#decreased fuel efficiency | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

ak-vintage · 8 months ago

Text

Quarry - Chapter 6

Pairing: Din Djarin (The Mandalorian) x f!reader

Summary: Din Djarin is on what he expects to be his last bounty hunt for Greef Karga. After all, Nevarro is swiftly moving away from its previous reputation as a Guild member’s paradise, and Din has more important concerns now, like finding a Jedi to train his mysterious foundling. However, after capturing a wanted starship engineer who would rather go anywhere other than “home,” the Mandalorian is forced to reassess his priorities.

Your taste of freedom had been brief but glorious. Now you are a prisoner of the most infamous bounty hunter in the Outer Rim – it’s only a matter of time before he turns you in. There isn’t much you would not do to keep from being sent home, but as you find yourself growing closer to your captor and his strange little companion, you start to wonder whether escape is really what you want.

Set after Chapter 13: The Jedi but before Chapter 14: The Tragedy.

Chapter Tags & Warnings: Reader is Mando's bounty, second-person POV, no use of Y/N, minimal descriptors of reader character, unresolved sexual tension, pining, light angst

Series Masterlist | Read on AO3

“Mando!” The rich, gregarious voice of Magistrate Greef Karga crackled through the Razor Crest’s communication channel, his wizened face pale blue and smiling from the holo-projector. “What a pleasant surprise! I didn’t expect to hear from you again until you returned to Nevarro. Which should be soon, I hope?”

Almost two standard months had passed since Din Djarin had departed his de facto home base, the worst of the damage done to the Razor Crest on his journey to Trask repaired at Karga’s expense and seven bounty pucks burning holes in his pockets. As his responsibilities to the growing settlement had increased, and as the prominence of Nevarro as a bounty hunter’s haven had decreased, the older man had been spending less and less time on his role as a Guild agent and more time steeped in political endeavors.

“I only have a dozen or so new bounties left, Mando,” he had admitted before Din left for Corvus. “And I don’t plan to accept any more in the coming months – my time is stretched too thin as it is.”

Through his signature mix of flattery and pragmatism, Karga had bid him to take at least half of them with him when he left.

“I didn’t reinstate your status with the Guild for nothing, my friend! I know I can rely on you to deliver on these assets as efficiently as possible. And, if what you say is true and you will be spending some time away reuniting your boy with his people, perhaps you will appreciate having a bit of extra income in the meantime, hmm?”

When he put it that way, Din hadn’t been able to refuse. It hadn’t been long ago that he and the child had been on the run from the Guild, burning through the Mandalorian’s meager savings on fuel and food and ship repairs. He had yet to be able to make up for that extended period of unemployment. And who knew how long it would take him to find the one and only Jedi that he had any leads on locating – the one that Bo-Katan had promised dwelled on Corvus?

At the time, it had felt like a wise financial decision. One last hunt for Karga. Seven bounties, all with generous prices on their heads.

Now, several weeks after landing on Corvus, locating the fabled Ahsoka Tano, and helping her free the oppressed city of Calodan, Din couldn’t help but feel even more grateful for the choice. With every step along this journey, he could feel himself getting closer and closer to the moment that he would have to part ways with the foundling in his care. He had expected for that moment to arrive when he found Ahsoka, but her instructions to take Grogu to yet another planet and to find yet another Jedi had unexpectedly brought the bounty hunter a measure of relief.

He had more time with the child. And if he chose to prolong that time by using it to hunt down these half-dozen bounties before he ferried Grogu to the temple on Tython, that was just a good business decision.

Except now, it wasn’t only Grogu he had bought himself more time with. Now, he had a troublesome starship engineer to worry about, as well – taking up space in his ship and in his mind and in his bunk.

And something about you just wouldn’t leave him alone.

“Yes,” Din replied, nodding once. “I’m headed there now.”

Karga beamed at him from across subspace. “Wonderful! A successful hunt?”

“Of course.”

“Ha!” The older man clapped his hands together almost gleefully. “I would expect nothing less. So, what can I do for you, my friend?”

The Mandalorian weighed his words carefully before he responded. “I was hoping you might have some additional information about one of my quarries.” He said your full name then, for the first time since he had laid your bounty puck on the bar in your cantina. He hadn’t had much occasion to say it since, but he found he liked the feel of it in his mouth. It suited you.

Karga frowned slightly, and Din watched as he spun in his desk chair to pull his computer console closer to him. “Let me pull up her file… Hm. There’s not much here, I’m afraid. It looks like almost everything I have on her was loaded to the bounty puck.” He looked back at the holo-projector, making eye contact as best as he was able through the comm link. “Why do you ask? You can’t be having any issues tracking this one down, can you? I would have estimated her to be far below your abilities, Mando.”

“No issues. I have her in custody.” Din’s voice sounded tight and curt even to his own ears.

The magistrate’s brow rose in interest. “Then what’s the problem?”

The question lingered in the silence for a moment, and the bounty hunter swallowed thickly. “…I’m not sure. I just have a feeling,” he admitted. “I can’t figure out why someone would put a bounty out on her. My instincts are telling me that something about this is…wrong.”

He had given the issue little thought at the beginning. It had been just another day, and you had been just another quarry, remarkable only in just how far below his skill level you were – it had been impossibly easy to track your location, and with your lack of combat abilities, it had been even easier to capture you. It was why he had gone after you first out of the lot. He had known what a simple, cut-and-dry job it would be.

Over the last two months, however, it had become clear that you were anything but simple. You were brilliant, perhaps the most skilled starship engineer Din had ever met. The Razor Crest had never run so smoothly as it did with you onboard. For a pre-Empire vessel, it was almost unbelievable how many performance gains your work had managed to eek out of her. And you were gentle, with a soft heart and a tender touch. You nursed Din’s wounds with compassionate efficiency, treated his Creed with silent respect, and piloted his ship like one born to it. You cared for Grogu like he was your own, filling the Crest with your children’s songs, your instruction, your easy laughter.

And you were hiding so much. You never spoke of your past unless the situation required it. Din knew nothing about the circumstances that led to you leaving the Chardaan Shipyards. He knew nothing about why that departure would warrant someone issuing a bounty on your behalf. And in those moments that you came close to revealing any more about yourself than was strictly required, you swiftly navigated the conversation in another direction. For someone who prided himself on knowing everything there was to know about his quarries, it was maddening.

For someone who found himself growing dangerously closer to you by the day, it stung more than he cared to admit.

“You know as well as I do, Mando, that it’s not up to the Guild to question why a client would put out a bounty on an asset. Only to deliver it.” Karga’s gentle admonishment pulled Din out of his wayward thoughts. “In exchange for compensation, of course,” he added good-naturedly.

The Mandalorian bit back a groan of irritation. “Believe me, I know.” After a moment’s consideration, he asked, “Can you at least tell me who the client is? Who originated the bounty?”

The other man sighed, the sound buzzing through the comm link, but he offered Din a weary smile all the same. “Only for you, my friend. Let me see…” He tapped the screen on his computer console a few times, his eyes tracking through your file with practiced ease. “It looks like her bounty originated on the planet Chardaan by a man named Orron Halcard.”

Din frowned inside his helmet, considering this. Orron Halcard. “The name doesn’t ring a bell.”

Karga shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine. It’s certainly not a name I’ve ever seen before in the system.” He seemed to let that response hang in the silence for a second, and then he asked, “Anything else I can do for you?”

The bounty hunter weighed the offer, wondering if perhaps he was about to push the Guild code a bit too far. Ultimately, however, he knew himself well enough to know that he would feel more regret for not having said anything at all. “I have one more favor to ask,” he said.

“Be my guest!”

“Can you get in contact with him and ask him to come pick up his bounty in person, on Nevarro?”

The warmth and indulgence with which Karga had been entertaining this conversation seemed to dissolve, and he regarded Din with serious eyes. “Now, why would he want to do that?” There was an edge to the question, a clear warning to word his response with caution.

So, Din chose to tell him a half-truth. “Because his bounty isn’t in carbonite, and she has a penchant for escaping high-surveillance areas. He may want to escort her back to Chardaan himself, to make sure she actually arrives.”

That was a legitimate concern, he reasoned. Karga did not need to know that you bafflingly had not attempted escape since that first chase out of the cantina.

For his part, the magistrate looked taken aback by this answer. “You kept her out of carbonite? You surprise me. What is it that you really want?” He brought a hand to his neatly-trimmed beard, stroking it pensively as he considered the impassive Mandalorian. After a few seconds, he paused with a frown. “You want to meet the man.”

