Sea Journeys

2026-10-07 Wednesday - Steps Planned - Steps Being Taken

2026-10-07T21:26:30.906-07:00

For several decades, I have lived a very frugal life. Partially this was due to my nature, partially due to a family obligation that hung over my head, and partially due to my foresight in anticipating a coming financial crisis that will dwarf 1929, 1987, 1997, 2001-2003, 2007-2009, 2020, and 2022.

Step-1: Completed

For the past many years, my latitude of freedom to travel has been constrained by a family obligation. That obligation has now ended.

Step-2: Completed.

To maximize my "runway" to travel for extended periods of time, I have been consolidating/eliminating expenses. In 2023 I looked ahead, and could see the oncoming storm – and began implementing a strategy that I call "Get Small".

Step-3: In progress. Only two sub-tasks remain - one of which (a major component) will be completed next week. The other could be completed within the following 2-3 weeks, or no later than Spring 2027.

The final step will just be a decision, on WHEN to initiate the final financial move – that will ensure that my travels can continue indefinitely.

[image source: artist unknown, pixabay dot com]

"The Road goes ever on and on,
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say."

– Bilbo Baggins (The Fellowship of the Ring)

August 2026 - Latitude38 magazine Caption Contest

2026-08-02T08:45:02.045-07:00

https://www.latitude38.com/issues/august-2026/

My submission made it into the Top 10.
See page-38:

[image source: August 2026, Latitude38.com]

phys.org - Chicken kidney sponge could be 'outstanding' at cleaning up polluted ports

2026-07-29T21:45:18.092-07:00

Chicken kidney sponge could be 'outstanding' at cleaning up polluted ports

"'Here we show that some sponge species have exceptional potential for use in the restoration of degraded harbor habitats,' said Dr. Manuel Maldonado, group leader at the Center for Advanced Studies of Blanes in Girona, Spain. "'In our new study in Frontiers in Marine Science, we tested five species, and among them the chicken liver sponge Chondrosia reniformis demonstrated an outstanding ability to adapt to these challenging conditions and even thrive.'"

"Sponges are true ecosystem engineers. Sponge populations filter thousands of liters of seawater daily, removing heavy metals, pathogenic bacteria, viruses and organic particles while recycling nutrients through their symbiotic microbes. This doesn't just improve water quality but also delivers energy and organic matter to the food web. Sponges also provide shelter for worms, crustaceans and juvenile fish."

"All individuals of C. crambe, S. scalaris and I. oros gradually shrank in size and lingered between 20 and 165 days before dying. In contrast, C. reniformis thrived and even reproduced asexually: 91.7% of the original animals survived in the port throughout the entire monitoring period of 455 days."

ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Mar. Sci., 29 July 2026
Sec. Marine Conservation and Sustainability
Volume 13 - 2026 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2026.1875098
In search of resilient sponges as candidate habitat engineers for the renaturalization of polluted harbor environments

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2026.1875098/full

December in Falmouth, Cornwall, England?

2026-07-13T18:31:16.717-07:00

[image source: Wikimedia maps]

Research Notes:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornwall

"Cornwall has a temperate oceanic climate (Köppen climate classification: Cfb), with mild winters and cool summers. Cornwall has the mildest and one of the sunniest climates of the United Kingdom, as a result of its oceanic setting and the influence of the Gulf Stream.[73] The average annual temperature in Cornwall ranges from 11.6 °C (52.9 °F) on the Isles of Scilly to 9.8 °C (49.6 °F) in the central uplands. Winters are among the warmest in the country due to the moderating effects of the warm ocean currents, and frost and snow are very rare at the coast and are also rare in the central upland areas. Summers are, however, not as warm as in other parts of southern England.[74] The surrounding sea and its southwesterly position mean that Cornwall's weather can be relatively changeable."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falmouth,_Cornwall

"Falmouth was founded in 1613 by the Killigrew family on a site near the existing Pendennis Castle. It developed as a port on the Carrick Roads harbour, overshadowing the earlier town of Penryn. In the 19th century after the arrival of the railways, tourism became important to its economy. In modern times, both industries maintain a presence in Falmouth and the town is also home to the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, a campus of Falmouth University and Falmouth Art Gallery. At the 2021 census the parish had a population of 24,032."
"The name Falmouth is of English origin, a reference to the town's situation on the mouth of the River Fal."
"In 1805 news of Britain's victory and Admiral Nelson's death at Trafalgar reached Falmouth from the schooner Pickle and was taken to London by post chaise."
"The Falmouth Docks were developed from 1858,[19] and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) opened Falmouth Lifeboat Station nearby in 1867."
"Between 1943 and 1944, Falmouth was a base for American troops preparing for the D-Day invasions."

I was looking at the map of Southern England today, focusing on area around Lands End, and nearby harbors (spurred by the current Atlantic crossing voyage of S/V Tally Ho, en route to the UK) - and as I explored the photos for the area, I was also checking hotels, on a lark - thinking how nice it might be to spend my birthday this year in some snug harbor along the coast.

I definitely think a week in the Falmouth area might be very interesting.

