Nuclear Waste to Glass!

Daily Upsider on December 28, 2023

A major nuclear waste treatment facility at the Hanford cleanup site in Washington which was built through a public-private partnership with Bechtel National— is set to start operations soon.

The facility transforms liquid and solid nuclear waste into non-radioactive glass bricks, which can be safely stored underground. This initiative aims to address the environmental and health concerns associated with nuclear power plants, particularly the legacy of radioactive plutonium from Cold War-era nuclear warheads.

The Hanford site recently advanced its plans after completing a successful test that produced 30,000 pounds of vitrified glass. The first of the two 300-ton melters is expected to be operational next year, marking a significant step in the risk reduction for the Hanford environmental cleanup mission.

Out of the over 100 tanks of radioactive plutonium waste stored underground at the site, 20 of these have some sort of leak. This new waste treatment will be a great solution for addressing this problem.

The True Origins of the Christmas Tree

Daily Upsider on December 25, 2023

Is the Christmas tree a leftover of some pagan practice? Does the tree have a connection to the Roman festival of Saturnalia? Or is it from the Norse Yule festival?

These are often said in casual conversation, but the evidence points to a much more recent origin. (if you think of the 1500’s as recent, that is)

We can never know for 100% certain what the origin of the Christmas tree is. There might even be a few traditions that came together and created what we now know. But there are some things it wasn’t, that might surprise you.

The earliest record of a Christmas tree comes in 1419, when a guild of bakers reported seeing a tree “decorated with apples, wafers, gingerbread, and tinsel in the local Hospital of the Holy Spirit” in Freiburg Germany.

The actual origin of the Christmas tree appears to have come from the Upper Rhine Valley in Germany. The earliest indications come from forestry laws in the 14th century limiting the number of trees or wood that peasants could collect or cut down on Christmas eve or the sounding days.

Now it is likely that the trees were either being burned, or used for some other type of decoration, not specifically for a tree to decorate in your home. But this practice seems to have evolved in the 15th century, perhaps blending with the tradition of the Maypole.

Many of the ideas we have about the origin of the Christmas tree was unfounded claims from Johannes Marbach, a German socialist writer form the 1850’s, who wanted to make a connection from modern Germany all the way back to their ancient ancestors.

ReligionForBreakfast is a channel dedicated to exploring the worlds different religions and practices. He takes a deep dive into history to find answers about the Christmas tree.

If you want to learn the fascinating details, watch the video, you will not be disappointed.

Ozone Layer to Recover Within Decades

Daily Upsider on December 24, 2023

Scientists and researchers have been closely monitoring the ozone layer since the 1980s, when alarming reports of its depletion first surfaced. Now, over 40 years later, have we gotten past this potential danger?

The ozone layer, a vital shield that protects Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation, is on track to be fully restored within the next few decades. This remarkable recovery is likely the result of decisive action taken around world to phase out ozone-depleting substances, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), following the 1989 Montreal Protocol.

In the years since the Montreal Protocol was signed, the ozone layer has shown steady improvement. Scientists and researchers have been closely monitoring the ozone layer since the 1980s, when alarming reports of its depletion first surfaced. In the years since the Montreal Protocol was signed, it has shown steady improvement.

According to the latest UN assessment, the ozone layer is expected to be completely recovered by 2040 across most of the world, with the polar regions taking a bit longer – 2045 for the Arctic and 2066 for the Antarctic.

If you liked that article, you will probably enjoy reading this article about Amazon deforestation. Don’t worry, it is good news!

Can Cringe be a SEC Violation?

Daily Upsider on December 24, 2023

Blackstone, (not to be confused with BlackRock) one of the world’s largest investment firms, has once again released its annual holiday video, and this year, they’ve gone all-in on their love for Taylor Swift. The video, titled “The Alternatives Era Tour,” is a parody of Swift’s highly successful “The Eras Tour.”

The video features Blackstone executives showcasing their humor while paying homage to the pop sensation. It has has certainly garnered attention. But the question remains: is it cringy or funny?

Opinions on the video have been mixed. Some find it to be a lighthearted and entertaining way for the company to celebrate the holiday season, while others believe it to be a cringe-worthy attempt at corporate humor.

Blackstone’s holiday video tradition began in 2018 and has become an annual event for the company. Each year, the video is themed and allows the executives to showcase their comedic side. This year’s Taylor Swift theme certainly seems to have made an impression.

One thing I am sure of, it looks like the team at Blackstone had a lot of fun making the video. Whether you find it cringy or funny, it’s hard not to appreciate the effort that went into creating a unique and memorable holiday video.

Solar Panel Recycling Solution Found

Daily Upsider on December 21, 2023

Solar energy is becoming increasingly popular option for supplemental power, particularly because of its reported environmental impact. However, as solar panels reach the end of their lifespan, the question of how to recycle these materials has become a pressing issue. Researchers from Australia’s Deakin University are working on a groundbreaking solution to this problem.

Deakin University’s Institute for Frontier Materials has been at the forefront of this research, with Dr. Md Mokhlesur Rahman and Prof. Ying (Ian) Chen leading the charge. Their focus is on repurposing the silicon in used solar panels, which is the most valuable component of the panels. This breakthrough could be the missing piece in the puzzle of solar panel recycling.

The team has developed a process to extract silicon from discarded solar panels and then convert it into nano silicon for use in lithium-ion batteries. This innovative approach not only addresses the issue of solar panel waste but also provides a sustainable source of raw battery materials for the future.

The potential impact of this research is enormous. By 2050, it is estimated that there will be around 1.5 million tons of solar panels lying in waste. The ability to recycle and repurpose these materials could generate recovered materials worth $15 billion, based on the 78 million tons of solar panel waste expected to be generated globally by 2050.

The researchers have also found that the recovered silicon can be used in other applications, such as nano-fertilizers and innovative methods for carbon capture. This means that the technology has the potential to create a circular economy in the solar industry, where waste is minimized and resources are reused in a sustainable manner.

Deakin University’s efforts in solar panel recycling are part of a larger initiative called the Recycling and Clean Energy Commercialisation Hub (REACH). This four-year, $380 million project aims to drive new technology in hydrogen, battery storage, and recycling for a circular economy.