Din did not respond but simply stared back at Karga through the holo-projector. He saw no need to confirm or deny this assertion. The magistrate was an intelligent man, and they had been colleagues for many years. He was one of the few people in the galaxy Din could consider a friend. He had no interest in outright lying to him.

When it became clear that he wasn’t going to get a straight answer, the older man demanded, “What exactly are you hoping to accomplish here, Mando?”

“Like I said. Something’s not right,” Din eventually repeated. “I can’t just…” He trailed off.

I can’t just hand her over, not like this, he had been about to say. But he knew that Karga would not take well to that admission. Instead, he said, “I need to look him in the eyes. I need to understand what kind of person he is.”

Karga sighed heavily then, massaging the pressure points on either side of his nose. When he looked back up at the holo-projector, his expression was hard with frustration. “I need you to listen to me very carefully,” he said seriously. “You are my friend and by far my best hunter. I was willing to move past your stunt with the child because of our long history, and because those damned Imperials were involved, but I will not allow you to put another exchange in jeopardy. It’s a bad look, both for me and for the Guild.” He pointed at Din sharply. “So, whatever it is you’re planning, you must promise me now – if I bring this Orron Halcard to Nevarro, you will turn over the bounty.”

Din released the breath he had been holding and inclined his head at the magistrate. “You have my word.”

“Very well.” Something in Karga’s posture eased, but his voice remained solemn. “Consider it done. He will be here by the time you enter the star system.”

“Thank you. I’m in your debt for this, Karga,” the Mandalorian promised.

The older man shook his head and waved dismissively at that. “Just…please. Don’t do anything stupid?”

Din smirked and permitted himself a small chuckle. “I’ll try. See you in a few days.” With one final nod, he flipped the comm link switch, and the holo-projector went dark.

___

You were sitting cross-legged on the edge of the bunk watching Grogu roll a small metal ball around the cargo hold floor, killing time until dinner, when Mando dropped down the ladder from the cockpit level with a metallic thud.

“Hey,” you greeted him, offering a small smile. It had been several hours since he had last emerged from the cockpit – once to clean his blaster, then again an hour or so later to use the privy. A part of you had wondered whether you would climb up there later only to find him slumped over, dozing in the pilot’s chair as he so often did.

“Hey,” he echoed. His voice was soft, with that gentle rasp that had become so familiar over these last weeks. “May I join you?” he asked, and warmth bloomed in your chest, both at the question itself and that he felt the need to ask it at all.

“Of course, by all means. We’re playing an absolutely riveting game, can’t you tell?” You gestured to the kid with a wry smile. Grogu cooed and grinned up at you both from his position on the floor.

A laugh filtered through Mando’s helmet modulator, and your grin broadened in response. “I can see that.”

You hopped down from your perch on the bunk. “I was just about to warm up a couple of ration packs for the two of us. You want one?” you offered, crossing over to the chilled storage locker.

“I don’t – ”

“ – eat in front of others, I know,” you finished for him. “It’s okay. I’ll sit over here and turn around.” You pointed to the gray storage bins, your second favorite place to sit in the cargo hold after the bunk. “No peaking at your face, promise.”

The Mandalorian cocked his head, appearing to consider your words. Despite the amount of time you had spent together at this point, the two of you had never eaten in the same room before. But something told you that as long as you were respectful of his privacy, the invitation wouldn’t be unwelcome.

At least, you hoped it wouldn’t be. Mando had yet to explicitly explain to you the rules regarding his armor and his helmet. Everything you had done over the last two months to accommodate his needs had been pure guesswork on your part, and all you had been able to deduce for sure in that time was that the helmet was a non-negotiable. Perhaps as long as he trusted you not to look, he might allow himself the luxury of letting his guard down enough to share a meal with you.

Just as you were about to offer to send him back to the cockpit with his food, however, he agreed. “Fine,” he said, his voice hesitant, but that didn’t stop the smile from splitting your cheeks.

“Perfect!”

You made idle conversation as you prepared the ration packs – this time some variety of fish in a savory broth with limp, green vegetables and a rehydrated biscuit. You peppered him with questions - whether he had finished cleaning his blaster, if he was noticing a difference in the air quality since you had turned the air recycler upside down and scrubbed it top to bottom, how the day’s navigation had gone, if there had been any major galactic anomalies to circumvent or other ships to dodge. He responded to each one briefly, with one or two-word answers, but you knew better than to ascribe any negative feelings to that. The Mandalorian was a man of few words. The fact that he was conversing with you at all told you that he was enjoying himself.

When the ration packs had sufficiently re-heated, you peeled back their metallic lids and passed one of them into his waiting hands. “Here you go,” you said. You gestured over your shoulder with your thumb. “We’ll go sit over there. C’mon, womp rat.” Grogu extended his little arms to you, and you swooped him up to balance on your hip. The two of you clamored up onto one of the storage bins, and you settled facing the rear exit, turning your backs to the bounty hunter.

“There, see? Can’t see your face, and you can actually have a hot meal for once. Everybody wins,” you said good-naturedly. Grogu squealed with joy as you passed him his meal, and you thought you heard a quiet, modulated chuckle from behind you.

“If you say so,” Mando replied. There was a hint of a smile evident in his voice, and suddenly you were grateful to be facing away from him so that he couldn’t see the color rise in your cheeks at the sound.

And then came a sound you had never heard before – a pneumatic hiss, followed by shifting fabric and a muffled, hollow thump of something heavy being placed on the thin bunk mattress.

You swallowed thickly, your mouth suddenly dry. He had done it. The helmet was off.

The silence that followed was tangible in the air. It felt as though you were both holding your breath, waiting for the other to break it, to acknowledge the monumental step that you had just taken. You may not have fully understood the man’s commitment to his anonymity or to his Creed, but you knew enough to know that you were perhaps one of a handful of people in the galaxy who had ever been in the same room as him with his helmet off, and you were keenly aware that all it would take was a glance over your shoulder, and you would finally, after months of wondering, know what his face looked like.

You were equally aware that doing so would be the height of betrayal, particularly considering that this whole scenario had been your idea. You would never do that to him, no matter how badly the curiosity burned in your gut.

The sound of silverware scraping across the bottom of the ration pack reached your ears then, followed by a soft hum.

“This one isn’t bad,” he said.

His voice was quieter than you had expected, as though he was attempting not to startle you. Your eyes drifted closed at the sound all the same, and you felt goosebumps break out on the back of your neck and down your arms.

Even without the interference of his helmet vocoder, his voice was warm, rich, and deep. You had always found him pleasant to listen to, but with that staticky, mechanical quality gone, it had left in its stead an inviting baritone that was down-right irresistible. Without even bothering to look at what you were grabbing, you scooped a bite of your meal into your mouth to stop yourself from doing something truly foolish, like moaning.

“‘M glad you like it,” you replied around your mouthful of fish. A bit caught in the back of your throat then, and you coughed into your fist as a fierce blush stained your cheeks.

“Are you all right?” Mando asked.

You coughed again but nodded vigorously. “Mm hm. Fine,” you managed, hoarse.

I’m a kriffing idiot, but yeah, I’m fine.

Desperate to direct the attention anywhere but yourself, you asked, “Did I hear you talking to yourself up there?” You gestured vaguely in the direction of the ladder up to the cockpit. Just before he had joined you in the cargo hold, you could have sworn you heard his voice having an extended conversation up there behind a closed blast door.

“No,” he said. You could hear his utensil dragging through his meal once again, and his next statement was delayed as he swallowed another bite. “I was communicating with my Guild agent on Nevarro.”

In that moment, the intrigue and the embarrassment of the last several minutes evaporated, and another heavy silence descended upon the Razor Crest. You glanced off to your left, where the bodies of six quarries hung suspended in time, frozen in an instant between two sheets of carbonite. He had told you weeks ago – he had six additional quarries after he captured you, a total of seven beings to take back to Nevarro to be distributed according to their bounties. You had lost track of how many were left to apprehend, but it seemed that there were…none. This lot was it.

He was finally turning you in. Your time was up.

You sat your meal down on the storage bin in front of you, suddenly losing your appetite.

“Oh,” you eventually uttered. “Guess that makes sense. We’re on our way back now, I suppose?”

