polymerguru

  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 Research Institute  in northern

 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 will g

  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 had p

  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 that ha