🐘 Lasers detect illegal ivory, River salt battery, Self-righting boat

Ivory tusks are known to be illegally traded mainly due to the high demand for ivory products valued for their aesthetic appeal and cultural significance in certain cultures.

Now, scientists have developed a laser-based approach to detect the difference between illegal elephant ivory and legal mammoth tusk ivory. For more on the tech, don’t miss today’s Must-Read.

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MUST READ

🐘 New laser tech using Raman spectroscopy detects illegal elephant ivory

Scientists at the Universities of Bristol and Lancaster employed a laser tech known as Raman spectroscopy. They noted in a statement that this non-destructive technology involves shining a high-energy light at an ivory specimen.

Their method detected small biochemical differences in the tusks of elephants and mammoths. When this technology was tested on mammoth and elephant tusk samples from London’s Natural History Museum, the results were accurate and quick.

Ivory tusks are highly sought after in illegal trade. They are prized for their cultural significance and aesthetic appeal. Unfortunately, this demand fuels poaching and trafficking, creating a lucrative black market.

🧂 New battery uses river salt to generate electricity

Researchers have created a semipermeable membrane that significantly boosts the osmotic energy extracted from salt gradients, such as those found in estuaries where fresh and saltwater mix. They essentially created a new battery that uses river salt to generate electricity.

The team used a unique nanofluidic membrane with multiple layers. Small cellulose channels assist in ion movement on the inside, while on the outside, a polyaniline network facilitates electron movement.

In laboratory tests, the new design’s output power density was more than twice as high as commercial membranes. In particular, it was 2.34 times higher than a commercial RED membrane and maintained performance for 16 days of nonstop operation.

🛥️ Hong Kong: ‘World’s biggest self-righting fireboat’ recovers in 6 secs

The Hong Kong Fire Services Department has spent US$16 million (HK$125 million) on a self-righteous fireboat that can recover from a complete capsize in as little as six seconds.

The government body responsible for procuring and overseeing the operation of the new fireboat claims it’s the ‘world’s biggest.’ The giant vessel is intended for use in the waters around Hong Kong, particularly in the eastern waters, where there has been an increase in emergency incidents.

It measures 98 to 127 feet (30 to 39 meters) in length and weighs about 200 tonnes. Its self-righting capability allows the vessel to roll back to an upright position from a heeled position anywhere in the range of roll motion. 

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IE QUIZ: THE RESULTS

In yesterday’s quiz, we asked, Which nozzle increases water pressure to the max? Is it (a) the curved taper, (b) the straight taper, or (c) the consistent cylinder?

The answer is: C

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