Smart materials - hydrogels

A hydrogel is a network of cross-linked polymers designed to absorb water.

It does this because it is hydrophilic.
In water, the polymer unit loses the Na+ ion and so the polymer becomes negatively charged as shown .

A long polymer chain usually curls up into a ball when in solution. However, when the Hydrogen atom is lost, the negative charges on the polymer chain repel.

The water then is attracted to the negative charge and hydrogen bonding occurs. The polymer can absorb up to 300 times its own mass in water.

Three major uses for hydrogels are: disposable nappies, water crystals for plants and hair gel.

Source : Robertcampbelluas edublog

Keeping in touch with latest materials !

Smart Materials 

A Smart material is a material that can change its properties when there is a change in it’s environment. Examples of external stimuli that can change are: pH, temperature, stress, pressure, water content / moisture, light etc

Shape memory metals

A metal that ‘remembers’that it is meant to be a certain shape. The material can be easily bent (deformed) then under a reasonable temperature moves back to its original shape.

Smart memory metal are very useful because they are reliable (they do the same thing every time) and repeatable (we can do it over and over again).

The SCIENCE behind them: 

Shape memory alloys have two crystal structures that the metal transfers between via a molecular rearrangement. In a molecular rearrangement, the solid state phase changes but molecules remain closely packed and therefore remain solid. The 2 phases are known as Martensite and Austenite.

The Martensite is soft and easily deformed.

You can see clearly the different crystal structures.  When the Austenite cools its crystal structure changes This is known as the martensitic transformation.

Uses

All the things that we want to move once done with a motor or lever, we can now do with smart metals. These are low cost, low mass, smaller in size resulting in lower energy consumption.

Medicine – doctors use memory alloys to treat broken bones. The alloy is cooled then wrapped around the broken bone. Body temperature warms up the metal so it goes back to its original shape thus pulling the bone together and holding them in place while it heals.

The same thing happens for braces.

http://robertcampbelluas.edublogs.org/shape-memory-metals/

ScienceCasts: Genius Materials on the ISS

Key Properties of materials

Different materials exhibit different working properties. Listed below are the key properties which determine how materials behave.

• conductivity is the ability of a material to conduct heat or electrical energy
• strength is the ability of a material to withstand a force without breaking or bending
• elasticity is the ability of a material to bend and then to return to its original shape and size
• plasticity is the ability of a material to permanently change in shape
• malleability is the ability of a material to permanently deform in all directions without cracking
• ductility is the ability of a material to deform, usually by stretching along its length
• hardness is the ability of a material to resist wear, scratching and indentation
• toughness is the ability of a material to withstand blows or sudden shocks without breaking
• durability is the ability of a material to withstand wear, especially as a result of weathering
• fusibility is the ability of a material to change into a liquid or molten state when heated to its melting point

Source : http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/design/resistantmaterials/materialsmaterialsrev6.shtml

Smart materials

Smart materials are reactive materials. Their properties can be changed by exposure to stimuli, such as electric and magnetic fields, stress, moisture and temperature.

Smart colours

Smart colours are pigments which can be incorporated into paints, dyes, inks and plastics.

• thermochromic pigments react to changes in temperature
• photochromic pigments react to changes in light levels

Photochromatic materials are used in the manufacture of sunglasses. Exposure to sunlight causes the lens of the glasses to darken to protect the eye.

Conductive polymers

Most plastics are natural insulators. The advantages of making plastics which areconductors are:

• they are easier to manufacture
• they are lighter and cheaper than metals
• they prevent the build-up of static electricity which can damage microcircuits

Some conductive polymers are also biocompatible, making them suitable for use in medical devices.

Nanomaterials

Nanoparticles improve the mechanical properties of a material, such as stiffness or elasticity. When incorporated into polymers, they can be used as lightweight replacements for metals.

Nanomaterials are used in car manufacturing to create cars that are faster, safer and more fuel efficient. They can also be used to produce more efficient insulation and lighting systems.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/design/resistantmaterials/materialsmaterialsrev6.shtm

Magic Glass

Sandwiched between two outer layers of conventional glazing sits a liquid crystal polymer membrane that can be activated by remote control or turned on (opaque) and off (see through) via conventional light switches.

Such shifts in opacity mean the same surface can serve as a window, partition, privacy screen or projection surface. Prefabricated with the synthetic core in place, units can be safely brought to and installed on residential or commercial building sites with ease.

