polymerguru

  90-120 days to grow ... That means under most circumstances it grows from a seed to a plant in 90-120 days and its buds blossom once before dying off for the next crops to be planted. Hemp is affected by seasonal changes so once the days start to shorten, the crop stops growing tall and begins producing flower buds instead Industrial hemp can be used in an estimated 50,000 different products across a wide spectrum of industries One acre of hemp can yield an average of 700 pounds of grain, which in turn can be pressed into about 22 gallons of oil and 530 pounds of meal. The same acre will also produce an average of 5,300 pounds of straw, which can be transformed into approximately 1,300 pounds of fiber. The hulled kernels are used to make highly nutritious foods, including non-dairy milk and cheese, breads, dips, spreads or as an ingredient in countless recipes, from biscuits to lasagne. Hemp seed kernels are also a healthy, non-allergenic alternative to nuts, as they can be eaten...

  Study finds an extract of enhanced Spirulina reduces by 70% the release of an immune-system protein that causes dangerous cytokine storm in the lungs.An extract of Spirulina blue-green algae may help Covid-19 patients avoid getting seriously ill, according to a study by Israeli and Icelandic scientists  published  in the journal  Marine Biotechnology . “The potential health benefits of Spirulina are well documented,” the authors noted. “This blue-green algae contains C-phycocyanin (C-PC), a pigment-binding protein, which enhances antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and anti-tumor activities. The scientists found that an extract of photosynthetically enhanced Spirulina reduces by 70 percent the release of an immune-system protein that can cause a cytokine storm in the lungs leading to acute respiratory distress and organ damage. It is believed that cytokine storms are responsible for critical cases of Covid-19. The research was conducted at  MIGAL Galilee Researc...

 The new service is going to be a pilot project to test the viability of fuel cell buses for the intercity commute. It is going to be the first FCEV bus service in India to be used for intercity commute. Green mobility is taking the fast lane in the country; apart from establishing a complete EV supporting infra, the Indian government is now also planning more options towards alternative fuels in order to reduce dependence on traditional fuels. While electric cars and taxis are been promoted heavily by the government, it is now also conducting a feasibility study on hydrogen fuel buses. India's largest energy conglomerate, NTPC Limited (National Thermal Power Corporation Limited) is planning to start a premium hydrogen fuel bus service on Delhi to Jaipur route. For the record, it is going to be the first FCEV bus service in India to be used for intercity commute. However, no specific timeline has been provided for when the service would be started. Previously, similar bus services ...

  Paint from cow dung - first-of-its-kind!! Khadi India launched Prakritik emulsion paint which has cow dung as its main ingredient. Cow dung makes for 20-30% of the paint’s ingredients and so it is anti-fungal, non-toxic, anti-bacterial, cost-effective and odorless. The paint can be applied on interior as well as exterior walls. It dries in less than 4 hours, and has a smooth and uniform finish. This paint will instantly reduce the temperature of a room if the outer environment is hot and will maintain the temperature if it is cold outside. It has even successfully tested for radiation prevention. It has been certified by Bureau of Indian Standards. They have priced the distemper paint at Rs 120 per litre and emulsion paint at Rs 225 per litre. Khadi Prakritik Emulsion paint meets BIS 15489:2013 standards whereas Khadi Prakritik Distemper paint meets BIS 428:2013 standards. This technology will increase the consumption of cow dung as a raw material for eco-friendly products and wi...

  Solar powered tent - world’s 1st solar heated military tent!! Sonam Wangchuck has come up with an innovation that could help people stay warm in the freezing cold of Ladakh. It can keep them warm at 15 degrees even when it is -14 degrees outside. It uses only sunlight, water and insulated layers to maintain temperature. The solar heated tents can be used by 10 people at a time and is completely portable. The weight of the tent is less than 30 Kg. Wangchuck is the founder of Student Educational and Cultural Movement in Ladakh. The whole institute is designed with solar energy and uses no fossil fuel for cooking lighting or heating.This replaces tons of kerosene fuel, pollution and emission.

  Researchers from North Carolina State University, Boston University and Kraton Corporation have demonstrated a family of self-sterilizing polymers that are effective at inactivating coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2 – the virus that causes COVID-19. The work opens the door to a suite of applications that could help to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and other diseases. Inactivating Viruses on High-contact Surfaces The work provides conclusive evidence that these anionic polymers, can inactivate human coronaviruses quickly and efficiently. “ If we want to coat high-contact surfaces such as textiles, countertops or walls – it’s possible ,” says Frank Scholle, NC State. “ Virus inactivation will occur as long as there is sufficient humidity ,” adds Scholle. When these anionic polymers absorb water, protons can travel through nanoscale channels to the surface, creating a highly acidic environment capable of inactivating viruses and killing bacteria and mold. The research team h...

