Sci Ripples: October 2015

App Corner - 16.10.15

Skin Vision - An app that can help you detect skin cancer

Skin cancer of the check. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Skin Cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the world, caused la...

Animal Planet - 16.10.15

Animal Attacks in Slow Motion

Thanks to Animal Planet , National Geographic and Discovery, we have seen innumerable clippings of attacks by lions, tigers and even packs...

Asbestos - 14.10.15

Mesotheolima - All you need to know

Mesotheolima is a rare cancer of the inner lining of the organs such as lungs, abdominal cavity or even the heart. It is usually caused b...

animal spoof - 13.10.15

Animals with low self esteem

If you thought only we suffered of low self esteem issues, you are in for a surprise. Animalist.com has released some really cute videos of...

Renewable sources of energy is the talk of the town. Dont worry, I am not going to bore you with the same old, solar and wind powered units. Today we look at some really bizarre sources of energy, that, who knows, will be the solution to our energy woes.

1. Energy from Poo and urine

The next time you are sitting on your toilet comfortably (or not) think about this, your poop may hold the answers to all our energy problems, well at least it may help around the house. While working with human poop is just taking off, there are companies who are already working with dog and cow poop powering homes, streets as well as parks, the key here is Methane- the wonder gas. Lets just say calling it ‘waste’ may not be very appropriate in the future.

2. Electricity from Volcanoes

Now methane as we know is a wonder gas. it is produced in poop, as well as in volcanoes. Now along with methane volcanoes are known to produce other gasses as well. Lakes that are nearby usually bear the burden of helping the volcano relieve itself (quite literally). next sources, which is a lake that is surrounded by Volcanoes. Because of the activity beneath the lake and the Volcano is close proximity, there is an accumulation of gases that need escape. This generally happen at the bottom of the lake, where the gas gradually leaks into the water. While this may not be troublesome in areas that are cold, in warmer temperatures, the gas gets locked at the bed of the lake, which accumulates over time- like a soda can. And before you know it, POP!

This can be very deadly, infact in 1986 Limnic Eurruptions at Lake Nyos caused the death of 1700 people and 3500 life stock. While efforts at releasing the gas is what is keeping another Limnic eruption at bay, it is whats under Lake Kivu that’s interesting. Now Lake Kivu has a deadly combination of not only CO2, but methan as well. So an extraction plant was built to extract the methane and divert it to supply energy to the entire township on the banks of the lake.

Putting natural events (impending calamities to good use)

3. Stepping it up, to generate electricity

Since 2007 engineers and architects have applied piezoelectricity; i.e. electricity created by applying mechanical pressure; to harness energy. From Japan’s railway stations that harness gentle patter of passengers to power up ticket doors, to London’s pubs that have exploited this property on the dance floor to power up the lights and sound system.

4. Piezoelectricity using a virus

If you thought dancing on a piezoelectric floor was cool, how about viruses that are piezoelectric. You read it right, scientist at the Berkeley Lab have created a virus specifically - recombinant M13 bacteriophage. Applying mechanical force, these virus produce electricity, just like a regular piezoelectric device would.

5. Body heat to source electricity

The idea of converting body heat into electricity has been a theory for years, but this genius got the prototype ready.

Products that are cool and eco friendly

Using a device conventionally is what all of us do, but it takes those select few to look at something and thinking out of the box. While solar panels may be something we have been using for over a decade, we are always aware of its shortcoming. But this guy has found a way around the problem.