Renewable Energy for Sri Lanka

Renewable energy sources will undoubtedly have to replace fossil fuels in the future. Renewable Energy sources like sunlight, wind wave power, and geothermal heat are free and are not harmful to the environment. A complete and stabilized dependence on Renewable Energy sources would bring about economic, social and environmental sustainability to a country.

However, we are not ready to completely embrace this situation as yet. Only 16 percent of the world's energy demands come from renewables (according to wikipedia). while most of the technologies with respect to tapping renewable energy sources are still in research level, some technologies that are already present like photo voltaic cells need refinements to make them more practical and economical. Because of this reason, renewable energy is not considered "stable" by many. This has resulted in a certain reluctance in investing in renewable energy production. Investments in renewable energy are also considerably higher than investments made to improve or maximize results from non renewable sources, although in the long run, a proper and stable system generating energy from renewables will be economically beneficial.

In a situation like this, it is essential to consider whether Sri Lanka, a developing country should primarily invest on these new methods of renewable energy production. Since at present most of the involved technologies are still in an experimental phase, setting aside major investments on renewables alone will be like experimenting with the fragile economy of the still developing country. While it is true that renewable energy sources are profitable in the long run, a large investment in a potential renewable energy generation project that does not turn out to work as expected, can damage the economy of the country. An important fact to note is that most of Sri Lanka's electricity comes from hydroelectric plants, which themselves are renewable sources. Hydroelectricity in Sri Lanka has been tried and tested and found to work extremely well so far, satisfying the country's electricity needs without harming the environment.

The best argument put forward for renewable energy is that it is environmentally friendly. Sri Lanka, on this matter would have no problems because unlike most countries, because most of its electricity comes from hydroelectric plants. In this sense, Sri Lanka already has a working and stable renewable energy production system in place. Therefore it is more advisable to invest in expanding and improving the hydroelectric plants than to invest in experimental technologies that may or may not work. Also not having proper R&D facilities on this area, to shift into renewables at once will mean dependence on another party which is also not very useful.  Once the country reaches economic stability and develops the resources in technology and infrastructure new methods of renewable energy production can be given consideration.

image from wikipedia

Dolby 3D at MC superior

MC superior 3D is at present, Sri Lanka's only 3D cinema. The technology used at this cinema is not known to many. There are several 3D projection techniques that are used around the world today. They are,
Anaglyph Stereoscopy - the well known red-green glass method, Polarization methods as used in "RealD 3D", LCD shutter-glass method which is used in LCD TVs and monitors, Interference filter method - a modification of the anaglyph method and, Autostereoscopy which provides glasses free 3D for portable devices- for example the Nintendo 3DS gaming console and LG optimus 3D and HTC Evo 3D smartphones.

The Majestic Superior 3D theatre uses Dolby 3D technology. The glasses issued and the intro displayed before the movie starts says so. This Dolby technology is an interference filter method which is an improvement over the old anaglyph method. What it does is, it provides two different full colour images with slightly different wavelengths to each eye thus giving rise to the illusion of a third dimension. The projector consists of a colour filter wheel which filters the light before it hits the screen. The viewers glasses contain complementary filters that filter light according to its wavelength and gives two images required for 3D, to each eye of the viewer with two different shades of primary colours (created by a difference in wavelength). This can be seen by holding the glasses about 1 foot away and looking through both lenses at the screen before the movie starts. Two different "tints" will be seen through the two lenses. The colour filter wheel can also be disengaged from the projector giving only 2D images. This means that the same theatre can be used for 2D movies as well.

image from : dolby website

image from : wikipedia

More information :
http://www.dolby.com/us/en/professional/technology/cinema/dolby-3d.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_film

Little Chell in Portal 2

We are introduced to the Silent but active test subject known only as Chell in Portal, and the game ends when Chell destroys Glados and the Aperture science lab. We meet Chell again in Portal 2. This game though has a clue about Chell's past and her previous involvement with the Aperture science lab. It turns out Chell was a daughter of a Aperture science lab employee because Chells name can be seen in one of the children's projects showcased at "Bring your Daughter to work day" held sometime in the past at the science lab. The potato in little Chells potato battery, has grown through the roof leaving a distinct mark on the Aperture science lab, showing a similarity to the impact Chell has on the Aperture science laboratory.

notice Chell's name on the bottom right corner..

