The world is facing an unprecedented crisis as the Earth’s waters are being increasingly polluted with nanoplastics. These microscopic plastic particles pose a significant risk to both wildlife and human health, contaminating water sources that we rely on for survival. However, thanks to a groundbreaking study published in ACS Applied Engineering Materials, researchers at the University of Missouri have developed a revolutionary liquid-based solution that eliminates more than 98% of nanoplastics from water.

This innovative method uses eco-friendly solvents made from natural ingredients to remove these microscopic plastic particles. The novel approach utilizes a small amount of designer solvent to absorb plastic particles from a large volume of water, which then floats back to the surface carrying the nanoplastics within its molecular structure. In the lab, researchers simply use a pipette to remove the nanoplastic-laden solvent, leaving behind clean, plastic-free water.

The Mizzou team tested five different sizes of polystyrene-based nanoplastics and outperformed previous studies that focused on just a single size. This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of informed environmental policies and supports innovation in filtration technologies. The researchers’ method is effective in both fresh and saltwater, using safe, non-toxic components that prevent additional contamination of water sources.

One of the most exciting aspects of this study is its potential to revolutionize the field of water purification. As the world continues to grapple with the issue of nanoplastic pollution, this breakthrough offers a sustainable solution that can be applied on a large scale. Future studies will work to scale up the entire process so that it can be applied to larger bodies of water like lakes and oceans. The researchers aim to determine the maximum capacity of the solvent and explore methods to recycle the solvents, enabling their reuse multiple times if necessary.

The impact of this discovery cannot be overstated. With the world’s population projected to reach 9 billion by 2050, access to clean drinking water will become increasingly scarce. This breakthrough provides a beacon of hope for those living in areas where clean water is a luxury. Furthermore, it highlights the need for continued innovation and research into sustainable solutions that can address the pressing issue of nanoplastic pollution.

As we move forward with this groundbreaking technology, it’s essential to acknowledge the role that individual actions can play in preventing nanoplastic pollution. By reducing our plastic consumption, participating in beach cleanups, and supporting policies that promote sustainability, we can all contribute to a cleaner, healthier environment.

The study’s lead author, Dr. Pim Ishtaweera, expressed his excitement about the potential of this breakthrough: “Our research is just the beginning. We hope to work with governments, industries, and communities to scale up this solution and make it accessible to everyone who needs it.” The world is watching, and we eagerly await the next steps in this revolutionary journey towards clean water.

Conclusion

The development of a liquid-based solution that eliminates more than 98% of nanoplastics from water marks a significant milestone in the fight against pollution. This groundbreaking breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize the field of water purification, providing a sustainable solution for one of the most pressing issues facing our planet today. As we continue to push the boundaries of innovation and research, it’s essential that we remain committed to creating a better future for all.

In conclusion, this groundbreaking breakthrough in water purification offers a beacon of hope for those living in areas where clean water is a luxury. As we move forward with this revolutionary technology, it’s essential that we remain committed to creating a better future for all.

Recommendations

1. Scale up the solution: The researchers should work towards scaling up the entire process so that it can be applied to larger bodies of water like lakes and oceans.
2. Explore methods to recycle solvents: The researchers should explore methods to recycle the solvents, enabling their reuse multiple times if necessary.
3. Develop policies for large-scale implementation: Governments and industries should develop policies that promote the use of this breakthrough technology on a large scale.
4. Raise awareness about nanoplastic pollution: It’s essential to raise awareness about the risks associated with nanoplastic pollution and the importance of sustainable solutions.

By following these recommendations, we can ensure that this groundbreaking breakthrough makes a significant impact in addressing the pressing issue of nanoplastic pollution.

The world is facing a perfect storm of climate-driven chaos. Rising sea levels are fueling more destructive hurricanes, while the shrinking of saline lakes like the Great Salt Lake in Utah is releasing massive amounts of climate-warming emissions into the atmosphere. This alarming synergy between two seemingly separate issues has devastating consequences for coastal communities and ecosystems worldwide.

Climate change is intensifying hurricanes, leading to catastrophic flooding and loss of life. The warming of ocean waters provides more energy for these storms, resulting in higher wind speeds and more intense rainfall. A warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture, resulting in more extreme precipitation events, as seen during Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Rising sea levels amplify coastal flooding from hurricanes, making them even more destructive.

However, the relationship between climate change and hurricane intensity is not the only alarming aspect of this crisis. Shrinking saline lakes like the Great Salt Lake are also releasing significant amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, further accelerating global warming. A study has found that the shrinking Great Salt Lake in Utah is releasing massive amounts of climate-warming emissions due to its drying shores. The researchers estimated that around 4.1 million tons of CO2 and other greenhouse gases were released from the lakebed in 2020 alone.

This trend is part of a broader environmental crisis caused by the lake’s rapid decline, which has lost 73% of its water volume over recent decades due to human activities like irrigation and industry. As a result of drying up, toxic substances are being exposed, posing serious health risks to humans and wildlife. The saltier water is also making it uninhabitable for native organisms, such as flies and brine shrimp, while the declining volumes threaten to render the lake unable to support migratory birds and other wildlife.

The study warns that shrinking saline lakes like the Great Salt Lake will become significant contributors to climate change as their volume decreases due to global warming and megadroughts. The researchers are calling for more measurements of carbon emissions from these lakes to better understand their impact on global warming.

This alarming discovery comes at a time when Utah authorities have been sued over their failure to preserve the lake’s levels, highlighting the urgent need for action to protect this critical ecosystem. The fate of our planet is inextricably linked to the preservation of our saline lakes and the mitigation of climate change.

The Science Behind the Crisis

Climate change is affecting hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones, also known as tropical cyclones, in several ways:

1. Warmer ocean waters: Rising sea surface temperatures provide more energy for these storms, leading to higher wind speeds.
2. A warmer atmosphere: A warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture, resulting in more intense rainfall and extreme precipitation events.
3. Rising sea levels: Amplifying coastal flooding from hurricanes, making them even more destructive.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that if global temperatures rise:

* A 10% increase in category 4 and 5 storms is possible at 1.5C
* A 13% increase is possible at 2C
* A 20% increase is possible at 4C

The IPCC concludes that humans have contributed to the increases in precipitation associated with tropical cyclones and a higher probability of a more intense storm, with high confidence.

