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科学美国人60秒 SSS 将圣诞树变成食物和药品

时间:2019-12-10 06:33:06

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(单词翻译)

 

This is Scientific American — 60-Second Science. I'm Christopher Intagliata.

Given much thought to the afterlife of your Christmas tree? Your city might recycle it into compost or mulch. Or it might rot in a landfill, releasing methane1, a potent2 greenhouse gas. But seen through the eyes of a chemical engineer?

"I thought, ok, this could be a good resource." Cynthia Kartey of the University of Sheffield. She says the needles are 85 percent lignocellulose — a tough woody material. But using heat and cheap solvents3, Kartey says she can transform pine needles into a liquid product called "bio-oil," which contains glucose4, acetic5 acid, and phenols. Useful stuff.

"Glucose is used as sweetener in the food industry. Acetic acid is mainly used for the manufacture of paint and adhesives6. It is also used for the manufacture of vinegar. So basically the vinegar you use in your home is diluted7 acetic acid. And phenol is used in the manufacture of certain medicines."

Breaking down pine needles also yields a solid byproduct called "bio-char," which Kartey says can be used to drive other chemical reactions. And, although Christmas trees are only available seasonally8, she says the same techniques could be used year-round on other agricultural waste, like corn cobs and sugar cane9 stalks. The goal, she says, is ultimately zero waste.

"It would be an interesting way to decorate your house for Christmas and also get some paint from acetic acid, you could use again to paint your house. To decorate your house once Christmas is over."

Which could give a whole new meaning to 'deck the halls.'

Thanks for listening for Scientific American — 60-Second Science. I'm Christopher Intagliata.


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1 methane t1Eyx     
n.甲烷,沼气
参考例句:
  • The blast was caused by pockets of methane gas that ignited.爆炸是由数袋甲烷气体着火引起的。
  • Methane may have extraterrestrial significance.甲烷具有星际意义。
2 potent C1uzk     
adj.强有力的,有权势的;有效力的
参考例句:
  • The medicine had a potent effect on your disease.这药物对你的病疗效很大。
  • We must account of his potent influence.我们必须考虑他的强有力的影响。
3 solvents 034b168fe60271d2a244d289076119b4     
溶解的,溶剂
参考例句:
  • It is resistant to borohydride reduction in alcoholic solvents. 在醇溶剂中,它不能被硼氢化物还原。
  • Strains require special treatments for removal such as spotting with organic solvents. 要清除这些着色物质,需要特殊处理,例如:滴加有机溶剂。
4 glucose Fyiyz     
n.葡萄糖
参考例句:
  • I gave him an extra dose of glucose to pep him up.我给他多注射了一剂葡萄糖以增强他的活力。
  • The doctor injected glucose into his patient's veins.医生将葡萄糖注入病人的静脉。
5 acetic IfHy6     
adj.酸的
参考例句:
  • Acetic acid is one of the organic acids which have many uses.醋酸是用途最广泛的有机酸之一。
  • The wine in him has almost melted acetic acid.他一肚皮的酒几乎全化为了醋酸。
6 adhesives 13e253cdc27800dd9a236fa730288de4     
黏合剂( adhesive的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • These include dyes, adhesives, solvents, detergents, metals, and other foreign materials. 其中包括染料,粘合剂,溶剂,洗涤剂、金属等外界物质。
  • Preparation, properties and kinds of polyurethane adhesives were described. 综述了聚氨酯胶粘剂的合成、特性和种类。
7 diluted 016e8d268a5a89762de116a404413fef     
无力的,冲淡的
参考例句:
  • The paint can be diluted with water to make a lighter shade. 这颜料可用水稀释以使色度淡一些。
  • This pesticide is diluted with water and applied directly to the fields. 这种杀虫剂用水稀释后直接施用在田里。
8 seasonally ljbzVh     
参考例句:
  • The price of vegetables fluctuates seasonally. 蔬菜的价格随季节变动。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • They moved seasonally among various vegetation types to feed on plants that were flourishing. 它们还随着季节的变化而在各种类型植物之间迁移,以便吃那些茂盛的植物。 来自辞典例句
9 cane RsNzT     
n.手杖,细长的茎,藤条;v.以杖击,以藤编制的
参考例句:
  • This sugar cane is quite a sweet and juicy.这甘蔗既甜又多汁。
  • English schoolmasters used to cane the boys as a punishment.英国小学老师过去常用教鞭打男学生作为惩罚。

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