  

"I drink your milkshake!!"

Arguably one of the best movies of the decade, the movie "There will be blood" perfectly encapsulated the the ugly side of the oil industry. It showed how the power hungry and powerful people exploit the weak and the evil effects of greed. While some may argue that those savage days are behind us, what happens today is more or less the same thing, done only with a mask of so-called civilization.

There are numerous examples in today's world of the strong exploiting the weak, and it often goes to the extent of invading someone else's land just to exploit its resources. Due to this reason a cloud of uncertainty and danger looms over any nation that already has or are about to discover natural oil reserves in their land, for they are under the risk of an invasion. It is also a well accepted that if a third world war is to occur it will be over crude oil.

The recent discovery of possible petroleum deposits at the Mannar Basin in Sri Lanka, brought a lot of excitement with it because if commercially exploited,(which has been proved possible) it would be a great boost to the country's economy. However it also is a matter of concern because recent developments in similar countries were not what you would expect in a civilized world. This is why when moving into the world oil industry we must be careful, because we don't wan't anyone else drinking our milkshake.

too late, I drank your milkshake!  image from - wikipedia

A Classification of Metamorphic Rocks

Metamorphic rocks can be classified according to the location of occurrence, chemical composition, texture and structure, and mineralogical composition.
The classification with regard to location was done in the past but is not used today. The chemical classification is primarily used for carbonate metamorphic rocks because they are easy to dissolve. This classification is not common in Silica based rocks.
Silicate rocks are classified with regard to the texture and structure of the rocks as follows
1.  Foliated Rocks
According to the degree and size of foliation, it is further subdivided into the following categories
-Slaty foliation
-Phyllitic Foliation
-Shistose foliation
-Gneissic Foliation
2.  Non Foliated Rocks
non foliated rocks are further subdivided into granular rocks where individual grains can be identified, and massive rocks in which no such features can be found.
After visual observation of the rocks and the determination of the relative abundances of minerals, the rocks are given names that indicate the principal minerals and the structural and textural features. For example, "Garnet, Sillimanite, Graphite Schist" is a rock that contains amounts of the minerals mentioned in that order and has a Shistose Foliation.

A Classification of Igneous Rocks

Igneous rocks can be classified according to several criteria such as method of formation and occurrence, mineralogical content, and textual features.

Igneous rocks can be classified into four types according to its method of solidification and mode of occurrence.
1.  Pyroclastic Rocks
these rocks re formed by the material ejected to the atmosphere by a volcanic eruption. These rocks mainly consist of fine ash particles but can have larger particles as well (known as lapilli, blocks and bombs). These are somewhat similar to Sedimentary rocks.
2.  Volcanic Rocks
These rocks are formed when lava solidifies at the surface of the earth and the rapid cooling gives rise to fine grained rocks or rocks with a glassy texture such as Obsidian.
3.  Hypabyssal
These rocks parts of igneous bodies that are close to the earth surface and usually contain a fine grained texture.
4.  Plutonic Rocks
These are the rocks that solidify beneath the surface, and the slow cooling gives rise to coarse grains.

According to the mineralogical content rocks can be classified as follows,
1.  Ultra Basic / Ultra mafic
Has less than 45% of SiO2, and dark in colour. Mafic minerals(Olivine. Pyroxene) are dominant. eg. Peridotite, Komatite
2.  Basic / Mafic
45-50% SiO2 and lighter in colour. eg Gabbro, Basalt
3.  Intermediate
Feldspar is dominant. eg. Diorite, Andesite
4.  Acidic / Felsic
Quartz is dominant eg. Granite Ryolite

