iTunes U

[maxkone]

I've found that a great place to brush up on some of these new energy sources and technologies that are coming online or being researches is by using the iTunes U feature of the iTunes store. It's crazy all the stuff the have in there, discussions, lectures, full courses, audio, video...and it's all free!

Personally, I've been really drawn to listening to the M.I.T. public lectures and symposiums on Environment/Energy (http://deimos3.apple.com/WebObjects/Core.woa/Browse/mit.edu.1302861117). (this link launches the iTunes store if you have it)

And it seems to keep growing and growing. When I first went there, the MIT ones were basically the only ones that had a focus on the science of new energy technologies. I hadn't been back to ITunes U in a while, but it's obvious this whole "green" thing is getting taken seriously 'cause there's a LOT more choices and university offerings now.

Anyway, you guys should check it out...

[SkywlkrSnd]

I agree. I've been listening to these MIT audio clips for a long time now and they are truly fascinating. Probably my favorite is a 90 min. clip called "The Role of New Technologies in a Sustainable Energy Economy" with Daniel Nocera and Angela Belcher.

Angela focuses on organic/biological engineering and how microorganisms, through genetic information, intrinsically know how to do and build certain things. So what would happen if we taught them how to build other things, such as batteries or solar cells? To be honest, it's a little over my head and kind of science-fiction-like. But the fact is that there are people who are looking at these seemingly outlandish ideas and seriously thinking about the "what if we could do this" possibilities of our future. Exciting!

Dan is a solar guy. He's got a great sense of humor and is fun to listen to. With an interesting take on solar energy conversion...and photosynthesis. (Gotta love this line: "You eat the sugar; and you've released the energy of sunlight....Every time you bite the green leafy vegetable or plant, you're literally chewing photons from the sun." Ha! That's great.) And he fills you in on the secret behind Dasani water.

But the gem of this entire audio bit is Dan's rant about future energy needs and other emerging technologies. Think the answer to our energy crisis is anything other than solar? Well, he'll beg to differ. About 15 minutes into this clip, the topic comes up of how much energy will the human race require in the next 45 years with China, India, and Africa coming online. And Dan goes through a laundry list of each emering technology and how much evergy it will contribute to getting up to needed estimated 18 terawatts in 45 years. And this isn't just "how much will a few windmills get us" ....it's extreme in every sense. Just to show you what I mean, here's the first item on Dan's list to get to 18 terawatts:"The first thing I'm going to do is grow crops for all the biomass fans. I'm going to grow crops everywhere on the face of the earth. You can't eat anymore. I'm gonna take that dry weight of crop and convert it purely into energy. So no more eating. I only grow crops for energy. How much you think I'm gonna get? Number? I need 18.... Seven; only get seven. No more eating. And by the way, we don't know how to do that."
Okay...kind of a funny clip; but paints a really dim picture. But according to Dan, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and it's the sun. Yes, that was a very bad pun and I meant to do it. :) I find it hard to disagree with him after listening to the entire laundry list. The sun just puts out so much energy every single day on Earth. We just need to find the right way to harness it.

Anyway, these MIT lectures are great for anyone who's wanting to learn more about what potential technologies are being worked on. And I HIGHLY recommend this one in particular.

[ribonzz]

Well I don't understand about this iTunes U thing. What is the connection between energy and iTunes??

[jorkclark0]

thank u. all very clear now.