Giant microwave turns plastic back to oil

A US company is taking plastics recycling to another level – turning them back into the oil they were made from, and gas.

All
that is needed, claims Global Resource Corporation (GRC), is a finely
tuned microwave and – hey presto! – a mix of materials that
were made from oil can be reduced back to oil and combustible gas (and
a few leftovers).

Key
to GRC’s process is a machine that uses 1200 different
frequencies within the microwave range, which act on specific
hydrocarbon materials. As the material is zapped at the appropriate
wavelength, part of the hydrocarbons that make up the plastic and
rubber in the material are broken down into diesel oil and combustible
gas.

GRC's
machine is called the Hawk-10. Its smaller incarnations look just like
an industrial microwave with bits of machinery attached to it. Larger
versions resemble a concrete mixer.

"Anything
that has a hydrocarbon base will be affected by our process," says
Jerry Meddick, director of business development at GRC, based in New
Jersey. "We release those hydrocarbon molecules from the material and
it then becomes gas and oil."

Whatever does not have a hydrocarbon base is left behind, minus any water it contained as this gets evaporated in the microwave.

http://environment.newscientist.com/article/dn12141-giant-microwave-turns-plastic-back-to-oil.html

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Genetic research creates dwarf trees

Researchers at the Oregon State University (OSU) have used genetic manipulations to create midget trees. In fact, they can control tree height. For example, ‘natural’ poplars can reach 150 feet or more. These forest scientists have created poplars growing only to a height of 6 inches after two years. They say that ‘it opens the door to a wide variety of new products for the ornamental and nursery industries.’ Of course, there are environmental concerns, but the researchers said that their dwarfed trees ‘are unlikely to be any kind of threat to spread, because they would compete very poorly with normal or wild trees.’ And they’re already busy creating mini-versions of other trees. Are you ready to put a one-foot pine on your balcony?


http://blogs.zdnet.com/emergingtech/?p=609

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eBay of the day: Awesome sword guitar with wings

eBay item #170122441600 is a ludicrous gold sword guitar made by ESP, up for $4,500 . It was made for this baroque-looking guy who is Takamizawa, guitarist in Alfee, who has a frickin' awesome collection of stupid guitars. (via Table of Malcontents)





http://musicthing.blogspot.com/2007/06/ebay-of-day-awesome-sword-guitar-with.html
Music thing: eBay of the day: Awesome sword guitar with wings

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