Sea power
Plans to exploit temperature differences between the top and bottom of the Dead Sea are under consideration by the Israeli Ministry of Development.
The Dead Sea is particularly promising because the temperature at the surface reaches 40 掳C or more during the summer, while at a depth of 30 metres the temperature is a constant 20 掳C. More importantly, this difference can be found close to the shore. Similar studies in the nearby Gulf of Eilat show the temperature differences there are much less, even though the water is deeper. However, the differences that do occur last for longer periods throughout the year.
The difference in the Dead Sea is enough to operate a specially designed turbine, which can be used to drive a generator and to make electricity. Additionally, by using suitable condensers, it should be possible to produce fresh water as a by-product.
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No more mouldy cheese
Trials have started in Britain using certain acetoglyceride compounds as protective coatings for foods. The aim is to develop an edible substance which, applied as a thin skin by dipping, will provide a shield against contamination. It will need to have low oxygen permeability, letting the foodstuff breathe but killing off germs and fungi. If a satisfactory compound can be found, it would mean that skin only 0.001 inches thick would give as good protection as a 2-inch layer of paraffin wax.
One of the many attractive characteristics of this form of food protection is that when the films are applied to sliced meat, cheese or frozen foods they remain transparent even during long periods of storage, allowing consumers to see the food they are purchasing. A final selling point of such compounds is that not only are they edible, it seems they may have nutritional benefits too.
From The New 杏吧原创, 15 August 1957