Science blog

Many people using solar chargers want to know if there is a waterproof solar charger available. Most of these people who like to use their solar chargers while at the beach are afraid that the water splashing around will ruin their chargers. Solar chargers are very durable and most can withstand the normal splashing that occurs at the beach. The sun power that is used to operate a solar charger is a great way for people at the beach to keep their electrical devices running. Because solar chargers are meant to be used outside, they are naturally waterproof. They are made to withstand rain and other natural weather that may occur around them. Weatherproof solar chargers are easy to find, the actual concern is more for the devices you are going to be charging with your solar energy charger. Most electrical devices that you will be charging with your charger are not weatherproof or waterproof at all. So even though your solar charger may be able to withstand a little water being splashed on it, that does not mean that your cell phone will be equally capable of operating in those watery conditions. It is extremely important to keep all your electrical devices out of any water. Most devices will be ruined with very little water coming into contact with them. For those people who like to use their solar chargers at the beach, this can present a huge dilemma. They want to use a solar charger while relaxing at the beach, but they do not want to risk ruining their expensive electrical devices. A simple solution is to remain far enough away from the water that you will not risk getting your device wet. You can also use an umbrella or other shading device to keep your electronics out of the weather in case it suddenly starts to rain. Just remember if you are using an umbrella to make sure and put your solar charger in the sunlight. If your charger is not in full sunlight, it will take much longer to charger your batteries or other devices. Another solution for people who are afraid of water getting to their electrical devices is that they can put them in a plastic bag and only have the cord of the solar charger coming in through a small opening. This will protect the electronic device while still allowing it to be charged. This is a great option for sitting around the pool or at the beach. If the weather gets really bad, you should consider just packing everything up and heading for cover. Solar chargers are very durable and can withstand most weather related conditions. It may still be necessary to remove your portable solar chargers from the weather if it is very stormy or windy out. A little rain should not bother them. Just make sure you have taken care of the devices you were charging because they are much more susceptible to rain and water damage than a solar charger is.

China is eager to address one of the primary culprits behind its alarming coal mining fatalities, as evidenced by the Pre-Mining Degasification Symposium held in South China’s Guizhou province on March 31st and April 1st. Sponsored by the province’s Coal Mines Administration Bureau and the Coal Mine Safety Inspection and Supervision Bureau, coal mining executives gathered in Guiyang, a modest-sized city (by China’s standards) of more than three million people, to discuss how the latest foreign technologies could help degasify China’s 2,000 coal mines, both improving mine safety and reducing China’s global output of air pollution. More than 80 representatives from 40 coal mines attended in China’s second largest coal-producing province to find out about the latest foreign technology transfers, which might help reduce coal mining deaths. Over the centuries as organic matter is converted to coal, methane, also known as CH4 and the primary constituent in natural gas, is produced during this process and stored in pockets within a coal seam. For every ton of coal produced, during the “coalification” process, more than 5000 cubic feet of methane is created. Coal mining releases this methane into the atmosphere. Over 90 percent of methane emissions come from underground coal mining. Because gas content is greater with depth, safety hazards increase during the underground coal mining process. Degasifying coal mines has been proven to help make those underground coal mines safer for miners. Volatile gases produced during the coal mining process reportedly kill more than 15 miners every day in China, about 80 percent of the world’s coal mining deaths. Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, a mining engineer by training, has demanded China improve conditions for Chinese coal miners. Critics, such as the Chinaworker.org, say the “underlying cause is a lack of investment in degasification equipment.” The website claims, “Managers calculate that it’s cheaper to pay out meager death benefits to miners’ families than (to) raise investment.” The Economist magazine reported that Chinese coal miners make as little as $60/monthly. China is also concerned about its air emissions from coal mining. Worldwide, the coal mining industry released over 436 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents in 2000. That accounted for about 8 percent of the total industrial methane emissions that year. China, Russia, Poland and the United States account for over 77 percent of coal mining methane emissions. Through the year 2020, China’s share of worldwide emissions will jump to 45 percent. These emissions could be severely reduced if Chinese coal mines captured the methane gas for use in meeting its soaring energy needs, rather than vented into the atmosphere each time a new coal tunnel is opened. One of the major draws at the Guiyang Pre-Mining Degasification Symposium were presentations about the latest coalbed methane drilling innovation by Tunaye Sai, Director of China Operations for Pacific Asia China Energy (TSX: PCE; Other OTC: PCEEF), and Nathan Mitchell of Mitchell Drilling Company (MDC) in Brisbane, Australia. Coal mining companies opened discussions with PCE after their presentation. “Executives from fifty mines showed interest in the Dymaxion® drilling technology to improve mining safety,” said Tunaye Sai. All of them showed interest? “All of them,” responded Tunaye Sai. PCE reported in a news release on Wednesday, “The PACE-MDC joint venture group is currently preparing a business plan for the immediate development of this new strategy in order to address the demand, which arose from the attendees at this symposium.” “They are having problems in their mines,” explained Tunaye Sai, who is also a member of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum. Because they have not been able to effectively degasify their mines, four of the attending Chinese coal mining companies immediately approached Tunaye Sai and Mitchell about using this state-of-the-art drilling technology. Earlier this year, PCE and MDC announced they were forming a joint venture to offer MDC’s proprietary Dymaxion® drilling technology to companies in China, to help degasify their coal mines. MDC is Australia’s largest privately owned drilling company, and their Dymaxion technology has been widely discussed by coal mining insiders. The PCE and MDC joint venture company has the exclusive rights to use the Dymaxion technology in China. In a tape-recorded interview, Tunaye Sai told StockInterview, “The combination of a horizontal and vertical intersection draws the methane gas from the coal seam and captures it at the surface.” Australian newspapers have been exuberant over the Dymaxion® technique, calling it “revolutionary” and “radical.” In its headline, one Australian newspaper called MDC’s state-of-the-art G-55 drill rig “the Lamborghini of drill rigs,” and remarked how their drill rigs offered improved flexibility and cost efficiency. The Dymaxion surface to in-seam (SIS) drilling method uses modified multipurpose mineral drill rigs, specially designed bottom-hole assemblies and specially trained personnel. The technique involves drilling a 60 to 90 degree hole from the surface and steering it through a medium radius bend to enter the target coal seam horizontally. The 96mm hole is then steered for up to 1200 meters in the seam towards a previously drilled vertical production well. A homing device, lowered down the vertical well to the target seam, aids the intersection with the vertical well. The vertical well is also equipped with a suitable pump to dewater the seam. After the hydrostatic head has been sufficiently lowered, the methane gas will flow to the surface. Newspaper reports also say this technique allows for significant savings over alternate underground gas drainage drilling methods. The Dymaxion technology obviously turned heads at the recent Gasification Symposium. “One of the companies is a big company, mining 10 million tons of coal per year,” said Tunaye Sai. “Last December, 12 people died in one of the coal mining company’s tunnels.” He explained that when coal miners are opening a tunnel, the gas comes out – sometimes explosively. “By using the Dymaxion technique, they can let the gas out before they begin mining a tunnel,” he added. Discussions with the Chinese coal companies are in the initial stages. “They want to give us a block – not one that is being mined now, but one that may be mined in a few years,” said Tunaye Sai. “We’re working on an arrangement right now because they are very interested.” He explained that the relationship would involve a continuous process. “We wouldn’t just drill it and then abandon it,” he added. “We will be making sure that the gas will come out continuously and monitoring it.” Tunaye Sai said that Pacific Asia China Energy was targeting the larger mines. “Among them, about ten companies mine about four million tons per year or more. Those are the ones we are talking to.” PCE has ordered the drilling equipment, and it should arrive in China around October. “As soon as it is there, we can implement our plan, maybe in November or December.” He told us, “They have been asking us to demonstrate the equipment for them.” This may be an unexpected revenue surprise for Pacific Asia China Energy, and a blessing for Chinese coal miners whose lives may be spared, thanks to this latest technology transfer to China.

