The imagination of scientists throughout time must have toyed with the idea of using the rising and falling of the tides to generate power that could be harnessed.Australia, as an island continent, has singular advantages needing to be capitalized. These are already being exploited, particularly in northern areas such as Broome that has huge tides to the extent of about thirty feet. Many applicants are in line for licences in Australia and in the US.
There have been many scientists and philosophers over the last couple of centuries who have proposed ‘lateral’ ideas about using the abundant wealth of seawater as the source from which we ‘mine’ and withdraw the minerals and elements we need or want. There exist many present day scientists who are interested or intrigued with the idea of finding a technology that would allow commercial practicality and application.
For many centuries we have known simple ways how to use the power generated by tides. An example of this is the water mills used for milling grain.With so much attention turned towards alternative power sources in our times, there has been much more known and understood as to the most effective methods. Australian universities are encouraging serious research in this field.The ideal method generates electricity with a two way system that utilizes both the rise and the fall of the tide.
Nanotechnology – what do we know about the new science emerging ?It would seem that the fundamentals of the science are focussed on the control of matter on an atomic and molecular scale that far exceeds what we know as ‘micro’ science. We know that the latter is being applied constructively in surgical skills and computer science. What will be the field of application of nanotechnology?
Alternatives to animal testing range from cell and tissue cultures of human cell tests that promise accuracy in predicting toxicity in humans that are far superior to animal tests, to the latest sophisticated techniques using computerised models. Should we determine to give up animal sacrifice for the technological path, animals of the world rejoice!
