Sisyphus Railroad renewable energy storage by ARES North America

ARES North America - The Power of Gravity

ARES technology

One of the challenges for renewable energy sources such as wind and solar is the episodic nature of the power generation when the wind stops blowing and the sun sets or there is cloud cover.  There are several options for energy storage that include batteries, compressed gas, flywheel, water pumping up a gradient, and conversion to hydrogen through electrolysis.

ARES technology is working on a rail system that converts the potential energy of a change in height elevation into electricity.  Electrical energy from wind or solar is used to send rail weighted cars up a steep gradient.  When the cars are released back down the gradient the change from potential to kinetic energy is captured by regenerative braking on the cars with an efficiency of around 75%.  ARES currently has a pilot project in Bakersfield California and hopes to set up similar projects around the world where the topography is favorable.

Silent video on ARES technology as clouds move over a solar array - 2 min.

News report on the process - 3 min.

Minnepura - Using bacteria in silica beads to clean water contaminated with chemicals

The National Council of Entrepreneurial Tech Transfer (NCET2) listed Minnepura Technologies Inc. as one of the "Best University Startups 2016."  Minnepura uses bacteria inside silica beads to break down dangerous chemicals in water into non hazardous byproducts.  The bacteria are specifically selected for the chemicals that need to be decontaminated.

The technology is based on published research by Alptekin Aksan, Ph.D.  Mechanical Engineering and Larry Wackett, Ph.D. Professor of biochemistry, molecular biology and biophysics who also serve as technical advisors.

In December of 2013, Larry Wackett, Ph.D. presented information about this process to our departmental retreat. He discussed using this process to decontaminate water used in the oil fracking process.

Minnepura CEO Paul R. Hansen - 3 min. 

School Indoor Air Quality Training - Minnesota Department of Health

The Minnesota Department of Health is conducting ‘School Indoor Air Quality Trainings’ statewide and via webinar this Fall. The details are attached and also available at the MDH site : http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/indoorair/schools/training.html

Public schools must have health and safety programs that comply with health, safety, and environmental regulations and best practices, including indoor air quality (IAQ) management. This training will discuss the state’s best practices for school IAQ management, which include having an IAQ Coordinator and an IAQ Plan. Non-public schools are also encouraged to have an IAQ Plan and attend this class.

Registration for this class is required. Individual classes may be canceled if registration is low.

Registration:
To register, please complete the enclosed registration form and mail or email to:
Minnesota Department of Health, Indoor Air Unit, PO Box 64975, St. Paul, MN 55164-0975
Email: tina.leland@state.mn.us
Where and When:
St. Cloud: September 22, 2016 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Minnesota Department of Health
Midtown Square 
3333 West Division Street, Suite 212 
St. Cloud, MN 56301 
www.health.state.mn.us/about/stcloud.html

Bemidji: September 23, 2016 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Minnesota Department of Health
705 - 5th Street NW, Suite A, Bemidji, MN 56601 
www.health.state.mn.us/about/bemidji.html

Roseville: October 5, 2016 8:30 am – 12:00 pm
Minnesota Department of Education
Room CC17, 1500 Highway 36 West Roseville, MN 55113 www.education.state.mn.us/MDE/Welcome/Direc/

North Mankato: October 12, 2016 8:30 am – 12:00 pm
South Central Service Cooperative
2075 Lookout Drive, North Mankato, MN 56003
www.mnscsc.org/about-us

Roseville: October 25, 2016 8:30 am – 12:00 pm
Minnesota Department of Education
Room CC17, 1500 Highway 36 West Roseville, MN 55113 www.education.state.mn.us/MDE/Welcome/Direc/

Webinar: October 11, 2016 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Email with instructions will be sent to webinar registrants

Phoma spp.

The organism, Phoma spp., is a member of the coelomycete (EmLab P&K) fungi that produce spores inside a pycnidia.  The spores are produced inside this hollow structure with an opening on top in an arrangement similar to a kiwi fruit or a pomegranate.

In buildings, this organism will often grow on slab on grade carpet with moisture problems.  It is a plant pathogen in tropical to temperate climates.  The single celled spores are unremarkable in structure and not differentiated on Air-o-cell cassette samples. The organism is may be allergenic. 

The organism grows best on media with higher water activity such as MEA.  It does not grow well on DG-18. 

The organism, Phoma spp. growth in MEA - N. Carlson

Surface of Phoma spp. shot from above - N. Carlson

Microscopic photo of Phoma spp. at lower magnification - N. Carlson

Low magnification Phoma spp. - N. Carlson

High magnification microscopic photo of Phoma spp. some species produce Alternaria spp. like spores. - N. Carlson

Phoma - Spirit of the Moon - Technomusic-  No relation to the fungal organism - 7.5 minutes

Scopulariopsis spp.

The organism, Scopulariopsis spp. looks microsopically similar to Penicillium spp. and Paecilomyces spp. The tan colony color differentiates the organism from most Penicillium spp.  The Paecilomyces spp. colonies are typically spreading and not as heaped as the Scopulariopsis spp. colonies. The Paecilomyces spp. spores are often comma shaped.

The mature spores of Scopulariopsis spp. are often rough.  The spores are produced in chains from a conidiophore (Fungi Online).  The base of the spore producing structure forms a ring as each spore is produces.  One end of the spore is flat with the other end round.
 
The spores can occasionally be distinguished between Asp/Pen spores on an Air-o-cell cassette sample if the spores are in chains.  The rough spore plus the flat point of attachment help in identification.  The spores are approximately 3 to 8 microns in diameter and will deposit in all areas of the respiratory tract.

