Friday, July 8, 2022

California to make its own insulin

 https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/7/7/2109111/-Gavin-Newsom-announces-California-will-make-its-own-insulin

 

Newsom has had plans to start California on the path toward making its own prescription drugs since he took office. The Los Angeles Times reported in June that the state's generic drug label, CalRx, could begin producing insulin within the next few years. Additionally, the state may target other drugs that are either expensive or in short supply, according to the report.

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I hope this starts a trend.

 

 

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

dirt storage battery for solar power

 https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-61996520

 

Low-cost electricity warms the sand up to 500C by resistive heating (the same process that makes electric fires work).

This generates hot air which is circulated in the sand by means of a heat exchanger.

Sand is a very effective medium for storing heat and loses little over time. The developers say that their device could keep sand at 500C for several months.

So when energy prices are higher, the battery discharges the hot air which warms water for the district heating system which is then pumped around homes, offices and even the local swimming pool.

 

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I don't see anything about the efficiency of this.  Needs more research.