The Zycon Blog

Per Capita Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Polluters

2007-07-11T12:31:06.2750000-04:00

Some have suggested that a penalty system be established for those countries with the highest per capita carbon dioxide emissions. For example, even though China has a higher CO2 output than the U.S., its apportioned output is less than the US. As such, should the U.S. be penalized for this?

Ethanol -- What is it Good For?

2007-06-13T11:13:26.8430000-04:00

Ethanol (also known as E-85) has been the talk of the world in recent years. Although it has great benefits to our current global warming problem, amongst others, it does not seem to be the great golden solution. The process of generating ethanol has its own problems, as discussed inside.

A Cow Named Marge

2007-06-04T13:25:10.1410000-04:00

Sometimes we can't sense or picture innovation, even though it may be right in front of our faces. Case in point, researchers in New Zealand have discovered a cow that naturally produces low-fat skim milk. Now, it's simply a matter of creating a new herd of similar cows.

The New & Improved Horseless Carriage

2007-05-22T10:38:28.3730000-04:00

In light of ever increasing gasoline prices, General Motors Corporation has recently made an announcement that they hope to have fuel cell powered vehicles in showrooms by 2012. Let's hope this is the case.

New Military Diagnostic Techniques Announced

2007-05-11T10:37:07.8520000-04:00

The United States Military is currently developing new techniques to diagnose closed head traumas. Some of the latest techniques involve gamma rays and radio isotopes. Recent studies have shown out of over 13,000 troops, about 2,400 of them had some form of brain damage.

The Age of Discovery is Not Yet Over

2007-05-01T14:29:26.0320000-04:00

Professor Wysession, a seismologist at Washington University, has discovered a large body of water the size of the Arctic Ocean at the core-mantel boundary of Earth. Interesting enough, this discovery happened while studying earthquakes!

Do Cell Phones Kill Bees?

2007-04-25T10:32:35.0220000-04:00

It has been reported that over 20% of the commercial bees in Europe and the USA have been mysteriously killed off. Various research has showed that one possible reason for the drop in bee population is the use of cell phones and the radiation they emit! If this is indeed the case, who knows what other harm this may bring us.

Imitation is Indeed Flattery

2007-04-19T09:44:30.9720000-04:00

In looking for aerodynamic designs, what better place to look than nature! Designers and researchers have created a vehicle imitating a fish, and an airplane resembling bat wings -- all in less time than you may think.

Plasmons, Nanotechnology and the Future

2007-04-11T13:05:50.2380000-04:00

In April's outstanding issue of Scientific American, the world of Plasmonics as applied to nanotechnology is explored and discussed in depth. It explains how plasmonics works. The author, Harry Atwater, makes this fascinating, but difficult subject very understandable to those of us who lack engineering or physics degrees.

Internet Alert for American Manufacturers

2007-04-05T11:59:58.4620000-04:00

As if American manufacturers don't have enough trouble to worry about, now they must pay attention to foreign Internet hackers and spies. Zycon provides some basic tips on how to limit your company's exposure to hackers and pranksters.

Prom Queen - The Medium is the Message

2007-03-29T11:03:51.3340000-04:00

The Internet is becoming more and more of a place for businesses to concentrate their advertising, innovations, and even main products on. Michael Eisner, former CEO of Disney, is no stranger to this phenomenon.

The Future of Movies?

2007-03-21T16:53:46.7330000-04:00

USA Today has reported back on Mar 12, 2007 that the movie "300" has set box office records for March. What is even more remarkable is that this movie was entirely computer generated. Is it possible the movie of the future will have a small amount or even no human actors? It may never be the same!

Ocean Temperatures and Global Warming

2007-03-15T16:55:49.9570000-04:00

A professor of Physics of the Oceans at Potsdam University warns that global warming is having a greater and quicker effect on the oceans than we first thought. He adds that if we do not act now, the effects of global warming on the oceans will be irreversible.

Lost in Plain Sight

2007-03-12T11:29:30.8710000-04:00

Technology is a wonderful thing, but without any imagination, the applications of technology are very limited. The Smithsonian Magazine has an article that shows that through technology, some things previously lost are now found right "in plain sight."

Can Money Buy Happiness?

2007-03-05T17:12:38.3160000-05:00

Most people have probably heard "money doesn't buy happiness." Is it true that the more money we make, the more happy we are, or is there a "point of diminishing returns?" Take a look at our excerpt from Scientific American magazine for some interesting points.