Avoid , reduce , reuse , recycle

Every plastic container or bottle has a recycling symbol. The symbol is a number, ranging from 1 to 7, within a triangle. While you may think nothing of these symbols, they can actually offer a great deal of information regarding the toxic chemicals used in the plastic, how likely the plastic is to leach, how un-bio-degradable the plastic is, and ultimately the safety of the plastic.

PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate)
Found in: Soft drink, water and beer bottles; mouthwash bottles; peanut butter containers; salad dressing and vegetable oil containers; ovenable food trays.
Recycling: Picked up through most curbside recycling programs.
Recycled into: Polar fleece, fiber, tote bags, furniture, carpet, paneling, straps, (occasionally) new containers

HDPE (high density polyethylene) 
Found in: Milk jugs, juice bottles; bleach, detergent and household cleaner bottles; shampoo bottles; some trash and shopping bags; motor oil bottles; butter and yogurt tubs; cereal box liners
Recycling: Picked up through most curbside recycling programs, although some allow only those containers with necks.
Recycled into: Laundry detergent bottles, oil bottles, pens, recycling containers, floor tile, drainage pipe, lumber, benches, doghouses, picnic tables, fencing

HDPE is a versatile plastic with many uses, especially for packaging. It carries low risk of leaching and is readily recyclable into many goods.

V (Vinyl) or PVC 
Found in: Window cleaner and detergent bottles, shampoo bottles, cooking oil bottles, clear food packaging, wire jacketing, medical equipment, siding, windows, piping
Recycling: Rarely recycled; accepted by some plastic lumber makers. 
Recycled into: Decks, paneling, mudflaps, roadway gutters, flooring, cables, speed bumps, mats

PVC is tough and weathers well, so it is commonly used for piping, siding and similar applications. PVC contains chlorine, so its manufacture can release highly dangerous dioxins. If you must cook with PVC, don't let the plastic                                                   touch food. Also never burn PVC, because it releases toxins.

LDPE (low density polyethylene) 
Found in: Squeezable bottles; bread, frozen food, dry cleaning and shopping bags; tote bags; clothing; furniture; carpet
Recycling: LDPE is not often recycled  but some communities will accept it. Plastic shopping bags can be returned to many stores for recycling.
Recycled into: Trash can liners and cans, compost bins, shipping envelopes, paneling, lumber, landscaping ties, floor tile

LDPE is a flexible plastic with many applications.

PP (polypropylene) 
Found in: Some yogurt containers, syrup bottles, ketchup bottles, caps, straws, medicine bottles 
Recycling: Number 5 plastics can be recycled 
Recycled into: Signal lights, battery cables, brooms, brushes, auto battery cases, ice scrapers, landscape borders, bicycle racks, rakes, bins, pallets, trays

Polypropylene has a high melting point, and so is often chosen for containers that must accept hot liquid. It is gradually becoming more                                                        accepted by recyclers.

PS (polystyrene) 
Found in: Disposable plates and cups, meat trays, egg cartons, carry-out containers, aspirin bottles, compact disc cases 
Recycling: Number 6 plastics can be recycled 
Recycled into: Insulation, light switch plates, egg cartons, vents, rulers, foam packing, carry-out containers

Polystyrene can be made into rigid or foam products -- in the latter case it is popularly known as the trademark Styrofoam. Evidence suggests polystyrene can leach potential toxins into foods. The material was long on environmentalists' hit lists for dispersing widely across the landscape, and for being notoriously difficult to recycle. Most places still don't accept it,                                                    though it is gradually gaining traction.

Number 7 Plastics 

Miscellaneous 
Found in: Three- and five-gallon water bottles, 'bullet-proof' materials, sunglasses, DVDs, iPod and computer cases, signs and displays, certain food containers, nylon 
Recycling: Number 7 plastics have traditionally not been recycled.

A wide variety of plastic resins that don't fit into the previous categories are lumped into number 7. A few are even made from plants (polyactide) and are compostable. Polycarbonate is number 7, and is the hard plastic that has parents worried these days, after studies have shown it can leach                                                      potential hormone disruptors.

Note : http://www-tc.pbs.org/strangedays/pdf/StrangeDaysSmartPlasticsGuide.pdf

TOXIC HOME CHEMICALS

Baby care products

Flame-retardants are used in the foam found in products like cribs, high chairs, strollers and nursing pillows. The chemicals involved are PBDEs or other retardants with bromine or chlorine, which have been linked to sexual and neurological disorders.