The Impact on Coastal Communities

The consequences of this crisis are far-reaching and devastating for coastal communities worldwide. Rising sea levels and intensifying storms will lead to:

* Increased flooding: More frequent and severe flooding from hurricanes, making it difficult for communities to recover.
* Loss of property and infrastructure: Drowning of homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure, displacing people and disrupting economies.
* Displacement and migration: As coastal areas become uninhabitable, people will be forced to migrate inland, leading to social and economic disruption.

The Impact on Saline Lakes

Shrinking saline lakes like the Great Salt Lake are also releasing significant amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, further accelerating global warming. The consequences for these ecosystems are:

* Loss of biodiversity: As water levels decline, native organisms struggle to survive, leading to a loss of biodiversity.
* Exposure of toxic substances: Drying shores expose toxic substances, posing serious health risks to humans and wildlife.
* Uninhabitability: Declining volumes threaten to render these lakes unable to support migratory birds and other wildlife.

The Need for Urgent Action

The fate of our planet is inextricably linked to the preservation of our saline lakes and the mitigation of climate change. We must take urgent action to:

* Reduce greenhouse gas emissions: Mitigate climate change by transitioning to renewable energy sources and reducing carbon emissions.
* Protect coastal communities: Invest in flood protection measures, early warning systems, and emergency preparedness plans to safeguard lives and property.
* Preserve saline lakes: Implement sustainable water management practices, restore wetlands, and protect these ecosystems from human activities like irrigation and industry.

The world is facing a perfect storm of climate-driven chaos. We must act now to mitigate the risks associated with rising sea levels, intensifying storms, and shrinking saline lakes. The future of our planet depends on it.

It represents a significant step forward in our collective efforts to address this pressing global issue. Fred Krupp’s statement that the pledge made by over 50 oil and gas companies at COP28 is “the single most important thing…ever announced at any COP in terms of the effect it’s going to have in lowering the temperature rise that we would otherwise see in the next 10 years” highlights the magnitude of this agreement.

I also want to emphasize that while this satellite is a crucial tool in our arsenal against methane emissions, its success will depend on effective implementation and enforcement mechanisms. As Krupp notes, chronic leaks are a major contributor to methane emissions and addressing them requires reasonable costs. The satellite’s data must be used to hold companies accountable for their pledges to significantly reduce methane leaks by 2030.

Why methane leaks are so dangerous?

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential (GWP) that is 28 times greater than carbon dioxide over a 100-year time horizon. This means that methane releases from human activities have the potential to significantly contribute to climate change, as they trap heat in the atmosphere and exacerbate global temperatures. When methane leaks into the environment, it accelerates the pace of warming much faster than carbon dioxide does.

The current rate of methane emissions is estimated to be around 600 Tg/yr (1 Tg = 1 billion kg), which accounts for approximately 21% of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. This is a significant contribution to global warming, as methane is the second most prevalent greenhouse gas in our atmosphere after carbon dioxide.

As such, reducing methane leaks can be an effective way to mitigate climate change and slow the pace of warming, as well as reduce other air pollutants that are often released alongside methane. This makes addressing methane leaks a critical priority for policymakers and industry leaders alike, who must work together to find solutions and implement best practices aimed at reducing these emissions in order to preserve our planet’s health and future for generations to come.

Detection is the key to success in methane reduction

The satellite dedicated to tracking methane emissions will have a significant impact on enforcing the pledge made by over 50 oil and gas companies at COP28 to reduce methane leaks by 2030, as highlighted by Fred Krupp, head of Environmental Defense Fund. The satellite will identify chronic leaks, which are a major contributor to methane emissions and can be addressed at a reasonable cost. Methane emissions have been largely overlooked in discussions about greenhouse gases, with carbon dioxide being the primary focus.

However, in 2020, anthropogenic releases of methane will cause warming equivalent to all fossil fuel burning on the planet for ten years. Krupp emphasizes that this agreement is “the single most important thing…ever announced at any COP in terms of the effect it’s going to have in lowering the temperature rise that we would otherwise see in the next 10 years.” The satellite will aid in enforcing this pledge by allowing for more accurate and detailed monitoring of methane emissions, which will hold companies accountable for their commitments.

This will also provide a better understanding of where the chronic leaks are occurring, which can inform targeted actions to address them. Krupp’s statement that this agreement is the most important thing ever announced at any COP in terms of effect highlights its significance and potential impact on mitigating climate change.

The satellite’s ability to identify chronic leaks will also provide companies with a clear path towards addressing these issues, which can ultimately lead to reduced emissions and lower costs associated with addressing these leaks.
While there are still challenges related to reporting Scope 3 emissions from suppliers and customers, Krupp notes that the SEC’s recently announced climate disclosure rule is an important step forward. However, more work needs to be done to address these issues fully. In summary, the satellite dedicated to tracking methane emissions will have a significant impact on enforcing the pledge made by over 50 oil and gas companies at COP28 to significantly reduce methane leaks by 2030.

Its ability to identify chronic leaks will hold companies accountable for their commitments, provide detailed monitoring of emissions, and inform targeted actions to address these issues. Krupp’s statement underscores the importance of this agreement in mitigating climate change, and while there are still challenges related to reporting Scope 3 emissions, the SEC’s recently announced climate disclosure rule is a positive step forward.

The year 2022 brought many problems related to the world organization and the established order in many areas.
One of the main problems turned out to be problems with the availability of fossil fuels, one of the reasons for which was the conflict in which Russia was involved.

In addition, after the pandemic, global economies tried to recreate production capacity and problems with supply chains made the transport of hydrocarbons problematic.

The increased demand for electricity, climate policies, the growing importance of electric cars and the aging transmission grids mean that the media mentions the threat of shortages in the supply of electricity more and more often in the media.

This phenomenon of utility power shortage is also called a blackout.

In this article we will try to answer the question: Are we at risk of blackout in 2023 and how to live with it?