“Yes.” You couldn’t discern anything from his voice – whether that fact made him happy or sad or angry. You wondered if perhaps he was indifferent about your inevitable departure. You wondered if the camaraderie, the respect, the…fondness you had developed for him over the last two months had really been one-sided.

You wondered if he would miss you, after he handed you over.

Instead of asking any of these questions, you instead asked, “How far out are we?” How many more days do I have before I have to go back to that place? Back to him?

“Three, four days,” he replied.

“I see.” You paused then, considering. “Before we land, I’ll put together a progress report on all of the upgrade projects I’ve been working on. There’s a few I won’t be able to finish before then… And one or two I didn’t get to start.” You could hear the hint of bitterness in your own voice as you spoke, and you fought to push it down. It wasn’t as if you hadn’t known this day was coming, and something about allowing the Mandalorian see how affected you were by this rankled.

You wanted him to think you stoic, unmoved. Brave, like him.

“If you want to show that report to Peli, she can take it from there. When…when I’m gone,” you added, trailing off a bit at the end.

“You don’t have to do that,” he said.

You nodded at the wall. “I know. But I want to. I’ve gotten…a little attached, I guess. To the Crest.” You reached over Grogu’s head, still bent over his dinner, and gently patted the nearest bulkhead. “She’s charming, in her own way. I want to make sure you have what you need to keep her performing her best.”

Mando didn’t seem to know how to respond to that. He eventually settled on, “That’s very generous.” His voice was thick with warmth, making him sound sincere and perhaps a touch melancholy. Perhaps he would miss you, after all.

A long silence stretched between you then, and you took the opportunity to bring your now-cold ration pack back up your face, scooping bite after bite into your mouth. You didn’t have a taste for it anymore, but you knew you would wake up in the middle of your sleep later with an angry stomach if you didn’t at least try to finish your portion, so you ate as quickly as you could to get it over with.

Grogu finished at the same time as you, announcing he was done with a small burp and a giggle. The sound broke the tension in the room, and you huffed a breath of laughter of your own as you scooped him into your lap to wipe his mouth with the back of your sleeve. All the while, you were certain you could feel the gaze of the Mandalorian on the nape of your neck.

“I can feel you thinking back there,” you said after a minute. “What is it?”

The bounty hunter sighed, and you could hear him shift to lean back against a bulkhead. He seemed to carefully consider his words before he spoke. “It’s been weeks since I captured you. And other than when I first found you in that cantina, not once have you tried to escape.”

Your eyebrows rose at that. “No, I haven’t,” you agreed.

“Why not?”

You looked down into your lap, occupying yourself with running your fingers through Grogu’s fine, white hair. “That’s a good question,” you admitted softly. “I’ve asked myself the same thing more times than I can count.”

“And?” he prompted.

You contemplated the question, chewing on your lower lip in thought. From the first moment Mando had left you with Peli Motto, you had questioned it. Why you weren’t running, why you weren’t plotting ways to escape, why you didn’t slip out and lose yourself in the crush of Mos Eisley or in the dense forests of Ryloth or in any of the other various places you had docked over the last two months. Now, you had officially run out of time – he was going to turn you in.

So why were you still here?

“I don’t know,” you said out loud.

Mando made a noise in the back of his throat that sounded something like frustration, like dissatisfaction, at that response. “The girl I chased halfway across a major port city, who broke a whole cantina’s worth of liquor bottles over my head, who laughed at me when my carbonite unit busted would have stopped at nothing to get away. She would have found a way.”

His tone was accusatory, meant to inflame, but you couldn’t seem to muster any irritation in the face of the truth.

“Yes. You’re right.” You didn’t even try to deny it.

“What changed?” he demanded, and you scoffed humorlessly.

“I wish I could tell you,” you said with a shrug. “I definitely thought about it. Several times when we were on Tatooine. A few times when you were out on a hunt. But…I guess I always came up with a reason not to.”

“Such as?”

“At first?” You shrugged and stared at the rear blast doors. “I think…I didn’t want you to get angry at Peli. I liked her, and at the time, I didn’t trust you not to take it out on her if I got away on her watch.” You thought you heard something close to a chuckle at that, but you continued. “And then it was the Razor Crest. I haven’t had the opportunity to get my hands on pre-Empire technology in years, and it’s been even longer since I’ve been able to do restoration work. It was more rewarding than I expected.”

“Restoration work?” Mando echoed, incredulous.

You smirked in spite of yourself. “Hey. This thing has got to be well over 30 years old by now. That makes it vintage. Repairs on vintage starships are considered restoration. That’s just how it works.”

The bounty hunter sighed loudly, and you swore you heard him running his gloved hands over his face in exasperation. “‘Vintage,’ she says,” he muttered under his breath. “Not kriffing ‘vintage.’ We’ll come back to that.”

Laughter bubbled up in your chest, and you allowed it to spill over, permitting yourself the moment of good humor. “Sure, Mando. Whatever you say.”

You sobered up a bit then before continuing, “But most of the time, when I thought about running, it was Grogu that stopped me.” You looked down at the bundle of brown robes in your arms and found that the tiny, bat-eared boy had dozed off, his little cheek resting softly on your thigh. A fond smile tugged at the corners of your lips. “He was just…sweet. Pure. Attached to me.”

“He likes you,” the Mandalorian asserted.

“Yes. If I was going to have any hope of escaping, I would’ve had to have done it when you were away. But even if I managed it, then what would happen to him?” You hated to even consider it. You couldn’t bear the idea of abandoning the kid. “You trusted me to care for him. I couldn’t just leave him on his own like that.”

“There are others that would have. Without a second thought.”

The certainty with which Mando spoke sent a chill down your spine, and not for the first time, you wondered what trials the child and his caretaker had been put through before they met you. The latter seemed convinced that there were many in the galaxy who would wish harm upon Grogu, and even after months in his company, the thought still did not compute with you. Still, you supposed you could see how an average quarry might be willing to sacrifice the well-being of a child to save their own skin.

“I’m sure you’re right,” you said.

The bounty hunter hesitated for a moment then, and instead of a reply, you heard another airy hiss followed by the truncated sound of a seal activating, and you realized that he had put his helmet back on. Heavy footfalls echoed off the durasteel deck, and a streak of silver flashed in your periphery as he came to stand before of you, bracing his hands on the storage bin you were perched on.

His shoulders solemn and tense, he met your eyes as best as he was able through his visor, and he said, “The kindness you have shown my foundling will not be forgotten. You have chosen his well-being over your freedom, and you have cared for him better than I could have expected. There is much you do not know about him, much I have kept from you, and that is for a reason, but trust me when I tell you that your selflessness is not for nothing.”

His tone carried a significance you had never heard before, and it squeezed something in your chest, something that made your breath catch. You couldn’t claim to understand what he meant, what he could possibly have been keeping from you about Grogu. All you knew was that whatever it was, it clearly weighed on him, and you felt an inexplicable urge to offer him a measure of comfort, to take some of that burden for yourself. Before you could think better of it, you found yourself reaching out and settling your hand on top of one of his.

The Mandalorian startled at the unexpected touch, but he did not pull away. You could feel the vital warmth of him through the soft, worn leather of his glove. You could feel the breadth of his palm, the length and thickness of his fingers, the strength he carried there. Your pulse quickened at the sensation, and you allowed yourself to continue to stare into his visor, willing him to see that his revelation didn’t scare you.

“And I would do it all over again,” you said softly, your voice barely a whisper.

Mando inclined his head at you, his shoulders seeming to lose a bit of their rigidity. “This is the Way.”

#din djarin #the mandalorian #din djarin x reader #din djarin x you #din djarin x f!reader #din djarin fanfiction #the mandalorian fanfiction #pedro pascal #pedro pascal characters #pedro pascal character fanfiction

45 notes · View notes

greenfutures · 16 days ago

Text

Via Katherine Hayhoe's newsletter:

Investors have woken up to the opportunities this transition affords: this year, for the first time, investments in clean energy technologies will almost double the amount going to fossil fuels. The average cost of electricity from utility-scale solar photovoltaics fell by 85 percent between 2010 and 2020. Similarly, the cost of onshore wind decreased by 56 percent in the same period. These dramatic cost reductions have made renewables cheaper than new coal and gas in most major countries—but cost is not the only reason renewables will win. Efficiency is also on our side. Fossil fuel technologies rose to prominence by pushing out less efficient technology and fuels—like wood or whale oil. Today, only around a third of what’s mined for fossil fuels gets converted into energy. The rest is lost due to leaks, transportation, and other inefficiencies. Renewables aren’t only healthier, faster, cleaner and more abundant. They undercut fossil fuels where they are at their weakest: their rampant and unsolvable inefficiency. Politics will not be able to stand in the way of this technological transition.