Vinyl flooring and shower curtains

Phthalates are used to soften the plastic that goes into vinyl flooring and shower curtains. This chemical has been associated with causing harmful effects to growth and development in children, and impacting brain functions like                                                                                                learning, behavior and memory.

Nonstick pots and pans

There’s some controversy over the effects of the coating on nonstick pans, commonly known as Teflon. The Teflon chemical, PTFE, is thought to be harmless. But non-stick pans heated past 500 degrees Fahrenheit, or that have started to flake, can emit toxic byproducts of PTFE that can cause flu-like symptoms in humans.

Consumer electronics

This category can be a toxic cocktail. Phthalates are found in the power cords of devices or controller cables of game consoles. Brominated flame retardants (BFRs), which have been linked to impaired brain development and cancer in humans, are added to circuit boards and plastic casings.

Hard plastic bottles and containers

Bisphenol A (BPA) is found in many plastic bottles and containers. Recent studies have shown that BPA could have effects on the brain, behavior and prostrate gland in infants and young children.

                                                                                                                                                              

Insulation

BFRs are added to housing insulation materials to meet fire safety codes. These chemicals can accumulate in the body over a long period of time and have been linked to impaired brain development and cancer in humans.

Air fresheners and cleaners

Sprays or even some scented candles that “freshen” the air often use phthalates to spread the fragrance.

Cosmetics

Phthalates can also be found in perfumes, deodorants and hair sprays, as well as nail polish.

Carpets

Carpets, and some furniture, are also treated with the same non-stick chemicals, PTFE, used in Teflon. When PTFEs break down, one of the byproducts is a carcinogenic chemical, PFOA, also linked to infertility and birth defects in humans.

Personal hygiene products

The antimicrobial chemicals, such as triclocarban, added to soaps and lotions have been linked to interfering with the production of thyroid hormones, which affect neurological development in children. Some of these products also include phthalates.

Free Radicals

The human body is made up of cells. Cells are made up of molecules, and molecules are made up of atoms. Atoms contain the following components:
- a nucleus-the center of the atom
- protons-positively-charged particles in the nucleus
- neutrons-particles in the nucleus that have no charge
- electrons-negatively-charged particles circling the nucleus in layers called shells

Electrons always travel in pairs-or at least they prefer to travel that way. Occasionally, though, an atom or a group of atoms (a molecule) may lose one electron. When this happens, the atom or molecule becomes a free radical.

Like the human body in general, atoms prefer stability. An atom that's missing an electron will steal one from the nearest stable atom-turning that atom into a free radical. As you can probably imagine, this is the start of a chain reaction.

What causes free radicals?
Free radicals are created as a result of the process of oxidation, when a substance combines with oxygen. This is part of the body's normal metabolism, and does increase with age. Free radicals can also be created by the immune system to help destroy bacteria and viruses during an infection. And they can form as a result of exposure to certain chemicals, environmental toxins like pollution and radiation, and cigarette smoke.

Under normal circumstances the body can easily rid itself of free radicals. But problems can occur if the number of free radicals increases beyond the body's ability to neutralize or destroy them.

Hidden dangers of the 'Everywhere Chemicals " - The Pthalates & BPA

What is Bisphenol-A (BPA)?BPA is used to make polycarbonate plastic, a shatter-resistant and clear material used in products ranging from plastic bottles and eyeglasses to sports safety equipment.  BPA is also found in baby bottles, sippy cups, teethers, water bottles, food storage containers, and the lining of many food and beverage cans.  

C₁₅H₁₆O₂ or (CH₃)₂C(C₆H₄OH)₂  

What are phthalates?  

Phthalates  are esters of phthalic acid (or benzene-1,2-dicarboxylic acid). They include di-ethyl phthalate (DEP), di-isobutyl phthalate (DIBP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), and di-n-octyl phthalate (DOP), to name a few.

Phthalates are a group of chemicals used to make plastics more flexible and harder to break. They are often called plasticizers. Some phthalates are used as solvents (dissolving agents) for other materials. They are used in hundreds of products, such as vinyl flooring, adhesives, detergents, lubricating oils, automotive plastics, plastic clothes (raincoats), and personal-care products (soaps, shampoos, hair sprays, and nail polishes). Phthalates are used widely in polyvinyl chloride plastics, which are used to make products such as plastic packaging film and sheets, garden hoses, inflatable toys, blood-storage containers, medical tubing, and some children's toys. Also responsible for the smell of new vinyl shower curtains and  a frequent component of fragrances used in air freshners , detergents , cleaning products . They show up in cosmetics to hold color and scents and have been found in nail polish and treatments .

