#carbon-negative building material

[nnctales]

Biochar Cladding in Construction

Introduction Biochar Cladding is a carbon-negative building material made from the pyrolysis of biomass. It can be used as cladding or insulation, offering improved thermal performance and reducing the building’s carbon footprint. Biochar can be utilized as a supplement for plaster or concrete blocks at a ratio of up to 80% when combined with mud, limestone, and cement mortar. This mixing…

[saraqazi]

Sara Qazi, in her interview with The Boss Magazine, discusses the burgeoning hemp housing market and its potential to revolutionize the construction and real estate industries.

[nutnoce]

Fire suppression p.1 & p.2: “Flame Retardant” & “Building Potential” Inspired by the PEM's ‘Our Time on Earth’ exhibit

I was gladly surprised to see the exhibit’s various optimistic installations, especially the building materials of the future. As a forestry student I am beginning to understand our relationship to our forests differently. In the US, forest policy which aimed to suppress wildfires has contributed to a century-long build up of fuel that would otherwise have been cleared by controlled burns or small spontaneous ground fires. Indigenous peoples shaped the forests of the Americas to require these controlled burns. More and more I realize that indigenous knowledge and collaboration is a necessary part of the stewardship of future. A concept which is present at large at the museum but also specifically within Our Time on Earth. Getting a ‘sustainable’ amount of lumber from our forest still disregards the health and purpose of these trees to a diverse and complex ecosystem. It is essential that we diversify our building material, to include carbon-negative things like mycelium! Natural resources that are close by, and at hand in our local environment, which doesn’t require chopping down a tree 3000 miles away and transporting it to the US. We need local resources whose collective cultivation lead to a sense of community and collaboration. A better future!

My thanks to lane.m.artin for collaborating with me for p.2!

[probablyasocialecologist]

“We are seeing a growing interest in cork as a sustainable material,” says Rui Novais, a materials expert at the University of Aveiro in Portugal. “Compared with materials like polyurethane foam [used for thermal insulation], products made with cork require less energy and produce less CO2 emissions.” The cork oak’s thick bark adapted to defend the tree from fire, making it a powerful insulating material that’s been used to shield fuel tanks on NASA spacecraft and electric car batteries. It’s also resistant to water and oil, and can withstand compression while retaining springiness. “It’s an extraordinary, renewable and biodegradable material,” says Novais. “It’s also very durable. It has been demonstrated that cork products remain virtually unchanged for more than 50 years.” Part of the carbon absorbed by cork oak trees is transferred to cork products, which can be used for long periods, repurposed and recycled. Several studies found that cork is carbon negative, meaning it can store more carbon than what is required to produce it. When cork planks are trimmed and punched to form natural cork stoppers, the leftovers are ground into granules and pressed together to form cork sheets or blocks. “Even cork dust is used to produce energy,” says João Rui Ferreira, secretary general of the Portuguese Cork Association. “It feeds the industry’s boilers and powers some of the production.”

[...]

Most of the cork produced in Portugal grows in the gently undulating hills and plains in the south of the country, in an ancient agroforestry system known as montado. This savannah-like ecosystem combines cork, holm oaks and olive trees with pastures, grazing livestock, crops and fallows. “The soil in southern Portugal is very poor, there is very little rain and temperatures are very high in the summer,” says Teresa Pinto-Correia, a professor at the University of Évora in Portugal specializing in rural landscapes and agricultural systems. “But this kind of system is productive even when resources are scarce and conditions are difficult.” For centuries, locals have preserved the montado because cork provided landowners with a source of income. This mosaic of habitats supports hundreds of species, including the Iberian lynx, the world’s most endangered wildcat, and the threatened Imperial eagle. One of the world’s oldest known cork oak trees, planted in 1783 in Águas de Moura, is known as “the whistler” because so many birds visit its large sprawling branches. Iberian pigs feed on acorns and goats graze the interwoven pastures. Interspersing cork oak trees with animals and crops can boost production and biodiversity, but also build soil, control erosion, retain water, combat desertification and sequester carbon, says Pinto-Correia.

[reasonsforhope]

With breathtaking views over Table Mountain, the world’s tallest building made of industrial hemp is set to open in Cape Town this June.

At 12 stories tall, the Hemp Hotel at 84 Harrison st. used carbon-negative materials that captured more carbon in the walls of the building than it emitted manufacturing them.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa believes that the cannabis and hemp industry could create 130,000 jobs in places like Afrimat Hemp—the producer of the so-called “HempCrete” blocks which went into the hotel.

