lee (R-UT), Levin (D-MI), McCain (R-AZ), McCaskill (D-MO), McConnell (R-KY), Menendez (D-NJ), Moran (R-KS), Nelson (D-FL), Paul (R-KY), Portman (R-OH), Pryor (D-AR), Risch (R-ID), Roberts (R-KS), Rubio (R-FL), Scott (R-SC), Sessions (R-AL), Shaheen (D-NH), Shelby (R-AL), Stabenow (D-MI), Thune (R-SD), Toomey (R-PA), Udall (D-CO), Vitter (R-LA), Warner (D-VA), Warren (D-MA), Wicker (R-MS)

Consider the Source

Solar tiny house designed by Michael Janzen and built by Bill Brooks.

PART I

PART II

PART III

PART IV

Consider the Source