Is it true that we can face blackout of utility grid?

Yes, it is possible for the utility grid to experience blackouts, which are widespread power outages that can last for a few minutes or several hours. Blackouts can be caused by a variety of factors, including extreme weather events, equipment failures, and human error. In some cases, blackouts can be caused by a lack of sufficient generation capacity to meet the demand for electricity. Grid operators work to prevent blackouts, but they can still occur.

Having a backup power source, such as a generator or a home solar power system with battery storage, can help ensure that you have access to electricity during a blackout.

What can cause blackout?

Blackouts can be caused by a variety of factors, including extreme weather events, equipment failures, and human error. Some common causes of blackouts include:

1. High demand for electricity: If the demand for electricity exceeds the available generation capacity, it can cause the electricity grid to become overloaded and lead to a blackout.
2. Equipment failures: The failure of equipment such as power lines, transformers, and generators can cause a blackout. Equipment failures can be caused by a variety of factors, including natural disasters, aging infrastructure, and human error.
3. Extreme weather events: Storms, hurricanes, and other extreme weather events can damage the electricity grid, causing blackouts. High winds, heavy rain, and lightning can all cause power outages.
4. Human error: Mistakes or errors made by human operators can cause blackouts. This can include errors in the operation of equipment, failure to follow proper procedures, or miscommunication.

Blackouts can also be caused by a combination of these factors, or by other unforeseen events. Grid operators work to prevent blackouts by providing grid stability, but they can still occur. Having a backup power source, such as a generator or a home solar power system with battery storage, can help ensure that you have access to electricity during a blackout.

What is the grid stability?

Grid stability refers to the ability of the electrical grid to maintain a stable and reliable supply of electricity to meet the demand of consumers. A stable grid is able to withstand disturbances such as sudden changes in electricity demand or the loss of a power plant, and is able to quickly restore power in the event of a blackout or other disruption.

Grid stability is important for ensuring the reliable operation of the electricity system, and preventing widespread power outages. Factors that can impact grid stability include the mix of power generation sources, the availability of electricity storage, and the integration of renewable energy sources into the grid.

How to avoid blackout?

There are several ways to help avoid blackouts and ensure the stability of the electricity grid. These include:

1. Investing in reliable and modern equipment: Upgrading and maintaining the equipment used in the electricity grid can help prevent failures and improve the overall reliability of the system.
2. Implementing robust grid management practices: Proper grid management, including the use of real-time monitoring and control systems, can help identify potential problems and take corrective action before a blackout occurs.
3. Diversifying the energy mix: Having a diverse mix of energy sources, including renewable energy, can help ensure that there is always sufficient generation capacity to meet the demand for electricity.
4. Investing in energy storage: Energy storage technologies, such as batteries and pumped hydro storage, can help smooth out fluctuations in electricity supply and demand, and provide backup power in the event of a blackout.
5. Increasing energy efficiency: Reducing the amount of electricity needed to meet the same level of demand can help ease the strain on the grid and prevent blackouts.

How to prepare my home for blackout?

While it is not possible to completely eliminate the risk of blackouts, implementing these measures can help reduce the likelihood of blackouts and improve the stability of the electricity grid.

Here are some steps you can take to prepare your home for a blackout:

1. Install a backup power source: Consider installing a backup power source, such as a generator or a home solar power system with battery storage, to provide electricity during a blackout.
2. Keep emergency supplies on hand: Make sure you have emergency supplies on hand, such as flashlights, candles, and a battery-powered radio.
3. Charge your devices: Charge your mobile phone and other devices before a blackout so you can use them to communicate and stay informed.
4. Turn off and unplug electronics: To prevent damage to your electronics, turn off and unplug them before a blackout.
5. Have an emergency plan: Make sure you and your family have a plan in place for what to do during a blackout. This should include who to contact and where to meet if you need to evacuate your home.

By taking these steps, you can be better prepared for a blackout and ensure that you and your family are safe during a power outage.

When it’s too late a blackout will appear – what to do?

If a blackout occurs, here are some steps you can take to stay safe:

1. Stay calm: Don’t panic, and remain calm. This will help you think clearly and make good decisions.
2. Check for injuries: If anyone has been injured, provide first aid if you are trained to do so, and call for medical assistance if necessary.
3. Check for hazards: Be aware of potential hazards, such as fallen power lines or damaged gas lines. Stay away from these hazards, and do not attempt to move them.
4. Turn off and unplug electronics: To prevent damage to your electronics, turn off and unplug them. This will also help to prevent a fire hazard.
5. Use flashlights or candles for light: Do not use candles if you need to evacuate your home. Instead, use flashlights or other battery-powered light sources.
6. Follow your emergency plan: If you have an emergency plan in place, follow it. This should include who to contact and where to meet if you need to evacuate your home.

By following these steps, you can help ensure your safety during a blackout. If the blackout is expected to last for an extended period of time, you may need to make other plans, such as staying with friends or family or going to a designated emergency shelter.

What is automation in enterprises?

When we ask about automation in enterprises and industry – most often the first association with the use of machines in enterprises is for most of us positions filled with robots that perform work on the production line.

We often recall a car production line as an example. In this type of factory, there are many repetitive processes related to the processing of various materials.

Examples include the stamping of metal sheets, joining elements, cutting profiles and welding elements. The final element of such a line is the assembly of prefabricated elements and their final product assembly.

Of course, this is a very simplified process, but at this stage it is easy to indicate the situations in which automation works best.

Generally, the best place to use automation in production is when a given activity or sequence of activities is repeated many times, and at each stage the process can be divided into fairly simple and repeatable operations using various tools.

For such purposes, the so-called manipulators, i.e. robots equipped with various tools, such as welding ends, are best suited.
Without automation, each of these activities would be performed by a specialized employee, for example a welder, press operator or cutting machine operator.

Manipulators, also known as robotic arms, are devices for a fairly high versatility of applications. Thanks to the possibility of programming the sequence of movements.

Automated production lines are very spectacular and very widely used in car assembly lines.

However, this is not the only branch of industry in which we deal with automation and robots.