#clean energy #energy investing #good news

15 notes · View notes

covid-safer-hotties · 1 month ago

Text

Also preserved on our archive

Some interesting science analyzed

BY BROOKS LEITNER

Imagine lying back in an enclosed chamber where you bask for 90 minutes in a sea of pure oxygen at pressures two to three times that felt at sea level. This is the world of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), a technology that’s been around for decades and is now being explored as a possible treatment for Long COVID.

"The silence on the inside is deafening at first,” says John M.,* who has undergone dozens of HBOT treatments for his persistent Long COVID symptoms. Fortunately, there is a television outside the chamber in view, and it is easy to communicate with the provider if needed. While the potential protocol is still being refined, patients may undergo up to 40 HBOT sessions to address some of the most problematic, lingering symptoms of this complex condition.

HBOT is a therapeutic process that has been widely used to treat such conditions as decompression sickness in scuba divers, carbon monoxide poisoning, and diabetic foot ulcers. In HBOT, the body is exposed to 100% oxygen, a significant increase from the 21% oxygen concentration we typically breathe. The therapy takes place in an enclosed chamber where the air pressure is elevated above normal levels. The combination of high-pressure and high-oxygen conditions enhances the amount of oxygen that can reach the body's tissues. The hope is that this therapy can provide the same relief and healing to people with Long COVID that it does for those with other conditions.

According to John M., HBOT was the first treatment that helped with his sleep and reduced his heart palpitations. “At one point after hospitalization, my Long COVID symptoms were so bad that I could barely walk or talk. HBOT was a great tool that really assisted with my recovery,” he said. John added that he hopes the medical community will achieve a better understanding of how HBOT can help relieve suffering for patients with Long COVID and that more research will increase access to this innovative therapy.

Does HBOT improve Long COVID symptoms? One key observation from the work of Inderjit Singh, MBChB, an assistant professor at Yale School of Medicine (YSM) specializing in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine, is that Long COVID patients often experience debilitating fatigue. Based on Dr. Singh’s previous Long COVID research, the exhaustion is thought to be linked to the muscles’ inability to efficiently extract and utilize oxygen.

To picture how HBOT might work, you can think of your muscles as engines sputtering, struggling to get the fuel they need. If oxygen is the gas that fuels the muscles, it’s as if you are trying to complete your daily routine while the gas tank is running on “empty.” By aiming to directly address this oxygen utilization impairment, HBOT may be a potential solution.

A systematic review by researchers at the China Medical University Hospital noted that HBOT could tackle another major factor in the Long COVID puzzle: oxidative stress. This relates to the body's struggle to maintain balance when harmful molecules, known as free radicals, run amok, causing chronic inflammation.

Research co-authored by Sandra K. Wainwright, MD, medical director of the Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Wound Healing at Greenwich Hospital in Connecticut, suggests that HBOT, with its high-oxygen environment, might dampen this chronic inflammation by improving mitochondrial activity and decreasing production of harmful molecules. Other potential benefits of HBOT in the treatment of Long COVID may include restoration of oxygen to oxygen-starved tissues, reduced production of inflammatory cytokines, and increased mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells—primary cells that transform into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

HBOT for Long COVID: Current and ongoing research Several small-scale reports have indicated that HBOT is safe for patients with Long COVID.

To address this question, a trial that followed the gold standard of modern medical research—a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind design—assigned 73 Long COVID patients to either receive 40 sessions of HBOT or a placebo of only 21% oxygen. The study observed positive changes in attention, sleep quality, pain symptoms, and energy levels among participants receiving HBOT. In a longitudinal follow-up study published in Scientific Reports, the authors at the Tel Aviv University found that clinical improvements persisted even one year after the last HBOT session was concluded. In a second study, the same authors focused on heart function, measured by an echocardiogram, and found a significant reduction in heart strain, known as global longitudinal strain, in patients who received HBOT.

In another study, 10 patients with Long COVID underwent 10 HBOT treatments over 12 consecutive days. Testing showed statistically significant improvement in fatigue and cognitive function. Meanwhile, an ongoing trial at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden has reported interim safety results wherein almost half of the Long COVID patients in the trial reported cough or chest discomfort during treatment. However, it was unclear whether HBOT exacerbated this symptom or if this adverse effect was due to the effort of participation by patients suffering from more severe Long COVID symptoms.

Is HBOT currently available as a treatment for Long COVID? For HBOT to become a mainstream treatment option for Long COVID, several critical priorities must be addressed. First, there is currently no established method for tailoring HBOT dosages to individual patients, so researchers must learn more about the specific features or symptoms that indicate potential benefits from HBOT. At the same time, we need to identify factors that may be associated with any adverse outcomes of HBOT. And finally, it’s important to determine how long these potentially beneficial effects last in a larger cohort. Will just a few HBOT trials be enough to restore patients to their baseline health, or will HBOT become a recurring component of their annual treatment regimen?

For now, HBOT remains an experimental therapy—and as such is not covered by insurance. This is a huge issue for patients because the therapy is expensive. According to Dr. Wainwright, a six-week course of therapy can run around $60,000. That’s a lot to pay for a therapy that’s still being studied. In the current completed studies, different treatment frequencies and intensities have been used, but it’s unclear how the treatment conditions affect the patient’s outcome.

“I have had some patients notice improvements after only 10 or 15 treatments, whereas some others need up to 45 treatments before they notice a difference,” notes Dr. Wainwright. “I think that HBOT is offering some promising results in many patients, but it is probably a strong adjunctive treatment to the other spectrum of things Long COVID patients should be doing, like participating in an exercise, rehab, and nutritional program.”

Dr. Singh notes that “a major challenge for research is the heterogeneity of Long COVID. It is hard to determine which symptoms to treat and enroll patients into trials based on them.”

Perhaps treatments that target multiple issues caused by Long COVID, like HBOT, may help overcome this challenge.

*Not his real name.

Brooks Leitner is an MD/PhD candidate at Yale School of Medicine.

The last word from Lisa Sanders, MD: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is just one of the many existing treatments that are being looked at to treat Long COVID. We see this with many new diseases—trying to use a treatment that is effective in one set of diseases to treat another. And there is reason for optimism: We know that HBOT can deliver high levels of oxygen to tissues in need of oxygen. That’s why it’s used to treat soft tissue wounds. If reduced oxygen uptake is the cause of the devastating fatigue caused by Long COVID, as is suggested by many studies, then perhaps a better delivery system will help at least some patients.

Studies referenced:

bmcinfectdis.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12879-023-08002-8

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8806311/

www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-53091-3

www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-15565-0

www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2024.1354088/full

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11051078/#:~:text=Proposed%20Mechanism%20of%20HBOT%20o

#long covid #hbottherapy #HBOT #hyperbaric oxygen therapy #mask up #covid #pandemic #wear a mask #public health #covid 19 #still coviding #wear a respirator #coronavirus #sars cov 2

12 notes · View notes

girlactionfigure · 2 months ago

Text

🟧 Sunday afternoon - events from Israel

ISRAEL REALTIME - Connecting to Israel in Realtime

♦️LEBANON.. The IDF announces it eliminated in an airstrike yesterday in Beirut Nabil Qaouk, commander of Hezbollah's Preventative Security Unit, and deputy head of the group's executive council.

♦️LEBANON.. Lebanese media: The fate of Hashem Safieddine, the current Hezbollah council head and expected successor to Nasrallah, remains unknown.

♦️IDF ATTACKING LEBANON.. Air force attacks continue all the time in all of Lebanon. Relatively low intensity compared to the past few days.

♦️GAZA.. IDF installing huge observation poles on the Philadelphi border corridor.

♦️GAZA.. Destroyed: an underground route about a kilometer long in a civilian area. In the tunnel, several rooms and facilities were found that were used byHamas to hide for extended periods, as well as weapons storage.

♦️GAZA.. airstrike against a group of Hamas operatives operating out of a former school in the northern Gaza Strip a short while ago. Hamas terrorists were using the Umm al-Fahm School in Beit Lahiya to plan and carry out attacks against IDF troops and against Israel.

♦️SYRIA.. air defense systems activated in Homs, Syria - which has been a frequent target of the IDF. Syrian media reports that before noon the IDF attacked positions of the pro-Iranian militias in the area of Wadi Hana near Al-Qusayr in Homs.

