The blog covers issues broadly related to sustainability in Minnesota and the world both from an environmental perspective and from an interpersonal perspective. It also covers issues related to mycology (the study of fungi) with a specific emphasis on the interaction with fungal organisms and buildings.
The Copenhagen Bicycle Wheel may make commuting by bicycle a much more attractive option thanks to a rear wheel power assist controlled by a smart phone app. Researchers at MIT developed the bike with funding provided from Copenhagen. The research focused on retrofitting existing bikes to make them easier to use on extended commutes. The item is available for pre-order at a cost of $800.
According to Stephan Mortemayer from TCBmag.com The Metropolitan Airport Commission will be installing at 3 Megawatt Solar array on top of two parking ramps at the airport. Upon completion of the project in October of 2015, the solar arrays will provide up to 20% of the electrical power for the airport. It will also be Minnesota's largest solar array.
Designers have positioned the panels to prevent the glare from affecting pilots at the airport. The project will also switch the ramp lighting to LED and provide electric car charging stations.
On a related note, the MN DOT is accepting up to five proposals for 1 megawatt plus sized solar arrays along highway right of ways. Applications are due November 3, 2014.
The MN DOT's project is similar to Oregon's Solar Highways project. The photo above shows a 124 kilowatt solar system built in 2008. The state has since completed at 1.25 Megawatt Baldock solar array in January of 2012 at the French Prairie Rest Area.
Daniel Goleman mentions GoodGuide.com as a website that allow consumer product ratings on the Health, Environment and Society (companies social practices). Items can be checked out individually or by class of chemicals such as laundry detergents. The highest rated products are listed first.
Skin Deep is another website that helps users choose the safest cosmetics to use. The items are rated on potential toxicity. The rating system is transparent but a bit complex. You can also search for specific chemical components. This is helpful for a person looking at specific ingredients in a product.
An Australian mother taking medication for arthritis died from Legionella likely the Legionella longbeachae strain on January 14, 2014. Her exposure to the Legionella bacteria was linked to potting soil mix. She refused early medical treatment thinking the symptoms she had were linked to side effects from her arthritis medication. The Legionella diagnosis came to late and she died when her lungs ceased to function. Her father granted an interview with Angella Cutterback from WANews.
This case is prompting a discussion regarding proper warning labels with potting soil mix. People are suggesting that the labels have explicit directions to wear a respirator while working with the potting soil. Some potting soils do have warnings "avoid inhaling the mix." The deaths are not infrequent as a cluster of deaths was reported in 2005 noted in the caption below the photo.
Using a respirator would be especially important for elderly individuals or those with suppressed immune systems. The immune system can be suppressed through illness, age or medication. Many anti-arthritic medications suppress the immune system to reduce the inflammatory response of the body.
The most comfortable disposable respirator has an exhalation valve and two straps. The exhalation valve reduces moisture buildup inside the mask making it more comfortable to wear. The respirators make it harder to breath so some individuals may not have the cardiovascular fitness to wear one.
A local Shorewood, Minnesota architect/engineering, Andrey Rudenko, has developed a process of 3D printing with concrete. This 7 foot high castle took 3 months to build. According to the Mpls Star Tribune, he had originally planned to construct it in less then a week but had issues with weather and equipment.
Optimizing the equipment for high viscosity and low flow has been a challenge but he has worked through the difficulties. He is planning on constructing a real house using this technique. He envisions that this process would reduce the time and cost associated with home construction. Using metal reinforced concrete with foam insulation would work well for energy efficiency as well as sound attenuation. He is looking to construct his home in a warmer climate in a state that allows this technique in their building codes.
Chinese researchers have also been experimenting with a similar process.
3D printer Castle - Minnesota -2min.
China 3D printer for houses in less than a day - 12 min.
Over the past few years organic and sustainable farm researchers have attempted to control weeds using high velocity grit to hinder the growth of weeds in crop fields in particular field corn. Corncob bits appear to be one of the most effective grit materials.
According to Mr. Forcella, using the initial prototypes, the current cost of application is 5 times the cost of chemical herbicides. Cost of application is expected to fall as the machinery becomes mass produced and the technology improves. Sam Wortman at the University of Illinois has focused on the horticultural applications for weed control in tomatoes and broccoli.
I am impressed with this technology. Further research needs to be done regarding the most sustainable grit and the appropriate organic fertilizer mix. This also has some positive implications for improving the quality of ground water and control of chemically resistant weeds. I can also see the application for home gardening using a cone around the nozzle to protect adjacent plants. The ergonomics of weed removal would be greatly improved.
The Chinese government has been taking action to address problems with smog in the country. As the pollution from this country has a global effect this is good news.
One of the major roadblocks to there success is the inability of the government to shut down inefficient older steel production facilities. Local interests with respect to employment and business conflict with the broader goals of efficient production. An increase in production at coal fired power plants, cement plants and the increase in the number of motor vehicles in Beijing are other major contributors to the production of PM 2.5 particles.
PM 2.5 micron sized particles are small enough to deposit in the lungs and cause respiratory health problems in individuals. Campfires and burning wood for heating also contribute to PM 2.5 particle production in less developed countries.
Telsa automotive has formed a partnership with Panasonic to build the next generation battery factory to produce batteries for the model 3 electric car aimed at middle class consumers with a price point around $35,000. The location of the 5 billion dollar SW USA Gigafactory has yet to be determined. The goal of the factory is to reduce the cost of next generation rechargeable batteries by 30%. The location is important as both wind and solar energy will be used to power the plant.
A Motley Fool Article in USA Today suggests that the use of waste carbon dioxide as a resource could add over 1 Trillion dollars to the US economy.
Captured carbon dioxide could be used for chemical production or to add in algae biofuel production. The US department of energy lists 12 innovative concepts for using waste carbon dioxide. This includes construction materials, natural gas production, fertilizer production and others.
Below is a diagram of how the energy storage system works for the Luddington, Michigan plant. It was originally constructed in 1973 and used non wind energy sources to run the pumps.
A wind farm located near the Luddington power plant now provides a significant amount of the energy needed to run the pumps. The plant is 70% efficient.