The second dynamically developing industry in which robots are used is all kinds of Logistics and warehouse services.
Large distribution centers complete parcels and ship them

Retail and wholesale giants like Amazon are a great example of this.

The company invests and develops fully automated warehouse halls where robots are able to segregate packages and complete orders virtually without human intervention.

However, if you delve into the subject, this is just the tip of the iceberg. In fact, it is just one of the few processes that can be automated.

The scope of automation application.

Manufacturing and trading companies perform many other activities that could be successfully performed by specialized machines or software.

Essentially, every company that carries out commercial activities must receive orders from end customers or business intermediaries and prepare them according to the provided assumptions.

Therefore, at the very beginning of the process of offering and placing an order, we can apply mechanisms that allow us to eliminate the need to hire employees.

In the remainder of the article, we would like to consider a hypothetical enterprise in which all processes from the beginning to the end of the business process.

So we will start with offering, placing an order and ending with selling, making payments and delivering the product. We will also not forget about the order evaluation, after-sales care and possible warranty service.

All of the above-mentioned steps will be implemented in a fully automated ecosystem

We consider the existence of a fully automated enterprise in which all processes are performed without human.

What is Industry 4.0?

Industry 4.0 refers to a new phase in the Industrial Revolution that focuses heavily on automation, machine learning, and real-time data.

Industry 4.0, which encompasses IIoT and smart manufacturing, marries physical production and operations with smart digital technology, machine learning, and big data to create a more holistic and better connected ecosystem for companies that focus on manufacturing and supply chain management.

While every company and organization operating today is different, they all face a common challenge—the need for continuous integration and access to real-time insights across processes, partners, products, and people.

The role of Machine Learning in Industry 4.0 automation

More and more perfect algorithms based on machine learning allow to optimize the process on an unprecedented scale.

Classic human-made algorithms are being replaced by machine learning-based algorithms – where the human – programmer becomes less and less of a role.
In algorithms based on machine learning – the role of a human being is reduced to presenting the problem (output parameters) and the method of its evaluation.

It is the machine that carries out the process of self-improvement until it reaches a satisfactory level of performance of the creator.

The problem itself is solved based on the “black box” approach.

These new techniques enable us to create efficient methods without any of the human intervention, but with less than 1% difference in performance between two algorithms with identical input and with different values of input parameters.

The performance of each algorithm is then calculated by a combination of factors, and this performance data is fed into an evaluation algorithm which generates predictions for new algorithms based on the previous analysis algorithm. As soon as these estimates are known, they are updated with the new results from the evaluation algorithm.

A final decision is made on all available predictions by picking the best know so far.

So if you look at the top 3 best performing algorithms (i.e. the algorithm whose predictions are actually delivered, without human intervention) you’ll see a pretty striking pattern, and it’s quite interesting: we only need to apply one of these recommendations when building algorithms.

We do not need to rely on any other recommendation when constructing a new algorithm, for example, a method based on some existing algorithm is more than sufficient to build new algorithms.

A very similar approach can be applied to building a new machine learning algorithm.

We can look at existing algorithms and find a few which are very good. We can also look at algorithms which have been built on top of existing libraries and make some very simple modifications to them.

The resulting algorithm will be much faster than the algorithm it replaces. This can also be applied to new libraries, which can all have their own features which improve their performance.

The benefits of automation in business.

There is no need to convince anyone about the benefits of automation, this topic is quite heavily commented on and there are a number of publications on this topic.

We will highlight here only the most important benefits, without going into details that go beyond the scope of this publication.

Automation of processes in the company is necessary from an economic point of view.

The gradual replacement of employees with robots and software allows to reduce production and logistics costs along with the increase in the scale of the project.

In the case of manufacturing, automation would allow for the rapid removal of humans from production line to make way for more powerful machines (as well as a large cut in the total cost of production).

In the US in the last half of the 19th century, this technology was a key component of the Ford Model T, which used a Ford assembly line to make the engine, transmission, gearbox and the rest.

The automation of the entire process and the removal of humans from the process would not only reduce the amount of time it is necessary to perform the same job, but would also help to save money.

The goals of automation are not only to increase productivity but also improve safety. Of course it takes money to automated a process for the first time. And yes, this cost could be really high compared to workers salary. But if you look for this as an investment and consider bigger perspective – you may find out that this is worth the money.

You need always to calculate the overall cost of the venture and it should be calculated over some longer period.

Thanks to that the investment outlays have the chance to pay for themselves and then earn for themselves.

In the next part we will conduct a thought experiment and a project of a fully automated enterprise in several industry variants.

The planned route of flight , designated KAL 007 was not going over the Soviet Union , but the plane veered off course shortly after taking off from Anchorage and for more than two hours was in Soviet airspace , in addition to nearby secret military facilities . The Russians initially denied that such an incident took place . After a few days , in response to the benefits of worldwide protests , said they acted in self-defense because the machine made ​​a flight Korean spy .

According to them, the Americans had mounted on board a special camera designed to photograph secret base on Sakhalin and Kamchatka . That’s why I sent a fighter to get the remote to return or landing , which is the usual action in such situations. Attempts radio contact with a Korean crew failed. Boeing did not want to pay , so he had to be destroyed . In turn, the Koreans and the Americans claimed that KAL 007 crew simply got lost , and the Su- 15 pilot did not attempt to establish communication , just made ​​a ” cold-blooded execution .” Important for the explanation of the mystery could have an aircraft black box , a device for recording conversations in the cockpit . Both superpowers sent their ships exploration to find her . For the purpose of the first Russians arrived , but kept the discovery a secret, probably because I do not confirmed their version of events .

Disclose them only in the early 90s From the record showed that the pilots were not fully aware that they fly over the Soviet Union. But if their conversations were not deliberate disinformation ? Why the plane got lost ? The answers to these questions still remain unexplained . It’s hard to believe that the Korean captain Chun Byumg In, which experienced flyer , could commit such a mistake . According to the most probable theory failed automatic pilot or navigation system . Self shot down was probably the result of a tragic misunderstanding. Earlier in the area circled American spy plane RC -135 . Because it is a variant of another passenger aircraft , the Boeing 707, the radar looked like .

