100% Renewable Jet Fuel

The Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) has made a major breakthrough in developing a feedstock-flexible process that generates 100% renewable aviation fuel that meets military specs (JP-8).

Solar Power In Knoxville

Here is an article in today's Knoxville News Sentinel about the use of solar panels in our fair city. It would be nice if that payback interval was a bit shorter.  Also, I have questions about the lifetime of a solar panel.  Does it last long enough to get the payback and then some?

It's getting there but more breakthroughs are needed.  Increased production of the Nanosolar product might help also.

At Home, Women Rule

Men might strut their stuff at work, but women wield the power at home.  We've know that for some time right?

Water Bears Survive Exposure in Space

Here is an amazing article on how some tiny organisms called Water Bears survived exposure to the vacuum and UV radiation of space and lived on a European Space Agency research platform in 2007.

I highly recommend a great book titled "A Short History Of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson. One thing I got from this book was just how tenacious life can be.  One instance is that some microbes inside a camera lens from one of the Surveyer lunar landing crafts (1967) survived after being retrieved and returned to Earth by the Apollo 12 Astronauts.  Life is tough.  IMHO, about the only way to totally wipe out all life from our planet is for the Sun to reach the red giant stage and engulf Earth.  This is not likely to happen for about 5 billion years.

Money Mess - Background Information

Again, I don't want to dabble too much into politics in this blog, but I find it amazing that some crucial information is not being widely discussed by the various talking heads on TV news.

The payoff for delinquent mortgages in the US is between $60 and $100 trillion. Pay this off and a lot of the crisis goes away.

One big problem is that the derivatives total up to about $80 trillion. The US GNP is about $14 trillion. A lot of those bad loans are wrapped up in that $80 trillion derivative packages.

The reason we got into this mess is that back in the late 70s, the federal government initiated the Community Reinvestment Act (check it out on Wikipedia) which penalized lending banks for not giving loans to low income borrowers. Many of the mortgages applications were filled out with false information (i.e., income, job status, etc.) The mortgage people made the commissions and then sold the mortgages which got repackaged and sold as securities. A lot of those securities are owned by investors (and banks) in other countries (i.e., China)

This was all legal and stupid. What a mess. Giving out money for votes. Our Congress is the main culprit. The voters need to make some adjustments.

Just my two cents worth.

Tennessee Shines

Last night I was lucky enough to get a ticket to the second Tennessee Shines show last night at Knoxville's Bijou Theater. Our local Americana radio station, WDVX-FM (which started out in a camper trailer in 1999) is the organizer and broacaster of the show.

This was show #2. This is a live radio broadcast on the last Wednesday night of each month. It is videotaped in HD for a later broadcast on WBIR-TV. I also attended the initial performance last month.

I recommend that you check it out. You can listen via the internet.

Bailout Fix Recommendation

Seems like Dave Ramsey has the best recommendations for fixing the so called financial bailout crisis.

We are not being told the whole story by the mainstream news media, but of course you already know that.

Write your CONgressmen/women and Senators and let them know what you think.

49 Oil Platforms Destroyed by Ike

Looks like the damage to oil platforms and refineries in the gulf were not as bad as it could have been. We definitely dodged another natural disaster bullet.

This country needs a significant source of alternative fuels now. If nothing else, it gives a diversification of fuel sources, not to mention jobs and the ability to keep our money at home.

More drilling may help in the short term, but it only buys us time to develop electric vehicle technology and an efficient alternative fuel infrastructure.

Tesla's Second Car Out In 2010

Tesla Motors will offer their second car for sale in 2010. It is still pricy at $60,000 but it will still travel 200 miles on a single charge. Let's hope they continue to make progress. If they break the $30,000 barrier, things may take off for these guys and for the middle income consumers.

Feds Bail Out AIG For Only $85 Billion

I believe we are beginning to see a disturbing pattern here in our country's economy. The federal government is systematically nationalizing private corporations. The 'big boys' at AIG get saved after making stupid decisions and the 'little folks' like you and me get stuck with the bill. We are no longer working in a free market economy. Which companies are next? GM? Boeing? GE? CBS? Google?

