Own immediate environment
I took a walk around the apartment community I live in and encountered the following animals/insects along the way: neighbor's cat, squirrels, another neighbor's dogs, dead earthworms (I guess they came out after the rain), butterflies, birds and some flying bugs. So, it's definitely quite a diversity. In my own apartment however, there aren't really any other visible creatures around, but I am sure there are lots of invisible bacterias (good and bad ones) abound.
Cocoa to rid of West's top killer diseases
It's certainly good news that some of the most deadly diseases can be cured with this palate pleaser. But I think exercise should be a must in any health-regime. To live is to move.
And as with everything in life, always follow the way of the mean. So, even though cocoa is a wonderful panacea, I think it should be consumed in moderation. Sometimes there is the idea of "if one is good, two must be better", but this isn't necessarily true. Interestingly, natives never consumed cocoa as food, but only for sacred use. That's something for thought.
Tonight's discussion
The situation in Japan is really devastating. But it's good to know that the radiation levels in the waters off the coast have fallen dramatically. Many faceless heroes have worked hard trying to prevent more leakage of the radiation. The working condition is appalling for these workers, however, these workers still keep going, fighting against something that no one knows when an end will come or when the situation will come under control. Whatever it is that keep them there and keep them going, I take off my hat to these people and their families.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Week Thirteen: Free Radicals and Antioxidants
Heavy reliance on supplements
I definitely think that majority of the population rely too heavily on supplements to provide antioxidants. I myself used to take all sorts of vitamins and supplements thinking that I needed those to maintain my health. But now, I won't even take them even if they were handed to me for free. Of course, there are those who'd swear by vitamins and supplements. But I've read lots of articles about the side effects of supplements and they seem to outweigh the benefits. Thousands or even a few hundred years ago, there were no supplements, yet people were very much in great health, in fact, much healthier than the people of today! I think it's our lifestyle which seems to be less and less in tune with nature that there's a need for artificial supplements. But this creates a bad cycle, the more man-made chemicals we feed our body, the less opportunity we give our body to absorb and digest natural food and vitamins and more dependent we become of these chemicals and the more foreign our body becomes to natural foods.
Environmental pollutants
I think the bottom line is to get the government to intervene and set laws and regulations to regulate the wastes that are released into the environment. It's very easy for the rich countries to pack the wastes and dump them in poor countries, but this is unethical and the poor countries shouldn't have to deal with the consequences of actions that weren't induced by them in the first place. Until then, I think we'd be in a passive position whereby we can only respond to problems as they occur, e.g. the recent earthquake that caused the radiation leak. But usually by then it's too late. There are many things been done right now to reduce our carbon footprints, let's pray the pace is fast enough to reverse the damages already done.
Comment on class discussion
It's interesting to read about these seemingly sophisticated hands-free faucets actually harbor more germs than traditional ones. Makes you wonder about many other things that we might consider more technologically advanced, but aren't actually better for us, e.g. air conditioning vs traditional electrical fans. Research shows that air conditioning can aggravate arthritis, neurosis, and sinus inflammation. There are also micro organisms that end up in air conditioning units that cause breathing troubles.
I definitely think that majority of the population rely too heavily on supplements to provide antioxidants. I myself used to take all sorts of vitamins and supplements thinking that I needed those to maintain my health. But now, I won't even take them even if they were handed to me for free. Of course, there are those who'd swear by vitamins and supplements. But I've read lots of articles about the side effects of supplements and they seem to outweigh the benefits. Thousands or even a few hundred years ago, there were no supplements, yet people were very much in great health, in fact, much healthier than the people of today! I think it's our lifestyle which seems to be less and less in tune with nature that there's a need for artificial supplements. But this creates a bad cycle, the more man-made chemicals we feed our body, the less opportunity we give our body to absorb and digest natural food and vitamins and more dependent we become of these chemicals and the more foreign our body becomes to natural foods.
Environmental pollutants
I think the bottom line is to get the government to intervene and set laws and regulations to regulate the wastes that are released into the environment. It's very easy for the rich countries to pack the wastes and dump them in poor countries, but this is unethical and the poor countries shouldn't have to deal with the consequences of actions that weren't induced by them in the first place. Until then, I think we'd be in a passive position whereby we can only respond to problems as they occur, e.g. the recent earthquake that caused the radiation leak. But usually by then it's too late. There are many things been done right now to reduce our carbon footprints, let's pray the pace is fast enough to reverse the damages already done.
Comment on class discussion
It's interesting to read about these seemingly sophisticated hands-free faucets actually harbor more germs than traditional ones. Makes you wonder about many other things that we might consider more technologically advanced, but aren't actually better for us, e.g. air conditioning vs traditional electrical fans. Research shows that air conditioning can aggravate arthritis, neurosis, and sinus inflammation. There are also micro organisms that end up in air conditioning units that cause breathing troubles.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Week Twelve : Cell Biology
Mitosis vs Meiosis
Simple, easy way to understand the two processes and the difference between the two.