RC- 135 is not flew over the area of the USSR , was moving on the border of the Soviet radar coverage , so appear and disappear on the screen. At one time flew because he ended up fuel. Unluckily , that KAL 007 was released on radar near the place where he disappeared earlier EC-135 . Radar operator thought it was still the same plane . When the Russians saw that the alleged ” spy ” heading towards the secret objects , they decided to shoot it down . Therefore, the Su- 15 pilot was ordered not to contact the crew of his order , but immediately fire the rocket. There is a hypothesis that has led to the destruction of the Boeing presence of Russians on board U.S. Congressman Larry McDonald, known for his fierce anti-communism . Five years before the tragedy KAL Flight 007 came to a similar accident. Other South Korean airliner , the Boeing 707, by mistake flew over the area of the USSR.

Despite firing by Soviet aircraft Korean pilots managed to make an emergency landing on a frozen lake near Murmansk. 3 people were killed and 13 were injured. Russians evacuated the survivors, but then told the government in Seoul to cover the costs of the rescue operation. In turn, 3 July 1988, given unintentional shooting down a passenger jet, ” showing off the ” Americans . USS Vincennes was attacked in the Gulf by several Iranian armed boats . A few minutes later the ship’s radar screen appeared an unidentified aircraft that did not respond to radio calls to change course . The commander of the ship found that the plane wants to attack him . He ordered the firing of rockets, although the radar operator pointed out to him that the object is too large for the machine battle . In fact , proved that it was the Iranian Airbus A300 with 290 people on board . No one survived . These are just some air dramas of the Cold War .

Many of them are associated with reconnaissance flights . Air espionage , especially in the execution of U.S. aircraft , has played an important role in the superpower rivalry . The Russians and their allies have relied more on human history , that is work of spies. In open , democratic Western countries, it was easier to build efficient intelligence network than for ” curtains ” – Iron ( as it was called limit Soviet influence in Europe) and bamboo ( in the communist countries of Asia ) .

Of course, the Americans and their allies also had their spies , who sometimes even supply them with invaluable information . Throughout the period of the Cold War lasted over international waters ” game of cat and mouse” between the two hostile airmen blocks. Sometimes , especially during international tension high in the 50 ” Fun ” these ended tragically. Western aircraft repeatedly flew into the Soviet Union and its satellite states to provoke defenses and get an idea of ​​the efficiency of its operation. Sometimes it turned out that the defense is very effective. Soviet and Chinese pilots shot down during this period many Western machines. Los some crews today is unknown, but certainly some of them ended life in Siberian gulags . The tasks , called in modern military terminology ” SIGNT ,” or collection from a safe distance of the effects of radar , radio -frequency calls , gave a reworked large transport aircraft or ships, for example, RC -135 .

Military tempted but , understandably, the opportunity to see the air secret enemy objects . Until the emergence of reconnaissance satellites only such opportunity offered reconnaissance aircraft . Since the end of the 40s spy flights over the Soviet Union exercised ordinary reconnaissance aircraft the U.S. Air Force , the United Kingdom and other countries. However, this was not an easy task , because the Soviet fighter aircraft , and later anti- missiles were a formidable opponent .

Meanwhile, every shot down the spy aircraft was associated with double the risk : on the one hand by an opponent to gain access to confidential information , and the second call of international conflict . To avoid this risk , in the mid-50s in the years 1955 – 1956 released 516 balloons with cameras . They were to fly over the Soviet Union , taking pictures of mainly military . To keep all the action in secret, while the CIA organized the action of sending the countries of the Eastern bloc own balloons with leaflets . Operation ” Genetrix ” did not succeed . For the purpose was heard little balloons , and the pictures were mostly fields , cities and forests . Discovered only one previously unknown nuclear research center . In the end, the action was stopped.

They were convinced that the end of the world . In about 70 km away from the scene of the incident sediment people fell out of their chairs as a result of a strong shock and burns had to accept from the waves of hot air. The shock was recorded seismic stations around the world. Over the next few nights in Europe sky was illuminated with a light so bright that in England you could at midnight to read a book without turning on the light, and the farmers working in the field. Clouds have a strange red color. There were disturbances in telegraphic communication . Learning recognized that in some distant corner of the earth had to be a powerful volcanic eruption , and the glow is the result of sunlight reflecting off of dust ejected during the eruption. Such a request reappears as a result of comparison with the explosion of the volcano Krakatoa in the Indian Ocean in 1883. After the explosion, the strongest , which reported a man was observed similar phenomena . In turn, local newspapers , which are the only reported the incident, claimed that the Tunguska meteorite fell . Several journalists let go your imagination and have described as the Trans-Siberian train passengers found that a meteorite – in fact, such a fact never took place .

Then the whole thing was forgotten for 20 years. At the beginning of the 20s newly formed Soviet authorities violently needed raw materials – iron, gold , the so-called rare metals , including iridium . Geologists have come to the conclusion that all of these minerals can be found in meteorites . So have sent specialists in search of meteorite craters . One of the researchers was Leonid Kulik . During the expedition to Siberia fell into the hands of his old newspaper with that description of the alleged meteorite find . Kulik walked this path . He collected eyewitness accounts and on this basis developed a report that prompted the Academy of Sciences of the USSR to fund the next expedition. First made ​​in 1927. During the expedition reached the Tunguska . There he saw a shocking sight – trees within a radius of 40 kilometers around the blast site were torn in the roots , forming a shape similar to the wings of a butterfly. In the center was a “forest of telegraph poles ,” as he called him researcher , or bare trunks of trees, completely stripped of branches.

Kulik found traces of fire, but there was no crater . Meteorite like vanished into thin air . The scholar did not find it also in the course of the four subsequent expeditions . The fifth did not happen because of the outbreak of World War II. In its course Kulik died in German captivity . After the war, many researchers undertook further exploration , but found nothing that would finally answer the question of what really happened there . Since Kulik in 1928, announced the results of their expedition , this question is bothering hundreds of scientists and amateurs. Arise, and arise all the time , various theories : serious and fantastic.

