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I've heard about a number of "Super Battery" technologies, but this one seems to top them all: How Could Nano-Diamond Batteries Revolutionize Power Generation? Researchers have claimed that nano-diamond batteries could last for 28,000 years. Such batteries would not only be beneficial to the world of electric cars and mobile phones, but their application would also be useful in aerospace and medical technology. This article discusses the development, commercialization, and application of novel nano-diamond batteries. In 2016, at the annual lecture of the Cabot Institute, University of Bristol, researchers, for the first time, demonstrated a novel technology that could use nuclear waste to generate energy. They named their product “diamond batteries”. In 2020, a California-based startup company, NDB, has developed a highly efficient nano-diamond battery that could last up to 28,000 years without charging. This battery is also based on the utilization of nuclear waste. Diamond Batteries Commonly available electricity-generation technologies utilize energy for moving a magnet via a coil of wire to produce a current. However, the diamond battery can generate current when placed close to a radioactive source. A team of researchers from the University of Bristol has developed a human-made diamond. This material can generate a low electrical power when put under the influence of a radioactive field. The researchers at the Cabot Institute have used Nickel-63 as a radioactive source for demonstrating a prototype 'diamond battery'. The radioactive source is encapsulated inside a diamond to produce a nuclear-powered battery. However, the team envisioned using radioactive carbon-14 to obtain a battery with greater efficiency. Tom Scott, Professor in Materials at the University of Bristol, explained the advantages of the technology. He said that this technology would involve the long-term production of clean energy from nuclear waste and not require any maintenance as there are no moving parts or emissions. Development of Nano-Diamond Batteries by NDB In 2020, NDB announced two proof-of-concept tests conducted at the Cavendish Laboratory at Cambridge University and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California. As stated above, the nano-diamond battery from the NDB used nuclear waste to generate power. The radioactive core is protected with multiple layers of synthetic diamonds or polycrystalline diamond. The polycrystalline diamond is an exceptionally thermally conductive material. This material also can contain the radiation within the device. The use of a polycrystalline diamond makes the nano-diamond battery immensely tough and tamperproof. Technologies behind the development of nano-diamond batteries that ensure radiation, thermal, and mechanical safety are discussed below: Diamond Nuclear Voltaic (DNV) is a device that consists of a semiconductor. Individual units are connected to form a stack arrangement and fabricated to create a positive and negative contact surface analogous to a standard battery system. This design improves the system's overall efficiency, which includes the generation of a substantial amount of electricity and a multi-layer safety shield for the product. All radioactive isotopes can produce high amounts of heat energy. A single crystalline diamond (SCD) in the DNV unit and the strategic placement of radioactive source between the DNV units prevents self-absorption of heat by the radioisotope. NDB technology has utilized alpha, beta, and neutron radiations using boron-10 doping, helping to convert the extra neutron into the alpha ray. This design also enables the rapid conversion of radiation to usable electricity. The advanced flexible structural design enables it to take any shape based on its application. This feature makes NDB extremely market-friendly. The utilization of radioactive waste is a subject that many have not researched. NDB uses radioactive waste and reuses them by reprocessing and recycling. This technology ensures sustainability and gives rise to a clean energy source, and Achieving this has the added advantage of ensuring environmental safety. Researchers believe that this technology would reduce the costs and challenges of storing nuclear waste in the most useful form. NDB envisioned the coexistence of innovation and restoration of a healthy environment. Implementing their innovative technology would improve the standards of living and pave the way towards the development of eco-friendly, green, and sustainable energy. Applications of Nano-Diamond Batteries Automotive: This battery could bring about a revolution in the world of electric cars. Researchers believe that this technology will benefit the electric car industry due to its immense longevity and efficiency, unlike any other existing batteries. Medical Technology: These batteries could immensely contribute to medical devices, especially implantable devices, for example, pacemakers and hearing aids. The long battery life of nano-diamond batteries would be extremely beneficial for patients using such medical implants. Aerospace: Recent advancements in space technology include electric aircraft development that has created the demand for batteries with longevity and safety. Space vehicles and satellites are currently supported by solar power, which is subjected to an unsettling space environment. NDB powers electric aircraft, drones, and space stations for a more extended period. Electronics: The use of NDB for powering standard electronic devices such as laptops and smartphones negates the need to charge such devices continually. NDB claims the use of their product would benefit the consumers by providing them with power outlet independent devices and increasing personal quantum computing and the device’s computational power. Defense: NDB can be used in surveillance systems and electronics. The Future of Nano-Diamond Batteries As our day to day life is heavily dependent on mobile battery-powered devices, there is a rapid increase in the demand for efficient and cost-effective batteries. Conventional batteries have several concerns that include global warming and waste accumulation. The nano-diamond batteries overcome these limitations of conventional batteries in terms of longevity and widespread applications. Dr. John Shawe-Taylor, University College of London, stated that this technology could be the solution to the world's energy crisis with 'close to zero environmental impact and energy transportation costs.' The team at NDB announced that the first commercial prototype battery would be available later this year. They further expressed the high demand for their product by stating that many organizations, including aerospace companies and a leader in nuclear fuel cycle products, are lined up as customers. https://www.azonano.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=5591

