Writings and videos about science activities with an emphasis on environmental science and energy measurement

Browsing Archive: November, 2014

Measuring Electricity from a Photovoltaic

Posted by Antonio Chaves on Sunday, November 30, 2014, In : modified lab procedures 
I just posted a new video. The main difference with the lab manual is that instead of using a DC wattmeter I use two multimeters: One is set up to measure amps and the other is set up to measure volts. Most high schools and colleges already have multimeters (used is physics) so this can save you money. This is the same way I measured electricity generated from a cordless drill. In this new video I also incorporated a slightly more simplified equation for calculating the cost-effectiveness of ...
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Producing Hydrocarbon Fuels from Scratch

Posted by Antonio Chaves on Wednesday, November 26, 2014, In : environmental news 
The production of hydrocarbons using carbon dioxide and hydrogen (obtained from water) is not new, but this plant in Germany is the first time it is being done on an industrial scale. The hydrogen is obtained from water by means of electrolysis. The carbon dioxide is reduced to carbon monoxide. These two feedstocks, H2 and CO are then subjected to Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis from production of a wide variety of hydrocarbon fuels. The facility currently produces about a barrel a day. Hopefully, ...
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Multi-Use Water Barrage in Singapore

Posted by Antonio Chaves on Wednesday, November 12, 2014, In : environmental news 
I visited Singapore in 1999 and was amazed at the cleanliness and efficiency of this city. Only when I visited some of its open markets was I reminded that I was visiting one of the most crowded cities on Earth. So it did not surprise me to see this article about this aesthetically pleasing water barrage that serves mainly as a means of flood control and storing freshwater, and secondarily as a recreational "green space" for the city's inhabitants.

According to the CIA fact book, Singapore has...
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Exhibiting at the Pennsylvania Science Teacher Conference

Posted by Antonio Chaves on Friday, November 7, 2014,
I will be exhibiting December 4-5 at the conference of the Pennsylvania association of science teachers in State College, PA. I will make available copies of the new edition of my lab manual, free samples, and sample activities (including the "homemade" fuel cell). This should give me better exposure than the conference in MD because the exhibits will last for two days (instead of one) and PA has double the population of MD. Stop by my booth if you are in town.

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About this blog

This blog was originally created in January 2013 to serve as a means for providing updates on science activities from the environmental science lab manual Ecology, Development, and Sustainability. I have now expanded its purpose to include other items of interest to science teachers. 

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