🔹LEBANESE PM.. Prime Minister Najib Mikati at a press conference: ready to implement UN resolution 1701. The number of displaced people may reach a million.

🔹US ADMIN SAYS.. The Biden administration continues to call on Israel to refrain from a ground operation in Lebanon - and claim that such a move would harm attempts to weaken support for Hezbollah inside Lebanon, per the Washington Post.

🔹NOTING CHANGING TONE.. in the international press: (Amit Segal)

1. Israel has the most impressive army in the world

2. Israel is winning the war on terror

3. Israel exposed the hypocrisy of Biden's & UK’s Starmer’s policy

4. Were the hawks in Israel right and is it possible to achieve a complete victory?

Articles in the Daily Telegraph ->

Israel has exposed the lie at the heart of Starmer and Biden’s foreign policy - https://archive.md/6peFD#selection-2369.4-2369.81

Israel has proved it has the most impressive military in the world - https://archive.md/Ge9kB#selection-2369.4-2369.70

❗️AIR TRAVEL.. the EU Aviation Safety Agency really did issue an airspace warning for Israel warning airlines away from Sept. 28 until Oct. 31. “Considering the current conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, there is a high risk to civil aviation. The conflict involves rockets, missiles and drones launches from Lebanon with Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire, including systematic activation of air-defence systems… Although, until now the Civil Aviation Authority of the State of Israel has been efficiently managing the risks to civil aviation in its airspace through a tactical deconfliction, it is considered that the current intensity of the conflict represents an overall high risk to civil aviation.”

Official statement: Ben Gurion Airport is open for takeoffs and landings. Those leaving Israel should take into account there may be difficulties in their return to Israel (due to flight availability.)

▪️ECONOMY.. The price of fuel at the beginning of October will be NIS 7.16 per liter, a decrease of 0.13 per liter.

▪️WAR POLITICS.. Arab MK Ahmed Tibi: from the Ra'am-Ta'al faction “Israel excels in assassinations. Killings do not bring security, agreements bring security. The worst thing about the killings is when families and children are killed. There is no worse criminal situation than those not involved being killed.”

#Israel #October 7 #HamasMassacre #Israel/HamasWar #IDF #Gaza #Palestinians #Realtime Israel #Hezbollah #Lebanon

19 notes · View notes

learnwithmearticles · 3 months ago

Text

Harris and Climate Change

Storms in recent decades have escalated in frequency and severity, causing billions of dollars in damage and leaving people homeless and vulnerable. We can expect this trend to continue if we do not globally mitigate climate change.

This is an examination of Kamala Harris’ environmental policies.

Continuation, Doubling Down

We can expect many policies introduced during Biden’s presidency to continue during Harris’. For example, Biden re-committed the U.S.A. to the Paris Agreement, a treaty that binds nations together in efforts to keep the global temperature increase under 2°C. This entails vast decreases in greenhouse gas emissions, and thus turning to more energy efficient products as well as clean energy alternatives.

In 2022, Biden’s administration passed the Inflation Reduction Act. This climate bill, among the biggest in history, provided billions of dollars to pull us away from the fossil fuel-dependant economy.

In addition to perpetuating these policies, Kamala Harris will be able to push further towards clean energy.

During her campaign, Harris has brought up the environmental justice unit she created to hold polluters accountable, implying that she would continue to enforce ramifications for pollution-heavy companies.

In 2023, Harris announced the work she had been doing with EPA administrator Michael Regan. In this speech, she acknowledged the need to invest in communities to help those who don’t have the means themselves to move towards clean energy. She also acknowledged that we need to make up for lost time in these initiatives, sticking to the intent to meet the nation’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

Intersectionality

Harris has specifically acknowledged the fact that climate change disproportionately affects certain communities, such as lower-income and communities of color. She stated her intention to make sure pollution effects are addressed with attention to equity and equality. Her work with the EPA administrator was an example of putting these ideas into action, by funding communities who need help.

Before and throughout Biden’s presidency, Kamala Harris has spoken about and followed through with efforts to address current environmental crises. She has pushed to hold companies accountable for their pollution and advocated for policies that reduce the U.S.A.’s emissions and increase renewable energy.

Despite these previous statements, climate change has not been a popular focus of Harris’ 2024 campaign. The Washington Post believes that this is an effort to alienate as few voters as possible while focusing on other major issues. Specifically, Pennsylvania as a swing state depends strongly on a natural gas economy, and domestic oil production has decreased gas prices. Discussing any certain intentions of affecting those areas might discourage undecided voters.

We can see in these tactics and in Harris’ pull back from a full-on fracking ban that she does listen to the public. She pays attention to these concerns and is able to adapt in order to do what seems best for the nation. While many, including myself, do not completely agree with all of her policies, she is a candidate who will make a difference in the environmental sector.

Additional Resources

1. The Paris Agreement

2. Inflation Reduction Act

3. Harris not discussing Climate Change

4. 2023 Speech

5. Intersectionality

#kamala harris #joe biden #research #article #resources #environment #news #politics #climate change #renewable energy #storms #natural disasters #green energy #clean energy #greenhouse gases #paris agreement

10 notes · View notes

solarpunkbusiness · 6 days ago

Text

World Investment Report unveils dynamic shift in global energy investments, breakthroughs in solar, and materials innovation

Here are the key findings:

Exponential growth in energy investments

Global energy investments are set to soar from $2.4 trillion in 2018 to a projected $3.1 trillion in 2024 – a steady climb at nearly 5% annually. Global clean energy investment now nearly doubles that of fossil fuels, set to leap from $1.2 trillion in 2018 to $2 trillion by 2024 – marking a bold pivot toward renewables.

The solar investment surge

Investments in solar represented ~ 59% ($393 billion) of all RE investments ($673 billion), driven largely by drop in solar panel costs.

APAC leads global solar investments

Region-wise, Asia-Pacific (APAC) is at the forefront of solar investments pouring $223 billion into solar in 2023. EMEA has experienced modest solar investment growth, with $91bn in 2023, followed by AMER region (North, Central and South America) with solar investments of $78bn.

Record-breaking solar PV panel efficiency

Solar PV monocrystalline modules have hit a new high with record-breaking 24.9% efficiency – a major leap in maximising solar energy potential. Multi-junction perovskite cells are set to disrupt the solar panel industry, promising higher efficiency, lower production costs and seamless integration with diverse surfaces – leaving traditional silicon panels in the dust.

Solar manufacturing now uses 88% less silicon per watt peak than in 2004

The manufacturing process has undergone significant improvements, resulting in a drastic reduction in silicon usage – from consuming 16 gm/Wp in 2004 to 2 gm/Wp in 2023. This 88% decrease in silicon consumption not only reflects the strides made in optimising material efficiency but also underscores the potential for further cost reductions and environmental benefits.

Utility-scale PV costs hitting new low

The global weighted average levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) for utility-scale solar PV dropped by 90% – falling from $0.460/kWh in 2010 to $0.044/kWh in 2023. At country level, the drop ranges from 76%-93% over the same period.

#solarpunk transition #solarpunk trends #solarpunk #solarpunk business #solar punk

5 notes · View notes

capitalism-and-analytics · 1 year ago

Note

So, if the goal is to feed and house people, all we have to do is take the food from where it is and bring it to the people and bring the people from where they are into an available residence. Preferably not in that order I suppose lol . Fortunately we have like a shitload of food and trucks and unoccupied homes so this is something we could just essentially start doing any old time. The problem is that people will argue that we can't do that because those things cost money to do. But the whole point of money is to control who gets access to a limited pool of resources - and since we have accumulated enough resources to take care of the entire global population, we should be able to just all agree that it has served its purpose and move on from this construct. There's nothing about the natural world that necessitates money and there's nothing about money that makes it inherently valuable. It was a tool, a means to an end, and it has served its purpose.

if the goal is to feed and house people

This is a major conditional perquisite, which is not true for majority of people in the world. I understand you are proposing a hypothetical scenario, but just realize this condition is purely theoretical and the rest of your post is contingent on it being true.

all we have to do is take the food from where it is and bring it to the people and bring the people from where they are into an available residence

No that would be a massive oversimplification of the logistics and distribution complexities involved.

Fortunately we have like a shitload of food and trucks and unoccupied homes so this is something we could just essentially start doing any old time.

1/ Those surplus of resources are a result of a money-fueled economy.