I also found the following neat summary online:
Citric Cycle Animation
A very clear illustration of the entire citric acid cycle. It's amazing how little cells invisible to the human eye can perform highly-complicated chemical processes to give us energy.
Below is my understanding of the cycle:
Pyruvate supplies energy to living cells through the citric acid cycle. Citric acid cycle is a series of chemical reactions using enzymes as catalysts. The cycle takes place in the mitochondria. The citric acid cycle is involved in the chemical conversion of carbohydrates, fat and proteins into carbon dioxide and water to generate ATP produced in the cycle.
Comment on "it is the network of interactions ......not one of its components."
Although totally unrelated, but this made me think of how Chinese herbal formulas work. TCM herbs are never prescribed individually, but always combined with other herbs to create desired effects. One toxic herb doesn't make the entire formula toxic. However, the word "toxic" would make many who are foreign to Chinese medicine skeptical and doubtful of the efficacy of the medicine. There is a famous Chinese saying, "use toxin to attack toxin". In a well-thought out formula, toxicity of herbs are reduced to minimum if not totally eliminated and each herb's strength is enhanced through the combination. So, it's never about what a single herb can do, but the power released when it is combined with other herbs.
Simple, easy way to understand the two processes and the difference between the two.
I also found the following neat summary online:
Citric Cycle Animation
A very clear illustration of the entire citric acid cycle. It's amazing how little cells invisible to the human eye can perform highly-complicated chemical processes to give us energy.
Below is my understanding of the cycle:
Pyruvate supplies energy to living cells through the citric acid cycle. Citric acid cycle is a series of chemical reactions using enzymes as catalysts. The cycle takes place in the mitochondria. The citric acid cycle is involved in the chemical conversion of carbohydrates, fat and proteins into carbon dioxide and water to generate ATP produced in the cycle.
Comment on "it is the network of interactions ......not one of its components."
Although totally unrelated, but this made me think of how Chinese herbal formulas work. TCM herbs are never prescribed individually, but always combined with other herbs to create desired effects. One toxic herb doesn't make the entire formula toxic. However, the word "toxic" would make many who are foreign to Chinese medicine skeptical and doubtful of the efficacy of the medicine. There is a famous Chinese saying, "use toxin to attack toxin". In a well-thought out formula, toxicity of herbs are reduced to minimum if not totally eliminated and each herb's strength is enhanced through the combination. So, it's never about what a single herb can do, but the power released when it is combined with other herbs.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Week Eleven: the Chemistry of Life
Review of Animations
I clicked on the periodic table as well as the metabolic pathways links and found both very interesting. Periodic table is something we are familiar with. The metabolic pathways is interesting, but all the chemistry jargon make it a little difficult to understand. The urea cycle confirmed what we learned in pathology, urea is made in liver and not in kidneys. I'd like to revisit the links again at the end of the course, may be by then I'll have a better understanding of what all the terms mean.
Do our ends justify our means?
In the span of history, with the rise and fall of empires and kingdoms, men have learned how to defend for themselves, how to make the most out of scarce resources and most importantly, how to survive. With the evolution of time and changes brought by the industrial revolution, survival is no longer a concern for most people. People want more than just survival, they want to accumulate wealth, assets, material goods and whatever it is, the bigger, the better, the more, the merrier. And so, through technology and intelligence, mankind have achieved its goal. For most people, they now have easy access to all kinds of food and material goods, yet all this has come at a price. One decade into the 21st century, and we've already had to deal with so many alarming natural disasters, not to mention the man-made disasters fueled by greed. In the past, productivity was regarded more highly than sustainability, but in the wake of all the recent major disasters, it seems we should now once-again be concerned with survival and this time, not about how to get more to survive, but how to cut down and conserve.
I clicked on the periodic table as well as the metabolic pathways links and found both very interesting. Periodic table is something we are familiar with. The metabolic pathways is interesting, but all the chemistry jargon make it a little difficult to understand. The urea cycle confirmed what we learned in pathology, urea is made in liver and not in kidneys. I'd like to revisit the links again at the end of the course, may be by then I'll have a better understanding of what all the terms mean.
Do our ends justify our means?