Made from water, lime, hemp, and a cement binder, the blocks from Afrimat Hemp are made of entirely South African hemp, which along with selling to corporate clients, are also used to build a number of social housing projects in South Africa and neighbouring Mozambique.

For the Hemp Hotel, Afrimat Hemp partnered with Wolf Architects in Cape Town for the build.

The company admit that hemp construction is 20% more expensive than traditional materials, but the urgency with which some corporations want to help tackle climate change offers them a unqiue opportunity: selling carbon credits—but with buildings, rather than trees.

“We can fund forests, or we can fund someone to live in a hemp house. It’s the same principle,” Afrimat Hemp’s carbon consultant Wihan Bekker told African News.

Company data shows that a 430 square foot house (40 square meters) produces 30 fewer tons of carbon than traditional methods, around what a mature tree can sequester in its roots across its lifetime.

-via Good News Network, 5/5/23

[cabinporn]

The Magnolia Net Zero Carbon Eco Cabin by @michael_quirk_design in Nederland, Colorado. 

From Michael Quirk: 120 SF tiny home in Nederland CO built with hemp insulation, reused siding, windows and doors. The goal of the project is to highlight the opportunity we have to turn the construction industry's contribution to climate change on it's head. A carbon negative material pallet, paired with net zero energy usage is the way we need to start building to solve the climate crisis. This project is proof that it can be done, even on a shoestring budget. More photos on @cabinporn.

[solarpunkbusiness]

Nepal-based startup Shah Hemp Inno-Ventures (SHIV) is a unique social enterprise transforming wild-grown hemp, bamboo and other natural resources into a catalyst for fair employment, economic growth and climate-change mitigation. Guided by a mission to harness local resources for global impact, SHIV also cultivates relationships with local communities to ensure a positive impact and above-standard working conditions for its employees — who essentially turn local ‘weeds’ into everything from hemp bags, backpacks, paper, soaps, hemp seed oil and hempcrete to bamboo mats and furniture. We spoke with Chief Operations Officer Nivedita Bansal to learn more about how the organization combines sustainable farming, waste management, and community empowerment to build a more environmentally sustainable and socially equitable future.

According to Cambridge University researcher Darshill Shah, “Hemp can capture atmospheric carbon twice as effectively as forests while providing carbon-negative biomaterials for architects and designers.” A hectare of hemp can absorb 8-15 tonnes of CO2. In comparison, forests only capture 2-6 tonnes, depending on the type of trees and region.

SHIV’s product line essentially turns waste into products, but how do you manage your own waste?

NB: Our primary business model is in fact based on managing waste: Wild hemp is seen as a nuisance to local farmers and is usually just chopped away and burned. Hemp fibers are fully compostable, making most of the materials we don’t use for manufacturing indeed compost. Our facility is zero waste; and we recycle, upcycle or reuse all the inorganic waste — such as bag straps, zippers, utility attachments and other similar materials utilized during manufacturing. By communicating with local municipality, neighboring communities and universities and sharing our methodology — especially our hempcrete building techniques — we serve as activists for these sustainable practices.

[materialsscienceandengineering]

The construction industry as a CO2 sink? Researchers at Empa's Concrete & Asphalt lab are working on this. By incorporating biochar into concrete, they are exploring the potential of CO2-neutral or even CO2-negative concrete. For optimal applicability, they process the biochar into pellets and use them to replace conventional aggregates. To achieve the goal of a climate-neutral Switzerland by 2050, strategies and processes with a negative CO2 balance are necessary. These so-called negative emission technologies (NET) are intended to counterbalane the remaining "hard-to-avoid" emissions in 2050 and should help ensure that we eventually achieve net zero. As one of the main emitters, the construction sector has a particular obligation. Around eight percent of global greenhouse gas emissions are caused by cement production. At the same time, initial efforts are emerging to use the construction sector, with its massive consumption of resources, as a possible carbon sink. What sounds paradoxical will succeed if we start "building with CO2" -- or rather, using carbon to produce building materials and thus removing it from the atmosphere in the long term. For such visions to become reality, a great deal of research is needed -- such as is currently being done at Empa's Concrete & Asphalt lab. A team led by Pietro Lura is developing a process for integrating biochar into concrete.

Read more.

[adiprose-abernath]

A Pudgy Planetary Pitstop

When a motley crew of heros from the vastness of space land on a new planet that seems to be made of edible earth, they might a bite off more (or in their case, much MUCH more) than they can chew.

