fun facts
Desalination or desalinization?
“I suppose the test would be: what are you hoping to end up making? If it’s a puddle of water: you are desalinating. If it’s a pile of salt: you are desalinizing.” ~ learn more
Tag: water
under the microscope
Light can make water evaporate without heat.
“Chen says that in principle, he thinks it may be possible to increase the limit of water produced by solar desalination, which is currently 1.5 kilograms per square meter, by as much as three- or fourfold using this light-based approach.” ~ learn […]
under the microscope
Plant-based filter removes up to 99.9% of microplastics from water.
“To create bioCap, the researchers used sawdust as a substrate through which to filter water, given its superior chemical and physical stability and the fact that it contains cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin, which facilitate efficient water transport. They modified the […]
oh, Austin
Austin is looking for a place to store massive amounts of water.
Related to the link above. “Currently, Austin gets its water from reservoirs in the Highland Lakes along the Colorado River. The new plan is to pump some of that water underground when there’s plenty of it, then pull it back […]
under the microscope
Scientist (named Pavel) transforms pure water into a metal.
“By bringing pure water into contact with an electron-sharing alkali metal – in this case an alloy of sodium and potassium – free-moving charged particles can be added, turning water metallic.” | learn more
big ideas
A first: extra-terrestrial water inside a meteorite.
“The Winchcombe meteorite, which struck a road in the town of Gloucestershire last February, is also believed to contain information about the origins of the water that makes up the planet’s immense seas, according to the Independent.” | learn more
oh, chicago
The costs of Chicago’s Air & Water Show.
Listeners of WBEZ asked them to find out the costs, and the radio station did the research to deliver! “When it began in 1959, the Chicago Air and Water Show had a budget of $88.” Obviously it costs more now… | learn […]
oh, chicago
Workers caught pumping slurry into Chicago River.
“Environmental agencies Friday were investigating why workers at a construction site were pumping a slurry of water and sediment directly into the Chicago River, creating a cloudy plume beneath the Randolph Street bridge.” |learn more
oh, chicago
Lead in homes’ water across Chicago.
“An analysis from the Chicago Tribune finds that lead was in water drawn from nearly 70% of 2,797 homes across Chicago within the past two years.” Free test kits available from the city here. | learn more