In the span of history, with the rise and fall of empires and kingdoms, men have learned how to defend for themselves, how to make the most out of scarce resources and most importantly, how to survive. With the evolution of time and changes brought by the industrial revolution, survival is no longer a concern for most people. People want more than just survival, they want to accumulate wealth, assets, material goods and whatever it is, the bigger, the better, the more, the merrier. And so, through technology and intelligence, mankind have achieved its goal. For most people, they now have easy access to all kinds of food and material goods, yet all this has come at a price. One decade into the 21st century, and we've already had to deal with so many alarming natural disasters, not to mention the man-made disasters fueled by greed. In the past, productivity was regarded more highly than sustainability, but in the wake of all the recent major disasters, it seems we should now once-again be concerned with survival and this time, not about how to get more to survive, but how to cut down and conserve.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Mid-term paper
I chose "green chemistry" as my topic because it's so relevant to everyone of us. With the recent change in weather patterns around the world as well as the scale of natural disasters, it is clear that Mother Nature is taking drastic measures to re-balance itself. If we continue to ignore her cries, pretty soon we'd wipe ourselves out of existence. If we can all just make one small change in our lifestyle, e.g meatless on Mondays, together, the effects can be dramatic! One little step at a time...
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
General Chemistry - Balancing Equations - Tutorials
Detailed step-by-step tutorial illustrating how to balance a chemical equation. I think I am beginning to like chemistry.
Welcome to Chembalancer
The game was fun! It was a nice, fun way to learn balancing chemical equations. I think I've finally learned how to balance chemical equations for the first time! despite having learned them many years back in high school...
Semiconductor of the Week - Silicon
The symbol for silicone is Si, its atomic number is 14. It is less reactive than carbon.
Silicon is the eighth most common element in the universe by mass, but very rarely occurs as the pure free element in nature.
Silicon is present in the sun and stars. Silicon makes up 25.7% of the earth's crust by weight, and is the second most abundant element, exceeded only by oxygen. It is found largely as silicon oxides such as sand (silica), quartz, rock crystal, amethyst, agate, flint, jasper and opal.
Silicon has many industrial uses. It is a principal component in microchips. Silicon is widely used in semiconductors because it remains a semiconductor at higher temperatures and forms a better semiconductor/dielectric interface than any other material.
Silicon is the eighth most common element in the universe by mass, but very rarely occurs as the pure free element in nature.
Silicon is present in the sun and stars. Silicon makes up 25.7% of the earth's crust by weight, and is the second most abundant element, exceeded only by oxygen. It is found largely as silicon oxides such as sand (silica), quartz, rock crystal, amethyst, agate, flint, jasper and opal.
Silicon has many industrial uses. It is a principal component in microchips. Silicon is widely used in semiconductors because it remains a semiconductor at higher temperatures and forms a better semiconductor/dielectric interface than any other material.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
A mole
Below is my understanding of the mole:
1. It's a unit of measurement for chemical substances. It's symbol is mol
2. Mole is actually derived from the German word "molekul", which means molecule.
3. The weight of one mole of any chemical listed on the periodic table is equal to its atomic mass.
4. One mole = 6.02214179×1023
I also discovered the following piece of interesting information:
October 23 is called "Mole Day". An informal holiday in honor of the unit among North American chemists. Date is derived from Avogadro's number and it officially starts at 6:02 AM and ends at 6:02 PM.
1. It's a unit of measurement for chemical substances. It's symbol is mol
2. Mole is actually derived from the German word "molekul", which means molecule.
3. The weight of one mole of any chemical listed on the periodic table is equal to its atomic mass.
4. One mole = 6.02214179×1023
I also discovered the following piece of interesting information:
October 23 is called "Mole Day". An informal holiday in honor of the unit among North American chemists. Date is derived from Avogadro's number and it officially starts at 6:02 AM and ends at 6:02 PM.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Avogadro's Hypothesis
This website helped me to understand more clearly how Avogadro's number was discovered and how Avogadro's principle was totally ignored till many years after this death. How sad that he lived unrecognized. But it's a good thing that we attach his name to this miraculous number: 6.02 x 1023 It's the least we can do to show our respect to the man who helped us to make a giant leap in chemistry.
The check buttons to the questions don't seem to be working though.
The check buttons to the questions don't seem to be working though.
Alkali Earth Metal of the Week - Calcium
The symbol for Calcium is Ca and its atomic number is 20. Calcium is essential for living organisms, particularly in cell physiology. It is also a major material used in mineralization of bones and shells.
Calcium has many uses:
- in extraction of other metals, such as uranium
- as an alloying agent used in the production of alloys, eg aluminium alloys, magnesium alloys
- in the making of cements and mortars in construction
Calcium is also a mineral essential for life. We've been told that three glasses of milk per daywill help prevent osteoporosis, the weakening of bones. Yet osteoporosis seems to be on the rise. However, studies have shown that “The countries with the highest rates of osteoporosis are the ones where people drink the most milk and have the most calcium in their diets. The connection between calcium consumption and bone health is actually very weak, and the connection between dairy consumption and bone health is almost nonexistent.” ( http://health.learninginfo.org/osteoporosis.htm )
Humans are the only mammals in the world who continue to drink milk after they are weaned off and not only do they continue to drink milk, but they drink another mammal's milk! Something just doesn't seem right here...