CW Weight Gain, Unintentional growth, Feederism, belching

In the inky void of space, we come across our crew in a shabby state. Jax lazily bats the navigation, eager for a change on the screen, his tail flicking from side to side in annoyance and disappointment. BB sighs heavily "Do you have eyes on the planet?" "Negative captain," the feline replies, his paw yet again tapping against the screen. Their third crew member is in the vents, moving from place to place to keep an eye that all of their tanks are filled and the wires are in the right place. He takes a wrench and tightens a nut and bolt or two but reluctantly joins the others. "Everything seems to be in tip top shape, Cap. If you don't mind me asking, how much longer til we reach our destination?" Captain BB does not respond, gazing into the emptiness, wishing on the comet that passes by the ship that the answer will be soon.

As if by coincidence, a blip goes off the ships scanners. The idle eyes of Jax flip towards the screen in excitement. "50,000 kilometers and counting, captian. We're almost there!" And lo, the planet begins to grow in their vision, as their auto thrusters engage, readying them for a landing. By 40,000 all the crew are out of their seats and by 30 they're working on their suits. At 20 they finish putting them on and by 10 they gather their materials. The ships computer enters auto pilot and gradually slows the ship to the ground which lands with a thud.

The door hatch opens with a hiss and the crew steps out onto their strange new world. Captain BB takes a fearless foot forward leaving a boot print in the alien soil. "Well boys," he says, a grin in his voice "we made it to Ad1-pr0-53!" The crew gives a slight cheer at the accomplishment of their task and split up to begin setting up their trackers and mobiles. Jax gathers some soil samples while Douglas readies the probes and BB goes inside the ship to ready some food (because after such a long flight, he was huuuuungry). Time flies quickly and the crew manages to make it back inside. Chewing on some space cream, the crew watch as the computer begins to analyze the samples. With bated breath all are silent as it speaks.

"The soil contains 89% carbon, 7% oxygen, 3% hydrogen, and 1% nitrogen. This soil is: suitable for consumption." Jax frowns, puzzled for a second. "I set it to detecting if we could put seeds here, not if it was EDIBLE." Jax continues to hit buttons, going through the readings. "Apparently it tastes like...gingerbread?" The crew all look at each other, having had spend decades in cryostasis without something even close to solid or sweet and each take a slight piece from it and bite down. A flavorful waterfall cascades down their tounges as wave after wave of delicate sweetness bombards their brains and bodies with pure ecstasy. In that moment, the crew knew that they had landed on something really special and needed a form of testing a computer could not comprehend: taste testing.

Ignoring the warning signs from their computer, the crew burst out of the ship hungrily grabbing at the ground. Jax filled paw after paw in his maw, greedily gorging on gingerbread ground and gravel. Douglas sped quickly to a pond of butterscotch and drinking like it were air. The captain wasted no time heading for the peppermint poppies and porkishly pilfering every peice in his mouth.

Unbeknownst to our soon-to-be hefty heros, the computer was unable to tell them that the caloric value of the planet was 10 times as strong as that on earth. So what mightve been a simple binge would become something more. Jaxs slender sides began to slowly swell, turning from skinny to average to chunky. The butterscotch lake ballooned Douglas, his belly bloating and building bigger and bigger. And BB would live up to his title, his pecs from perky would sag as pudge is added to his frame. The cat began to notice the pudge when his crouch became harder to maintain with a belly in the way. At this point, however, he ignored his instincts and continued to ravage the earth, his belly brushing the ground as pound after pound piled on. Bigger and bigger he grew from 150 to 200 and 230 and 240. The butterscotch was not much better as blubber became bigger and bouncier as Douglas' endless gluttony took over filling his mouth with delicious sweetness, struggling to reach with a new chin that graced his face. The captain landed with a thud next to the tree, now nearly twice his size and, while grimacing, stabbing a spigot to the tree and sucking the sticky sap from its spout, his ass growing and growing with every gulp.

The porkish protagonists became unrecognizable, a hole filled with fur as Jax's suit failed to contain the fattening feline, the shoreline thinner and thinner as Douglas grew thicker and thicker, and the trees tuckered out as the captains calories soared by thousands on thousands.

Soon our hapless heros began to grow full, in a haze from their gratuitous gluttony, bellies nigh bursting, bellowing belches on belches in a cacophonous calorific chorus. Jax struggled to his side, rubbing his round stomach, barely cognizant of his binge. Douglas too needed a breather (and a belch) as butterscotch brewed in his belly slowly but surely turning to fat. And our captain nearly blew up, his stomach taut as a balloon, unable to breathe without popping.

Slowly but surely our heros would find rest on this planet and wake up hours later, hundreds of pounds heavier and ever hungrier for another stuffing session that'd rival a black hole.

