Posted on August 15th, 2010 by jxh
Biomimicry is back again, and this time butterflies are the source of imitation.
The Morpho butterfly possesses acute chemical-sensing abilities thanks to nano-level structures underneath the colorful scales on its wings.
The submicroscopic structures can pick up even the smallest trace of airborne chemicals and the exposure changes the spectral reflectivity of the butterfly’s wings.
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Filed under: Chemical, e-News, Materials | 2 Comments »
Tags: Biomimicry, Chemical, Defense, Materials, Nanotechnology
Posted on August 10th, 2010 by jxh
Chemical Engineer
Engineering can be difficult and challenging, but that is what I enjoy most about it. When I was a junior in high school, I got a terrible grade on my first chemistry test and I wanted to quit the class after two weeks. But I stuck with it and now I am a chemical engineering major at Oklahoma State and I love it.
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Filed under: Chemical, Meet More Students | 3 Comments »
Tags: Chemical
Posted on August 4th, 2010 by jxh
When you see a spider, your first inclination may be to step on it, or scream and run away.
But engineers would do the opposite, as they are trying to unlock one of nature’s greatest mysteries: a spider’s ability to produce silk.
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Filed under: Biomedical, Chemical, e-News, Environmental, Materials | 1 Comment »
Tags: Biomedical, Biomimicry, Chemical, Materials
Posted on August 3rd, 2010 by jxh
The oil-eating microorganism Alcanivorax borkumensis
Nearly two weeks after BP capped the biggest oil spill in U.S. history, the millions of gallons that gushed into the Gulf of Mexico are disappearing, and oil is no longer washing up on the beaches and marshes along the Louisiana coast.
This reversal, which may seem surprising, can actually be explained by a number of different factors, including the presence of microbes that break down oil in order to grow and reproduce.
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Filed under: Chemical, e-News, Environmental, Ocean | 2 Comments »
Tags: Chemical, Environmental, Ocean
Posted on August 2nd, 2010 by jxh
Cynthia Warner used to be head of global refining for BP, which made her one of Big Oil’s highest-ranking woman executives.
Now she is president of Sapphire Energy, an energy company that produces oil made from algae.
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Filed under: Chemical, Environmental, Trailblazers | Comments Off on Algae Farmer
Tags: Chemical, Energy, Environmental, Green Technology, Green Transportation