Calcium has many uses:
- in extraction of other metals, such as uranium
- as an alloying agent used in the production of alloys, eg aluminium alloys, magnesium alloys
- in the making of cements and mortars in construction
Calcium is also a mineral essential for life. We've been told that three glasses of milk per daywill help prevent osteoporosis, the weakening of bones. Yet osteoporosis seems to be on the rise. However, studies have shown that “The countries with the highest rates of osteoporosis are the ones where people drink the most milk and have the most calcium in their diets. The connection between calcium consumption and bone health is actually very weak, and the connection between dairy consumption and bone health is almost nonexistent.” ( http://health.learninginfo.org/osteoporosis.htm )
Humans are the only mammals in the world who continue to drink milk after they are weaned off and not only do they continue to drink milk, but they drink another mammal's milk! Something just doesn't seem right here...
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Alchemy
Alchemy is an artful method to turn base metals into gold. For spiritual seekers, it is a way to attain the ultimate wisdom and may be achieve longevity. To me, the longevity they are seeking is not simply about prolonging physical existence, it's about finding eternal life. Alchemy is the spiritual seekers' way to gain as much energy as possible, a way to be connected with the divine source of universal energy both within themselves and externally to attain eternal life/nirvana.
In practice, this is much harder to achieve than it sounds. In ancient China, to practice alchemy, there was a strict requirement for being virtuous. The requirements for moral character were much higher than those for intelligence and knowledge. The truth of the universe is vast, deep and pure, it's impossible to tap into this truth with an impure, selfish mind. Alchemy is therefore not just about turning metal into gold, it's also a spiritual quest to nirvana.
In practice, this is much harder to achieve than it sounds. In ancient China, to practice alchemy, there was a strict requirement for being virtuous. The requirements for moral character were much higher than those for intelligence and knowledge. The truth of the universe is vast, deep and pure, it's impossible to tap into this truth with an impure, selfish mind. Alchemy is therefore not just about turning metal into gold, it's also a spiritual quest to nirvana.
Halogen of the Week - Astatine
Astatine is a radioactive chemical element. Symbol At and its atomic number is 85. It is the heaviest known halogen.
Heavier isotopes of astatine have medical uses. It is used in radiation therapy for human tumors.
Astatine is extremely radioactive, it is to be handled with extreme care. Because of its extreme rarity, it is not likely that the general public will be exposed.Astatine is a halogen, and standard precautions apply. It is reactive, sharing similar chemical characteristics with iodine.
Heavier isotopes of astatine have medical uses. It is used in radiation therapy for human tumors.
Astatine is extremely radioactive, it is to be handled with extreme care. Because of its extreme rarity, it is not likely that the general public will be exposed.Astatine is a halogen, and standard precautions apply. It is reactive, sharing similar chemical characteristics with iodine.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Color of minerals
The science behind the color of minerals is very interesting.
Reminds me of a time when I traveled to the Canadian Rockies and passed by Lake Louise. The color of the lake is emerald/greenish color. And this other Lake, Peyto Lake has a beautiful turquoise color. When the lake is still, it looks like a piece of turquoise carpet covering the lake. It's beautiful.
Apparently the color of the lakes can be attributed to the glacial "rock flour" that are flown into the lakes and it's those suspended rock particles that give these lakes their beautiful colors.
Reminds me of a time when I traveled to the Canadian Rockies and passed by Lake Louise. The color of the lake is emerald/greenish color. And this other Lake, Peyto Lake has a beautiful turquoise color. When the lake is still, it looks like a piece of turquoise carpet covering the lake. It's beautiful.
Apparently the color of the lakes can be attributed to the glacial "rock flour" that are flown into the lakes and it's those suspended rock particles that give these lakes their beautiful colors.
Colors of foods in my own kitchen
So a list of the foods in my kitchen and categorizing them into the different colors:
1. red: carrots, red bean chinese new year sticky rice cake (yummy), tomatoes, apples
2. green: cabbage, celery, green pepper, salad mix, edamame
3. white: konnyaku slices (traditional Japanese vegetable-based jelly-like health food), white rice, fried tofu, home-made fries
4. brown: brown rice
5. yellow: cheese, eggs, mango
6. black: dried Chinese mushrooms
Looks like I have all the colors in my kitchen, except "blue", but according to "The Full Spectrum Diet", seaweed products are considered blue/indigo food, therefore I have blue food too in my kitchen - dried seaweed and nori.