[candidscape]

Eco-Friendly Interior Design: Sustainable Solutions for Your Home

As awareness of environmental issues grows, eco-friendly interior design is becoming increasingly popular. This approach not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of your home but also contributes to a more sustainable and healthier environment. Here’s how you can embrace sustainable solutions in your interior design:

1. Choose Sustainable Materials

Opt for materials that are eco-friendly and have a minimal environmental impact. Look for:

Bamboo: A rapidly renewable resource used for flooring, furniture, and decor.

Recycled Glass: Ideal for countertops and tiles, recycled glass reduces waste and adds a unique touch.

Reclaimed Wood: Salvaged from old buildings or furniture, reclaimed wood offers a rustic charm and helps reduce deforestation.

2. Opt for Low-VOC Paints

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in traditional paints can negatively impact indoor air quality. Choose low-VOC or no-VOC paints that are less harmful and contribute to a healthier living environment. Many eco-friendly paint options come in a wide range of colors and finishes, so you don’t have to compromise on style.

3. Incorporate Energy-Efficient Lighting

Energy-efficient lighting solutions not only reduce your energy bills but also minimize your environmental footprint. Consider:

LED Bulbs: They use up to 90% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and have a longer lifespan.

Smart Lighting Systems: These systems allow you to control lighting remotely and set schedules to minimize energy use.

4. Use Sustainable Fabrics

When selecting textiles for your home, choose fabrics that are both stylish and sustainable. Options include:

Organic Cotton: Grown without harmful chemicals, organic cotton is soft and eco-friendly.

Hemp: A durable and versatile fabric that requires minimal water and pesticides.

Recycled Polyester: Made from recycled plastic bottles, it helps reduce waste and can be used for upholstery and curtains.

5. Invest in Energy-Efficient Appliances

Modern appliances that are ENERGY STAR® rated use less energy and water, helping you reduce your household’s carbon footprint. Look for energy-efficient models for your refrigerator, dishwasher, washing machine, and other appliances.

6. Embrace Upcycling and Repurposing

Give old furniture and decor a new life through upcycling and repurposing. This approach reduces waste and adds unique character to your home. Consider:

Painting or Reupholstering Furniture: Transform outdated pieces into stylish, custom creations.

Repurposing Materials: Use reclaimed materials for DIY projects, such as creating a coffee table from an old door or shelves from wooden pallets.

7. Integrate Indoor Plants

Indoor plants not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of your home but also improve air quality by filtering pollutants. Opt for low-maintenance plants like snake plants, pothos, or peace lilies, which are known for their air-purifying properties.

8. Choose Sustainable Flooring Options

Eco-friendly flooring options can dramatically change the look and feel of your space. Consider:

Cork Flooring: Made from the bark of cork oak trees, it’s renewable and offers natural insulation.

Linoleum: Made from natural materials like linseed oil and wood flour, it’s biodegradable and comes in various colors and patterns.

Recycled Carpet: Made from recycled materials, such as plastic bottles, it provides comfort while reducing waste.

9. Implement Water-Saving Fixtures

Conserving water is an essential aspect of eco-friendly design. Install:

Low-Flow Faucets and Showerheads: These fixtures reduce water usage without sacrificing performance.

Dual-Flush Toilets: Offer two flushing options to minimize water consumption.

10. Support Local and Artisan Products

Choose locally-made and artisan products to reduce transportation emissions and support local economies. Local artisans often use sustainable practices and materials, adding a unique touch to your home while minimizing your environmental impact.

By integrating these eco-friendly interior design solutions, you can create a home that reflects your commitment to sustainability while enjoying a stylish and comfortable living space. Embracing these practices not only benefits the environment but also promotes a healthier lifestyle for you and your family.

[my-forgotten-notepad]

One Piece: Fan Devil Fruit Ideas

I have been thinking about One Piece lately, and I thought I could try my hand at developing some ideas for unique Devil Fruits that can be used within the world of the series. Here are two of them.

The Shuwa-Shuwa No Mi [Fizz-Fizz Devil Fruit]

The Shuwa-Shuwa No Mi is a Paramecia class Devil Fruit that turns the consumer into a Fizzy-Human. Granting them unique attributes and abilities: being able to manipulate carbonation and emit carbonated gas from their body. However, the more the User uses their powers, the weaker their abilities become until they consume specific beverages or CO2 gas canisters to replenish their inner stockpile. The user can increase the intensity of the carbonation with sharp, quick motions. Just like how a bottle of pop becomes pressurised once it has been shaken up.

