Large Hardon Collider

[Mizango]

The whole "It's snowing in Texas, so global warming is wrong" thing made me so mad. I really wanted to choke somebody.

Amen.

[Kuya]

I think it's best to accept that nothing serious is going to be done to avoid human caused global warming. Perhaps it would be best if we thought about how to adapt in a world post global warming having happened.

[Tristam]

I think it's best to accept that nothing serious is going to be done to avoid human caused global warming. Perhaps it would be best if we thought about how to adapt in a world post global warming having happened.

There are lots of people in the climate sciences who feel exactly the same way.

And I mean that to say it's a very good point, which should be a focus of future funding.

[Chun Liroy]

The same could be said about the heat wave that's going on the past week. /devils advocate

[Max™]

I would modify what Kuya said, I think it's best to adapt to the reality of climate change, while working on colonizing the solar system, because there's no fucking way we will stop shitting in our own crib (the earth), or miraculously stop fighting over arbitrary ass lines on maps.


Stopping pollution is good, changing our energy infrastructure away from fossil fuels is good, freaking out that some fucking polar bears are dying is not good.

If you're worried about the extinction of megafauna, you're JUST a little late, record their DNA, maybe we can recreate them at a later date.

[arus2001]

If you're worried about the extinction of megafauna, you're JUST a little late, record their DNA, maybe we can recreate them at a later date.

Noah's Ark, now a freezer?

[Max™]

More like genome sequencing...

[arus2001]

So, one could feasibly create a polar bear from scratch as long as they have the proper materials and details? Wouldn't think our tech that advanced yet. Nevermind these devil bears would be soulless abominations~

[Tristam]

So, one could feasibly create a polar bear from scratch as long as they have the proper materials and details? Wouldn't think our tech that advanced yet. Nevermind these devil bears would be soulless abominations~

It's not, there's a project that iirc is privately funded that is collecting the DNA of endangered/extinct species as a potential genome bank. Genome sequencing is getting much cheaper, but you would still need to recreate the egg+sperm scenario for each species. Also, you'd need a mother or at least some sort of artificial womb for the animal to develop.

But of course, the species, without their proper environment, wouldn't survive on their own. Soooooo.... yeah. It's a nice thought, and worth doing, but it's not going to be a method to re-introduce, say, bluefin tuna, after it goes extinct.

And yeah, I'm a major negative nancy when it comes to the environment ; ;

[Max™]

Devil bears you say?

http://oglaf.com/ulric.jpg

Not something we can do immediately, but it is definitely information we should save while we have the chance.

[arus2001]

It's not, there's a project that iirc is privately funded that is collecting the DNA of endangered/extinct species as a potential genome bank. Genome sequencing is getting much cheaper, but you would still need to recreate the egg+sperm scenario for each species. Also, you'd need a mother or at least some sort of artificial womb for the animal to develop.

Yeah, that was more my thinking when making the freezer joke. Get the egg/sperm, freeze it, then maybe later re-propagate the species in favorable conditions. As is, I figured genetic data rather useless at this time given the inability to "recreate" it. I don't doubt it'll be possible someday, but that depends on whether or not we irradiate ourselves first among other global issues.

[vivix]

I just learned something cool! Solving the 3-D Ising model is NP-complete! woo!

[Kryssan]

Yeah, that was more my thinking when making the freezer joke. Get the egg/sperm, freeze it, then maybe later re-propagate the species in favorable conditions. As is, I figured genetic data rather useless at this time given the inability to "recreate" it. I don't doubt it'll be possible someday, but that depends on whether or not we irradiate ourselves first among other global issues.

I feel obligated to point out that you were irradiating yourself more than I am on a daily basis just by walking around outside. Fun fact: nukes typically receive less radiation than you guys (ie general public), because the same shielding that protects us from the plant protects us from the other background radiation sources.


Edit: Another fun fact that goes along with the genetic argument: for some reason, nukes tend to wind up having female children more often than male children. Just something to think about. No subliminal messaging here, no sirree.