The first of these was the theory of a meteorite . With space flows into the Earth’s atmosphere much debris – meteoroids . Most of them are burned in the atmosphere, but the most striking the ground – this is called meteorites. The main problem in support of this theory is the lack of … meteorite. Over Tunguska traces of destruction , but there is no trace that something hit the ground. Kulikowi during the first expedition seemed even to have found meteorite crater , but it was just a mere depression in the ground. During the research, one of the workers noticed the alleged crater piece of molten glass . At first, researchers thought that he had found trace of impact – the so-called impactit , or stone melted in the glass during the burning meteorite impact . It turned out , however, that there is only a piece of impactit bottle.

Therefore, it was suggested that perhaps a meteorite exploded at a height of 6 to 10 kilometers above the ground , before they collided . Such cases do occur, although such a huge force could provide only an extremely large meteor . Maybe not a meteor , a comet or asteroid – the researchers wondered . The nucleus of a comet consists of frozen water and gases , so when a possible outbreak at atmospheric pressure comet disintegrated completely , leaving nothing that could hit the ground. In addition, the gases from the tail may cause unusual phenomena of light , described the outbreak in Europe. Most astronomers , however, rejects this theory for the same reason that the meteorite theory – the enormous explosive force . To make it , the comet would have to be gigantic proportions , and then surely someone would have noticed it before .

In contrast to the meteoroids that fly freely in space , asteroids have orbits defined – they are very small planet orbiting the Sun . In total there are in the solar system , even a few million . Sometimes collide with each other , then the asteroid falls from its orbit and can fly at Earth . According to the Czech astronomer , Professor Zdenek Sekanina , but with them in 1908 aimed towards Siberia, but broke up in the atmosphere, and then exploded. In 2001, a group of Italian astronomers tried on the basis of eyewitness accounts to calculate , from the mysterious object flew over Siberia.

With 886 possible orbits as many as 83 % were the orbits of asteroids . In this case remains unresolved , however, once again the problem of lack tangible remnants of cosmic object. Another proposed explanation of the riddle was ball lightning . In fact, it is indeed a mystery translation by a second . Ball lightning is a luminous globe suddenly appearing in different places. Sometimes it disappears silently , sometimes it ends its existence explosion. Nobody knows exactly what he really is and why it behaves in this way. This phenomenon is so poorly researched that some scholars even dispute its existence.

And since so little is known about him that you can not actually prove that the Tunguska object could not be one of them . In August 1945 the U.S. atomic bombs destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Soon after, several scholars pointed out the similarity of the descriptions of the atomic bomb and its effects on the incident from his Tunguska .

One of them was a Soviet engineer and science fiction writer Alexander Kazantsev . A year after Hiroshima, he published a story ” Explosion ” ( developed them later in the scientific work ) . According to him, over Siberia exploded a nuclear reactor , which is powered arriving from another planet spaceship. His idea has gained a lot of popularity in the USSR. Perhaps it was a bit of desire to show opposition to the authorities, because the official propaganda called belief in UFOs ” succumbing to imperialist propaganda ” . Other supporters of the theory of a spaceship referred to the track Tunguska object, which according to some accounts, he had several times changed , and also found on the site of explosion in the 50s radioactivity .

The problem is that most of the witnesses spoke of the object flying in a straight line , and the radiation is so small that you can explain , for example, radioactive fallout after nuclear test explosions .

Two years later, almost all of Europe was under the rule of Nazi Germany , which sought precisely to the conquest of the USSR. Japan occupied Indochina . Interviews British and American know about the plans of the Japanese attack on the United States, but for unknown reasons still not notified their president. The Americans decided to accelerate the work on the atomic bomb – December 6, 1941 , he officially started a top secret program of its construction , which was later given the code name ” Manhattan” . By strange coincidence, the next day the Japanese bombs fell on the port in the U.S. Navy at Pearl Harbor , Hawaii. The United States were in a state of war. Meanwhile, over a year in the UK group of physicists working on the atomic bomb project ” Tube Alloys ” . One of them was an immigrant from Germany, named Klaus Fuchs . In August 1943 Roosevelt and Churchill signed an agreement on the inclusion of a British program to the U.S. . Scientific project manager ” Manhattan ” was the physicist Robert Oppenheimer and Gen. Leslie Groves, the military . Laboratory program was founded in Los Alamos, New Mexico. The place was surrounded by the strictest secret and officially did not exist . Scientists could not even use the word bomb . Nobody even came to mind that one of the most important members of the research team is a Soviet spy .

Klaus Fuchs , an avid Communist , he could not accept the fact that the Western Allies would build a new weapon in secret before Stalin. He believed that for the good of humanity and its communist bright future must help the Soviets in the creation of the atomic bomb . Even in England, has partnered with the Soviet military intelligence GRU . For his espionage activities did not take the money. Fuchs , called by the then press ” vilest traitor of all time “, was exposed in 1950. In the surroundings of the ” Manhattan” acted also other spies . Loud was the case of Julius and Ethel marriage Rosenberg , arrested and sentenced to death in the early ’50s The twentieth century. Their trial aroused great excitement – Rosenbergs to the end claimed to be innocent. It was only in 1995, revealed documents that unequivocally confirmed the guilt of Julius . It remains a mystery whether the spy was also his wife . Controversial seems to be the judgment itself . Rosenberg passed on to the Russians relatively unimportant data and ended up in the electric chair , while Fuchs , who according to experts accelerated the rise of the Soviet atomic bomb by several years , was sentenced to 14 years in prison , of which he served only five .

Then he went to East Germany , where he continued his scientific career , and has held a number of senior positions . Initially, the team Oppenheimer had a vague notion of what develops . It was not clear what force will have a new weapon that will trigger effects, and whether he works. It was long thought that the atomic bomb would be very large and you will carry it on the ship . The only problem was , as the ship entered the harbor unseen enemy. Researchers from the project ” Manhattan” had no moral scruples related to the creation of a new powerful tool for killing . They believed that save Western civilization from destruction by Nazi barbarians and thus ensure a better future for the world . “The power of our weapons will make the violence will disappear and there will be a general peace ” – once said Oppenheimer . In early 1945 the work coming to an end . Under construction are two types of bombs : uranium and plutonium . It was already known that the bomb will fit into a large aircraft. Scientists , soldiers and politicians began to wonder where to use new weapons. In the end, the aim of the attack was determined German city of Ludwigshafen and Mannheim . Upon reflection , however, was that the damage to waste valuable bomb , if Third Reich and it was almost defeated. The second goal was a Japan .