The Shuwa-Shuwa No Mi is a weaker version of the Gasu-Gasu No Mi [Gas-Gas Devil Fruit].

Here is a small collection of moves/applications a user of this Devil Fruit could use. [Feel free to add more that you think would fit with the theme of this particular Devil Fruit]

Fizzy-Jump: A sudden burst of carbonated air or fluid from the user's feet to make a sudden leap or shift in a direction.

Fizzy-Burst: A sudden blast of carbonated air or fluid from the user's hands, capable of blocking/deflecting projectiles from their bodies.

Fizzy-Punch: A punch that is enhanced by a burst of carbonated air or liquid exploding out from the user's elbow to increase the speed and power of the strike.

Fizzy-Rush: A larger, longer version of Fizzy-Punch. Great at rushing down an opponent or surprise attacks; however, the longer the user uses this technique; the weaker Fizzy-Rush becomes.

Fizzy-Cloud: The user releases a massive cloud of CO2 gas, blanketing an area. The user becomes uncarbonated for an hour after using this technique and needs to naturally build it back up.

Pop-Cannon: When the user shakes their arms before throwing an object, releasing an instant burst of carbonated gas to propel the object hard.

Pop-Rocker: The user forces all their carbonated energy onto their fist and releases it all into a single focused point. Causing a contained explosion. In this technique, just like Fizzy-Cloud, the user becomes uncarbonated for an hour in exchange for such a powerful move.

Pop-Off: A stronger variant of Fizzy-Burst. There is more carbonated pressure in this move and rather than blocking or deflecting, it is used as a means of forcing or throwing enemies away from the user. The user becomes temporarily weaker after having used this technique.

Pop-Jet: A stronger version of Fizzy-Jump. Pop-Jet is a mild form of sustained carbonated propulsion using gas or liquid to shoot oneself across a far distance. The user becomes temporarily weaker after having used this technique.

Super-Soda: A technique that allows the user to push their powers to the limit, giving them access to all of their abilities for three minutes. But as a result, the user is temporarily paralysed, decarbonated, and dehydrated as a result of stressing their body to such a degree. In this state of super carbonation; the user can ignore any of the negative drawbacks of the Devil Fruit. Excessive use of this powerful technique can, however, kill the use

The Abura-Abura No Mi [Grease-Grease or Oil-Oil Devil Fruit]

The Abura-Abura No Mi [Grease-Grease/Oil-Oil Devil Fruit] is a Logia Devil Fruit. The fruit turns the user into an Oily-Human. Through which, they are capable of taking on the qualities or emitting oil in various states or forms. The fruit also leaves the user with slick, damp skin, which makes the user slippery [but not to the same extent as the Sube-Sube No Mi]. The user has an extra weakness in addition to the standard weaknesses; being exposed to absorbent material, an exfoliator, acids, or chemical solvent. As well as the user being very easy to burn or set on fire

Here is a small collection of moves/applications a user of this Devil Fruit could use. [Feel free to add more that you think would fit with the theme of this particular Devil Fruit].

Oil-Spill: The user releases a thin wave of translucent oil on the ground to cause it to become slippery and dangerous for people to walk on.

Grease-Trap: The user releases a large burst of oil that congeals around the target.

Grease-Ball: The user coats their hands in thick, congealing oil on their hands. The user can fire these off at enemies or objects.

Grease-Ball Crunchy Style: The same as the prior technique but the user as harsh or sharp objects in the grease like glass, nails, splinters, rock, etc.

Oily-Step: The user releases bursts of oil from their feet to create unstable platforms on a liquid surface. An avenue the hero can take to avoid being submerged in water.

Oil-Press: The user compresses their body before firing themselves as a jet of oil through a tight gap or cluttered space.

Grease-Glug: The user fires strong bursts or whips of oil from their body. It's often used to disorientate an opponent or to deflect an incoming attack.

Oil-Land: The user creates a large congealed platform of fatty oil to avoid being pulled into massive bodies of liquid.

Oily-Kenpo: The user enhances the preternatural coating of Oil on their skin to mimic the agility and speed of the Sube-Sube No Mi. This technique prioritises constantly increasing speed and abusing your opponent's momentum.

Oil-Burner: A truly double-edged technique. The user raises their temperature so much that they can cause their oil or grease to catch fire. It's an unstable technique that puts the user at great risk due to how flammable they have become. The technique also dries out the user, leaving the user unable to use any of their techniques or natural Devil Fruit abilities for a period of time.

[learnwithmearticles]

Radiocarbon

A recent article touched on how radiocarbon dating works in relation to the impacts of cosmic rays and the secondary particles they create on Earth. Now, let’s focus on radiocarbon dating itself.