2/ You are neglecting many other requirements, most notably labor, which is already in short-supply and you are recommending to remove the financial incentive, which will decrease it even further.

The problem is that people will argue that we can't do that because those things cost money to do.

Well they cost resources, money is just a more efficient way of measuring.

e.g. resources spent on food cannot be spent on housing

But the whole point of money is to control who gets access to a limited pool of resources

No, the whole point of money is to more efficiently enable the trade between resources

e.g. a tailor wants food from a farmer who needs no tailoring services or goods

and since we have accumulated enough resources to take care of the entire global population

1/ We have not accumulated enough resources to take care of the entire global population.

2/ Most of those accumulated resources are finite and resulted from money-fueled economies, therefore before "we move on", perhaps we should consider the impact of the replacement.

we should be able to just all agree that it has served its purpose and move on from this construct.

Why?

There's nothing about the natural world that necessitates money

1/ While money is not a natural concept, it is a valuable tool that enhances the functioning of modern societies and allows for the complex and diversified economic activities that drive those human societies.

2/ If humans chose to limit ourselves to the pre-existing constructs of nature, then we would most likely not be alive today.

#anon message #lovely anon #anonymous message #anon ask #anonymous

28 notes · View notes

steeloncallkavya · 13 days ago

Text

TMT Bar Rate: A Key Factor in Construction Projects

TMT (Thermo-Mechanically Treated) bars are a fundamental component in modern construction. They are widely used for reinforcing concrete structures, providing strength and durability to buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure projects. TMT bars are favored for their high strength, flexibility, and resistance to corrosion, making them an essential material for both residential and commercial construction.

One of the most important factors influencing the cost of construction is the TMT bar rate. The price of TMT bars can vary depending on various factors such as material quality, market conditions, demand, and geographical location. Understanding the TMT bar rate is crucial for construction businesses, builders, and individuals to plan their budgets effectively.

In this article, we will explore what TMT bars are, how they are priced, the factors that influence TMT bar rates, and how these prices impact construction projects.

Factors Influencing TMT Bar Rate

Several factors influence the rate of TMT bars, which fluctuate over time. Understanding these factors can help individuals and businesses better plan and budget for construction projects.

1. Raw Material Costs

The primary raw material used in the production of TMT bars is iron ore. The price of iron ore can vary based on market conditions, international supply, and demand. When the cost of raw materials rises, the price of TMT bars typically follows suit. Global factors such as trade policies, supply chain disruptions, and natural disasters can cause fluctuations in the price of iron ore, affecting the tmt bar rate.

2. Production Process

The cost of producing TMT bars is another factor that affects their rate. The thermo-mechanical treatment process, which involves high energy consumption for heating and rapid cooling, can make TMT bars more expensive than traditional steel bars. The more advanced the production technology and machinery used, the higher the overall production cost, which in turn affects the price.

3. Demand and Supply Dynamics

Like any commodity, the price of TMT bars is influenced by supply and demand dynamics. In periods of high demand, such as during a construction boom or in regions where infrastructure development is happening at a rapid pace, the price of TMT bars may increase. Conversely, during slow construction periods, when demand for building materials drops, the rate of TMT bars may decrease.

Regional variations in demand also play a role. For example, large cities or regions with high construction activity may see higher TMT bar prices compared to areas with less demand.

4. Transportation and Logistics Costs

TMT bars are often produced in specific regions, and transportation costs can have a significant impact on the final rate. If TMT bars need to be transported over long distances or to remote areas, logistics costs will increase, which is reflected in the price. Additionally, fuel costs and transportation infrastructure can influence the cost of getting TMT bars from the factory to construction sites.

5. Government Policies and Taxes

Government policies, including taxes, duties, and import/export regulations, can also affect the price of TMT bars. For example, the imposition of import duties on steel products or changes in tax rates can increase the cost of TMT bars. Conversely, subsidies or reductions in taxes on raw materials may lower the price. Construction businesses need to stay updated on any changes in government policies that could impact TMT bar rates.

6. Technological Advancements

Technological innovations in steel manufacturing can also influence the TMT bar rate. For instance, new methods of production that increase efficiency and reduce energy consumption can lower the cost of producing TMT bars. On the other hand, investments in research and development or advanced machinery may increase the cost of production in the short term but could lead to higher-quality products in the long run.

How TMT Bar Rate Impacts Construction Projects

The rate of TMT bars is a significant factor in the overall cost of construction. The amount of TMT bar required for a project depends on the size of the structure, the grade of the steel, and the complexity of the design. Since TMT bars are used extensively in reinforcing concrete, their cost can make up a significant portion of the material budget in construction projects.

1. Cost Estimation and Budgeting

Builders and contractors need to factor in the TMT bar rate when estimating the total cost of a project. Since TMT bars are a critical material in construction, fluctuations in their price can impact the overall budget. If the price of TMT bars increases unexpectedly, it may lead to cost overruns unless the budget is adjusted accordingly. Accurate cost estimation and understanding of the market conditions are crucial for successful project management.

2. Project Planning

Construction projects typically involve a large number of materials, and delays or changes in the price of one material can lead to project delays. For example, if the price of TMT bars rises significantly during the construction phase, contractors may need to purchase the required quantity of steel at higher rates, affecting project timelines and costs.

To avoid such situations, project managers often lock in prices in advance or place bulk orders to secure a more favorable rate. Additionally, monitoring TMT bar prices and market trends is essential for making informed decisions.

3. Quality vs. Cost

While the price of TMT bars is a key consideration, the quality of the bars should not be compromised in an effort to reduce costs. Using substandard TMT bars can lead to structural weaknesses, which can be costly in the long run due to repairs, maintenance, or even failure of the structure. Therefore, while TMT bar rates play a role in the budgeting process, quality must always be prioritized to ensure the safety and longevity of the construction.

Conclusion

The TMT bar rate plays a crucial role in determining the overall cost of construction projects. Builders, contractors, and project managers must stay informed about the various factors that influence TMT bar prices, such as raw material costs, demand and supply, production processes, and government policies. By understanding these factors, they can make informed decisions about purchasing and budgeting for TMT bars.

If you are looking for best quality tmt bars, please visit our website : www.steeloncall.com or you can contact us through our toll-free number: 18008332929

#tmtbar #tmtbarrate #tmtbarratetoday #tmtbarprice #tmtbarpricetoday

2 notes · View notes

rjzimmerman · 3 months ago

Text

Excerpt from this story from The Revelator:

The climate crisis isn’t coming — it’s here now. We see it all around us — in cities and rural areas, and on the coasts and in every state in between. It impacts everything, from our economy to our national security.

Each passing year brings unprecedented heatwaves, wildfires, and extreme weather events that wreak havoc on our communities in more ways than one. Rising temperatures strain energy resources, escalate health care costs due to heat-related illnesses, and displace vulnerable populations from their homes.

The climate crisis demands swift and decisive action — like bolstering public transportation.

The dirty secret is that the transportation sector is the largest source of U.S. climate pollution — and 80% of transportation emissions come from the cars and trucks on our roads. It’s one of the only major sectors where emissions are still rising.

Because of this, investing in public transit is one of the most sensible and impactful things we can do to address the climate crisis on the scale that’s needed.

First and foremost, public transit offers a direct solution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Unlike personal vehicles, which contribute significantly to carbon dioxide and other pollutants, public transit systems can transport large numbers of people efficiently and with reduced environmental impact per capita. Robust public transit networks decrease our reliance on fossil fuels, curbing emissions that drive climate change.

Moreover, investing in public transit promotes sustainable development. By prioritizing accessible, reliable transit options, cities can mitigate urban sprawl and reduce the need for expansive road networks and parking infrastructure.

Public transit also promotes more equitable access to opportunities.

#public transit #public transportation #climate change #greenhouse gas emissions

4 notes · View notes

grispy · 22 days ago

Text

The Concorde:

The Concorde is my all time favourite aeroplane and for several good reasons. In this post I'll explore a few of the reasons why I find the Concorde to be so fascinating, try to explain at a simple level why these mechanisms/features work the way they do and why the Concorde lived out a tragic early retirement.

Context:

The Concorde was designed to be the first commercial passenger aeroplane to reach supersonic speeds (speeds faster than sound ≈ 340 m/s). The plane would go on to revolutionise flight times, cutting London to New York flight times from 7 hours 40 minutes down to 3 hours 20 minutes!