Edit2: Random rant for the day: It is not pronounced "Chair - no - bul" (regardless of what Merriam-Webster thinks of Chernobyl), it is pronounced "Cheer - no -beel" (chirnō'byēl)(emphasis on the no, and cheer sounding more like chi than che). I probably just blew your mind too.

[Pirian]

Edit2: Random rant for the day: It is not pronounced "Chair - no - bul" (regardless of what Merriam-Webster thinks of Chernobyl), it is pronounced "Cheer - no -beel" (chirnō'byēl)(emphasis on the no, and cheer sounding more like chi than che). I probably just blew your mind too.

You blew my reactor.

[Chun Liroy]

As the general catch all for science topics... can anyone point me in the direction of sources for viruses as gene therapy vectors? I have only a 6 page paper due on Friday but I know my teacher will be scrutinizing my paper for every minute misunderstanding of the subject because she told me it would be too difficult and better suited for senior thesis.

[Eliseos]

Another dream crushed: I can't be FB frens with NDT. He has too many

Too many friends.

Sorry, this user already has too many friends.

[Mizango]

Another dream crushed: I can't be FB frens with NDT. He has too many

QQ

[Kryssan]

I love seeing error messages like that. It makes you go 'huh' for a few seconds prior to feeling disappointed.


Nuclear news time, this one closer to you guys in NC.

Link is here.

Crossposted:

The initial phase of the test loop program for the SILEX laser enrichment technology has been successfully completed by Global Laser Enrichment (GLE).

GLE - a venture launched by GE-Hitachi and in which Cameco has since taken a stake - began operations of the test loop facility in July 2009 at its facilities in Wilmington, North Carolina. The test loop facility is designed to demonstrate the commercial feasibility of the technology and is intended to advance the design of the equipment and processes for the proposed commercial production facility.

In 2006, GE-Hitachi acquired the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize the SILEX uranium enrichment technology globally through a licence from Australia's Silex Systems Ltd.

Michael Goldsworthy, CEO of Silex Systems, commented: "This is an important milestone towards the commercialization of the SILEX laser enrichment technology." He added, "This means that the technology has met key enrichment performance criteria, and that activities going forward, including further test loop measurements, will focus increasingly on the engineering design effort for a potential commercial production facility."

In a statement, Silex Systems said: "As the program moves beyond the initial measurement program, the test loop will be modified and continue to operate to gain additional operating and lifetime data on the technology to assist the engineering design effort."

It added, "GLE will continue to evaluate the project throughout this phase to decide whether to proceed with a commercial production facility with a target capacity of three to six million Separative Work Units (SWU)."

GLE anticipates gleaning sufficient data from the test loop by the end of 2010 to decide whether to proceed with a full-scale commercial enrichment facility. It would be one of a handful of new enrichment facilities in the USA, but the only one in the world to use laser excitation to separate uranium-235 from the marginally heavier uranium-238. Other new facilities use centrifuges, while older facilities have used a diffusion process.

The proposed enrichment plant would be co-located with the existing nuclear fuel manufacturing facilities of Global Nuclear Fuel and the new plants and services business of GE-Hitachi, headquartered in Wilmington.

In June 2009, GLE completed its combined construction and operating license (COL) application to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to build the world's first uranium enrichment facility based on laser technology.

In January 2010, the NRC formally established a 30-month application review schedule. In February, during a public licensing meeting, the NRC indicated they were working to a 30-month schedule which would be completed in December 2011. This means that the commercial facility license could be received as early as January 2012, after which construction of the production plant could proceed.

GE holds a 51% majority ownership stake in GLE, while Hitachi holds a 25% stake and Cameco 24%.

First complex to use laser technology for fuel enrichment. And close to home, for some of you. *cough*

[Mizango]

Hey Woozie, I wasnt sure if you were going to be on FB later or on Yahoo, but I figured you'd check this thread first. Since I know you like neat pictures like this I figured I'd share it and for anyone else that wants it

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y15...tenedlarge.jpg

[gairaiden]

Uranium enrichment in wilmington. Wtf man. I'm only a hr and 30 from that shit. I had no clue wilmington had people working on this kinda shit.