Although the Japanese have since borne only natural , did not intend to give up. U.S. commanders decided to apply the same strategy against Germany : the mass bombing . Since the end of 1944 years thousands of heavy bombers Boeing B -29 every night throw bombs on more cities . The effect was terrifying : killed more than 200,000 people , burned almost half of the houses , factories practically stood . Despite this, August 2, 1945 the Japanese government rejected the Allied ultimatum on the immediate surrender. Preparations for defense against the invasion of the Japanese islands . Meanwhile, in May convened a special committee to select possible targets with nuclear attack . With the destruction of the imperial palace in Tokyo was abandoned because it could backfire : increase the will to fight. Kyoto was a good goal , but decided to save them because of the historic nature . At the end of the list were: Hiroshima, Kokura , Niigata and Nagasaki. July 16, 1945 came the historic moment . In the desert near the town of Alamogordo , New Mexico, exploded the first atomic bomb , called ” Gadget ” .

The researchers concluded that the uranium bomb simpler certainly work, but you have to try more complicated plutonium . Among those gathered on the military observers joy reigned . Just thoughtful Oppenheimer quoted a fragment supposedly ancient Hindu epic Bhagwad Gita – ” I am become death , the destroyer of the world …”, though by his brother , Frank , he said only : ” It works .” Message sent immediately successful attempt to staying at the Potsdam Conference President Harry Truman . He said the new weapon of Stalin , but to his surprise that kept a straight face . Truman’s advisers acknowledged that ” primitive Georgian ” did not understand what is said to him . They did not know that the Soviet leader by Fuchs better versed in the details of the ” Manhattan” than his American interlocutor , who was informed about the case until after assuming the presidency in April this year . July 25, 1945 year Truman ordered the use of ” special bombs ” if the Japanese reject the ultimatum on the immediate surrender.

When that happened, on Monday, August 6 B-29 bomber with the 509th Mixed Bomb Group dropped a uranium bomb ” Little Boy” on Hiroshima . According to the latest data instantly killed more than 70,000 people. Another 10,000 died in the years following radiation sickness .

Modern tram transport solutions

Now look at several solutions used in one of the most popular means of public transport . It is namely very popular today trams . Low floor – the first aspect. In most cities are already used low-floor trams . Among the many existing tram systems , low-floor no longer has just a few cities in the world . Where this technology has not yet reached already contracted to low-floor wagons . Low floor is true greatly increases the cost of the tram because of the complexity of its construction , but makes the vehicle more friendly and it is easy accessible for all passengers , including mothers with strollers , people with disabilities and limited mobility . As a result, all new tramways , ordered in recent years around the world , are at least partially low-floor . Even used cars are put into operation are rebuilt so that one member was a low floor . Another aspect of the design is long articulated trams. In Germany or Hungary, operated are long – up to 54 meter long vehicle ( it is a Siemens Combino in Budapest ) . Long vehicle means a large passenger capacity , and therefore a large number of passengers falling on one vehicle and one driver’s . This is particularly important in increasing the participation of wages in the cost of operations of transport companies .

In addition , the articulated vehicle is facilitated even distribution of passengers between different parts of the tram. The driver has facilitated oversight of the entire vehicle. Disappears also the problem of the last door of the second or third composition, for trains trams Konstal 105Na of chamfers in the rear part of the body . Standard tram stood out raceways running in the roadway . This resulted in a sharp movement disorder trams and cars. When congestion has obtained more and more considerable size , the trams were losing their appeal .

Construction of a separate track from the road or lane only for trams or buses provide transport preference and competitiveness for the shortest time . Vehicle tram passing through the intersection during peak hours including one course can carry the amount of passengers , which over a hundred cars during several subsequent changes of lights. Hence , it is understood that the movement of trams was privileged . In fact, despite the fact that the numbers are absolute for cars, trams priority , the priority for trams do not give advice against automotive lobby .

While the cars are very disturbing cities are appearing every few minutes tram is able to co-exist in the urban area of foot traffic . Long articulated vehicle , traveling at a speed of at most a dozen km / h , does not pose a big threat and can be bypassed by pedestrians , who have to walk one at most a few steps or wait a few seconds. On the other hand , car drivers are often reckless for pedestrians and parked cars also occupy valuable space streets. As a result, in many cities in Europe on selected streets forbidden to drive your car , creating a pedestrian zone . In such places left or entered the trams . This ensures fast and direct access shaft transport from distant parts of the city to the busiest offices, institutions , shops and eateries. When the streets are filled with parked cars and cars standing in traffic , urban space functions much worse.

Remote-controlled drones as the future of many branches of business

Recently the great popularity of special vehicles moving through the air , controlled remotely – so-called drones . Drones have been used for many years in the army . Small , unmanned aircraft initially served as scouts functions , generating useful data about the locations of enemy forces , potential centers of defense and others. Then they began to perform the functions of battle – such vehicles are equipped with highly effective missiles , which were enormous firepower and aroused fear among opponents. As for the drones , which appeared on the civilian market , those were small, remotely operated vehicles , usually driven by a force of several propellers . They started to be used in many fields , including business. Drones used in the film industry when you need aerial shots or those normally performed by a tap of camera . Their costs are much lower, and the use of a much more extended than the static taps , rails or other devices supporting filmmaking . When it comes to transportation, over which we consider right here , there are many projects to improve the industry through these just drones . One of the first ideas was almost completely automate the process of ordering food by phone or the Internet straight to your home. In the restaurant or pizzeria , the base controlling the whole process , the module is receiving the contract or phone operator . Then , using available satellite maps, delivery address is converted using a simple program on GPS coordinates . Drone , comes in a package compatible with the order, upon payment ( by bank transfer or by bitcoins ) moves to the recipient. Is reduced in this way delivery time, because the vehicle does not have to contend with difficulties in traffic or to overcome circular routes . However, there is some problems relating to this innovative concept . First of all , Drones have limited range and can not compare to the conventional methods of delivery of the ordered goods with ordinary vehicles. Supported by the small size of the drone , which can not exceed certain values ​​, to be able to ascend into the air. Larger battery or a larger fuel tank would entail a considerable increase in the size of the vehicle and also an increase in the cost of its construction. There is also a problem with the maximum weight that the vehicle can carry . This is due to the need to increase the quantity or frequency limit order intake .

