Ways the Military is Developing Alternative Energy
Militaries all over the world know that they must change their thinking about how to sustain themselves in the foreign field in this post-Cold War world of the 21st century. One of the things they desire to do is for their forces to be able to be more energy-independent while they are deployed in foreign countries.
At the present time the US military has a working relationship with their allies and local countries sympathetic to them to help their forces get energy they need and clean water when deployed in that foreign military endeavor. This however is not always very reliable, as they may find themselves in a situation where the resources needed to fully sustain the troops and their needs are not able to be provided.
As a result the US military is very interested in developing alternative energies that can be researched and developed to make them energy independent in the field. Or at least allow it to be a great deal more so, in the field.
One of the things that interest the military a lot is to be able to develop a small nuclear reactor that is portable for producing electricity. The military is impressed with how energy efficient they are and how clean-burning nuclear reactors are. They are researching how to make them small and portable for the highly mobile, small-scaled military operations that they are typically involved in today.
One of the major things that the US military thinks these small nuclear reactors would be useful for is the removal of hydrogen from seawater (for fuel cell). It thinks that converting seawater to hydrogen fuel in this way would also have less negative impact on the environment than their present practices.
Using ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC), seawater can also be endlessly converted into desalinated drinkable water and energy. Seawater can be endlessly used in this way for capturing hydrogen, which in turn powers advanced fuel cells. Seawater is, in fact, one of the military’s highest interests when it comes to the matter of alternative energy supply. Drinkable water and hydrogen for power are two of the things that a near-future deployed military force will need most of all.
This technology works because in the cores of nuclear reactors encounter temperatures greater than 1000 degrees Celsius. When this level of temperature is reached, we have on our hands the most efficient means of breaking down water into its component parts, which are. The seawater would have to go through a desalination process to extract the minerals and salts before its components (hydrogen and oxygen) could be extracted. The minerals and salts could then be utilized for things such as vitamins or in salt shakers, or simply sent back to the ocean (recycling).
Using small portable nuclear reactors to extract hydrogen from the sea is clearly high on the militaries research and development priorities. This hydrogen will be used in fuel cells used to power next generation airplanes, tanks, ground vehicles, and many other things.
These technologies will then be developed for use by the general population. You may disagree on the reasons for developing new technologies but none of us can argue with the results. Just think of what we wouldn’t have today if the space programs R & D didn’t develop many of the technologies we use in our everyday lives today.
Bamboo Flooring; a Green Flooring Alternative
It is important to understand first of all that bamboo is not a wood. In fact it’s a grass, so we cannot call it hardwood. As a result you might think that it is soft and not very durable like any typical grass species. However, bamboo has proven itself very resilient and flexible, making it the material of choice for many builders and home renovators.
This is because they have found that it can last as long as the standard hardwoods we have around. This is also probably why it is mistaken for hardwood.
There is something about bamboo floors that gives a room a great esthetic and earthy feel. Hardwoods like oak can be rather dark which makes them look heavy while using bamboo as your flooring can make your space appear lighter and airier.
Installing bamboo flooring does not require any special and specific technique. In fact, it is installed in the same ways as hardwood flooring is. You can float them, nail them down, or glue them down.
One of the things that make Bamboo green is that it only takes around 3 years for it to mature. This is much different than oak. An oak tree can take up to a hundred years to be fully mature. So Bamboo is very sustainable.
The cost of bamboo flooring is also very much in line with many types of wood flooring. For instance it averages at between $2 and $4 for every square foot, which is just about the same price as oak. This is a fair price considering the many benefits it offers.
To make a solid slab Bamboo floor, the bamboo tubes are cut into strips. These are then boiled to strip the starch away. The boiled strips proceed to the drying and lamination process, and then are milled to become strip floor boards. This is a very similar process to what hardwoods like maple or oak go through. Finally, the strips are treated using a preservative to slow down decay and give it a protective coating.
Perhaps one of the best things about bamboo floors is that it is easy to find. Bamboo floor strips are sold at all building materials stores. You don’t have to search far and wide to get your hands on some.
Not only that; but shopping for bamboo floors can be a fun and exciting experience. Don’t let the various bamboo types, finish options, and accessories overwhelm you.
Bamboo floors are a popular choice, and for many good reasons. This unique type of flooring is environmentally friendly, durable, attractive and hypoallergenic. Prefinished bamboo flooring is an environmentally–friendly ways to add beauty and value to your home.
Bamboo flooring has become known as the “going green flooring” and has been proven to outperform traditional hardwood flooring in many different aspects. Bamboo flooring has become the choice for many who are remodeling their homes. Bamboo floors are ideal for allergy sufferers and are very easy to clean.
If you’ve decided that a part of your living space could be greatly enhanced with bamboo flooring, good choice! Prices of this environment friendly floor covering are currently very attractive and some good deals can be had if you look around a bit.