NOVEMBER 19, 20208:32 PMUPDATED 18 HOURS AGO China-led shift to electric vehicles to help end 'oil era': study By Reuters Staff SHANGHAI (Reuters) - An aggressive China-led shift to electric vehicles is expected to slash global oil demand growth by 70% by 2030 and will help bring an end to the “oil era”, according to research by the Carbon Tracker think tank published on Friday. Within 10 years, China could save more than $80 billion in annual oil import costs as new-energy vehicles (NEVs) become increasingly competitive, Carbon Tracker said. Its calculations were based on a “conservative” scenario by the International Energy Agency projecting that electric vehicles would account for 40% of China’s total car sales by 2030, and for 20% of sales in India and other emerging markets. The cost of importing the oil required to fuel an average car is 10 times higher than the cost of solar equipment required to power an electric vehicle, Carbon Tracker said. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-environment-autos-idUSKBN280094?taid=5fb76849f7584a000150113c&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter

From today's Free Press: GM: New batteries cut electric car costs, increase range DETROIT (AP) — General Motors says a pending breakthrough in battery chemistry will cut the price of its electric vehicles so they equal those powered by gasoline within five years. The technology also will increase the range per charge to as high as 450 miles. The company’s product development chief promised a small electric SUV that will cost under $30,000 and pledged to roll out 30 battery-powered models worldwide by 2025. Nearly all current electric vehicles cost more than $30,000. The announcement illustrates how fast electric vehicle technology is moving and shows that it may become the primary fuel for transportation faster than expected. More: https://apnews.com/article/business-chemistry-detroit-electric-vehicles-0928d1d1eda8fd9c6bdccb60dc6d348b Also posted an article in the "Climate" discussion about Nano-Diamond Battery technology which may blow your mind.

Yes, it's a beautiful park and a nice way to spend an evening or afternoon, but the whole Goldeyes business scheme has stunk from the beginning. Katz was self-dealing by billing the city for parties he held at his restaurant; the parking lot deal stinks to high heaven and him failing to disclose more financials for taxpayer subsidizies makes the fish smell even fishier. I could get behind the franchise if he wasn't involved at all, but I actively don't support the team because of the above. He's no different than Trump in a business sense - just on a much smaller scale.

Trump cannot win without Iowa, Ohio and Wisconsin. If other farmers in other states "benefit" from this avalanche of ag welfare, it's totally worthwhile for him if it works. I don't understand how this free money is ok under NAFTA 2.0.

That is an amazing and powerful documentary.

You don't have to look as far as Uganda to find the same type of story, unfortunately. "In North America, forced and coerced sterilization of Indigenous women is usually described as something of the past, a dark blemish in American history and a symptom of colonization and the 20th century eugenics movement. The data is sparse but significant: Anywhere from 25 to 50 percent of the Indigenous women of reproductive age in the U.S. were sterilized in the 1970s. In Canada, over 1000 Indigenous women were sterilized between 1966 and 1976, according to Karen Stote, researcher and author of An Act of Genocide, one of the only books on the history of forced sterilization in Canada. In the 1970s, both the U.S. and Canada stopped promoting pro-sterilization policies. But they didn’t outlaw them either. Then, four years ago, Indigenous women in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan began to come forward to say that this was still happening in Canada. Brenda Pelletier and Tracy Bannab were the first two women who told the Saskatoon Star Phoenix that they were pressured by staff to sign consent forms for tubal ligations while in the hospital delivering babies. In Canada, over 1000 Indigenous women were sterilized between 1966 and 1976. Now more than 100 Indigenous women from various nations in the region have come forward to say they were coerced or forced into a sterilization procedure as recently as 2018. Many are part of a class-action lawsuit led by Indigenous rights attorney Alisa Lombard, which has been developing since 2017. The women are calling for sweeping reform to the health system, and $7 million (CAD) each in damages." https://www.iwmf.org/reporting/indigenous-women-in-canada-are-still-being-sterilized-without-their-consent/

