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Anuradha Chepur · Joined: 20 May 2006 Posts: 933

Going by Einstein�s equation, mass has an exchange rate equal to the velocity of light, when it is converted into energy (E = MC). I read that one kilogram of sugar or any other substance converts into energy sufficient to drive a car continuously for about 100,000 years. I guess CERN (Switzerland), is doing some research on how to convert mass into energy.

I read about some inventions in the newspapers, but I don�t know why they don�t see the light of day. For instance, I read four years back, that a lady in some Indian university invented a method to convert plastic waste into petrol (one kilogram of plastic waste into one liter of petrol).

I also read about another man in India who invented a method to convert the energy from ocean waves into electricity and he had even applied for patents.

Looking to the moon for energy (Helium-3) is another farfetched option. There are millions of tons of Helium-3, sufficient to power the world for thousands of years.

It's high time the world focussed on this.

Edoardo · Joined: 19 Sep 2006 Posts: 111 Location: Venice, Italy

There are so many energetic sources which most people do not know about... It is just that, until there is oil, there is no will to increase research in this field... the "energetic status-quo" is convenient for so many people... Rolling Eyes

flying_pig319 · Joined: 01 Jul 2006 Posts: 369

KHF · Joined: 15 Dec 2005 Posts: 100 Location: ON, Canada

We already know how to convert mass into energy with relative ease to some extent. Unfortunately, one of its applications is called the atomic bomb.

Of course, there are plenty of alternative energy sources that are much greener than oil. You would think that with the constant instability in the middle east people would start adopting a backup plan. Well, in the world of politics, usually money does the talking alone. And to maintain the cash flow (and thus power), you make sure there is no one taking away the business. Wait another 30 years or so for the oil to run dry, then I guess we can finally see some changes.

Anuradha Chepur · Joined: 20 May 2006 Posts: 933

KHF:
"We already know how to convert mass into energy with relative ease to some extent."

Yeah, we have a couple of nuclear power plants in India. In India, we are into alternative energy sources, to "some" extent. For instance, in the country side, people use bio-gas for cooking. Some people use solar power for geysers, cookers, etc. There is a thermal power plant in Hyderabad, which converts garbage.

I wonder what's going on in other countries in this regard.

Petrol costs Rs.17 in Pakistan, Rs.18 in Malaysia, and Rs.48 in India. It�s like paying about $7 for a liter in the USA, i.e., about $27 for a gallon (according to comparative purchasing capacity of Indian rupee and US dollar). Isn�t that awful? And this is not because of the world market crude oil prices, but it�s all profit for the private owners, and taxes.
People are fooled into thinking that in terms of exchange rate, it�s pretty much the same in India as it is in the USA. What has to be compared is the purchasing capacity* and not the exchange rate**.
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*purchasing capacity: US $1 = INR 7, **exchange rate: US$1 = INR 48.

ad-miral · Joined: 01 Sep 2006 Posts: 1488

here in Germany, they are going to use canola as a comon alternative energy. It's made from animal waste and it seems more realistic than the moon energy.
_________________
If I say "I love you" to someone, then I also have to say "I also love everyone else inside you, I love the whole world because of you, I also love myself inside you." -- Erich Fromm, the Art of Love

asterix · Joined: 26 Jan 2003 Posts: 1654

I think there are already electricity generating plants that use the power of the oceans waves (perhaps in Denmark).
Canola is produced from a plant and used to be called "rapeseed". However, it was thought that such a name might give ladies the vapours and they changed it.

Anuradha Chepur · Joined: 20 May 2006 Posts: 933

Rapeseed rings a bell, but I think read about it in a context other than energy?? I can't recall.

asterix · Joined: 26 Jan 2003 Posts: 1654

Canola is used for cooking oil, too.

Anuradha Chepur · Joined: 20 May 2006 Posts: 933

O yeah, some low fat oil . . .

bigOz · Joined: 01 Sep 2006 Posts: 12 Location: UK

The main reason why many ideas do not take off is because of the current capitalist economies' dependance on oil. Replacing it overnight would be impossible and extremely costly - something that does not rhyme with profits.

The second most important issue (probably the main) is the fact that US dollar's strength is directly linked to oil trade. Oil is quoted and purchased in US dollars! You cannot purc