Michelle Lee – Australian Science

Artificial Gravity Swimming Pool

Michelle Lee — Mon, 19 May 2014 00:15:10 +0000

The idea of taking a space holiday, once the stuff of science fiction, is no longer a far flung fantasy. The major hurdle to a viable commercial space holiday venture has long been the provision of a reusable launch system. Until an orbital launch system similar to the reusability of aircraft is developed, we will remain earthbound. Efforts to overcome this barrier have been underway since an international conference on the subject in Bremmen, Germany in 1997. More recently, the Space X reusable launch system development program has progressed to the active test program stage.

The possibilities that these advances have opened in terms of space leisure are tantalizing. The imaginations of science enthusiasts and future astronomical entrepreneurs have been running wild with the possibilities. One of the most intriguing concepts is that of an artificial gravity swimming pool.

Space hotels will, inevitably, offer their guests recreational options to occupy themselves and enhance the experience beyond the novelty of simply being in space. And, just as no self-respecting hotel on earth would open for business without a swimming pool, it seems likely that their orbiting counterparts will find a way to do the same. This, however, does present a challenge. The zero gravity environment of space means that water acts a whole lot differently to the way it does on earth. As explained in detail in a new paper published on Space Future , a space swimming pool presents some very interesting physics dilemmas.

The lack of gravity means that, without some sort of artificial compensator, you’re not going to get a pool that resembles anything you’re used to. For a layman’s explanation of the limitations of zero gravity swimming (along with a cool experiment), click onto this article:

For space patrons to dive into anything resembling the familiar is going to require the addition of artificial gravity. How can man recreate gravity? With the benefit of inertia. An example of inertia creating a gravitational effect is when spinning a bucket overhead. For this reason most space habitat designs use a rotating design. While a tethered section of a hotel with a rotating pool is a possibility, the length of tether required to create the required gee force is not practical. More feasible is a rotating, cylindrical pool design. This could be accomplished in three ways:

(1) The entire hotel rotates around the same axis as the pool

(2) The pool is the only rotating part of the hotel requiring an arm attaching it to the hotel

(3) The pool is housed in a portion of the hotel that rotates around the same axis as the pool

The Space Future article details each of the functional and logistical requirements that the above options entail, with a focus on the third option. These include the water management system, which will have to include an efficient anti-sloshing system to prevent excessive oscillation of the pool’s structure. Several options are offered, but most of them would provide some level of inconvenience for swimmers. Water retention is another issue, with a greater likelihood of leakage in an artificial gravity pool than in a 1-g earth bound pool. Water purification systems would also be necessary, although there would be no need to modify the processes used on earth, as microbes and moulds act the same in both environments.

The logistical requirements of the rotating joint that connects the rotating pool room with the stationary main part of the complex are considered in some detail. Limitations identified include the transport limitations of launch vehicles. The largest single assembly component would be the rotating joint, while the transport of the water to fill the pool would take the most time. A volume of 600 cubic meters would require approximately 100 dedicated flights to transport to it’s space hotel destination.

In order for the concept of a space hotel, along with it’s artificial gravity water sports facilities, to ever venture beyond the design stage, a number of safety concerns must be addressed. Prime among them is eliminating the problems associated with orbital debris. A collision would smash the man-made structure to oblivion. To combat this danger, a range of methods have been developed to remove debris from the atmosphere. The most viable – and cost effective – method involves the use of ground-based lasers.

The only physical health problems associated with short term space travel involve solar flares, which are brief bursts of intense energy emanating from the Sun. On earth we are protected from the effects of solar radiation by the earth’s atmosphere and magnetic field. In space, however, there is no such protection. To protect against solar flares, storm shelters will have to be built.

The effects of the living in a weightless environment on the human body present further challenges. In the absence of gravity, our key balancing mechanism, the vestibulary system, would be disoriented, making it difficult to distinguish direction and orientation. This had led to what is known as Space Adaptation Syndrome, a condition which results in feelings of nausea and vomiting. In space there is no force to keep our internal body fluids – water, blood and other liquids – flowing to the bottom of the body. This results in too much fluid migrating to the head, with resultant sinus problems along with puffy faces and shrunken legs. More seriously, because the heart no longer needs to pump blood around the body, the heart shrinks. Muscles, no longer required to work against gravity, also atrophy, as do bones.

The article also discusses the feasibility of such a project from a commercial vantage point. Potential costs are analyzed and from them some basic end user costings are proposed. The end analysis concludes that an artificial gravity swimming pool as part of a space hotel complex would be an attractive commercial proposition to at least some hotel operators.

