News # 40 - 1-26-25
Looking for a quick fix for their fast-growing electricity diets, tech giants are increasingly looking to strike deals with power plant owners to plug in directly, avoiding a potentially longer and more expensive process of hooking into a fraying electric grid that serves everyone else.
In a world heavily reliant on technology, a significant magnetic pole shift could potentially wreak havoc. Our modern lives are entwined with the functionality of satellites, GPS systems, and telecommunications, all of which could be disrupted if the magnetic field fluctuates substantially. Additionally, the protective shield provided by Earth's magnetic field against cosmic radiation might weaken, posing increased risks. This presents a dangerous scenario similar to a puzzle missing key pieces, where the global positioning systems and weather models could malfunction, sending shockwaves through industries and services. Imagining a world temporarily cut off from navigational aids is daunting but possible.
Researchers have developed carbon cloth electrodes that efficiently remove boron from seawater, potentially replacing costly chemicals in desalination. The electrodes remove boron from desalinated water by splitting molecules into ions. Hydroxide ions bind to boron, which adheres to positive electrodes, ensuring safer drinking water production.