DBP ( dibutylphthalate)    Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, DEHP; dioctyl phthalate, DOP),   Diisobutylphthalate  BPA can leach from plastic containers into foods and beverages, especially when they are heated, or used for long periods of time. Also, when kids put toys, teethers, and other products that contain phthalates in their mouths, the chemical may leach from the product to the child.  Animal studies have shown that exposure to BPA can have developmental effects. In laboratory animals, exposure to high levels of BPA has been associated with adverse effects on reproduction. Some human studies suggest a possible effect of BPA on reproductive hormones, especially in men exposed to high levels in the workplace, but human data are not sufficient to determine if BPA adversely affects reproduction. Animal studies have associated phthalate exposure with adverse effects on the liver, kidney, and male and female reproductive system, especially when exposures occur to the developing organism. Tips to minimize exposure to BPA and Phthalates: Use refillable glass, porcelain and stainless-steel containers for food and beverages, particularly for hot foods and liquids.  When you have something plastic, look at the little triangle on the bottom of the container. Avoiding plastic containers marked with a 1 or a 7 pc and instead choosing those marked with a 2, 4, or 5 will reduce the likelihood of exposure to BPA and phthalates. Glass baby bottles are recommended for babies who don't yet feed themselves. For bottle feeding, since latex rubber nipples may contain phthalates, use of silicone nipples may reduce phthalate exposure. Do not use plastic containers in microwaves.   To minimize exposure to phthalates, avoid vinyl toys, perfumed shampoo and lotion. Choose fragrance-free products whenever possible. Companies are now making baby bottles, food containers, teethers, shampoo, lotions, and other children’s items that are "BPA-free" and/or "phthalate-free.” Always read the package label or check with the manufacturer to know what you are bringing into your home.

Is Butter Good for you ?

For decades, the food processing industry has used advertising campaigns to successfully lie about the urgent and proven need to replace “unhealthy” butter with “healthy” margarine. But now we know that this teaching was nothing more than made-up. In the battle of margarine vs butter, you may now be surprised which comes out on top.

Even back in the 60s and 70s sufficient scientific evidence indicated that butter was far better than margarine for good health. Who knew? Nevertheless, the industrial fake food industry relentlessly convinced millions of us to eat margarine for health reasons. 

The commercial processed fake food industry merged with Madison Avenue, the AMA, and mainstream media to instill a whopper of a lie by reinforcing margarine as better for you. They claimed in unison that saturated fats made you fat and promoted cardiovascular disease.

Damage from Fake Fats that Replace Favorable Fats

Partially hydrogenated fatty acids in margarine damage arteries and blood vessels. They lower good cholesterol, and raise blood levels of triglycerides and lipoproteins leading to cardiovascular damage. They also raise C-reactive protein, an inflammatory and cellular dysfunction marker. Worse yet, they inhibit the utilization of essential omega 3-fatty acids as wells a prostaglandins, which eliminate blood clots. Additionally, a diet high in partially hydrogenated fatty acids has been linked to insulin resistance and type 2 Diabetes.

The NY Times covers hydrogenated oil health issues while still promoting saturated fat nonsense. In order to function properly, your lungs, heart, immune system liver, bones, hormones and cell membranes all require high quality saturated fats - in moderation of course. Fatty acids and cholesterol are needed for healthy cell membranes, hormone and vitamin D production, and the transport and utilization of important vitamins and minerals. Now even mainstream media is spreading the truthful real news on butter. The New England Journal of Medicine recently solidified the link between trans fats and heart disease. Even low levels of trans fats consumption (1%-2%) substantially increase heart disease.

Butter vs Margarine: Butter Hierarchy: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

So what should you be looking for?

• At the top of the pyramid is organic butter made with raw milk from grass fed cows.
• The middle level is organic butter with pasteurized milk from grass fed cows and without rBGH, rBST, or antibiotics.
• The pyramid’s base is butter made from pasteurized milk from confined, grain fed, factory farmed, antibiotic and likely rBGH or rBST injected cows.