Nice, healthy green diet :)
1. red: carrots, red bean chinese new year sticky rice cake (yummy), tomatoes, apples
2. green: cabbage, celery, green pepper, salad mix, edamame
3. white: konnyaku slices (traditional Japanese vegetable-based jelly-like health food), white rice, fried tofu, home-made fries
4. brown: brown rice
5. yellow: cheese, eggs, mango
6. black: dried Chinese mushrooms
Looks like I have all the colors in my kitchen, except "blue", but according to "The Full Spectrum Diet", seaweed products are considered blue/indigo food, therefore I have blue food too in my kitchen - dried seaweed and nori.
Nice, healthy green diet :)
Inert Gas of the Week - Neon
Neon has the symbol Ne and an atomic number of 10. It is a very common element in the universe, but very rare on earth.
It's a colorless, inert gas and a first-rate conductor of electricity and has an amazing ability to give off light which can be seen at great distances, it is used most frequently in airplane beacons, in lamps, and in advertising signs.
Neon is produced when air is turned to a liquid under high pressure and at temperatures of about -200°C. That liquid leaves behind it a gas, neon. Neon is costly to produce but very little is needed to create that bright light. Just one quart of neon gas will light up 200 to 300 feet of glass tubing.
The bright red signs we see outside shops and theaters are simply glass tubes filled with neon gas. For blue neon signs, a few drops of mercury are added to the gas. Neon lamps do not have filaments as are found in incandescent lamps, for in neon lamps it is the gas itself that glows.
It's a colorless, inert gas and a first-rate conductor of electricity and has an amazing ability to give off light which can be seen at great distances, it is used most frequently in airplane beacons, in lamps, and in advertising signs.
Neon is produced when air is turned to a liquid under high pressure and at temperatures of about -200°C. That liquid leaves behind it a gas, neon. Neon is costly to produce but very little is needed to create that bright light. Just one quart of neon gas will light up 200 to 300 feet of glass tubing.
The bright red signs we see outside shops and theaters are simply glass tubes filled with neon gas. For blue neon signs, a few drops of mercury are added to the gas. Neon lamps do not have filaments as are found in incandescent lamps, for in neon lamps it is the gas itself that glows.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Ensure Asia Pacific economic growth truly environmentally sustainable
With the economic crisis in the US and Europe, many businesses are looking to Asia Pacific, specifically China for future investments.
The Chinese economy is booming, property values are going through the roof. The Chinese are no longer the poor farmers we used to read about in textbooks. They are the ones with cash to save the world's economy.
However, behind all this glamor lingers an issue that can no longer be ignored - the devastating environmental impact this fast growing economy has made. Go to China and it's hard not to notice the pollution. Check out this link, the pictures are horrifying: http://www.chinahush.com/2009/10/21/amazing-pictures-pollution-in-china/
Ensuring Asia Pacific economic growth truly environmentally sustainable has to be top priority. Very strict environmental policies and regulations must be in place and dedicated manpower must be available to monitor compliance. Policies are useless if they are not monitored to ensure compliance and no amount of monitoring would be helpful unless reports are followed up and problems resolved. Decision makers should focus on what's really at stake. Even if the world suffered another economic crisis, the worst scenario is that we'd have less material goods to contend with and we'd go back to live like our grandparents, but if we destroyed this earth, that would be the end of all..everything, including us.
The Chinese economy is booming, property values are going through the roof. The Chinese are no longer the poor farmers we used to read about in textbooks. They are the ones with cash to save the world's economy.
However, behind all this glamor lingers an issue that can no longer be ignored - the devastating environmental impact this fast growing economy has made. Go to China and it's hard not to notice the pollution. Check out this link, the pictures are horrifying: http://www.chinahush.com/2009/10/21/amazing-pictures-pollution-in-china/
Ensuring Asia Pacific economic growth truly environmentally sustainable has to be top priority. Very strict environmental policies and regulations must be in place and dedicated manpower must be available to monitor compliance. Policies are useless if they are not monitored to ensure compliance and no amount of monitoring would be helpful unless reports are followed up and problems resolved. Decision makers should focus on what's really at stake. Even if the world suffered another economic crisis, the worst scenario is that we'd have less material goods to contend with and we'd go back to live like our grandparents, but if we destroyed this earth, that would be the end of all..everything, including us.
Green chemistry as social movement
The more people that are involved in green chemistry, the higher the chance our planet has for survival.
We cannot simply expect the industries to be green, to clean up all the pollution and garbage while we sit around and do nothing. There is a lot that we as consumers can do too.
For example, support green products. They might cost more, but in the long run, it will cost everyone less. Less clean ups, less landfills, better health, less tax we'd have to pay. Try our best to get rid of the toxic chemicals we use on a daily basis, from dish washing liquid, to detergent, to most of what we use in the bathroom, shampoos, soaps and cosmetics.