In case you're wondering why a "Democratic" state like Wisconsin is on that list you have to also know that their Republican State Senate is a barrier to proper controls: "Republicans, who in May successfully sued to strike down the governor’s stay-at-home order, have criticized Evers for taking unilateral steps to sidestep the Legislature and pass statewide orders. Evers, however, has said those steps have been necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19 and has encouraged Republicans to convene on further measures." https://madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/gov-tony-evers-says-hes-still-waiting-on-republican-covid-19-response-plan/article_a83f4365-3635-50ef-8cea-ac0565a3492e.html

The town that built back green By Annie Gowen OCTOBER 23, 2020 After a tornado demolished Greensburg, Kan., it rebuilt without carbon emissions. Can its lessons help communities and economies rebound from fires, hurricanes and covid-19? GREENSBURG, Kan. — After powerful tornadoes swept through Nashville earlier this year, killing 25 and leaving a trail of destruction for miles, one of the first calls officials made was to tiny Greensburg, population 900. A wind-swept farming community in southwestern Kansas, Greensburg rebuilt “green” after an EF5 tornado — the most violent — barreled through at more than 200 miles per hour and nearly wiped it off the map in 2007. A decade later, Greensburg draws 100 percent of its electricity from a wind farm, making it one of a handful of cities in the United States to be powered solely by renewable energy. It now has an energy-efficient school, a medical center, city hall, library and commons, museum and other buildings that save more than $200,000 a year in fuel and electricity costs, according to one federal estimate. The city saves thousands of gallons of water with low-flow toilets and drought-resistance landscaping and, in the evening, its streets glow from LED lighting. It’s exactly the kind of community Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden envisions when he talks about the need to conserve energy and transition away from fossil fuels towards wind, solar and other sources that do not emit the greenhouse gases driving climate change. President Trump has dismissed global warming and disparaged wind turbines as well as LED lighting and other forms of energy conservation. Greensburg is no liberal bastion. It sits in Kiowa County, where Trump handily beat Hillary Clinton in 2016, carrying 83 percent of the vote. But leaders there now are routinely consulted by communities around the world grappling with devastating weather events from wildfires, tsunami, earthquakes and floods — in Australia, China, Japan and Joplin, Mo. In March, the city council member in Nashville wanted to ask what kind of building codes or regulations could make its buildings more tornado-resistant going forward. (more) https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2020/10/22/greensburg-kansas-wind-power-carbon-emissions/?arc404=true

While I agree that the personal insults have gone beyond what is historically acceptable, I think it's important to discuss what other provincial governments are implementing as it is often a sign of things to come in other provinces. At least that's my justification for highlighting what the UCP government is up to.

A good rule of thumb for your particular source of information is have you ever seen them publicly correct or retract a story. If you have not, you can probably surmise that they are not in the journalism business, but rather the propaganda business.

People who dismiss the mainstream media are not aware that the actual mainstream media follows codes of journalistic standards and ethics. These standards should be available to view if you are willing to look for them. Keep in mind that people like Ezra Levant have actually used the "I'm not a journalist" as a defense in libel cases. Having taken journalism in college the first rule is that if you don't have multiple sources for your story, it will not run. Distrust in media totally ignores freedom of the press and that the press in all it's legitimate forms is meant to hold those in power accountable.

There was an interesting tweet in the last few days by a black person asking white people how long they have to wait in line. Not one person said more than 2 hours and there were a lot of replies. Anecdotal, I know...

Sounds like you are arguing for more unions. I'm encouraged. In a minority government, the Liberals had to be sure they had the votes to pass this, so they needed NDP support. You seem to understand this and yet you conclude with such a cynical take. No wonder people are apathetic about voting and distrust government.