Amazingly, the butter at the bottom of the pyramid is still better for you than margarine! Margarine is merely a lab created plastic food-like substance, not by any means a real food. It’s cheap to make, lacks nutritional merit, and damages health. But it has a longer shelve life and a higher profit margin than real butter.

Five Reasons to Eat Real Butter

• 1. Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) - Raw organic, pastured butter has loads of anti- tumor CLA. It inhibits the growth of cancer cells in the skin, colon, breasts and lungs. It’s anti-fungal and it stimulates muscle growth while preventing weight gain.
• 2. Butyric Acid - Butter contains 4% butyric acid – a short chain fatty acid that research indicates can inhibit tumors. It also signals the immune system into action when an infection is brewing.
• 3. Vitamin K2 - Raw, organic, pastured butter and cream contains vitamin K2 – a necessary co-factor in vitamin D synthesis. K2 also ushers calcium out of your blood stream and into bone cells which increases bone density instead of calcifying arterial and heart tissue. Check out Mike Barrett’s article on vitamin K deficiency symptoms.
• 4. Fat–Soluble Vitamins – Butter is a good source of the fat soluble vitamins A, D, and E. It’s also an excellent vehicle for their assimilation.
• 5. The Wulzen Factor - Raw, unpasteurized butter, cream and milk contain the “Wulzen factor” an anti-stiffness agent. It protects against calcification of the joints (osteoarthritis) as well as cataracts, and the calcification of the pineal gland. Pasteurization destroys the Wulzen Factor.

Raw, organic butter is a superfood that won’t make you fat if consumed in moderation. It fact, it consists of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) and medium chain fatty acids(MCFA), which are not significantly stored as fat but easily used as energy.

This may finally be the end of the butter vs. margarine battle.

Source : http://www.whydontyoutrythis.com/2013/08/butter-vs-margarine-the-big-fat-butter-lie.html

Selamat Bulan Ramadhan

To all my muslim friends
Happy Fasting and have a blessed  reflective Holy Month . May God bless you all with abundant happiness and grace your homes with  joy ,warmth  and peace .

Miracle Drink — Apple, Beetroot & Carrot Juice

Miracle Drink — Apple, Beetroot & Carrot Juice

Heating under reflux

The 5 major greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, CFC-12, and CFC-11. 

Greenhouse Gases
Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are similar to the glass covering a greenhouse. That is, they allow short
wavelength solar radiation to pass through the atmosphere to reach the earth's surface, but absorb the longer wavelength heat that is radiated back into the atmosphere from the earth. The concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere thus has an effect on the average temperature at the surface of the earth. If the atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases decreases over time, then more heat will escape through the atmosphere, and the average temperature at the earth's surface will go down. If the greenhouse gas concentration in the atmosphere increases, however, less heat will escape to outer space and the average temperature at the earth's surface will increase.

• Carbon Dioxide
• Sources of Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
  

  • Combustion of any organic fuel (wood, natural gas, fuel oil, coal, etc.)

  •  decomposition and decay of dead plant and animal matter. 

  
  

  

  Some of the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is taken up by plants through photosynthesis; some is absorbed by the ocean waters, and some is absorbed in soil. Currently however, we're putting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere faster than it is coming out. Based on measurements that were initiated in the latter half of the 20th century, carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere have increased from about 270 ppm before the beginning of the industrial revolution in the mid-1700s to about 380 ppm today. As shown, carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is responsible for 55% of the greenhouse effect.

• Methane

  Methane (CH₄) is the main component of natural gas, which is widely used as a fuel. The methane that we're concerned about in the atmosphere, however, doesn't come from burning natural gas (which puts carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, but not methane). The primary source of methane in the atmosphere is anaerobic decomposition of organic matter, for which methane is one of the end products. Some of the anaerobic processes (meaning in the absence of oxygen) that produce methane are in sanitary landfills, from concentrated waste organic matter (like livestock manure), from bogs and swamps, and  from termites. Methane is produced in anaerobic digesters in wastewater treatment plants, but in most cases it is either captured for use or burned in a flare.
   Methane is approximately 25 times as effective as carbon dioxide in retaining heat in the atmosphere.

• Nitrous Oxide

  Nitrous Oxide (N₂O) is probably most widely known through its use as laughing gas, a mild anesthetic. The sources for its presence in the atmosphere are a variety of agricultural and industrial sources. Nitrous oxide is part of the natural nitrogen cycle as well; it is an intermediate in the denitrification of nitrate to nitrogen gas. A significant characteristic of nitrous oxide as a greenhouse gas is its longevity, with an average persistence in the atmosphere of 120 years. Nitrous oxide is approximately 300 times as effective as carbon dioxide in retaining heat in the atmosphere.