The major limiting factor to any commercial space development remains the cost of launching. While such costs are still prohibitive for the majority of consumers, robust competition is already taking shape which will, inevitably, drive prices down. Once this occurs, the article makes it clear, space hotels with inbuilt water sports facilities will surely follow.

Cite this article:
Lee M (2014-05-19 00:15:10). Artificial Gravity Swimming Pool. Australian Science. Retrieved: May 03, 2024, from http://australianscience.com.au/technology/artificial-gravity-swimming-pool/

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Offices Tech Tools That Will Transform Our Future

Michelle Lee — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 00:15:36 +0000

With technology expanding at incredibly rapid rates and businesses today under constant pressure to perform and keep up with the global economy, technological tools and appliances are reaching new levels of innovation.

From virtual keyboards and sci-fi inspired glasses, these amazing tools are something every office should have as we move into the technology driven future:

Virtual Laser Keyboards

Bulky office appliances are fast being done away with in today’s digital era and this virtual keyboard is set to revolutionise the way we use computers. It is entirely laser projected (by a small cube), meaning you can set yourself up practically anywhere and type. The keyboard can be connected via Bluetooth to any device, including iPads, iPhones and most other tablets, laptops and desktops.

Holographic Telecommuters

At the University of Arizona, researchers are working on technology that will be able to project holographic images, like those we remember from Star Wars. If the technology takes off, it will awaken a whole new world for “dial in

Cite this article:
Lee M (2014-02-04 00:15:36). Offices Tech Tools That Will Transform Our Future . Australian Science. Retrieved: May 03, 2024, from http://australianscience.com.au/technology/offices-tech-tools-that-will-transform-our-future/

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Disposable Nappies: Are They Stinking Up Our Planet?

Michelle Lee — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 00:15:43 +0000

Disposable nappies may seem highly convenient when babies are abound, but there is an uglier side to keeping our bubs clean: disposable nappies pose serious issues for the natural environment that will last well into the future.

Disposable Nappies: A Brief Background

The idea of the disposable nappy first came to light in the early 20th Century. Its technology and ‘absorbent’ methods saw much development in the 1930s-1950s and many began to turn to the disposable in response to problems associated with reusable nappies (such as poor hygiene and skin rashes).

The first “official

Cite this article:
Lee M (2014-01-28 00:15:43). Disposable Nappies: Are They Stinking Up Our Planet? . Australian Science. Retrieved: May 03, 2024, from http://australianscience.com.au/environmental-science/disposable-nappies-are-they-stinking-up-our-planet/

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5 Eco-friendly Inventions that Australia can be Proud of

Michelle Lee — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 00:15:18 +0000

Australia is one of the world’s most eco-friendly countries. We have banned plastic bags in South Australia, put a tax on carbon and most homes have a government-issued recycling bin. However, much of the country’s environmental efforts happen behind the scenes – in construction, building and mining.

Here we look at five of the best eco-friendly Australian inventions.

Solar roof tiles

As the Earth’s natural resources are diminishing and the price of them rises, solar energy is set to be a big part of the world’s future. Solar energy is also significantly better for the environment. In 2013, Australia’s Climate Commission’s Solar Energy report found that 2.5 million or 10 per cent of Australians were already using solar energy.

Australian company B-Pods hopes to increase that number further with the invention of Tractile Solar Energy Roof Tiles. Designed to blend in with whatever type of roof tiles you have, Tractile also offer the added benefit of powering electricity and hot water through one unit. The invention, which was a finalist in the 2006 Australian Design Awards, has already been patented in 28 different countries.

Mechanical joining systems

A University of Technology Sydney report found that almost 70 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions in Australia come from the transport and energy industries (UTS, 2008), providing huge leeway for improvement.

Australian inventor, Dean Cameron, saw that there were inefficiencies and wastage when exporting his previous creation – sewage systems, so he sought to find a solution. After being inspired by the strong force that clams use to cling on to rocks, he created Joinlox – a mechanical joining system that works in a similar way to Velcro.

The system, which won him Inventor of the Year in 2006 on ABC show, New Inventors, has a variety of applications – but one of its features is that it doesn’t require any eco unfriendly machinery or adhesives to use. The system is reusable, reducing the need for replacing and throwing out materials, and is cheaper to transport – reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Here’s more info on their reusable joints.

Waste sifting system

Research has shown that up to 10-15 per cent of a building’s material can go to waste during the construction phase (Skoyles ER. Skoyles JR., (1987)).

FlipScreen, created by Australian inventor Sam Turnbull, is a mesh attachment that joins onto construction equipment and machinery. Instead of small bits of waste, such as woodchips and rubble, being left on the ground, FlipScreen collects up that waste in the mesh sift so that it can be reused or recycled.

