Comments for Cleantech Chemistry

Comment on Natural Gas and Cleantech by Paul

Paul — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 19:51:18 +0000

Locks on the Panama Canal aren’t there to compensate for the difference in heights of the oceans. The center of the canal is at higher elevation than either end (water flowing from the central lakes down through the lock system lifts ships over the hump.)

Comment on Lufthansa Cargo Looks for Green Ideas by Transglobal

Transglobal — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 16:49:17 +0000

Lufthansa have had a 2nd challenge since this post, I think it an annual event. It’s a really good way of getting customers involved in the company and sourcing some new ideas.

Comment on What if Everyone Is Wrong About Lithium Ion Batteries? by Me

Me — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 01:22:21 +0000

Your article is eerily prescient. Now in 2013, with Boeing plagued with its over-heated Li-Ion batteries and Airbus dropping Li-Ion for Ni-Cd for its unpredictability. Li-Ion technology is doomed the way of the 8-track.

Comment on Dow Chemical, DOE aim for Solar at $2 a watt by Santo Lezak

Santo Lezak — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 00:51:18 +0000

I agree, but people need to appreciate that adding Solar in their property is an asset which could increase the longer term valuation of their home if / when they make a choice to sell. With the environment the way it is going we cannot underestimate any item that gives totally free energy at no cost to both the consumer and more significantly the environment!

Comment on First Solar Explains Itself by Sherie Garrigus

Sherie Garrigus — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 12:02:20 +0000

Hi, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog site in Firefox, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other than that, terrific blog on First Solar Explains Itself | Cleantech Chemistry!

Comment on Electric-vehicle Batteries are Like Olives… by Brendan Liddle

Brendan Liddle — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:40:10 +0000

The reason for the aging process is to allow the electrolyte to react to form a passivating layer at the graphite anode surface called an SEI layer (Solid Electrolyte Interface). The layer (I believe) is mostly amorphous Li2CO3 and it functions to protect the electrode from thermal runaway reactions during operation while still being conductive to the Li ions.

Comment on Thin film solar maker Miasolé bought by China’s Hanergy by Melody Bomgardner

Melody Bomgardner — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 20:46:47 +0000

Hi Carmen! The active part of the solar cell is always sandwiched between a top, protective layer and a backlayer. So you can have thin film PV on glass, which is skinny and light, but not flexible. If you substitute a high performance clear polymer for the glass, it can be made flexible. So-called organic photovoltaics are made from polymer-type materials, so they may avoid some additional layering. CIGS companies stress that their tech is compatible with materials that allow them to make flexible panels.

Comment on Thin film solar maker Miasolé bought by China’s Hanergy by Carmen Drahl

Carmen Drahl — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 20:34:53 +0000

I’ve heard about strategies where some kind of coating would be applied to a solar cell to give it flexibility. So CIGS would not need that extra step if I’m reading correctly?

Comment on Qteros: Back from the Dead? by dan @ Free Chemistry Online

dan @ Free Chemistry Online — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 18:33:31 +0000

Welcome back Qteros!

Comment on Science-y Advice for (potential) Entrepreneurs: Add this to your library by kennethmacy

kennethmacy — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 09:56:22 +0000

Well obviously, “technology push” companies are at a higher risk because it is not certain whether their products will satisfy customers. On the other hand “market pull” companies invest in R&D only when market expresses a particular demand. Therefore, large companies are shifting towards becoming “market pull” ones. Small startups as chemical entrepreneurs should make use of this time and invest in R&D for new innovations. Market pull is the cash cow but technology push is the seed corn for next year’s crop.