Why Would You Need A Portable Water Filter?

Years have shown you that you can get by without a portable water filter, so why should you put out the cash for one now? Not that you drink a whole lot of water in the first place, because you'd much rather have a soda or another cup of coffee, but in a pinch you can always buy bottled water. So what's the big deal about people buying straws and drink cups that have filters in them? Is this really a necessity of 21st century life?
To start with, no matter how young you are, you need to start thinking about your health. When you're hanging out with friends, the Cokes and beers probably flow freely. However, beverages other than water aren't providing your body with the hydration it needs to stay healthy. Without enough water in your system, your kidneys can shut down, and waste products remain in your system far longer than they should. Only water will do an adequate job of sustaining your healthy body and mind, which is a good argument for carrying water with you at all times.
Bottled water is proving to be no bargain. People spend a fortune on bottled products that don't contain water that's any better than what they can get from their own taps. In fact, many of the bottling plants actually pump local tap water into their bottles, and municipal water is far from perfect. If you're looking of water that's of a consistently-high quality, you're better off using a portable water filter and creating your own.
It's no secret that our freshwater resources are in short supply and seriously polluted with substances that can cause sickness and death. The big outcry against acid rain back in the latter half of the 20th century arose about the time that people realized that a multitude of chemicals evaporate into the air where they combine with water vapor and fall again as rain which flows into our lakes, rivers, and groundwater. In addition, scientists have determined that quantities of metals work their way from the soil into the water as well. Government standards go part way towards cleaning up the water, but there is no longer money enough to update municipal water treatment facilities.
You can't even trust the water that you find in the mountains or other places where you might hike, cycle, or camp. Gone are the days of the sparkling mountain springs, and you need to prepare yourself for the realities of now. Having a portable water filter that you can take with you on these excursions can help to keep you both safe and healthy.

Liquid Batteries Doubling As Stability Control for Weight and Balance, and Ballast

If you look at a hybrid car, or a fully electric automobile, then you will note that they have quite a few Batteries. Those batteries have liquid inside, and that liquid does move around. Yes, often they have membranes, baffles, or even a webbing which also doubles as a component of the battery to help it charge faster, or hold the charge longer. However, as long as they have liquid inside, we might be able to turn that challenge into an opportunity. Okay so, let's talk about all this for second if we might.
There was a brilliant article on Physorg (dot) com recently titled; "Liquid batteries could level the load," posted on February 14, 2012 by David L. Chandler. Interestingly enough, the title of that article reminded me of an old engineering concept that I had long ago about a UAV or unmanned vehicle which would eat itself as it flew, as the wing spar would be wrapped in fuel and as it used up the fuel the wing would decrease its camber, and not needing that extra weight after climb-out it would increase its speed. Anyway you get the point.
Now then, taking this article title in Physorg (dot) com and dismissing what the article was really about, which was distributing the level of electric output - and then considering my engineering design, think about liquid batteries and how they might assist in the stability of aircraft, vessels, motorcycles, cars, rail, submarines, or other transportation devices when it really matters. What if the batteries were not box shaped, but layered on top of each other?
What if some of these batteries were redesigned either in long tubes, or very flat, going the length of the vehicle, or the length of the fuselage in an airplane? What if the batteries were quite large and went across the width of a large ship or vessel? What if they were used as stability control for submarine? There's actually no reason we can't do it, although it would take a little bit more engineering, and a little bit extra innovation.
Perhaps it's time to send the batteries back to the drawing board, and incorporate all those new battery technologies, which happened to use liquid, and figure out what we can do here? Even if we cannot modify the batteries in the way in which I suggest, perhaps they might be on some sort of a roller system where a very simple computer program working with a gyro can place them in the proper position as needed to serve as the ballast for stability control, or even steering? Please consider all this and think on it.