Chemicals aren't just found in what we use, but it's in what we eat too. So we can choose to go organic, or at least partially initially, support organic farmers and be green.
We cannot simply expect the industries to be green, to clean up all the pollution and garbage while we sit around and do nothing. There is a lot that we as consumers can do too.
For example, support green products. They might cost more, but in the long run, it will cost everyone less. Less clean ups, less landfills, better health, less tax we'd have to pay. Try our best to get rid of the toxic chemicals we use on a daily basis, from dish washing liquid, to detergent, to most of what we use in the bathroom, shampoos, soaps and cosmetics.
Chemicals aren't just found in what we use, but it's in what we eat too. So we can choose to go organic, or at least partially initially, support organic farmers and be green.
Catalyst of the Week
I googled this and found many chemical catalysts which I am not familiar with or names I cannot pronounce. Then I came across an example of a catalyst used in cooking, which I thought was interesting.
It's a copper lined bowl which is used to whip egg whites (used in French cooking) to make them become stiffer faster. I don't really know if this is catalytic, but it is something which speeds up a reaction without changing its own chemical properties.
Here are some more catalysts which were easier for me to relate to and understand:
1. laundry detergent: usually contains active enzymes to speed up cleaning and break up compounds
2. bread: made with yeast
3. human body: cannot function without enzymes
It's a copper lined bowl which is used to whip egg whites (used in French cooking) to make them become stiffer faster. I don't really know if this is catalytic, but it is something which speeds up a reaction without changing its own chemical properties.
Here are some more catalysts which were easier for me to relate to and understand:
1. laundry detergent: usually contains active enzymes to speed up cleaning and break up compounds
2. bread: made with yeast
3. human body: cannot function without enzymes
Monday, January 24, 2011
Water concepts
water is a very interesting molecule, because one can survive for weeks without food, but one day without water can be life-threatening.
it's fun to watch the animations. i wonder how fast the molecules would move around in higher temperatures? it's amazing how the motion seems to be so rapid, yet there's still some order to it..water still remains water....
it's fun to watch the animations. i wonder how fast the molecules would move around in higher temperatures? it's amazing how the motion seems to be so rapid, yet there's still some order to it..water still remains water....
Neptune's Medicine Chest
A very interesting article and certainly spells hopes for those with a terminal illness for which a cure is still to be found and possibly a lucrative business potential for pharmaceutical companies.
The other thing that came to mind as I read the article was "exploitation of resources" - in the same way coal, petroleum, gas and other natural resources have been exploited by the human race. How long would it be before these wonderful creatures of the ocean disappear before our very eyes because of human greed? And how long would it be before the oceans get so polluted that no living organisms can grow because pharmaceutical companies are employing huge machineries and whatever else to take the resources that they want?
Western medicine takes the approach of extracting the so-called active ingredients of substances, then discard the rest. Such highly concentrated extracts consumed over a long period of time can damage the human body. Chinese medicine takes a different approach. It's not so much about what one single herb can do, or what active ingredients are, but how this single herb, together with other herbs can cure diseases. I am not so sure that "medicine is just chemistry". A few thousand years ago, way before chemistry was known to people, Chinese and many other natives from other parts of the world were already using herbs to cure people, not realizing or paying attention to the active ingredients of substances.
May be the answer to healing lies in how one can live more in accordance and in harmony with nature.
The other thing that came to mind as I read the article was "exploitation of resources" - in the same way coal, petroleum, gas and other natural resources have been exploited by the human race. How long would it be before these wonderful creatures of the ocean disappear before our very eyes because of human greed? And how long would it be before the oceans get so polluted that no living organisms can grow because pharmaceutical companies are employing huge machineries and whatever else to take the resources that they want?
Western medicine takes the approach of extracting the so-called active ingredients of substances, then discard the rest. Such highly concentrated extracts consumed over a long period of time can damage the human body. Chinese medicine takes a different approach. It's not so much about what one single herb can do, or what active ingredients are, but how this single herb, together with other herbs can cure diseases. I am not so sure that "medicine is just chemistry". A few thousand years ago, way before chemistry was known to people, Chinese and many other natives from other parts of the world were already using herbs to cure people, not realizing or paying attention to the active ingredients of substances.
May be the answer to healing lies in how one can live more in accordance and in harmony with nature.
Transitional Metal of the Week - Platinum
The chemical symbol for platinum is Pt, with an atomic number of 78. Pt is one of the rarest elements in the earth's crust and has an average abundance of approximately 0.005mg/kg.
The largest known primary reserves are in the Bushveld Complex in South Africa. In 2009, South Africa was the top producer of platinum with an almost 80% share, followed by Russia at 11%.
Platinum is used in laboratory equipment, dentistry equipment, jewelry and so on. Because it's such a scarce material, it is highly valuable and is a major precious metal commodity.