• CFC-12 and CFC-11

  CFC-11 (CCl₃F) and CFC-12 (CCl₂F₂) are the two chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) that have the greatest greenhouse effect. CFCs do not occur naturally. They were first created in 1928, and saw significant use as cleaning solvents, aerosol propellants, and refrigerants. Based on the effect of CFCs in destroying stratospheric ozone, a very successful global effort has essentially halted their production, so that atmospheric levels are now remaining constant or decreasing. Atmospheric concentrations increased from zero before 1928 to current levels of about 240 ppt for CFC-11 and about 530 ppt for CFC-12. At parts per trillion, the concentrations of these two CFCs are less than atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations by a factor of 10⁶. They still have some greenhouse gas effect, because they are 5,000 to 10,000 times as effective as carbon dioxide in retaining heat in the atmosphere.
  

Microbe responsible for methane from landfills identified

Microbe responsible for methane from landfills identified

Nuclear Energy

Pros and cons of nuclear power

As a result of the current discussion how further global warming could be prevented or at least mitigated, the revival of nuclear power seems to be in everybody's - or at least in many politician's - mind. It it interesting to see that in many suggestions to mitigate global warming, the focus is put on the advantages of nuclear power generation, its disadvantages are rarely mentioned.
Hopefully, the following summary of arguments for and against nuclear power can fill this gap:

Advantages of nuclear power generation:

• Nuclear power generation does emit relatively low amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂). The emissions of green house gases and therefore the contribution of nuclear power plants to global warming is therefore relatively little.

• This technology is readily available, it does not have to be developed first.

• It is possible to generate a high amount of electrical energy in one single plant.

Disadvantages of nuclear power generation:

• The problem of radioactive waste is still an unsolved one. The waste from nuclear energy is extremely dangerous and it has to be carefully looked after for several thousand years (10'000 years according to United States Environmental Protection Agency standards).

• High risks: Despite a generally high security standard, accidents can still happen. It is technically impossible to build a plant with 100% security. A small probability of failure will always last. The consequences of an accident would be absolutely devastating both for human being as for the nature (see here , here or here ). The more nuclear power plants (and nuclear waste storage shelters) are built, the higher is the probability of a disastrous failure somewhere in the world.

• Nuclear power plants as well as nuclear waste could be preferred targets for terrorist attacks. No atomic energy plant in the world could withstand an attack similar to 9/11 in New York. Such a terrorist act would have catastrophic effects for the whole world.

• During the operation of nuclear power plants, radioactive waste is produced, which in turn can be used for the production of nuclear weapons. In addition, the same know-how used to design nuclear power plants can to a certain extent be used to build nuclear weapons (nuclear proliferation).

• The energy source for nuclear energy is Uranium. Uranium is a scarce resource, its supply is estimated to last only for the next 30 to 60 years depending on the actual demand.

• The time frame needed for formalities, planning and building of a new nuclear power generation plant is in the range of 20 to 30 years in the western democracies. In other words: It is an illusion to build new nuclear power plants in a short time.

Sustainability: Is nuclear energy sustainable?

For several reasons, nuclear power is neither «green» nor sustainable:

• Both the nuclear waste as well as retired nuclear plants are a life-threatening legacy for hundreds of future generations. It flagrantly contradicts with the thoughts of sustainability if future generations have to deal with dangerous waste generated from preceding generations. See also here .

• Uranium, the source of energy for nuclear power, is available on earth only in limited quantities. Uranium is being «consumed» (i.e. converted) during the operation of the nuclear power plant so it won't be available any more for future generations. This again contradicts the principle of sustainability.

Is nuclear power renewable energy?

Nuclear energy uses Uranium as fuel, which is a scarce resource. The supply of Uranium is expected to last only for the next 30 to 60 years (depending on the actual demand). Therefore nuclear energy is not a renewable energy.

Conclusion

From the above mentioned pros and cons of nuclear power plants, it should be evident that nuclear energy cannot be a solution to any problem. Even worse: it is the source of many further problems.

We must not any longer shut our eyes to the consequences of our being on earth. Besides moral, ethical and spiritual reasons, at least for the pure will to survive we should consequently strive for a sustainable living and realize it in our personal life. It's time for change!