Solar Panels

In general, solar energy can be described as the energy that is received from the sunlight and converted by a mechanical source for home use. It's cheaper and reliable for operations since the sun is readily available. On the other hand, solar panels are the mechanically built materials whose main purpose is to convert solar energy to electrical energy. They are built from an element called silicon. It is the core duty of the silicon element to covert the solar energy to electricity. The solar power can either be directly or indirectly gotten from the sunlight. When it's cloudy the intensity of the solar power delivered perfectly, the photovoltaic solar materials deliver sun rays into electricity and the solar thermal receiver changes the solar power into heat solvents, such as oil and water. This type of power is used in, iPod chargers, charge batteries water heaters, cell phone chargers and spacecrafts.
How do solar panels work? They practically work on the photovoltaic invention. Its name is derived from the technology used, which is also known as PV, which is made from silicon element. They are basically semiconductors made from sand built into large computer chips. When sun rays falls on the PV materials, the PN junction in it with its metal conductor helps produce electricity. At this juncture, the PN junction is the positive and negative charges that assist to produce electric current. Solar energy is available in different systems, grid connection, inverters and power storage. In a different system, the PV takes up large space up the roof to produce more energy. It can also be built on land space and produce up to 5-9 Megawatts per hour. They can also be useful in street lighting.
How are solar panels made? They are basically made from three-dimensional points; the crystalline silicon production, the crystalline silicon panels and the amorphous silicon panels. This stand of the solar-energy production is what is used in the present. In the crystalline silicon production, for example, when the silicon element is melted and cut it is named the poly crystalline silicon. In its other mode when it is built and cut, it becomes mono-crystalline silicon. In both cases, they are about; a hundred percentage pure silicon. In the second case of the crystalline silicon panels, they are normally broken into pieces and then sliced, finally being polished with doping materials. This changes the state of electric charge inside them to cells. The amorphous silicon panels are made from silicon alloys combined with multilayer cells for energy production. This combination explains how the solar power is made.
What are latest technologies of solar panels? The newest technology of solar energy has emerged in a wide range of things. This starts with the green power alternatives which is common for home use. The other aspect of it is the Power cooling and heating systems in homes. The high-technology appliance and periodic lighting at home is the other good examples of solar-energy development. New personal computers development for smart homes is also left out of the latest ideas of the solar power.

MIL-PRF-680: Strong Enough for the Military and Your Company's Industrial Cleaning Needs

Those familiar with industrial degreasers know that MIL-PRF-680 is most commonly used by the military to maintain equipment, weapons, and vehicles. However, it can benefit any company that requires industrial chemicals to clean "high-value" parts and aging equipment, machinery and fleets that operate on air, land, and water.
The measure of a quality industrial degreaser is that it is both essential and efficient. While its record of accomplishment of cleaning Department of Defense parts and equipment clearly demonstrates MIL-PRF-680 has the highest cleaning capability, it also offers several additional advantages to traditional degreasers.
No Odor
This product does not have the strong odor of many traditional degreasers, which creates not just a more pleasant work environment, but also a potentially more productive one. The strong chemical smell of a traditional degreaser can overtake a workplace, becoming almost impossible to remove once it permeates objects. Prolonged exposure to these traditional products can make employees dizzy or even sick.
No Water
As a water-free industrial degreaser, MIL-PRF-680 can help lengthen the lifespan of critical machine parts. Degreasers that contain water can seep into equipment, causing it to rust from the inside out. Additionally, degreasers that contain water do not stick well to the surface of the part being cleaned; causing a runoff that wastes the degreaser and causes slippery work floors.
No Residue
It evaporates fully, unlike traditional degreasers that leave a residue. Industrial degreasers that leave residues actually attract dirt to machine parts, thereby increasing the number of intervals between one cleaning and the next. A non-residue product like MIL-PRF-680 serves a two-fold purpose of keeping parts clean while saving the company money by using less of the product at a time.
No Hazardous Ingredients
The high toxicity and numerous Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) of traditional degreasers make them dangerous to workers and the environment. Along with workers' health potentially being harmed by those cleaners, companies can find themselves in a tough spot when the Environmental Protection Agency bans the use of a highly toxic degreaser. Using an environmentally friendly degreaser like MIL-PRF-680 will help companies stay ahead of changes made to EPA regulations.
In short, it is not just the military that needs industrial strength products that reduce hazardous waste and minimize worker exposure to toxic substances. All companies desire industrial cleaning products that are safe, and can still achieve demanding performance requirements. This is a safer alternative to the once commonly used cleaner PD-680.
MIL-PRF-680is effective in a variety of work environments, ranging from the mildly dirty to extremely dirty (grease, oils, epoxies, resins, coating, dirt, dust, fingerprints, etc.), where industrial chemicals are needed to clean parts and equipment. Countless businesses are in need of such a solvent that can clean almost anything, no matter the condition.