Biodegradable temporary coatings

The effects of harmful chemicals used in building and construction on our environment are immense. Among many of the negative effects is the impact on aquatic life. Chemicals are often washed into the sewers, which deliver the toxic water into our oceans and rivers – harming and killing sea life. Those chemicals can then also make their way back into our bodies through the food and water that we consume.

John Gregory from goGreen Enterprises developed a biodegradable, environmentally-friendly temporary coating that can be used to protect surfaces such as bathtubs, countertops and window frames while construction work is conducted around them. Containing no chemicals or harsh toxins, the patented one4allTM coating both saves money and minimises environmental impact.

Building insulation system

There is no doubt that air conditioning is considered an essential part of life in many parts of Australia, but they require huge amounts of fossil fuels to run and release ozone-depleting gases called hydrofluorocarbons (Parliament of Australia, 2008). Between 2008 and 2012 alone, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that 1.7 million air conditioners were installed in Australia, and one air conditioner could use as much energy to run as 40 fans.

Now, an invention by Sydney-based Rex Lehmann, helps to minimise the need for cooling and insulation with his SkyCool coating system. Painted onto the roof of a building, it works by deflecting heat, before it can enter. A study by the University of Technology Sydney found that the coating could reduce air conditioning costs by up to 50 per cent (Geoffrey, 2007).

Conclusion

When it comes to protecting our environment, every little bit counts. While environmentally-friendly products have long been considered the more expensive solution, these Australian inventions show that you can actually cut down costs – and your carbon footprint – by implementing them.

This is what makes these particular inventions so clever and innovative – they break down the barrier that prevents businesses and individuals from choosing eco-friendly solutions by ensuring there is a cost benefit to go with them.

Cite this article:
Lee M (2014-01-24 00:15:18). 5 Eco-friendly Inventions that Australia can be Proud of. Australian Science. Retrieved: May 03, 2024, from http://australianscience.com.au/environmental-science/5-eco-friendly-inventions/

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Is gold (literally) everywhere around us?

Michelle Lee — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 00:15:55 +0000

It sounds like something out of an Austin Powers movie, but could gold be created within an instant? Recently, scientists have been reporting that non typical objects such as water have literally been turning into gold.

Now, this isn’t a cause to quit your day job, there are huge amounts of global-sized factors in play. But it’s still pretty cool.

Water into gold

Approximately 10 kilometres beneath the Earth’s surface, where it is incredibly hot and high-pressured, water that flows through fracture and fault lines is rich in high concentrations of elements, which include gold.

In early 2013, Australian researchers found that gold could be instantaneously formed during an earthquake. When a fluid-filled rock fracture receives a sudden drop in pressure, the gold particles in solution leach out and change from a soluble state into highly concentrated deposits of gold.

The amount of gold created after an earthquake is minimal as the concentrations of gold particles is small. However, in parts of the world such as New Zealand’s Alpine Fault that lie on very active fault lines, there is the possibility of seeing mineable amounts of gold in the next 100,000 years, according to geoscientist, Jamie Wilkinson.

Bacteria

The word bacteria doesn’t conjure up the most pleasant of images in people’s minds, but that could change with the news that they could be used to help ions turn into solid gold.

A study by researchers at McMaster University found that a certain type of bacteria – Delftia acidovorans – turns toxic gold ions that are dissolved in water into harmless particles as a defense mechanism.

Although the size and amount of gold particles produced are minimal (you need a microscope to see them), this discovery could open several scientific doors. Gold sellers [link?] could have a field day with this.

Meteorites into gold

Research suggests that the Earth’s gold (as well as platinum and other precious metals) could have been brought here during meteorite impacts. In fact, researchers have even put a date on the deposit – around 3.9 billion years ago.

A huge meteorite storm brought with it a range of new metals, which were deposited in the Earth’s crust, say some. Earth scientists have shown that the Earth should not contain metals like gold as they would have melted into the core, which gives further proof that meteorites were the source of many precious metals.

Some dispute these claims, citing the fact that sedimentary rocks should contain large amounts of precious metals if this had occurred, but they don’t.

Sources:

http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2013/03/18/3716298.htm

http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2013/02/04/3682812.htm

http://www.goldsmart.co.nz/gold-smart-blog/interesting-news/ultimate-gold-bugs-insects-produce-gold-jewellery

http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2013/02/06/scientists-discover-how-bacteria-changes-ions-into-gold/

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21128294.200-meteorite-storm-showered-planet-in-gold.html#.Uq601M2cG5A

Cite this article:
Lee M (2014-01-13 00:15:55). Is gold (literally) everywhere around us?. Australian Science. Retrieved: May 03, 2024, from http://australianscience.com.au/news/is-gold-literally-everywhere-around-us/

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