Infrared light is a form of electromagnetic waves. In its visible form, infrared can be seen as red or violet. Visible infrared waves are very short, measuring about 750 nm in length; longer infrared waves which are closest to microwaves are about 1mm in length. Infrared Waves While most infrared wave lengths give off heat, …
The Peltier effect is one of the three separately identified effects to which “Thermoelectric Effect” or simply, “Thermoelectricity” refers. The other two are the Seebeck and Thomson effects. Discovery This effect is named after French physicist Jean-Charles Peltier, who discovered it in 1834. Peltier found that the junctions of dissimilar metals were heated or cooled …
Electroluminescent wire (EL wire) is a thin wire that produces 360 degrees of visible light. EL wire differs from string lights, such as Christmas lights, which only produce light at specific points. It uses a phenomenon known as electroluminescence to generate light when electricity runs through it. EL wire is very thin and flexible and …
Wireless power induction is already being used today in the form of electric toothbrushes. An electric toothbrush contains coils or loops in the toothbrush handle as well as in the base recharging unit. Because of their constant exposure to water, electric toothbrushes have to use inductive coupling as a means of recharging their batteries. Inductive …
Luminous flux (luminous power) is the measurement of the (perceived) power of light. It is adjusted to take the human eye’s sensitivity to the different wavelengths of light into account. Luminous flux differs from radiant flux in this manner, since radiant flux is a measurement of the total power of light emitted independent of wavelength. …
An ionic compound is any compound in which an electrostatic force holds the ions together. Ionic compounds are made of positively charged particles that rest against negatively charged particles in order to balance out the two particles’ magnetic imbalance. They can be found in both solid and liquid states, although solid ionic compounds are poor …
One of the largest classes of organic thermoplastic polymers is polyolefin. Polyolefin is an odorless, non-polar, and non-porous material that is used in structural plastics, consumer goods, industrial products, and food packaging. Polyolefin means “oil like” and is commonly referred to as a thermoplastic or polyalkene since polyolefin has a waxy texture. This substance is …
Sacrificial anodes are used in cathodic protection systems in order to protect the primary metallic component(s) from corrosion. A magnesium anode is a type of metal used on boats and ships in order to protect the vessel’s other metallic parts. It first protects the area’s less active metal and acts as a corrosion barrier. How …
Pharming is a process whereby plants and animals are genetically modified to become carriers of genes that stimulate the production of substances that have useful pharmaceutical applications. Thus, the term pharming is actually a play on the words pharmaceuticals and farming. To explain the process in simple terms, a foreign gene is introduced into the …
Potassium carbonate dihydrate (K2CO3.2H2O) is a white chemical. Salt from potassium carbonate and water from the dihydrate are mixed into a deliquescent (wet salt). It is a strong alkaline solution that garners a variety of uses. The salt tastes like salt and alkaline material. Potassium carbonate dihydrate is generally used as a nutritional supplement in …