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Stuff of Progress: Iron
Iron: the fourth most abundant element on earth
Iron is the fourth most abundant element in the Earth's crust, and is found as an ore called Magnetite. Iron is crucial for creating steel, which is required for countries which are undergoing industrialization.
While we humans mine a lot of sophisticated metals like Aluminum and Titanium, Iron forms the skeleton of modern infrastructure.
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The early history of iron exploitation
Iron has been collected, mined and processed into its metallic form since 1200 BCE. Large scale production only started in 1750, at the start of the Industrial Revolution.
Steel, an alloy of Iron and Carbon is known for its purity and strength, and was patented by British inventor Sir Henry Bessemer in 1857. Steel helped humanity make stronger and larger tools, paving the way for industrialized progress.
Iron and the increased demand for wood
Scaling up of iron production in Great Britain, the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, led to a dramatic increase in the demand for wood. The creation of steel takes its toll on forests, with the requirement of charcoal, a residue of wood, to smelt iron and carbon.
Charcoal production, leading to demand for wood, has since then led to widespread deforestation with thousands of square kilometers of forests cut annually.
Iron in the Modern Age
- As the tools to produce steel got refined, they were made more energy efficient and produced higher-quality steel.
- The production of finished iron in 2018 is 1.8 million metric tonnes, as compared to 800,000 metric tonnes in the 18th century. China accounts for one of the leading producers of steel.
- The modern civilization is highly dependent on iron exploration and we continue to find newer ways to manufacture the metal with a minimum carbon footprint.
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The discovery and use of Uranium
Uranium was first used as a coloring agent in the manufacture of pottery. As early as 79 CE, naturally-occurring uranium oxide was ground up into a yellow powder and applied as a pottery glaze.
...Uranium and electrical energy
- Uranium is energy-dense. In 2018, uranium powered nuclear reactors produced 2,700 terawatt-hours of ultra low-carbon electricity. One terawatt-hour of energy is equivalent to the annual energy consumption of 27,000 European citizens.
- Electricity production from nuclear energy is one of the cleanest forms of energy production, even when nuclear waste is taken into account. Nuclear waste storage is currently resulting in little mortality and illness, as the waste is contained within the grounds of the nuclear power plants themselves.
Chemical disinfection is vital
Chemical disinfection has helped to improve life expectancy and considerably changed our collective standard of living.
It is inexpensive and always available, and is used ...
Early chemical disinfection
Basic chemical disinfection was employed since at least 3,000 BC, using alcohol, elemental copper and Sulfur, salt, sodium carbonate, and mild organic acids.
Sulfur fumigation was used widely throughout Europe through the Middle Ages, especially during outbreaks of plague. But disinfectants such as compounds of Sulfur, mercury, and copper were only moderately effective and highly toxic, resulting in health problems.
Effective deployment
The first notable effective deployment of disinfectants came in 1675 when a Dutch scientist noticed through the glass of his microscope that strong vinegar killed microorganisms.
In 1887, a British surgeon researched the effects of carbolic acid as a disinfectant in the operating theater. The results drastically reduced infection rates among patients.
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Transitional design
When decorating your house, you might consider the transitional design if you find both traditional and modern designs not suitable for you. Better go with the mix of the two. Accessories are kept ...
Traditional design
One of the most well-known interior designs is the traditional one. The dark wooden furniture is often ornately detailed and usually includes crystal chandeliers. Furthermore, among the popular patterns are: damask, florals, strips and plaids.
Maybe the best sign that you might be into this kind of design is the fact that you have a thing for consistency: matching furniture sets is basically the main rule when it comes to this design style.
Modern design
The modern design refers generally to a specific time period and it gets its features from the mix of Scandinavian, mid-century modern and post-modern design. Designers tend to prefer metal, chrome and glass integrated into a minimal decor.
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