The textural classification is as below,
1.  Phaneritic
Coarse grained texture - produced by slow cooling
2.  Aphanitic
Fine grained texture- produced by rapid cooling
3.  Glassy
Non crystalline - very rapid cooling
4.  Porphyritic, Vitrophirc - Phenocrysts in fine grained and glassy matrix respectively.
5. Cavity textures - Vesicular, Amygdaloidal, miarotitic.
6.  Intergrowths - Graphic textures

Diagenesis

Diagenesis is the set of processes that convert deposited sediments into a sedimentary rock. These processes include chemical, physical and biological changes of the sediment. Diagenesis takes place at a depth of a few kilometers in the upper crust. For instance deposited mud turns to shale, sand turns to sandstone and gravel turns to Conglomerate as the result of Diagenesis.
The following distinct processes are included in Diagenesis.
1.  Compaction
The pressure due to the overburden causes the compresses the sediments forcing air and water out. This is also known as Consolidation.
2.  Re-crystallization
This refers the formation of new mineral crystals over existing grains. For example, Quartzite sandstone is formed by the development of silica on quartz grains.
3.  Cementation
This is the solidification of loose grains as a result of another mineral acting as a cement. Common cements include Iron oxide, Clay, Silica, and Calcium Carbonate.

A Classification of Sedimentary Rocks

Sedimentary rocks are the rocks formed by sediments. Sediments are  formed through the destruction and breaking down of previously formed rocks. Sediments are created by the processes of weathering and erosion, undergo transportation, accumulation and deposition and finally undergo a process known as diagenesis to produce Sedimentary Rocks. Physical factors such as Wind (aeolian), Water (alluvial), and Gravity(colluvial) aid the sedimentation process.

Sedimentary rocks are usually characterized by their structure and appearance. features such as bedding planes, ripple marks, mud cracks and fossils not only help identify sedimentary rocks but they also help to determine other properties of the rock such as age, environment of deposition, and the orientation of the original bedding.

image from -  wikipedia

The environments where sedimentation takes place, are classified as Continental environments, Shoreline environments and Marine Environments. According to the method of formation of sedimantary rocks in these environments Sedimentary rocks are classified as follows,

1.  Detrital/Clastic Sedimentary Rocks

Detrital sedimentary rocks are formed by the accumulation of solid particles and debris from pre-formed rocks (detritus). These rocks consist of fragments of rock and minerals. Depending on the Size and Shape of these fragments, several types of rock can be identified.
A cementation of large, rounded pebbles or gravel is identified as a Conglomerate. If the gravel and fragments are sharp and angular, it's called Breccia. According to the grain size of the rock and whether it contains sand sized particles or mud or silt the rocks are named as Sandstone, Siltstone or Shale. These rocks are formed mainly in Continental and Shoreline Environments.

2.  Chemical Sedimentary Rocks
Chemical Sedimentary rocks are formed by the precipitation of material from solutions. These rocks can be formed in water basins as well as in underground formations involving water such as Limestone Caves. According to the chemicals that precipitate to create these rocks are classified into groups such as, Carbonates(Limestone, calc tuffa, travertine), Silicates(Opal, Chalcedony, Agate), Ferruginous(limonite, Goethite), Allitic(laterite, bauxite), Halides(rock salt), Sulphates(Gypsum), and Phosphates(phosphorite).

3.  Biogenic Sedimentary Rocks
Biogenic sedimentary rocks are formed through the vital activity of plants and animals. The building up of animal tissue by using materials in water leads to the formation of these types of rocks. The accumulation of skeletal remains of organisms like marine vertebrae and even diatoms also end up in the formation of biogenic sedimentary rocks. Another point worth noting is that fossils of prehistoric animals can be found only in sedimentary rocks. Carbonates such as fossileferous limestone, siliceous diatomite and caustobioliths such as coal belong to this type. These rocks are primarily formed in Marine environments

4.  Sedimentary Rocks of Mixed Origin
Some sedimentary rocks exhibit properties that belong to more than one of the above types. These rocks are complex and contain detrital, as well as biogenic properties described above to a certain extent. Examples of these rocks are Marls, Calcareous sandstone and Siliceous Clay.