Many people in the world think acne is something that is really negative. Although acne does not really affect anything else but the physical look of a person, but to some this may affect them very negatively. There are many different ways to get rid of acne, one might try different acne treatment products. Because acne affects all age group, there are products made for many different age groups to help getting rid of acne. Some acne treatment products include Zyporex and ClearPores. Usually these products should not give any side effects but in some cases they do give some side effects. Usually products like this usually get rid of your acne within a week and sometimes in a few days. Some of these products are very costly but sometimes they are very cheap, also sometimes they are even given out to you for free just so you can try it. Most of these products are simple to use and may also help you reduce any more acne appearing on your skin. The second type of acne treatment is using natural remedies. This is getting more and more popular over the past few years and many are using it. This is because of two main reasons; it is cheaper and it does not give side effects. Some think that if they do not give side effects it will take longer for them to get rid of the acne. That is not true because natural acne treatment products, such as Green tea extract and Licorice Root Extract, still get rid of the acne before a week but most of the time within a few days. They give no side effect and these natural remedies have been used for sometimes thousands of years and most of these remedies are being used to cure other medical things. The third popular way to get rid of acne is using home made acne treatments. This treatment is quite popular because one can use different remedies until they locate one they like and that functions best for them. So this way they can change around remedies a lot and usually these remedies are natural so it has the benefits of natural acne treatments.

Science fair judges have specific things in mind when they review projects. Sure, they like interesting pictures, colorful displays and seeing clever ideas, but they also look for other, more specific, technical features. Let's take a peak at some grading sheets from a few science fairs. One school used a point system to rate the most important elements of the project. The ratings are below. What can we learn from this example judging sheet? 1) Know the Scientific Method well. 2) Know how to explain your project using the scientific method WITHOUT reading off your display. 3) Be enthusiastic and enjoy your information. Smile. 4) Create a detailed report fleshing out all the information included on your display. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sample 1: 1. Shows knowledge of the Scientific Method: 4 pt. Explains all 6 topics easily, shows understanding of conclusion. 3 pt. Explains at least 5 topics easily, shows understanding. 2 pt. Explains most topics with help from the board. 1 pt. Tries to answer questions asked by the judge. 2. Shows use of the Scientific Method through the board: 4 pt. Presents steps of method clearly and completely with headings 3 pt. Presents each step of method clearly 2 pt. Has each step on the board. 1 pt. Has some steps on the board. 3. Shows enthusiasm and interest in the project: 4 pt. Student is excited about the project and eagerly tells about it. 3 pt. Student is pleasant and shares information. 2 pt. Student tells about the project, when asked. 1 pt. Student answers some questions about the project. 4. Speaks knowledgeably about the project: 4 pt. Student eagerly talks with many details of the experimentation. 3 pt. Student shows understanding of the project. 2 pt. Student knows what the project is, giving minimal explanation. 1 pt. Student can answer questions when prompted. 5. Presents scientific data in a well-organized, visually appealing display: 4 pt. Board shows data in clear tables, charts, or pictures with headings. 3 pt. Board is neat and attractive, limited table, chart or pictures. 2 pt. Board has headings, using information stated. 1 pt. Board has headings and limited information. 6. Shows written evidence of research, experimentation and analysis : 4 pt. Booklet has Cover, Table of Contents, Research/Interviews. Thank you page and/or bibliography and experimentation included. 3 pt. Booklet has Cover, Table of Contents and Research/Interviews. 2 pt. Booklet has Cover and Some Research/Interview Data. 1 pt. Booklet is minimal or nonexistent. -------------------------------------------------------------- Sample 2: I. Scientific Thought A. Does project follow the scientific method? B. Is the problem clearly stated? C. Are the procedures appropriate and organized? D. Is the information collected accurate and complete? II. Creative Ability A. How unique or original is the project idea? B. Is it significant or unusual for a child this age? III. Understanding A. Does it explain what the student learned about the topic? B. Does the project represent real study and effort? C. Does the project show the child is familiar with the topic? IV. Clarity A. Does the student clearly communicate the nature of the problem, how the problem was solved, and the conclusion? B. Are the problems, procedures, data, and conclusions presented clearly and in a logical order? C. Does the student clearly and accurately articulate in writing what was accomplished? D. Is the objective of the project likely to be understood by one not trained in the subject area? V. Dramatic Value A. Is the display visually appealing? B. Is the proper emphasis given to important ideas? C. Are all the components of the project done well? VI. Technical Skill A. Was the majority of the work done by the student? B Has the student acknowledged help received from others? C. Does the written material show attention to grammar and spelling? D. Is the project physically sound and durably constructed?