| Building a Better Lithium Ion Battery The powerful lithium-based batteries used in electric vehicle systems, laptops and cell phones are prone to overheating and even blowing up , but adding less than a gram of a new substance could keep both temperatures and costs down, federal researchers say.The molecule, developed by researchers Khalil Amine and Zonghai Chen at Argonne National Laboratory , is being tested as an additive in the electrolyte of lithium batteries to keep cell voltage from going too high. [More] rss.sciam.com |
Joining the Energy Underground: Residential Geothermal Power Systems Dear EarthTalk: I'd like to know the relative electricity cost of utility-scale solar and wind plants versus rooftop residential solar. In other words, how can I know whether to subsidize my utility's alternative-energy plant or renovate my own home? -- Randy Wilson, Flagstaff, AZ [More] rss.sciam.com |
Perilous Plastics?: FDA Joins Other U.S. Health Agencies in Chorus of Concern about BPA Discard scratched baby bottles and sippy cups. Do not put hot liquids into plastic containers for infants. Most importantly, breast-feed infants if at all possible. [More] rss.sciam.com |
How to Preserve the Breadth of Life on the Planet A barometer measures atmospheric pressure. Now a coalition of biologists is calling for a similar scientific tool to measure extinction pressure on Earth's biodiversity--a so-called " barometer of life ". [More] rss.sciam.com |
How Can Los Angeles Adapt to Coming Climate Change? Editor's Note: The following is an excerpt from Matthew Kahn's book Climatopolis .Los Angeles is a hedonist’s paradise. At night, you can cruise the Sunset Strip. Although The Doors no longer play there, you may run into Paris Hilton or Britney Spears before seeing Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie at a red-carpet event. During the winter, you might venture downtown to watch Kobe Bryant and the Lakers play. Every day of the year you can sit outside at Starbucks and try to identify professional basketball players looking for a latte in West Los Angeles. In spring 2009 I spotted Baron Davis of the Los Angeles Clippers at a Westwood Starbucks (but he didn’t seem to recognize me). In fall 2009 I spotted Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys as he strolled in Little Holmby Park (he didn’t give me a knowing nod or wink either). I saw Vin Diesel jog past my house not long ago (again, no seeming recognition on his part). Even the dignified former secretary of state, Warren Christopher, didn’t recognize me as he got out of his car while parking on my block. These cases suggest that I’m not a VIP, but a player such as you will have the option of ending the night at a party at the Playboy Mansion near UCLA. [More] Los Angeles Clippers - Baron Davis - Los Angeles - Basketball - Kobe Bryant rss.sciam.com |