I guess this is what happens when corporations purchase a sufficient number of Congressional seats in the Legislative Branch of our government.

My prediction is that as the economy continues to implode, this methodology will continue until the distinction of the federal government and private corporations becomes seamless.

Our freedoms are in grave danger.

Widescreen Video Goggles

LCD video goggles have been on the market for a while, but they had on the 4:3 aspect ratio display. Now Vuzix has announced the AV310 widescreen model that has the 16:9 aspect ratio. If you have a portable DVD or video iPod model, you may want to check this out.

Hydrogen Fuel Boost In Gasoline Burning Vehicles

Here is some information I found on the devices been advertised on the internet that supposedly split hydrogen from water and inject into your gasoline burning carburetor to increase gas mileage.

Dear Cecil:

An auto mechanic friend claims to have a gizmo that makes his vehicles run at least partially on water. He swears it's true and has about five test vehicles running with this thing now. It will work best on vehicles with carburetors — fuel-injected vehicles need tweaking of the computer chips. He's got one on an old VW Bug and says he gets about 80 MPG — he's trying to win a prize for getting over 100 MPG. He installed one in a large diesel truck that originally got about 8 MPG; it supposedly now gets 20 to 22 MPG with lots more power. My friend says the gizmo uses electricity from the alternator to split water molecules into something called "Brown's gas" that gets input into the intake manifold. Is this true or another myth?

— Walt Bruun, Glen Ellyn, Illinois

Cecil replies:

I'll tell you one scientific reaction involving Brown's gas you can take to the bank: it makes my blood boil. The device you're talking about places the emphasis on hydrogen, thus piggybacking on the "hydrogen economy" meme President Bush brought to public attention in his 2003 State of the Union address. Newspapers and magazines subsequently devoted acres of unskeptical column space to on-board hydrogen-generation and -injection technology. In 2005, for example, Wired wrote that big-rig truckers were getting major improvements in fuel economy and power from hydrogen electrolysis systems.

Here's what happens. The gizmo is hooked up to a standard internal combustion engine. Like your pal says, it draws power from the car's electrical system to split water into a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen — so-called Brown's gas — which gets fed into the engine and burned along with the usual gasoline/air mix. Alleged result: big gas savings!

But how? On the most basic level, the technology makes no sense. Let's walk through the process:

1. Your car engine burns gasoline or diesel fuel to power the wheels and your alternator (among other things) at about 20 to 25 percent efficiency.

2. Your alternator generates electricity at about 60 percent efficiency.

3. You take said electricity and use it to turn water into hydrogen and oxygen at about 70 percent efficiency, tops.

4. Then you burn the hydrogen and oxygen, or just the hydrogen, in your engine at about 98 percent efficiency.

In short, you're converting fuel A, gasoline, into fuel B, hydrogen, which then helps power the car. Net efficiency of this complicated process: 10 percent. Efficiency of an ordinary car engine (see step 1 above): 20 to 25 percent. Conclusion: Hydrogen gizmos are a fool's bargain.

Advocates claim using hydrogen as a fuel increases combustion efficiency. Problem is, in modern engines combustion efficiency is already close to the max — 95 to 98 percent under optimal conditions in a gasoline engine, 98 percent or better in a diesel engine. Understand, this refers strictly to how thoroughly the fuel burns in the cylinders. Overall engine efficiency is, as seen, much lower, due to heat loss through the engine block and out the tailpipe. Switching fuels won't change that.

So why do hydrogen injector users report improvements? The same reasons people often swear by iffy technology — lack of appropriate comparisons, sloppy record keeping, wishful thinking, a sample size of one. The fact that fuel economy is partly a function of driving habits no doubt also plays a role. If you simply pay more attention to your speed when driving, you can often increase mileage even without a miracle device.

To be sure, a little water can improve internal combustion engine performance under some circumstances. Water injection helped WWII aircraft engines put out more power by reducing knock. BMW has been trying to increase fuel economy and power by using exhaust heat to power what's in effect a small steam engine attached to an internal combustion engine. A Honda hybrid uses a similar concept to turn a generator to recharge the battery packs while cruising. Although some bugs remain to be worked out, a six-stroke engine using water injection for power and cooling shows promise. Bear in mind, though, that water isn't being used as a fuel in any of these cases. If you really want to improve your fuel efficiency, check your tire pressure. Sexy? No. But it does have the advantage that it works.

