September 05, 2010
As the race to develop more affordable solar energy technologies persists, scientists continue to pursue the deep secrets of photosynthesis. One surprising discovery is the frequent self-repairing capability of leaf cells. Because sunlight can be quite damaging, proteins within leaf cells are actively recycled as rapidly as every 45 minutes in direct sunlight. Researchers at MIT have exploited this insight by producing synthetic chloroplast cells capable of reoccurring self-assembly.
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Posted By:
Blaine Brownell (Bio) at 5:20 PM
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Categories:
materials,
nanotechnology,
remediation,
biomimicry,
research,
sustainability,
light,
adaptation,
energy,
renewable,
healing,
transformation
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August 29, 2010
In today’s increasingly environmentally aware society, the ubiquity of formaldehyde in wood manufacturing has been downplayed. A pervasive chemical used as an adhesive in plywood, particle board, and other wood products, formaldehyde is a potential carcinogen and releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can irritate one’s eyes, skin, and mucous membranes. Given its toxicity and derivation from fossil fuels, researchers have been seeking alternative glues from environmentally friendly sources.
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August 15, 2010
The modern industrialization of timber and the depletion of old-growth forests have resulted in an increased quantity of engineered lumber products composed of lesser-grade materials. Today’s laminated veneer lumber, plywood, and particle board contain higher percentages of glue and filler materials than prior lumber products, and are less tolerant of the shrinking and swelling that results from moisture penetration and water vapor diffusion.
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August 10, 2010
Wine enthusiasts who appreciate the positive qualities that wood barrels impart to the wine they contain will likely cringe to learn that the barrels are not typically reused, because the previously stored wine may contaminate subsequent batches of grapes. Although oak barrels are used to store a small percentage of the wine produced globally, the number of barrels is not insignificant. According to The New York Times, the second largest producer, François Frères, produces 170,000 barrels a year, each costing as much as $650.
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July 18, 2010
The 2007 biofuels fiasco resulted when the demand for corn-based ethanol came in direct conflict with other needs, such as food. Since then, scientists have been particularly focused on developing biofuels and bioplastics from inedible sources like switchgrass in order to avoid this conflict. Another approach is to reconsider our edible resources themselves. A search for a rapidly renewable foodstuff has drawn attention to azolla, a fast-growing, edible aquatic fern with a high nutritional value.
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