Special note: The organism is capable of converting the arsenic found wallpaper covered with Paris Green into arsine gas.  In Italy during the 1890's over 1,000 children's deaths were linked to a combination of Paris Green wallpaper and mildew.  (History Magazine)  The deaths stopped once the wallpaper was removed.  Mildew in this sense was used as a term to describe mold in general and not a particular type of fungus also known as mildew.

Scopulariopsis spp. - N. Carlson

Scopulariopsis spp. line drawing - N. Carlson

What does Scopulariopsis mean - 30 sec.

Scopulariopsis spp. - 2 min.  Health Homes Inc.

Pithomyces spp.

Spores of Pithomyces spp. are fairly common in outdoor air samples.  The spores can sometimes be differentiated from Ulocladium spp. as the spores have a definite attachment point with a small transparent frill at one end.  The other end of the spore is round.  As the spores mature the exterior becomes roughened with small spines. 

The organism will grow on textiles, paper and wood products inside buildings.  It will grow on dead trees, and dead grass in the outdoors.  It can cause facial eczema in ruminants eating contaminated grass. 

The barrel shaped spores are approximately 15 to 25 microns in length and 10 to 15 microns in width.  These larger sized spores will deposit in the upper respiratory tract.   

A photo of Pithomyces spp. at various stages of growth on a culture plate - N. Carlson

Mature dark colored spiny Pithomyces spp. spores in culture - N. Carlson

Pithomyces spp. from an Air-o-cell cassette spore trap - The spore is dessicated (dried out ).  It looks similar in color and shape to root beer barrel candy.  - N. Carlson

Pithomyces spp. spore line drawing with frill at the attachment point - N. Carlson

Pithomyces spp. information - 2 min.

Curvularia spp.

Curvularia spp. - This spore typically has three septations (Websters Dictionary) with one middle cell larger than the other three when viewed from the proper orientation.  The organism is readily grown on culture plates and easily viewed using an spore trace sample.  Because the spore is often greater than 20 microns in length it will deposit in the upper respiratory tract. Due to the large size it also falls out in the air rather quickly and requires mechanical disturbance  to keep it in the air.   It is not uncommon to find it in an outdoor air sample when snow cover is not present.  

The organisms grows on cellulose based interior surfaces with water damage. Outdoors it grows on vegetation and decaying vegetation. 

The colony growth on culture plates is somewhat similar to Alternaria spp.  Viewing the colony under higher magnification will easily allow differential identification.  It grows well on malt extract agar.

Single Curvularia spp. spore - approx. 30 microns in length - N.Carlson

Production of Curvularia spp. spores at various stages of maturity. An air bubble is often present in one of the cells. - N. Carlson

Multiple Curvularia spp. spores - Note that there will occasionally be 4 septations or 5 cells in a spore. - N. Carlson

Curvularia spp. growth on culture plate - N. Carlson

Curvularia spp. information from Health Homes - 2 min.

Turning carbon dioxide into stone

Scientific American - Iceland powerplant

An Iceland power plant is turning carbon emissions into stone (phys.org) - June 9, 2016.   Recent studies have found that carbon dioxide injected with water into basalt rock formations turns to stone much more quickly than previously thought.  The minerals in the basalt react with the carbon dioxide in the water to form calcium carbonate and other rocks.  The process was over 90% efficient over a 2 year period.  This surprised scientists as they expected the process to take much longer.

Turning the carbon dioxide into limestone reduces the problems with injecting the carbon dioxide into structures that just capture the gas.  There have been concern over the rapid release of this gas into the atmosphere if there are leaks in the structure.

Downsides: The process resquires heavy use of water and injection the solution is not cheap. Some microbes may produce methane gas as an unintended bi-product of the process.  Seafloor injection of carbon dioxide into basalt or other rock formations may work better.  This eliminates the need for fresh water.  As basalt makes up over 10% of the earth's crust, this may be a process that could work at many locations.

Other research has focused on using the carbon dioxide to speed up the efficiency of algal production of fuel.  Other engineering firms are exploring the use of carbon dioxide for building carbon fiber autobody parts.

Turning carbon dioxide into stone - 11 min. 

MIT grad student studies ophiolite rock structures in Oman, Jordan to understand natural carbon capture.  - 7 min. - 2009

Electric shock drowning

Electric Shock Drowning - Boat US

Good Morning America reports on the hazards of electroshock drowning.   Electroshock drowning is a  relatively rare event with 15 reported US cases in the past five years.  In freshwater or in low salt water areas along the ocean, An electrical ground fault from a boat attached to a dock can produce an electric current in the water.  A swimmer in the water may conduct the current and be shocked sometimes resulting in death.

Prevention begins with installing Ground Fault Interrupter Outlets at boat docks.  Swimming anywhere near a dock without this circuit poses a potential hazard.  Attempting to rescue a person without shutting off the current may result in additional fatalities or injuries.

Electric Shock Drowning facts - Boat US -3 minutes

Reason to sample close to a source during a mold investigation

Below grade abandoned electrical outlet

SAS 180 air sampler

Air sample in control area

Air sample in room using DG-18 Outside air and hallway control on right

Air samples below the floor DG-18

Indoor air samples for 100 liters were taken in a below grade room.  Occupants in the space reported a musty odor.  Air samples in the breathing zone did not find a problem.   Air samples below the floor had elevated levels of Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp.  Outside air sample 50 liters.