— Cecil Adams

Space-Based Solar Power

Here is an article on a recent experiment by a former NASA scientist showing that radio waves could be used to transmit solar power from satellites in orbit. The Discovery Channel will have something on this next Friday at 9 pm EDT.

Today's Quote

"When buying and selling are controlled by legislation, the first things to be bought and sold are legislators. " - P. J. O'Rourke

"Which is how the legislators like it." - Glen Reynolds

Staying Alive - The Status of Nuclear and Radiochemistry

This article gives a good description of the status of nuclear and radiochemistry in the USA. The colleges and universities need to step up to the plate if the 'nuclear renaissance is make any progress in our nation's effort at energy independence.

If we don't lead the world in this technology, we darn sure better be leading in area of alternative energy development or we will go down as footnote in world history. Not much can be done in this world without a sustainable source of energy.

Renewable Energy Tax Credits

The current renewable energy tax credits expire this coming December 31. Our do-nothing Congress keeps putting approval off. Turns out that John McCain has been absent on many of the votes on this bill's evolution over the last few months. The solar and wind power industries are beginning to hold off until something gets decided. This could mean jobs for thousands. I hope they get this done and do it right.

Cats & Dogs: Can't We All Just Get Along?

Here is a story on some recent research results about how to make sure your dogs and cats live in harmony.

NASA Infighting

Popular Mechanics asks 9 big questions to Astronaut Tom Jones concerning NASA infighting.

Celebrating 50 Years of Integrated Circuits

Faster, smaller, and cheaper. Thanks to Jack Kilby.

Presidential Election Thoughts & A Quote

Ok, I'm going to get just a little political here. Today I saw a sign that had the following quote:

"Two presidential candidates each will blow over $125 million for a job that pays $400,000/yr. Must have a great dental plan."

I suggest that we think about this.


Here is a quote in today's Knoxville News-Sentinel-

"In prosperity our friends know us; in adversity we know our friends."

New iPods, iTunes and Steve Jobs Is Still Alive

Today Steve Jobs introduced us to the newest toys from Apple. They just keep getting better.

New Electric Car - Fisker Karma

This was sent to me by my buddy JR.  You might be interested in gearing up for a gas-free car in 2009: The Fisker Karma.  This company will compete with Tesla Motors and the Chevy Volt.  How does 4 cents a mile sound for fuel costs?  Initially it will not be cheap but it may be a start that gets things rolling toward plug and drive vehicles in the USA.

Zen Meditation Really Does Clear The Mind

Ok, here is something off the beaten path. A scientific study of zen mediation has some interesting findings.

New Nickel Zinc Batteries with 35% more energy

Here is another breakthrough in battery technology.

New Hybrid Honda Insight 2010, $18500, 60 mpg

Here is a new Honda hybrid for 2010 that may break some ground in the USA.

Ron Paul Delegates Harassed

I have refrained from posting political content on this blog site but this story about Ron Paul delegates being harassed at the RNC by Secret Service Agents is very disturbing. IMHO, this is indicative that the citizens in this country are not free. We are property to be controlled and managed. It is sad.

The 65 mpg Ford the U.S. Can't Have

How many of these do you think Ford could sell in the USA? How about it we start producing large amounts of biodiesel? It could put lots of people to work in this country.

Sun Spotless Last Month

Speaking of the sun, how about this? A full month has passed without a single visible sunspot being observed. This has not happened in nearly 100 years. What does this indicate? For one thing, it does have an effect on the climate on our planet.

Bell Labs Kills Fundamental Research

Here is an article from Wired.com on how the parent company of Bell Labs is giving up the performance of basic research and replacing it with work on marketable areas such as networking, high-speed electronics, wireless, nanotechnology and software.

In light of my previous post, this would seem to be very short-sighted.

Radioactive Decay Affected By The Sun????

This could be a big discovery that turns physics on it's head. This paper makes a case for the alteration of radioactive decay rates by varying distances from the sun. The mind boggles at the possible implications.