Types of Dating

Radiocarbon dating is an invaluable tool to the fields of archaeology and history. Within the process of dating artifacts, there is absolute dating and relative dating. Relative dating establishes if something is older or younger than another artifact, usually within the same excavation. For example, excavations can expose the stratigraphy of the ground: layers of rock and sediment deposit that build up over time and can be visually distinct, though sometimes bleed into each other. Artifacts found in a lower layer can be theorized to be older than artifacts in layers above it.

Absolute dating provides more specific dates for the origin of artifacts, and often relies on chemical processes. Radiocarbon dating is one such method.

Radioactive Isotopes

Radiocarbon dating works on the fact that isotopes of carbon exist in nature, and it is their nature to decay over time.

Isotopes are variations of the same chemical element. They have the same atomic number -and therefore number of protons- as the base element, but different amounts of neutrons in the atom’s nucleus. So all carbon isotopes have six protons, but instead of six neutrons like C-12, they can have seven or eight neutrons, which are known as C-13 and C-14, respectively.

Though an isotope, C-13 is stable, meaning it does not decay into another form or element over time. It has enough binding energy to keep the protons and neutrons in its nucleus together.

C-14 is not stable. Over time, C-14 decays into stable Nitrogen through one of the neutrons becoming a proton. In this process it also loses an electron, which are negative particles that ‘orbit’ the nucleus.

C-14 Dating

From secondary particles produced by cosmic rays, C-14 or 14C becomes 14CO, then 14CO2 (carbon-14 dioxide), entering Earth’s carbon cycle. In this way, C-14 absorbs into living tissues through photosynthesis and the food chain. When the living tissue dies, no more C-14 is introduced, starting the time of radioactive decay.

C-14 has a half-life of 5,700± 30 years, meaning that after that many years, the amount of C-14 in the subject has decreased by half. The amount of C-14 present in a material can be measured in three ways: gas proportional counting, liquid scintillation counting, and accelerator mass spectrometry.

In gas proportional counting, the sample of organic material is converted to carbon dioxide gas before being put into cylinders where beta particles are measured. Beta particles are produced by radiocarbon decay, so the dating measures how much more C-14 is left to decay at the time of evaluation.

Similarly, liquid scintillation measures beta particles by the scintillator producing a flash of light when interacting with a beta particle. In this process, the organic material is in liquid form and put between two photomultipliers, devices that convert photons into electrical signals to register when the scintillator indicates a beta particle.

Accelerator mass spectrometry does not measure beta particles. It measures the proportion of C-14 to C-13 and C-12 present in the sample.

The results of these methods are compared to an international standard reference, which has changed throughout the years. For some time, sugar beets harvested in the 1950s were used as comparison for the amount of C-14 present, as well as wood from 1890 and beet molasses from 1977. These varieties of organic material have helped provide reference for the measurements of C-14 isotopes.

Radiocarbon dating has been a useful source of knowledge when examining artifacts. The science behind it is expansive and requires piecing together many different properties of the universe, such as how C-14 enters the atmosphere from cosmic rays, and how it naturally changes form over time as a radioactive isotope. Understanding these different elements can help demystify the processes of scientific discovery, and help us better understand specific case studies in the future.

Additional Resources

1. https://www.nature.com/articles/s43586-021-00058-7#

2. gml.noaa.gov/ccgg/isotopes/chemistry.html

3. https://news.uchicago.edu/explainer/what-is-carbon-14-dating4. https://www.radiocarbon.com/about-carbon-dating.htm#

[nature420world]

Building Homes with Hemp: A Sustainable Revolution

Hemp, a versatile and eco-friendly material, is gaining recognition as a game-changer in the construction industry. From reducing carbon emissions to providing superior insulation, here are three compelling facts about building homes using hemp.

Carbon Negative Construction: Hempcrete, a mixture of hemp fibers and lime, offers a remarkable benefit to the environment. When used as a building material, hemp absorbs and locks away large amounts of carbon dioxide during its growth cycle, resulting in a carbon-negative construction process. This means that building homes with hemp can actively reduce carbon emissions and contribute to combating climate change.

Superior Insulation and Energy Efficiency: Hemp-based materials exhibit excellent thermal insulation properties, outperforming traditional construction materials. Hempcrete, for instance, provides superior insulation, reducing the need for additional heating or cooling. This increased energy efficiency not only lowers utility costs for homeowners but also reduces reliance on fossil fuels, making hemp-based homes more sustainable in the long run.