Drones as a tool in the hands of the mafia

With the development of the availability of drones and expanding their functionality , recognized the possibility of their use by organizations engaged not entirely consistent with the law . Such a vehicle may be used for transferring significant amounts of illegal money . Can also be carried documents and reports relating to illegal activities , where they can not be sent electronically .

Recently, a group of crime has gone one step further decided to develop a system for the distribution of drugs based on this created a special website and web drones , which have to deal with the delivery. Internet portal had to be completely safe by placing the server in an inaccessible location and the fact that the purchase of illicit psychoactive substances used a bitcoins. This allows the client sighting would be virtually impossible.

That race began in 1957, when he was in orbit the first artificial satellite of the earth , the Soviet Sputnik I. This metal sphere , suitable from the sky over the U.S. signal aroused panic Americans who were afraid that just as easily could drive up on their country of Soviet nuclear warheads . Their fear was indeed justified , since Sputnik was reworked version of the R -7 rocket , designed for the transfer of nuclear weapons. Besides, it was difficult to reconcile them with the idea that their technique was worse than the Russian . Americans for several years been working on its own space rocket , but her home is still delayed due to technical problems. Soviet Aerospace meanwhile, once again proved its superiority . Still in the same year in space flew the first living creature – the dog Laika . Long years of Russians claimed that Laika was euthanized after 10 days in orbit because of the inability to safely bring her to the ground. In 2002, he revealed that the dog died shortly after entering the orbit. The mystery and ambiguity from the beginning surrounded the Soviet space program . For a long time it was top secret , for example, the name of the creator of the Soviet space rockets , Sergei Korolev . This outstanding engineer was the life known publicly only as ” chief designer ” . When 24 October 1960 was killed the commander of the Soviet rocket forces , Marshal Mitrofan Niedelin , given that he lost his life in a plane crash in the course of their duties . It was not until the late eighties revealed that he was one of the 160 victims of the crash , which happened to Baikonur Cosmodrome . In preparation for the rocket starts a new type of fuel exploded . Probably disregarded previously detected faults , because the authorities wanted to celebrate the launch rocket attributable soon anniversary of the October Revolution . Typical of the Soviet obsession with secrecy frequented sometimes brought to the absurd, giving the medium is different conspiracy theories . April 12, 1961 Yuri Gagarin was the first man circled Earth in the spaceship Vostok 1 The flight was notified only when Gagarin happily returned , and immediately began to manipulate the information . First, given false Vostok orbit parameters , which were corrected after a few days. Further inaccuracies related to landing an astronaut on Earth. The individual exchange relationships , for example, different places and color suit.

According to one newspaper welcomed Gagarin on Earth tractor drivers , according to another – women with kolkhoz , according to yet another – specially sent paratroopers team . Sam Gagarin ” recalled ” as encountered after landing peasant woman immediately recognized him , but then he was not yet well-known person . Long time Russians persistently claimed that Gagarin returned to Earth in the cab of his vehicle , although all subsequent Vostok pilots ejected out of them in the air and falls to the ground by parachute . It was only in the 90s revealed that the first cosmonaut did the same. It is difficult to say what the result of the distortion – intentional disinformation , excessive fantasy journalists , poor memory Gagarin same or maybe all of these elements. In any case, the effect was such that there are conspiracy theories , according to which Gagarin never been in space. Apparently ” substituted ” it in place of another astronaut , who – according to various versions – was killed , wounded or imprisoned by the Chinese after landing . Gagarin’s death in a plane crash in 1968, was not , according to proponents of this theory accidental – had to bend because he knew too much . Another version of this theory is that Gagarin was the first to … returned from space. Before it had to be others who always remained outer space . They were even people who claim that it received from the spacecraft by radio their voices . Those Interestingly, some of them could actually hear a human voice coming from outer space , only that he was playing with the tape. It was to examine how it will work in radio communication with future astronauts . For years, the biggest mystery of Soviet astronautics was a plan to send a man to the moon. Such a flight would be a culmination of the “cosmic race.” For Americans, it was the last chance to defeat him Russians, the Russians – the ultimate way to deepen your opponent. U.S. President John F. Kennedy at the beginning of his presidency that 1,961 years publicly announced a plan to send a man to the moon by the end of the decade. Started when the ” Apollo ” was a success . 25 December 1968 for the Apollo 8 was the first to reach the orbit of the Moon. July 20, 1969 , members of the crew of Apollo 11 , Neil Armstrong and Aldrin landed Edvin on the Moon . Armstrong first stepped on the moon , uttering the famous words : ” a small step for man , one giant leap for mankind.” To the Moon sent six more ships Apollo , but it was heard on only five . Flight of Apollo 13 almost ended in tragedy because of damage to the fuel tank . Astronauts managed to return to Earth . The program was discontinued quite sharply in 1972 , mainly due to the decline in the public interest . Russians carried out their ” lunar plans ” in secret. Due to the mounting technical difficulties and personality conflicts between designers , especially after the death of Korolev , the Soviet cosmonaut never stepped on the Moon . It should be noted that the Soviet lunar lander could take only one person , and two American . The only success of the program was a Soyuz spacecraft , designed initially was to fly to the moon , and eventually used for flights to Earth orbit . Subsequent versions of Soyuz are indeed used today. Even the best vehicle but could not go without a proper rocket. Meanwhile, the huge Soviet rocket N -1 was a failure . Of the four launch attempts , not one failed.

To be continued …