Currently, one ounce of gold is valued at approximately $1,344, whereas one ounce of platinum is valued at approximately $1,819.
Platinum is not the same as white gold. White gold is an alloy of gold and some white metals such as silver and palladium. For example, 18kt yellow gold is made by mixing 75% gold (750 parts per thousand) with 25% (250 parts per thousand) other metals such as copper and zinc. 18kt white gold is made by mixing 75% gold with 25% other metals such as silver and palladium. So the amount of gold is the same but the alloy is different. To keep a white gold ring looking its best it should be re-rhodium plated approximately each 12 to 18 months.
Platinum is a white metal, but unlike gold it is used in jewelry in almost its pure form (approximately 95% pure). Platinum is extremely long wearing and is very white, so it does not need to be Rhodium plated like white gold. Platinum is very dense (heavy), so a platinum ring will feel heavier than an 18kt gold ring.
Platinum is, however, very expensive. A platinum ring will be approximately twice the price of an 18kt white gold ring (excluding gemstone costs).
The largest known primary reserves are in the Bushveld Complex in South Africa. In 2009, South Africa was the top producer of platinum with an almost 80% share, followed by Russia at 11%.
Platinum is used in laboratory equipment, dentistry equipment, jewelry and so on. Because it's such a scarce material, it is highly valuable and is a major precious metal commodity.
Currently, one ounce of gold is valued at approximately $1,344, whereas one ounce of platinum is valued at approximately $1,819.
Platinum is not the same as white gold. White gold is an alloy of gold and some white metals such as silver and palladium. For example, 18kt yellow gold is made by mixing 75% gold (750 parts per thousand) with 25% (250 parts per thousand) other metals such as copper and zinc. 18kt white gold is made by mixing 75% gold with 25% other metals such as silver and palladium. So the amount of gold is the same but the alloy is different. To keep a white gold ring looking its best it should be re-rhodium plated approximately each 12 to 18 months.
Platinum is a white metal, but unlike gold it is used in jewelry in almost its pure form (approximately 95% pure). Platinum is extremely long wearing and is very white, so it does not need to be Rhodium plated like white gold. Platinum is very dense (heavy), so a platinum ring will feel heavier than an 18kt gold ring.
Platinum is, however, very expensive. A platinum ring will be approximately twice the price of an 18kt white gold ring (excluding gemstone costs).
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Elements, compounds & mixtures
Element: cannot be broken down further. Consists of only 1 kind of atom
Molecule: consists of two or more atoms of the same or different elements; bound together chemically
Compound: consists of atoms of two or more different elements bound together. Can be broken down by chemical means, but not physical means
Mixture: consists of two or more different elements and/or compounds physically intermingled.
Molecule: consists of two or more atoms of the same or different elements; bound together chemically
Compound: consists of atoms of two or more different elements bound together. Can be broken down by chemical means, but not physical means
Mixture: consists of two or more different elements and/or compounds physically intermingled.
Discussion of ozone with friends
I talked to a couple of my friends about ozone and the mention of the word immediately elicited the following reactions, "the ozone layer", "ozone depletion", "pollution", "ozone hole in New Zealand".
One friend mentioned about the recent flood in Australia and how this could be a sign of how human activities are affecting nature's natural cycle and hence the weather. I have a few friends living in Australia and although they weren't affected, they say it was the worst flood in history and reconstruction would not only be costly but would take quite some time too.
Another friend very interestingly mentioned about how animal farming is a big contributor of CO2 as well as other greenhouse gases such as methane and nitrous oxide, mainly from animal waste. Clearing of land for animal farming is also to blame for the release of carbon dioxide into the air as forests and wooded areas are natural carbon sinks. As the number of tress start to decline, less CO2 is recycled and hence adding to greenhouse effect. So she suggested we all do our part by adopting a vegetarian, or at least less meat diet to help the planet. Totally agreed!
There are many things we can do to save the ozone layer, just to name a few:
1. use energy saving light bulbs
2. put on a sweater, lower the thermostat
3. unplug electrical appliances if not in use
4. eat less meat or no meat at all!
5. recycle
One friend mentioned about the recent flood in Australia and how this could be a sign of how human activities are affecting nature's natural cycle and hence the weather. I have a few friends living in Australia and although they weren't affected, they say it was the worst flood in history and reconstruction would not only be costly but would take quite some time too.
Another friend very interestingly mentioned about how animal farming is a big contributor of CO2 as well as other greenhouse gases such as methane and nitrous oxide, mainly from animal waste. Clearing of land for animal farming is also to blame for the release of carbon dioxide into the air as forests and wooded areas are natural carbon sinks. As the number of tress start to decline, less CO2 is recycled and hence adding to greenhouse effect. So she suggested we all do our part by adopting a vegetarian, or at least less meat diet to help the planet. Totally agreed!