Naturally, you'd question how on earth you halve the average flight time, and Ill walk through the many reasons why the Concorde was THE MOST ahead of its time out of any plane in terms of its excellent engineering.

The engineering behind Concorde:

Ill split this into sections as there is ALOT that went into the design of this plane. As a preface, the Concorde was not designed based off of a typical commercial airliner, but off of a military plane, specifically the Avro Vulcan bomber plane.

The Vulcan wasn't actually supersonic itself yet it provided a greatly aerodynamic base for the Concorde to become supersonic.

The Thrusters:

The most notable improvements can be seen through the thrusters. The engine is actually a hybrid of both a turbojet at low speeds and then a ramjet at higher speeds. Once the plane reaches supersonic speeds, the airflow to the nozzles needs to be compressed down to subsonic air as supersonic shockwaves destroyed efficiency and function.

It is important to understand Bernoulli's principle to see why these thrusters work. Bernoulli's principal essentially says: "a fluid flowing from a high pressure region to a low pressure region will accelerate due to the net force along the direction of motion". This is useful as you can increase the flow velocity of a fluid by funelling it through a converging nozzle which creates a greater thrust. Basically, smaller area = higher air speed.

However, this only holds true for subsonic fluids (below the speed of sound). When a fluid becomes supersonic, the OPPOSITE is true such that a diverging outlet will cause the fluid to have a higher velocity.

First, the subsonic air is compressed as it enters the the converging "throat", mixed with fuel and then ignited. The nozzles are converging-diverging which means they converge and then diverge. After the airflow has been sufficiently compressed, it then diverges in the outlet so that it speeds up as it leaves the thrusters for maximum thrust output.

Essentially, the air is slowed down for the Olympus engine's manageability, accelerated to above mach 1 (speed of sound) by mixing it with fuel and burning it and then sped up using a diverging nozzle. It is important to note that at different stages of flight, the nozzle can change shape but im focussing on the "supersonic cruising speed" frame of time as it is the most unique in my opinion.

This process inside the ramjets improved the thrust from 49 Kilo-Newtons all the way up to 169 Kilo-Newtons!

The Wings:

The wings are in a "delta-wing" configuration which is a low aspect ratio (short) swept back look.

The first thing to note about the delta wings is that they are triangular in structure rather than just straight wings angled backwards. This structure distributes the stresses on the wing evenly which is necessary for the insane requirements during supersonic flight.

This shape also generates wing tip vortices along the leading edge at high angles of attack (angles the wind hits them). This creates a passively improved lift at lower speeds which is massively helpful as the delta-wing configuration struggles with liftoff.

Additionally, the decreased aspect ratio means there is a reduced cross section in both the horizontal and vertical planes which reduces the overall drag.

At cruising speeds of around Mach 2, the low aspect ratio means that there is a low moment of inertia. This means the plane can pitch and roll very easily allowing for great manoeuvrability.

However, where the delta-wing falls short is at lower speeds, specifically during takeoff and landing. Because delta wings have a lower cross sectional area, they have less lift and this means that landings will generally happen at higher speeds putting more demand on the pilots capability. The way to combat this was to have a higher angle of attack which in turn increased the area that the wind collided with to provide a greater lift and drag force.

The Droop Snoot:

The Concorde is well recognised for its peculiar droop snoot. Despite the funny look, the design is crucial for the functionality of the plane.

As mentioned previously, the landing requires a high angle of attack which drastically reduces pilot visibility if the cockpit is facing directly straight. HOWEVER, the drooping snoot is a gamechanger for these high angles of attack as it maintains great visibility. Rather than permanently being adjusted downwards, the snoot is mechanised to adjust by 12.5 degrees during landing. This is important as having the drooping snoot at all times would drastically impact the drag at supersonic speeds as it would mean an increase in cross sectional area.

Fuel Distribution System:

The fuel distribution system is a covert part of concorde and probably the most overlooked feature. As the plane accelerated to Mach 2, the centre of lift shifted slightly aft (to the rear of the plane). As the lift force moves further to the back of the plane, a greater torque is generated about the centre of the plane causing it to pitch downwards unnecissarily.

To avoid this, the fuelling distribution is manipulated such that the centre of gravity moves with the centre of lift to maintain stability relative to the centre of gravity.

There are 3 sections which work in tandem. The red sections are direct feed tanks which "feed" the Olympus engines fuel. The other 2 tanks serve a similar function in distribution of fuel and supplying the feed tanks with enough fuel to keep the engines functioning.

Why was Concorde a failure?

After hearing all that you must be wondering why on earth Concorde ended up never returning. It boils down to two main reasons: It was an economic failure and because of the crash of AFF 4950.

Economic Failure:

The plane was INCREDIBLY expensive to run. The oil costs for a supersonic plane were no joke especially as the price of oil in the 1970s begun to surge due to the energy crisis.

Additionally, the plane was narrowed down to a few routes which were profitable such as those across the atlantic ocean. This meant that there weren't very many people who needed this service and naturally the funding of concorde was limited.

The Crash:

The fatal crash of Air France Flight 4590 in the year 2000 seriously damaged Concorde's reputation for safety, leading to the eventual grounding of all Concorde flights. Together, these factors led to its retirement, despite its iconic status and engineering achievement.

Overall, many still regard the Concorde as one of the most impressive feats of aerospace engineering for its time, landing it a soft spot in my own and many others' hearts.

3 notes · View notes

mariacallous · 1 year ago

Text

United States oil production is a lightning rod for the environmental community. A focus on reducing oil production to combat climate change seems obvious. Without production, oil can’t be consumed. Moreover, much production in the United States comes from oil companies whose past behavior makes them easy targets for attacks. Some companies acted to deny and bury climate science in the past, drawing comparisons to the tobacco industry.1 Many of the large players in the oil industry are household names and are frequently in the news when they generate huge profits.

However, this paper argues that the best way to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the oil industry is to reduce oil demand, rather than focusing on reducing domestic oil production. This is a more difficult task than protesting particular projects or companies; it involves changing the system through which we use energy. In the case of oil, it primarily involves changing how we fuel our transportation system — moving from gasoline and diesel to electricity for most of our on-road transport. It could also involve redesigning our cities and lifestyles, making more efficient forms of transport workable and attractive. While this task might be more challenging, changing our patterns of fuel demand will actually, permanently decrease U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

Without these changes in our transport system, canceling specific projects or limiting U.S. oil production will only move emissions elsewhere, rather than reducing them. The United States is not the world’s marginal producer of oil, meaning that eliminating a project in the United States will not meaningfully reduce global oil production. Oil is plentiful, fungible, and easy to transport, and other producers can easily step in to meet oil demand if the United States does not. U.S. energy security will also suffer if the United States reduces domestic oil production faster than demand.

This paper does not argue for unchecked oil production. Continuing production must be accompanied by strong policies to reduce oil demand, as we see today in stringent fuel economy standards established and proposed by the Biden administration, along with strict regulation of domestic oil production. Climate change is a global problem, and policies that simply move emissions outside the United States are not real solutions.

15 notes · View notes

yourtravelpartnermanthan · 2 months ago

Text

🚗🌍 RideBuddy: Transforming Urban Transportation 🌍🚗

Sick of paying more for gasoline and enduring traffic jams? RideBuddy is an all-in-one ride-sharing service that is revolutionizing the way people commute in busy cities like Delhi NCR. Bid adieu to solo driving and welcome to RideBuddy! 🚙

What is a RideBuddy? A smart, community-driven carpooling network called RideBuddy aims to improve the economy, efficiency, and environmental sustainability of urban transportation. By offering shared trips, we connect individuals and reduce traffic, fuel costs, and carbon emissions while fostering deep ties among transportation users.

Why Opt for RideBuddy? ✅ Safe Transportation: Our first concern is keeping you safe. Trust between drivers and riders is ensured by the verification of each journey. ✅ Reasonably Priced Travel Options: Bid adieu to exorbitant gasoline expenses! By splitting the expense of your journey with others, you may travel for a much lower amount of money. ✅ Fast & Simple Ride Booking: With our app, you can quickly and simply book a ride, saving time and stress, whether you're going on a planned excursion or your everyday commute. ✅ Environmentally Friendly: You can contribute to a cleaner, greener city by carpooling, which also helps decrease traffic congestion and carbon emissions. 🌱 ✅ Build Connections: It doesn't have to be dull to commute. While traveling, connect with like-minded people, form new friendships, and meet new people!