Durability and Healthier Living Spaces: Homes constructed using hemp materials offer remarkable durability and longevity. Hemp-based composites are resistant to pests, mold, and fire, providing a safer living environment. Additionally, these materials allow for better breathability, preventing moisture build-up and improving indoor air quality. By choosing hemp for construction, homeowners can enjoy a healthier, more sustainable living space.

To learn more about the durability and health benefits of hemp-based homes, click below.

[disneyfemslashcomics]

Hi!! I'm sure you've been asked this before so feel free to ignore this but what are your favorite Disney femslash ships? I have a lot that I like, but some of my own faves are Esmeralda/Jasmine, Aurora/Snow White, Merida/Mulan, Elsa/Isabela, and Ariel/Moana!! (Also, thank you for your post about blocking people who post AI art in the tags lol. I will not say who but someone I followed for a long time whose blog I loved started suddenly posting about AI stuff and I had to unfollow. It was crazy to me because they themself were an artist who didn't seem to realize or mind that AI art steals from artists like them.)

Oh my but this is one of my favorite questions and the answers do change over time.

Right now my favorite ships are (in no particular order)

Alice/ Wendy Darling (particularly my interpretation of them as adults)

Snow White/Jasmine (honestly OTP of all time material, ask me about them and I'll tell you)

Tiana/Cinderella

Snow White /Luisa - they're so cute

Esmeralda/Isabela

As for AI, I do have some room for nuance in it. There are tools that look at patterns in images and try to complete the pattern that I think would be incredibly useful and are notably not theft as they're largely pulling from an image that you're choosing to feed into it, and things like clip studio paint's auto colorize specifically when taking partially colored images, where I could see it being exceptionally useful to comic artists if you could control the inputs to only be your own art. My understanding of things like this is that they're also less of an energy drain and more sustainable, which is not a small issue when you're talking about full scale generative ai.

Where AI is right now isn't ethical. I want to make myself clear too that my biggest issue with AI is the destruction of the community aspects of fandom, because it's true that it steals and uses a lot of energy but the same can technically be said of AMVs and I'm pretty sure that we all like those here. I'm not inherently opposed to image manipulation and mash-ups, even of my own work, but I do want for people to be able to find my art and be able to talk to me and ask me to draw things if they want.

People who are generating images in private don't have to talk to anyone in order to get more of the same type of image, and while it's still definitely possible to share things around and make friends through mutual appreciation of the same thing and sharing that thing, it's not really the same experience as talking to people and building things together.

I want for people to make friends and talk to people, especially queer folks who are more likely to be isolated. And I want for artists to be included in the communities that they're making works for.

[earaercircular]

Researchers: 'First genetically engineered bacterium that eats plastic from seawater'

Researchers have found a way to genetically engineer a marine microorganism, allowing it to break down plastic in saltwater. Is this the solution to the plastic problem?

A group of scientists from the University of North Carolina worked with two types of bacteria: Vibrio natriegens[1] and Ideonella sakaiensis[2]. The former thrives in saltwater and reproduces quickly. The second bacterium is remarkable because it produces enzymes that can break down and eat polyethylene terephthalate – better known as PET.

Combine bacteria

By combining the two bacteria, the researchers were able to combine fast reproduction and saltwater ability with the property of the plastic-eating enzyme. The genetically engineered bacterium can break down PET in a saltwater environment at room temperature.

And that is a breakthrough, the researchers say. “It is scientifically exciting because this is the first time anyone has managed to combine cells from the  Vibrio natriegens with those of Ideonella sakaiensis,” said Nathan Crook, co-author of the study. [3]

Economically achieveable

“From a practical point of view, this is also the first genetically engineered organism capable of degrading PET microplastics in saltwater,” said Tianyu Li, first author of the paper. “That is important because it is not economically feasible to remove plastic from the ocean.” The salt must first be removed from the water before the plastic can be filtered out on an industrial scale.

Obstacles

Although this is an important step for the researchers, there are still obstacles before the research can be further scaled up. For example, the modified bacteria must be further modified so that it can also feed on other products besides plastic. In addition, according to the researchers, it would be even more beneficial if the bacteria produced a useful raw material from the eaten plastic.

The researchers would like to talk to companies from the industry. “For example, which molecules are desirable for industry?” Crook asks. Once they know this, the researchers can focus specifically on whether they can modify the bacterium in such a way that it can produce that molecule.

