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Wednesday, June 14, 2006
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Nanotube membranes offer possibility of cheaper desalination
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory: "A nanotube membrane on a silicon chip the size of a quarter may offer a cheaper way to remove salt from water. Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have created a membrane made of carbon nanotubes and silicon that may offer, among many possible applications, a less expensive desalination. The nanotubes, special molecules made of carbon atoms in a unique arrangement, are hollow and more than 50,000 times thinner than a human hair. Billions of these tubes act as the pores in the membrane. The super smooth inside of the nanotubes allow liquids and gases to rapidly flow through, while the tiny pore size can block larger molecules. This previously unobserved phenomenon opens a vast array of possible applications. The team was able to measure flows of liquids and gases by making a membrane on a silicon chip with carbon nanotube pores making up the holes of the membrane. The membrane is created by filling the gaps between aligned carbon nanotubes with a ceramic matrix material. The pores are so small that only six water molecules could fit across their diameter. 'The gas and water flows that we measured are 100 to 10,000 times faster than what classical models predict,' said Olgica Bakajin, the Livermore scientist who led the research. 'This is like having a garden hose that can deliver as much water in the same amount of time as a fire hose that is ten times larger.'[...]
"Membranes that have carbon nanotubes as pores could be used in desalination and demineralization. Salt removal from water, commonly performed through reverse osmosis, uses less permeable membranes, requires large amounts of pressure and is quite expensive. However, these more permeable nanotube membranes could reduce the energy costs of desalination by up to 75 percent compared to conventional membranes used in reverse osmosis. Carbon nanotubes are a unique platform for studying molecular transport and nanofluidics. Their nanometer-size, atomically smooth surfaces and similarity to cellular water transport channels make them exceptionally suited for this purpose...
"Simulations of gas and water transport through carbon nanotubes predict that each should flow rapidly. Gas molecules should bounce off its atomically smooth surface like billiard balls. Water molecules should slide through either because of the 'slipperiness' of the carbon nanotube surface or due to molecular ordering induced by spatial confinement. The experiments performed by the LLNL team demonstrated these predicted rapid flows of gas and water through carbon nanotubes, but further research is needed to determine the exact transport mechanisms.
"Another potential application for the membranes is in gas separation. The high gas permeability and its affinity to hydrocarbons may allow for lower-energy, industrial-gas separations. 'Though our membranes have an order of magnitude smaller pore size, the enhanced flow rate per pore and the high pore density makes them superior in both air and water permeability compared to conventional polycarbonate membranes,' Bakajin said."
Thanks to Science Blog for the link.
"colorado water"
5:23:15 PM 
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From email from Defend Colorado Now: "Defend Colorado Now will hold a press conference and rally at 10:30 am Thursday, June 15 on the west steps of the State Capitol. We will be calling for the Supreme Court to fairly rehear the case on the initiative. Please join us for this rally. Your attendance will demonstrate a strong grassroots support for the initiative. We know this is on a work day, but we need to schedule it on Thursday. If you can make it, please do join us. Show your support for immigration reform in Colorado."
"denver 2006"
7:13:08 AM
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Amendments to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Regs Favor Industry
Los Angeles Times: "A rule designed by the Environmental Protection Agency to keep groundwater clean near oil drilling sites and other construction zones was loosened after White House officials rejected it amid complaints by energy companies that it was too restrictive and after a well-connected Texas oil executive appealed to White House senior advisor Karl Rove. The new rule, which took effect Monday, came after years of intense industry pressure, including court battles and behind-the-scenes agency lobbying. But environmentalists vowed Monday that the fight was not over, distributing internal White House documents that they said portrayed the new rule as a political payoff to an industry long aligned with the Republican Party and President Bush. In 2002, a Texas oilman and longtime Republican activist, Ernest Angelo, wrote a letter to Rove complaining that an early version of the rule was causing many in the oil industry to 'openly express doubt as to the merit of electing Republicans when we wind up with this type of stupidity.' Rove responded by forwarding the letter to top White House environmental advisors and scrawling a handwritten note directing an aide to talk to those advisors and 'get a response ASAP.' Rove later wrote to Angelo, assuring him that there was a 'keen awareness' within the administration of addressing not only environmental issues but also the 'economic, energy and small business impacts' of the rule. Environmentalists pointed to the Rove correspondence as evidence that the Bush White House, more than others, has mixed politics with policy decisions that are traditionally left to scientists and career regulators. At the time, Rove oversaw the White House political office and was directing strategy for the 2002 midterm elections."