How It Operates Get the RideBuddy app [Insert Link] first. 2️⃣ Register and make a profile. 3️⃣ Locate or extend a ride. 4️⃣ Go together conveniently, inexpensively, and safely!

💡 The Importance of Carpooling: Were you aware? If you carpool with only one other person, you can cut your carbon footprint up to fifty percent! If more individuals welcomed shared transportation, just think of the effect we could create! One ride at a time, let's make urban commuting more eco-friendly and intelligent.

Are You All Set to Become a RideBuddy Member? Get the RideBuddy app now to get started on the path to more environmentally friendly, safer, and intelligent travel!

To download, click this link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=app.ridebuddy.carpool&hl=en

#Ride-sharing service #carpooling #carpooling app #Carpooling platform #Book a ride

2 notes · View notes

bestblogger333 · 2 months ago

Text

discover the secrets of a keto meal plan

Discover the Benefits of a Keto Meal Plan

Introduction The keto diet has gained popularity in recent years, and for good reason. For many, a keto meal plan offers an effective way to lose weight and feel more energized. This diet focuses on low carbohydrate intake and high fat consumption, putting the body into a state of ketosis. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of a keto meal plan and how it can help you achieve your health goals.

What Is a Keto Diet and How Does It Work? The keto diet, or ketogenic diet, is a nutritional pattern that significantly reduces carbohydrate intake while increasing fat consumption. Under normal circumstances, the body primarily derives energy from carbohydrates, but on a keto diet, carbohydrate intake is limited to about 20-50 grams per day. This substantial reduction in carbs forces the body to use fat as its primary energy source, leading to a metabolic state known as ketosis. During ketosis, the liver produces ketones from stored fat, which then serve as an alternative energy source for the body and brain.

The idea behind this diet is to shift the body from burning glucose, derived from carbohydrates, to burning fat. This process can take several days, depending on your metabolism and activity level. During this transition period, your body may adapt to the new energy source, which can sometimes come with temporary side effects like fatigue or irritability, commonly referred to as the "keto flu."

An essential aspect of the keto diet is that it's not just about limiting carbohydrates, but also about consuming enough healthy fats and a moderate amount of protein. This ensures that the body remains effectively in ketosis and functions optimally. Typical foods that fit within a keto diet include avocados, nuts, seeds, fatty fish, meat, eggs, and oils like olive oil and coconut oil. By training your body to use fat as fuel, various health benefits can be achieved.

The Key Benefits of a Keto Diet for Weight Loss One of the most notable benefits of a keto diet is its effectiveness for weight loss. By limiting carbohydrates and increasing fat intake, the body switches to a fat-burning mode. This often leads to quicker weight loss, especially in the early stages of the diet. An additional benefit is that many people experience less hunger, making it easier to maintain a caloric deficit without feeling constantly deprived.

Moreover, the keto diet helps stabilize blood sugar levels, preventing spikes and fluctuations. This can lead to a reduction in fat storage, particularly around the abdominal area. Studies have shown that individuals following a keto diet often lose more body fat than those on a traditional low-fat diet.

Another interesting aspect is that the keto diet lowers insulin levels. Since insulin plays a significant role in fat storage, lower insulin levels can contribute to more efficient fat burning. Additionally, the increased fat and protein intake helps preserve muscle mass during weight loss, which is crucial for a healthy metabolism.

Finally, the keto diet offers a wide variety of foods rich in healthy fats and proteins, contributing to a feeling of fullness and reducing cravings. This can help lower overall calorie intake and promote weight loss without a sense of deprivation.

Improved Energy and Mental Clarity from Keto Many people following a keto meal plan report improved energy and mental clarity. When the body uses ketones as its primary energy source, energy fluctuations decrease, leading to a more consistent energy flow throughout the day. Additionally, ketones can fuel the brain more efficiently than glucose, resulting in improved focus and cognitive performance. This makes the keto diet particularly appealing for those seeking a mental boost.

Alongside a more stable energy level, many experience less "brain fog" and increased alertness. This is especially beneficial for individuals with demanding jobs or studies that require sharp focus and clear thinking. The reduction in sugar intake also plays a role in these improvements, as sugar crashes are often accompanied by fatigue and loss of concentration.

Moreover, certain ketones, such as beta-hydroxybutyrate, have anti-inflammatory properties, offering further benefits for brain function. These ketones help protect brain cells and may even reduce the risks of neurodegenerative diseases.

The feeling of increased mental clarity and energy makes it easier to perform daily tasks and can contribute to an overall sense of well-being. For many, this is a key motivation to stick with a keto meal plan.

Keto Meal Plan: Examples and Daily Schedules A typical keto meal plan revolves around meals rich in healthy fats, moderate amounts of protein, and very low carbohydrates. For breakfast, you might enjoy an omelet filled with cheese, mushrooms, and avocado. Another tasty option is Greek yogurt mixed with chia seeds and a handful of nuts.

For lunch, you can prepare a salad with spinach, grilled chicken, avocado, and a dressing of olive oil and lemon juice. An alternative could be a lettuce wrap filled with turkey, bacon, and a thin layer of mayonnaise.

Dinner might consist of a piece of grilled salmon with creamy cauliflower puree and roasted Brussels sprouts. Other delicious choices include chicken with pesto and zucchini noodles, or a juicy steak served with sautéed asparagus in butter.

Snacks are also important within a keto meal plan. Popular options include a handful of almonds, cucumber slices with hummus, or a few slices of cheese with olives. For a sweet treat, you can enjoy a serving of berries with sugar-free whipped cream.

Planning your meals is essential to remain in ketosis and ensure your body receives all the necessary nutrients. Try to vary your food choices to avoid monotony and to get different vitamins and minerals. By being creative and flexible in your food preparation, you can enjoy delicious and satisfying meals while adhering to your keto diet.

Important Considerations and Possible Side Effects of Keto While the keto diet offers many benefits, there are also some things to keep in mind. The first few days of a keto diet can come with some discomforts, such as headaches, fatigue, nausea, and dizziness, often referred to as the "keto flu." These symptoms are usually temporary and can be alleviated by staying well-hydrated and ensuring adequate intake of electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium.

Another concern is the potential increased strain on the kidneys with a high protein intake. While the keto diet emphasizes a moderate protein intake, it's essential not to overdo it. Individuals with pre-existing kidney issues should exercise caution and seek medical advice before starting a keto diet.

Constipation can also be a problem for some people due to possibly lower fiber intake. This can be countered by including plenty of fiber-rich, low-carb vegetables like broccoli and spinach in your diet and drinking enough water.

Furthermore, it’s crucial to be mindful of the quality of fats you consume. It’s advisable to prioritize healthy fats like olive oil, avocado, and nuts over saturated and trans fats.

Lastly, some people may experience elevated cholesterol levels while following a keto diet. While this isn't necessarily harmful, it's wise to have your cholesterol levels checked regularly, especially if there is a family history of cardiovascular disease.

Clearly, a keto diet comes with several important considerations. By being well-informed and monitoring any side effects, you can maximize the benefits of a keto meal plan.

Maintaining a Keto Lifestyle Long-Term Maintaining a keto lifestyle long-term requires a combination of planning, flexibility, and adaptation. Regularly evaluating your progress can help you make necessary adjustments to your diet and activity levels, ensuring you continue to reap the benefits of keto. Flexibility also plays a crucial role; some people incorporate occasional carbohydrate-rich meals, known as carb-cycling, to make social situations easier and avoid monotony. This can help maintain the diet longer without feeling restricted.

To consistently remain in ketosis, it's important to plan meals ahead and consciously choose foods rich in healthy fats and low in carbohydrates. Sufficient variety in your meals not only prevents boredom but also ensures you get all the necessary nutrients. Additionally, it can be beneficial to try new keto recipes and develop your cooking skills.

Social support is another important element. Share your goals and challenges with friends or family, or join an online community of like-minded individuals. This can motivate you and help you stay focused during your keto journey.

Finally, it’s essential to listen to your body and seek professional medical advice if needed. By following these steps, you can sustainably and healthily integrate a keto lifestyle into your daily routine.

FREE KETO MEAL PLAN IN LINK BELOW https://www.claudiacaldwell.com/oto-uf61a?el=splittest-1214-bradflow-control#aff=affiliateking333

#food #healthy #healthylife

#artists on tumblr #free palestine #bill cipher #deadpool and wolverine #dipper pines #dungeon meshi #epic the musical #formula 1 #gravity falls #hatsune miku

3 notes · View notes