Personal Water Filtration Diminishes the Need For Plastic Bottle Waste

Even the most avid bottled water drinker should admit that disposable plastic bottles are a menace to our society. Everywhere you go you see empty bottles that people have just tossed away carelessly instead of disposed of properly. Many bottles are thrown into our water resources, such as rivers, lakes, and oceans where they are killing aquatic life and dirtying up otherwise beautiful areas. Even if the bottles are tossed into the trash, they then add to the problem of plastic build-up in our landfills, a problem that won't decompose for decades. Obviously modern technology has come up with more eco-friendly options such as personal use water filters.
Not only do these reusable bottles eliminate the problem of excessive plastic waste, but they also filter the water you put in them removing chemicals, metals, bacteria, and protozoa. This makes the water much safer for consumption, unlike bottled water which is often nothing but unfiltered tap water from the area where the beverage is bottled. There are a number of high-quality filtered bottles available. Some great bottles are described below:
Brita has long been a household name in water filtration. Millions of people have purchased a Brita filtered pitcher or an attachment for their water faucet in order to ensure that the water their family is drinking or cooking with is safe and healthy. Brita now also produces a filtered water bottle for personal use. Per company advertising, this filter removes chlorine, metals, bad tastes, foul odors, and many other contaminants. It can filter up to 100 gallons of water, and the bottle contains no BPA. BPA is short for Bisphenol A which is a key component in many epoxy resins and polycarbonates. Although this substance is said to be safe, many people prefer not to chance using products that contain it.
You can get up to 150 uses from a Hydros filtered bottle. Think of that! It means that you'll get clean water for three months using the same bottle instead of stacking up 150 empty plastic bottles. This bottle reduces harmful amounts of chlorine, particulates, and chloramines from the H2O, plus it is naturally anti-microbial meaning that it will help stop bacteria from building up. It tests of ANSI/NSF standards.
A Smart Planet Eco filtered bottle offers improved taste, decreased odors, and a reduction in chlorine, heavy metals, and other types of contaminants. This device is good for as much as 100 gallons of purified water. It is also BPA free; however, it is not NSF certified.