I only engage "the list" after I realize that someone is trolling or purposefully misleading. Some people are just truly uninformed and I'll give them a window of opportunity to actually inform themselves.

It's sad, but if someone is working paycheque to paycheque with a part-time job (or 2) with no paid sick days, it becomes a little more easy to understand. As much as I hate when people act like heroes by coming into my white collar work environment sick, consider that COVID-19 effects the poorest among us the most. It's a matter of survival one way or the other for many.

The thing is, it doesn't have to be 2 or 3 months. Twice the virus lifecycle is all that's really required to flatten the curve and get things under control. That's only 28 days. If we don't shut down soon, the hospitals are going to get crushed.

"The Justice Department sued Donald Trump, his father, Fred, and Trump Management in order to obtain a settlement in which Trump and his father would promise not to discriminate. The case eventually was settled two years later after Trump tried to countersue the Justice Department for $100 million for making false statements. Those allegations were dismissed by the court." https://www.npr.org/2016/09/29/495955920/donald-trump-plagued-by-decades-old-housing-discrimination-case In 1989, a white investment banker was raped and left for dead in Central Park. Five black and brown teenagers, including 15-year-old Salaam, were charged with her rape. Two weeks after the attack, before any of the kids had faced trial, Trump took out a full-page advert in multiple New York papers calling for the death penalty. His inflammatory stunt is credited with prejudicing public opinion and contributing to the Central Park Five – now known as the Exonerated Five – going to prison for something they didn’t do. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/aug/31/yusef-salaam-trump-would-have-had-me-hanging-from-a-tree-in-central-park Privately, the president had often talked about fortifying a border wall with a water-filled trench, stocked with snakes or alligators, prompting aides to seek a cost estimate. He wanted the wall electrified, with spikes on top that could pierce human flesh. After publicly suggesting that soldiers shoot migrants if they threw rocks, the president backed off when his staff told him that was illegal. But later in a meeting, aides recalled, he suggested that they shoot migrants in the legs to slow them down. That’s not allowed either, they told him. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/10/02/trumps-most-insulting-violent-language-is-often-reserved-immigrants/ He's a racist. Period.

I really hope people took the time to click on that link.

"We must prevent people from voting or it will be the end of democracy!"

Health ministry to cut 11,000 AHS jobs to save $600M annually after three years Watch Live at 10 a.m.: Alberta plans to cut 11,000 Alberta Health Services jobs following a review in an effort to save $600 million annually. Lauren Boothby Publishing date: Oct 13, 2020 • Last Updated 45 minutes ago • Alberta plans to cut 11,000 Alberta Health Services jobs following a review in an effort to save $600 million annually. No layoffs are anticipated for front-line clinical staff including doctors and nurses, Health Minister Tyler Shandro told Postmedia Monday, but his office confirmed around 800 jobs would be lost through attrition over the next three years. The bulk of AHS jobs lost — about 9,700 positions — will come from outsourcing jobs in laboratories, housekeeping, food services, and laundry. A minimum of one hundred management jobs will also be cut. ... Outsourcing to private vendors will account for AHS cutting 2,000 laboratory jobs, 4,000 housekeeping jobs, 3,000 food service jobs, and 400 laundry jobs. The province said around 70 per cent of lab results are already contracted out, as is about 68 per cent of laundry. https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/health-ministry-to-cut-11000-ahs-jobs-to-save-600m-annually-after-three-years

I beg to differ. By Lena H. Sun May 10, 2018 at 3:32 p.m. CD The top White House official responsible for leading the U.S. response in the event of a deadly pandemic has left the administration, and the global health security team he oversaw has been disbanded under a reorganization by national security adviser John Bolton. The abrupt departure of Rear Adm. Timothy Ziemer from the National Security Council means no senior administration official is now focused solely on global health security. Ziemer’s departure, along with the breakup of his team, comes at a time when many experts say the country is already underprepared for the increasing risks of a pandemic or bioterrorism attack. Ziemer’s last day was Tuesday, the same day a new Ebola outbreak was declared in Congo. He is not being replaced. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2018/05/10/top-white-house-official-in-charge-of-pandemic-response-exits-abruptly/

John Brown is one of my favourite American historical figures. This show is far more entertaining than I could have hoped.

Hoping is what got North Dakota 24 reported COVID-19 fatalities on Wednesday alone. Manitoba had a total of 27 at the time.