  Hyundai Motor Group and POSCO have formed a new hydrogen partnership, through which they will jointly develop hydrogen energy utilisation technologies. Announcing details of partnership earlier this week (16th Feb), the companies said they will convert POSCO Steelworks’ work vehicles to hydrogen alternatives. It is thought approximately 1,500 vehicles operated at POSCO Pohang and Gwangyang Works will be converted to Hyundai Motor’s pollution-free hydrogen electric vehicles in stages. Hyundai Motor Company plans to develop commercial hydrogen trucks in consideration of the characteristics of heavy-duty steel logistics, and POSCO plans to use by-product hydrogen produced in steel mills as the energy source for hydrogen trucks. The two companies also agreed to cooperate with the construction of a hydrogen charging station for hydrogen trucks in the steel mill. Source: Hyundai Motor Group

 Steam methane reformers consume natural gas to make grey hydrogen and they emit carbon dioxide as a consequence. In the long term, that can be mitigated with a transition to ‘green’ hydrogen production using electrolysers which can be fed with renewable electrical power or steam methane reformers fed with renewable biogas. In the short-term retrofitting carbon capture to steam methane reformers (SMR), autothermal reformers (ATR) and gasification reactors to make so-called ‘blue hydrogen’ will make a big difference. Whether the carbon dioxide is captured and utilized (CCUS), or captured and stored (CCS) in permanent underground storage will in some way depend on the use-cases that are developed and commercialised. On the 27th of January the European Parliament voted that blue hydrogen produced on SMRs from natural gas with CCS will be an acceptable bridge on the journey to full decarbonisation with green hydrogen. This must be one of the most important hydrogen policy decisions tha...

  Run by First Bus – Scotland’s largest bus operator – in a project led by Aberdeen City Council, the world’s first fleet of double decker hydrogen buses represent a major step forward in reducing climate change. This launch also underlines the Aberdeen’s role as the energy capital of Europe and shows its commitment to green energy as part of the city’s Net Zero Vision. In addition, plans are in place for Aberdeen to make its own hydrogen to power the buses, making it an even greener energy source for the local community. The new £8.3million project is part of the European Union’s JIVE grant, which aims to aid commercialization of hydrogen buses through joint procurement between cities and funded by the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU). Manufactured by Wrightbus, the vehicles will be operated mainly on the Service 19 (Peterculter to Tillydrone). “Aberdeen is one of Europe’s pioneering hydrogen cities and through the work of the city council, it has developed a clu...

  Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC) on Wednesday revealed details of its largest ever gas discovery. According to a release, the company said the discovery, which was made through its wholly owned subsidiary KUFPEC Malaysia (SK-410B) Limited, was proven by the Lang Lebah-2 appraisal well in the SK-410B Block, located approximately 90 kilometres offshore Sarawak, Malaysia. The appraisal drilling campaign followed the successful drilling of the first exploration well, Lang Lebah-1RDR2, in the SK 410B Block, in 2019. A statement said: "KUFPEC Malaysia (SK-410B) Limited holds a 42.5 percent working interest under the PSC, with Petronas Carigali Sdn. Bhd. and PTTEP HK Offshore Limited (as operator) holding 15 percent and 42.5 percent working interests, respectively." It added: "The appraisal drilling in Lang Lebah-2 was completed at a total depth of 4,320 metres, with over 600 metres of proven net gas pay." The well was tested and flowed at 50 million...

 Centre’s clean air programme got a shot in the arm with Sitharaman announcing a fund of ₹2,217 crore for air pollution control in 42 cities. The Centre will launch a Hydrogen Energy Mission in 2021-22 for generating hydrogen from green power sources. Finance minister announcement of a hydrogen mission could go a long way in reducing India’s carbon footprint, experts said. According to a report titled “The Potential Role of Hydrogen in India – Harnessing the Hype” by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) released in December last year, demand for hydrogen could increase by at least 5-fold by 2050, continuing to grow in the second half of the century in India. Demand for hydrogen is at around 6 metric tonne (MT) per annum, mainly from industry sectors, such as fertilizers and refineries. This can increase to around 28 MT by 2050 mainly due to cost reductions in key technologies and a push to reduce carbon footprint. Demand will mainly grow in steel and road transport, ...