Thanks to beSpacific for the link.
"colorado water"
7:04:35 AM
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Clnton for president?
Bull Moose: "A group of Democratic Presidential wanabees are busy offering mea culpas and reversals on their positions on Iraq. The 20/20 hindsight brigade pleads if they only knew then what they know now they wouldn't have cast their vote to topple Saddam. Now, they have had enough and want to leave Iraq to the tender mercies of the Baathists and assorted Jihadists. And some wonder why the Democratic Party has suffered from lack of trust on national security issues. If the Moose only knew then what he knows now about the politicians who switch and pander to the base when it becomes politically popular. Only hawks win Presidential elections. The American people want a Commander-in-Chief who is resolute, decisive and forward-looking. Fortunately, Hillary understands that and she admirably held her ground yesterday before a group of impolite lefties. Bully for her!"
"2008 pres"
6:57:14 AM
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Special session in store for Colorado?
SoapBlox Colorado: "Bill Owens issued an ultimatum to the judical branch today, threatening to convene a 'Special Session' of the legislature if Colorado's highest court does not reverse its 4-2 decision denying Dick Lamm's 'Do Nothing' Constitution-changing amendment from this November's ballot."
"denver 2006"
6:50:39 AM
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Giuliani for president?
Political Wire: "In a speech before a conservative think tank, Rudy Giuliani (R) said that the Bush administration 'lacked an energy policy and that greater reliance on nuclear power, ethanol-based fuels and hybrid vehicles was more realistic than President Bush's goal of independence from foreign energy sources,' according to the New York Times. Afterward, he expressed concern about global warming, saying that "everyone accepts the fact that it's happening and it has an impact.'"
"2008 pres"
6:48:58 AM
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Sylvester for governor?
From today's Denver Post, "A Colorado cattle rancher says he plans to run for governor as a Republican write-in candidate this fall. Chuck Sylvester, 68, said he has filed the necessary paperwork with the secretary of state's office. 'It galls me that politics are in the hands of a few people, and I just felt it was time to step up,' he said. 'I'm running to give the citizens of this state a choice. Across America, voters are frustrated with career politicians who merely pay lip service to our shared ideals.' Sylvester, a former general manager of the National Western Stock Show, said he has a 'Contract With Colorado' that addresses education, health care, immigration, agriculture, growth, water and the current budget crisis."
"denver 2006"
6:24:58 AM
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Gay marriage ban?
From today's Denver Post, "Backers of a proposal that would allow gay couples to register as domestic partners are asking the Colorado Supreme Court to keep a competing measure off the November ballot. The second measure, which would bar Colorado from recognizing any status similar to marriage, is aimed at blocking the domestic- partnership proposal sent to voters by state lawmakers. As a constitutional amendment, it would trump the legislative measure. In a motion filed Monday with the state's high court, attorney Mark Grueskin argued it's not clear what relationships would be affected by the marriage-ban proposal, a violation of the constitutional requirement for a 'clear' single subject. He said the measure would also bar cohabiting couples from signing contracts with each other, as well as civil unions between both heterosexual and homosexual couples. Republican state Rep. Kevin Lundberg, a co-sponsor of the 'similar to' ban, said Tuesday it was 'absurd' to suggest that it would affect live-in couples and their right to sign contracts with each other. 'That is only one small component of what the overall marriage relationship is. It's when you bundle everything together and what you see is similar to marriage,' Lundberg said"
"denver 2006"
6:22:24 AM
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Holtzman for governor?
Here's an update on Marc Holtzman's attempt to stay on the August primary ballot from the Denver Post. They write, "The state Republican Party contended Tuesday that a court decision in favor of gubernatorial candidate Marc Holtzman would obliterate its "basic function" in selecting candidates, according to court papers. If Holtzman is permitted to collect only 10,500 signatures from anywhere in the state instead of 1,500 from each of the state's congressional districts as required by current law, it would undermine the party's interest in making sure a candidate for governor has backing from all of the state's 'distinct geopolitical regions,' the GOP argued...