Garbage In...Power Out

2007-02-28T15:28:44.8680000-05:00

There's a popular saying, "Garbage in...garbage out". The US Military, assisted by Purdue University, has a different idea, "garbage in...power out!" A new Tactial Biorefinery has the ability to convert garbage into energy. In fact, it produces far more energy than it actually consumes. Will landfills be a thing of the past?

Update on Wind Power

2007-02-21T10:23:10.0540000-05:00

In continuation of our discussion of alternative energy sources like wind power, we are happy to note that Texas has leased 11,000 acres of land in hopes of producing enough electricity through wind to power 40,000 homes. In addition, we also learned some interesting statistics...

"Engage Cloaking Device!"

2007-02-13T10:54:43.5100000-05:00

Researchers are working on something only thought of in sci-fi -- a cloaking device. Although it's no where near perfected and only works in various wavelengths, the advancements in technology are happening so fast, it's probably only a matter of time to when we'll be saying "engage cloaking device!"

A New Squeaky Wheel is Rolling onto the World Stage

2007-02-06T09:47:33.3660000-05:00

An article posted on Green Energy News says that the Corporate World is noticing and taking action about Global Warming, even more than before. Is this simply because global warming is affecting companies' bottom lines, or is it more than that?

An Evolution Out of Thin Air...Or Not?

2007-01-31T15:52:27.3150000-05:00

It seems many products today come out of thin air. Of course, we know this is not true. Products evolve from technological advances over time. In fact, two scientists who came up with the basis for today's massive hard drives are being recognized for their extraordinary work.

The "Shoe" Visits Detroit

2007-01-22T09:40:50.1860000-05:00

An update to a previous blog, the Daimler-Chrysler Smart Car ("Smart Shoe") is coming to America in 2008. Many got a first look at it during the Detroit Auto Show in the previous couple of weeks.

"Read All About It"

2007-01-16T12:41:21.2640000-05:00

Plastic Logic has developed a process that allows, amongst other things, electronic flexible newsprint that can be helpful to the environment by reducing countless sheets of paper now utilized in the printing industry.

American Manufacturer Receives Award for More Efficient Solar Panels

2007-01-10T17:05:50.9630000-05:00

An American manufacturer, HelioVolt Corporation, has received an Innovation Award and Technology Award from the Wall Street Journal and Time Magazine, respectively, for its more efficient method for producing solar cells.

The "ABCs" of Polyethylene Tanks

2007-01-02T11:01:07.4750000-05:00

Sierra Sales - The Tank People has provided Zycon and its users detailed information about polyethylene (poly) tanks, including purchasing considerations and caveats.

The Smell of Success

2006-12-14T11:30:27.2410000-05:00

In following our previous "pig poop" blog entry, we've come across an article about a professor and his staff of graduate students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) that have found a way to extract oil from swine manure.

Safe, Clean Abundant Energy from Blood

2006-12-08T16:24:09.5000000-05:00

Researchers have found an alternative for separating water into hydrogen and oxygen. Typically this is done with electrolysis, however, now it can be done with only solar energy and blood, possibly paving a new way for creating hydrogen gas for use as fuel in the future.

Improving Working Conditions through the International Labour Organization (ILO)

2006-11-28T14:56:22.3610000-05:00

As we have mentioned in previous blogs, international standards for safe working conditions and pollution standards are a concern at Zycon. Fortunately, there are other organizations supporting worker safety, too, one of which is the ILO, or International Labour Organization.

Camping with Solar Power

2006-11-16T10:37:29.9654395-05:00

In going along with our solar power and alternative energy discussions, we have come across a site by Anna Stone that offers portable devices to harness solar energy and power your laptop, radio, and so on.

High-Performance Ceramic Inserts for Deep Drawing

2006-10-30T16:50:23.4660000-04:00

The Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology (IPT) has found a way to replace the standard, and sometimes very costly tool steel used in deep drawing with more cost-effective high-performance ceramics.

Voluntary Global System for Worker Safety and Pollution Standards

2006-10-18T10:28:30.8600000-04:00

An expansion of blogs from 4/18/2006 and 4/21/2006 regarding the proposal of a global voluntary system to be adopted by manufacturers to improve working conditions and pollution standards.