Build A Yurt Rafter Ring, Version Two

There are several designs of yurt rafter rings, each serving a particular purpose, and working best in specific environments. Snow load, wind and even humidity play a role in determining the most appropriate design. For the majority of yurt applications, the laminated design that I described in a previous article is the most effective. However, the design described in his article is suitable for smaller yurts (less than 32 feet diameter) and in low humidity locations. While it will withstand moderate snow loads, it is less structurally stable than the laminated version.
When designing a yurt roof, the same considerations that are factored into stressors on conventional housing roof rafter chords come into play. That is, you need to consider the tensions (both lateral and gravitational) on the angled chords. Truss chords endure two primary stress forces: the tendency of the bottom of the chord to push walls outward and the pull of gravity that causes slump in the riser chord. Use of collar ties works to ameliorate the gravitational warping, but, simultaneously, actually increases the stress on the top plate-to-chord heel point of contact. Fortunately, yurt roofs are so light that collar ties and webs usually are not needed.
In my prototype solid-wall yurt, I employ several redundant reinforcements for the chords. A series of mending plates, hurricane ties, aircraft cable and unique angled top plates create a structure that resists very significant outward stress. These concepts will be presented in future articles.
The rafter ring design in this article consists of two layers of ½ or 5/8 inch oriented strand board (or plywood, if OSB is unavailable) and a collage of two-by-four blocks. Other materials needed include a pound and a half of 3 ½ construction or deck screws, a pound of 1 ¾ inch construction screws, enough 3 ¼ inch framing nails to allow for four nails per block, and a quart of carpenters glue or three tubes of construction adhesive.
Begin by cutting a four by eight sheet of OSB into four-by-four pieces. Scribe a circle four feet in diameter in the first piece, and a circle three inches smaller in the second. These will form the upper and lower layers of the "sandwich" ring.
Cut as many four to six inch lengths of 2 by 4 as you will have truss chords. Lay out the pieces around the perimeter of the larger OSB circle, equidistant apart, with the pieces pointing toward the exact centre of the ring. Mark the location of each piece. Apply a layer of carpenter's glue to each piece, and re-secure them in the spots as marked. Once they have dried sufficiently, turn the assembly over and secure the pieces using two 1 ¾ inch screws per block.
Measure the distance between each block at the inner edge. Cut pieces of 2 by four that will fit accurately between each 4-6 inch piece. Do not worry too much about angling the cut edges precisely, as these pieces simply act as stabilizers for the main blocks. Apply glue to the long edges of these blocks, slide them into place between each 4-6 inch block and secure them using 3 ¼ inch screws, toenail angled into place. Use one nail per longer block to nail the spacers into place.
Turn the assembly over again, apply glue to the exposed edge of all of the blocks, and attach the second ring, with its centre aligning exactly with the centre of the larger ring. Use two screws per block, as in the prior side of the sandwich. Turn the assembly over once again, and screw in two screws per spacer block.
This rafter ring is much lighter than the laminated version described in prior articles, and is much easier to raise into place. With the smaller ring on the lower side of this sandwich design, the truss chords, once cut on the proper angle, will slide into the notches quite easily and will hold themselves in place as each truss in installed. However, the drawback to this design is the tendency for the OSB to expand and weaken if it gets wet, or for the screws to pull through if they are set too deep in the OSB.

Redesigning Trash Receptacles With Interior Canister for Robotic Recycling Garbage Collectors

No, I am not obsessed with human garbage or trash, although I am amazed how much humans produce and then throwaway. I am happy to report that a tremendous amount of our waste is now recycled, and I believe that to be a good thing, but I would also warn that the amount that our societies recycle is not anywhere near what most people believe it to be. I think we can do better. Indeed, I'd like to talk to you about all this for a moment.
You see, the separation of various recyclable products makes it very tough to ensure that plastics, paper, aluminum, and other materials are separated out correctly. In many cities folks throw everything which is recyclable into the recycle bin for pickup. Then it gets all mixed in a garbage truck, and then it is dumped off, where humans, generally paid a very low wage go through all the trash to separate it out. That is completely inefficient, and I'm sure you would agree.
Yes, it does provide jobs, and some cities hire criminal labor, and it's nice to see that those folks are paying back society by helping us with this process, but that doesn't make it any more efficient. Now then, in the future I suppose we will have robotic garbage trucks, and the recycling truck which comes along will also be robotic.
I am also certain that robots will pick through the trash and separate out anything which is in the wrong pile. We already have devices which can immediately tell the type of polymer chain in a given plastic bottle, in fact, I had the pleasure of conversing with the inventor of that device by e-mail last year.
Still, the better way to do it would be to have a trashcan, which had divisions inside of it, perhaps it could be divisions shaped as pizza slices. A robotic garbage truck would then pick up a trashcan, aligning with a gate going into the trashcan where each of the pieces lined up. Then a vacuum motor would suck all the material from each into the trash truck, and into specific compartments.
Another way might be to have each trashcan with tubes inside made of lightweight, very strong carbon composite, using a similar process. The trash truck would be subdivided, with various types of materials, and there would be no need to separate anything, and a robot could merely make sure that everything was in the proper pile, and this would speed up the process tenfold.
By doing it this way, it would prevent us from forgoing the recycling process due to being backed up with too much material, which happens quite a bit, and at least one of three problems which prevents us from recycling all we can. Indeed I hope you will please consider all this and think on it.