"Lawyers for Bob Beauprez, the GOP's official gubernatorial nominee, and former U.S. Attorney Mike Norton, on behalf of three registered Republican voters, contended that problems with Holtzman's petition circulators violated state law and invalidated a number of signatures. The latest legal filings are just part of a series of events resulting from Secretary of State Gigi Dennis' ruling two weeks ago that Holtzman did not have enough signatures to make the Aug. 8 primary ballot. Holtzman appealed to Denver District Court, alleging that the secretary did not have jurisdiction over his protest. Judge Michael Mullins agreed and ordered the secretary to put Holtzman on the ballot while the signature issue was sorted out. If it is found that Holtzman does not have enough signatures, votes cast in his favor won't count. The court still must hear a number of legal issues before getting to the factual issue of signatures. Holtzman's legal team is arguing that a statewide candidate should not have to collect 1,500 Republican voters' signatures in each of the state's seven congressional districts because voters are allowed to vote anywhere in the state. Therefore, Holtzman should be required only to collect a total of 10,500. A hearing in the case is scheduled for Friday."
The Denver Post fact checks Marc Holtzman's recent TV ad.
"denver 2006"
6:16:01 AM
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English primary?
A ballot initiative designed to change bilingual instruction in Colorado survived a court challenge this week, according to the Denver Post. From the article, "The state's highest court - which ruled Monday that a proposal to ban state services to illegal immigrants would not go before voters in November - also gave the green light to another group that has been pushing a measure to accelerate English language instruction for non-English-speaking students. English for Colorado, a group of Weld County citizens that includes Commissioner William Jerke, is promoting proposed ballot issue No. 95, the 'Education of English-Language Learners.' Under the proposal, students who are not proficient in English would get to spend up to one year in English-instruction classes before they are returned to a regular mainstream classroom. During that year of English instruction, students would primarily be taught in English, and they would not participate in other content areas such as math, science or social studies, said Bill Garcia, a lawyer from Weld County who is backing the measure...
"Manolo Gonzales-Estay, campaign manager for English Plus - the group that in 2002 led the defeat of Amendment 31, an English-only ballot initiative, and is now fighting No. 95 - said the proposal takes away choice from school districts. 'We now have multiple choices parents can take,' said Gonzales-Estay, who works for a political consulting firm, Welchert & Britz Inc. 'There's English immersion. There's dual language. Not every child is the same.' English Plus last month challenged the initiative, saying its language did not make clear enough to voters how restrictive it is. But on Monday, the Supreme Court ruled that the state's Title Board, which oversees ballot language, acted properly last month when it approved the language. Proponents of No. 95 now have until Aug. 7 to collect 67,829 signatures, said Dana Williams, spokeswoman for the secretary of state's office. Under the proposal, some students - such as those who are 10 or older or have special needs - could apply for waivers to get bilingual instruction. Also, if 20 or more students in the same grade at one school get waivers, the school would have to provide those students with a bilingual-education option, he said. If there are fewer than 20 students, the district could offer its own bilingual program for students but would not be required to. If there is no bilingual program, students could transfer to another school or district - at district expense if the alternative is more than 2 miles away...
"Jane Urschel, associate executive director of the Colorado Association of School Boards, is concerned the proposal interferes with the right of districts to local control. 'It is very restrictive, and kids learn differently, and it's a disservice to kids to say this can be accomplished' in a year. The proposal also would require that the students be tested annually in English."
"denver 2006"
6:08:29 AM
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Global warming or hoax?
San Francisco Chronicle: "There are a number of well-known scientists who don't believe that global warming is human-induced, or who believe that if it is, it is not catastrophic. Hurricane expert William Gray of Colorado State University believes the Earth will start to cool within 10 years. Neil Frank, former director of the National Hurricane Center, told the Washington Post that global warming is 'a hoax.' Climate scientist Robert Lindzen of MIT believes that clouds and water vapor will counteract greenhouse-gas emissions."
"2008 pres"
5:55:26 AM
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© Copyright 2009 John Orr.
Last update: 3/14/09; 8:17:39 PM.
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