Limit on plastic production

Plastic-eating bacteria are not new[4]. In recent years, scientists have increasingly discovered animals with a hunger for plastic.[5] For example, German scientists found an enzyme in a cemetery compost heap that can break down plastic[6], and AI helped researchers[7] build the ultimate plastic-eating bacteria. All those plastic-eating organisms may help solve plastic pollution, but the best solution is still a limit on plastic production, researchers wrote in an open letter.[8]

Source

Romy de Weert, Onderzoekers: 'Eerste genetisch gemanipuleerde bacterie die plastic uit zeewater eet', in: Change Inc, 18-09-2023, https://www.change.inc/circulaire-economie/onderzoekers-eerste-genetisch-gemanipuleerde-bacterie-die-plastic-uit-zeewater-eet-40407

[1] Vibrio natriegens is a Gram-negative marine bacterium.[3][5] It was first isolated from salt marsh mud. It is a salt-loving organism (halophile) requiring about 2% NaCl for growth. It reacts well to the presence of sodium ions which appear to stimulate growth in Vibrio species, to stabilise the cell membrane, and to affect sodium-dependent transport and mobility. Under optimum conditions, and all nutrients provided, the doubling time of V. natriegens can be less than 10 minutes. V. natriegens is able to successfully live and rapidly divide in its coastal areas due its large range of metabolic fuel. Recent research has displayed that Vibrio natriegens has a flexible metabolism, which allows it to consume a large variety of carbon substrates, reduce nitrates, and even fix nitrogen from the atmosphere under nitrogen-limiting and anaerobic conditions.[6] In the laboratory, the growth medium can be easily changed, thus affecting the growth rate of a culture.[7][8] V. natriegens is commonly found in estuarine mud. S.I. Paul et al. (2021)[5] isolated and identified many strains of Vibrio natriegens from marine sponges of the Saint Martin's Island Area of the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh.

[2] Ideonella sakaiensis is a bacterium from the genus Ideonella and family Comamonadaceae capable of breaking down and consuming the plastic polyethylene terephthalate (PET) using it as both a carbon and energy source. The bacterium was originally isolated from a sediment sample taken outside of a plastic bottle recycling facility in Sakai City, Japan.

[3] Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is a highly recyclable plastic that has been extensively used and manufactured. Like other plastics, PET resists natural degradation, thus accumulating in the environment. Several recycling strategies have been applied to PET, but these tend to result in downcycled products that eventually end up in landfills. This accumulation of landfilled PET waste contributes to the formation of microplastics, which pose a serious threat to marine life and ecosystems, and potentially to human health. To address this issue, our project leveraged synthetic biology to develop a whole-cell biocatalyst capable of depolymerizing PET in seawater environments by using the fast-growing, nonpathogenic, moderate halophile Vibrio natriegens. By leveraging a two-enzyme system—comprising a chimera of IsPETase and IsMHETase from Ideonella sakaiensis—displayed on V. natriegens, we constructed whole-cell catalysts that depolymerize PET and convert it into its monomers in salt-containing media and at a temperature of 30°C. https://aiche.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/aic.18228?_ga=2.34308516.464140274.1695118704-1472931476.1658240840

[4] Read also: https://www.tumblr.com/earaercircular/707410638839971840/this-bacteria-likes-plastic-but-not-plastic-soup?source=share & https://www.tumblr.com/earaercircular/710350099144949760/these-green-start-ups-indicate-the-way-to-a?source=share

[5] We are still pumping more and more plastic waste into the world. Only a small part is recycled, while the majority ends up in the garbage heap. But there is hope. Science is increasingly discovering animals with plastic cravings. Five examples of creatures with a tasty appetite for plastic.https://www.change.inc/circulaire-economie/plastic-recyclen-2-0-vijf-diertjes-met-een-honger-naar-kunststof-38551

[6]German researchers found an enzyme in a cemetery compost heap that can break down plastic. The enzyme dissolves a plastic grape container within sixteen hours until a watery substance remains. That substance can be used to make new plastic. https://www.change.inc/circulaire-economie/doorbraak-enzym-eet-binnen-16-uur-plastic-op-38376

[7] Artificial intelligence helped researchers build the ultimate plastic-eating bacteria. By improving the molecular structure of the plastic-digesting enzyme via the computer, there is now a version that eats plastic in one day at low temperatures.https://www.change.inc/circulaire-economie/ai-maakt-enzym-dat-in-24-uur-plastic-opeet-38180

[8] Scientists around the world warn in a letter that there must be a limit on plastic production. According to the researchers, an upper limit is the only solution to stop the growing threat of plastic waste to the environment and ourselves. https://www.change.inc/circulaire-economie/wetenschappers-waarschuwen-limiet-op-plasticproductie-is-enige-redmiddel-38186