There are many things we can do to save the ozone layer, just to name a few:
1. use energy saving light bulbs
2. put on a sweater, lower the thermostat
3. unplug electrical appliances if not in use
4. eat less meat or no meat at all!
5. recycle
Element of the Week - Titanium
I chose titanium because it's such a versatile metal. People called it, the "space age metal". The symbol for Titanium is Ti, atomic number 22.
It's highly resistant to corrosion, even from salt water, acids and corrosive gases. Also, due to its high strength to weight ratio, it is much utilised in the aerospace industry. Ti has made space exploration possible. It is also used in the medical field and in particular, for prosthetic implants.
But the uses of Ti do not end here. Ti is also much in demand in the jewellery business, especially men's jewelery due to its hard wearing properties. Application of heat causes a change in the color of Ti, which makes it ideal for making eye-catching jewellery for women too.
It's highly resistant to corrosion, even from salt water, acids and corrosive gases. Also, due to its high strength to weight ratio, it is much utilised in the aerospace industry. Ti has made space exploration possible. It is also used in the medical field and in particular, for prosthetic implants.
But the uses of Ti do not end here. Ti is also much in demand in the jewellery business, especially men's jewelery due to its hard wearing properties. Application of heat causes a change in the color of Ti, which makes it ideal for making eye-catching jewellery for women too.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Thoughts on class discussions on Jan 6, 2011
Alternative fuels: bio-fuel is considered a much better alternative to fossil fuel. It's definitely greener and better for the environment. However, the source of biofuel is usually corn or soya beans, a food crop and this raises the question of whether it's ethical or the right thing to do to set aside acres and acres of land to grow corn to produce biofuel for the benefits of mostly first-world-country-citizens while the third-world-country-citizens suffer in starvation?
Back in the days when I was an auditor, I audited a company which produces biofuel, but they don't use corn. They actually use a weed called jatropha. As it's a weed, it grows very easily, even in almost desert-like conditions, so the cost to grow is very low and as it's a weed, it doesn't compete with traditional food production. The cost of producing fuel from jatropha is also cheaper than using corn or other food crops. China, Thailand and many other countries have actually set land aside to grow this plant. It is still in early stage though and production can be unstable at times, but if big oil giants are willing to invest money to research this plant, I think this is the plant that will save the fuel crisis and help us reduce our carbon footprints.
You can read more about it: http://news.mongabay.com/2007/0824-biofuels.html
Environmentally friendly vs cost of public transport: All of us would like to do our share to be green, even the government urges all of us to make use of public transport whenever possible. However, many times, it's actually cheaper to drive than to take Bart. I've been told that Bart is the most expensive public transport in California and since I take Bart, I know this is true!
In Taiwan, public transport is extremely affordable and very convenient. Many people, even those living in the wealthiest spots of Taiwan do not have cars because public transport is so convenient. I think something needs to be done to lower the cost of pubic transportation in order to encourage more people to leave cars at home. There should be some incentives in place for people to take public transport. I know in British Columbia, if you buy monthly Sky Train (similar to Bart) or bus tickets, you can claim these as tax deductions at end of the year. I don't know if there are similar measures here in California, but we need something similar to encourage more people to leave their cars at home.
Back in the days when I was an auditor, I audited a company which produces biofuel, but they don't use corn. They actually use a weed called jatropha. As it's a weed, it grows very easily, even in almost desert-like conditions, so the cost to grow is very low and as it's a weed, it doesn't compete with traditional food production. The cost of producing fuel from jatropha is also cheaper than using corn or other food crops. China, Thailand and many other countries have actually set land aside to grow this plant. It is still in early stage though and production can be unstable at times, but if big oil giants are willing to invest money to research this plant, I think this is the plant that will save the fuel crisis and help us reduce our carbon footprints.
You can read more about it: http://news.mongabay.com/2007/0824-biofuels.html
Environmentally friendly vs cost of public transport: All of us would like to do our share to be green, even the government urges all of us to make use of public transport whenever possible. However, many times, it's actually cheaper to drive than to take Bart. I've been told that Bart is the most expensive public transport in California and since I take Bart, I know this is true!
In Taiwan, public transport is extremely affordable and very convenient. Many people, even those living in the wealthiest spots of Taiwan do not have cars because public transport is so convenient. I think something needs to be done to lower the cost of pubic transportation in order to encourage more people to leave cars at home. There should be some incentives in place for people to take public transport. I know in British Columbia, if you buy monthly Sky Train (similar to Bart) or bus tickets, you can claim these as tax deductions at end of the year. I don't know if there are similar measures here in California, but we need something similar to encourage more people to leave their cars at home.
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