Here are some of the hotels that caught my attention, in particular:

St Michael's Resort (8.8 stars, 945 reviews)
Gyllyngvase Beach, Falmouth, England, TR11 4NB

Greenbank Hotel (9.4 stars, 1,009 reviews)
Harbour side, Falmouth, England, TR11 2SR

Travel Research:

I will research pricing/connections flying out of one of the following (for the moment):

Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
Washington (IAD - Washington Dulles Intl.)
John F. Kennedy Intl. (JFK)
Newark Liberty Intl. Airport (EWR)
LaGuardia (LGA)

UK Airport Options:

Newquay Cornwall Airport (NQY): ~25 miles away. Best for quick domestic connections and select European flights.

Exeter Airport (EXT): ~85 miles away. Best for a broader range of European destination.

Bristol Airport (BRS): ~150 miles away from Falmouth. May be best for direct, long-haul international flights.

YouTube Videos:

Cornish Language & Cornish Dialect/Accent:

Cornish dialect: Jon Mills with Alistair McGowan on BBC's The ONE Show

July 2026 - S/V Tally Ho tracker - en route to UK

2026-07-08T15:29:23.398-07:00

I'm following Leo Golden's progress, as he sails S/V Tally Ho to the UK.

https://share.garmin.com/TallyHoVoyage

2026-07-08 Wed SNAPSHOT:

source: 2026-07-08 Wed - SNAPSHOT - Tally Ho Voyage on share.garmin.com/TallyHoVoyage

Additional Information:

July 2026 - Latitude38 magazine Caption Contest

2026-06-30T10:48:38.963-07:00

https://www.latitude38.com/issues/july-2026/

My submission made it into the Top 10.

See page-39:

[image source: July 2026, Latitude38.com]

2026 May - Latitude38 magazine Caption Contest

2026-05-29T23:25:12.393-07:00

https://www.latitude38.com/issues/may-2026/

My submission made it into the Top 10.

See page-35:

[image source: May 2026, Latitude38.com]

2026 April - Latitude38 magazine Caption Contest

2026-03-31T15:07:00.000-07:00

https://www.latitude38.com/issues/april-2026/

My submission made it into the Top 10.

See page-37:

2026 March - Latitude38 magazine Caption Contest

2026-03-31T15:06:00.000-07:00

https://www.latitude38.com/issues/march-2026/

My submission made it into the Top 10.

See page-33:

2026-02-12 Thursday - Reflecting - Three Years On

2026-02-12T15:52:00.000-08:00

Next month (March 2026) will the the 3-year anniversary of having arranged for the destruction of my 1963 35 foot Pearson Alberg sailboat (S/V Sashy).

I do not regret that decision. It was needful, and necessary.

Like a cloud that hangs over my head, I am still hindered in my desire to return to the sea - by a family obligation.

But, I have begun thinking about the call of the ocean, more. That love affair has never ended - and I am just tarrying for awhile longer.

2026-05-24 Sunday: Update

My family obligation has now ended.

2026 February - Latitude38 magazine Caption Contest

2026-01-31T17:12:00.000-08:00

https://www.latitude38.com/issues/february-2026/

My submission made it into the Top 10.

See page-81:

[image source: Latitude38.com]

Oregon's Abandoned Boat Problem

2025-11-27T10:57:13.021-08:00

Advice on Buying Your First Cruising Sailboat

2025-11-03T15:43:00.000-08:00

Lin & Larry Pardey's advice:

"Go small, go simple, but go Now!"

THE COST CONSCIOUS CRUISER: CHAMPAGNE CRUISING ON A BEER BUDGET

https://www.amazon.com/-/he/Lin-Pardey/dp/1840370785

My particular advice:

Never buy a new boat
Treat your first crusing boat purchase like you would budget to buy a used bicycle, with training wheels.
There are plenty of good reliable boats for sale, under $20K - and often, for $10K or less.
If you pay attention to lien sales, and marina auctions - you can find some real bargains.
There are non-profits that acquire used boats - and turn-around and sell them. Those can be interesting sources for finding very discounted boats for sale.
Programs like Sea Scouts often sell donated boats, too.
I would also consider looking for boats that were damaged after recent hurricanes - and there are some sites that specialize in selling salvaged boats.
Some of the most motivated boat sellers are folks going through a divorce, who have lost a job, or have to relocate for a job.
There is a non-zero probability that some couples who annually make the crossing ("The Pacific Puddle Jump") to places like Tahiti - that will be *very* eager to sell their boat upon arrival.

Now, there are some that would argue that buying a used boat, or one that is hurricane-damaged, or designated as "salvaged" - will require you to do repairs yourself (to keep the refit costs reasonable)...and that is true - but trust me when I tell you - you are going to need to learn how to do repairs yourslef - BEFORE you embark on a cruise of any appreciable distance. Better to do that in a location that has ready access to marine supply stores, marine professionals, etc.

For it is a saltwater truism:

The definition of Cruising: "Fixing your boat in exotic locations."

“The cure for anything is saltwater – sweat, tears, or the sea.”

– Isak Dinesen

(2004, Bahia Balandra, Baja Sur Mexico)

New Research: Why Do Killer Whales Keep Handing Us Fish?

2025-07-05T16:47:00.000-07:00

Testing the Waters: Attempts by Wild Killer Whales (Orcinus orca) to Provision People (Homo sapiens)

https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2026-29805-001.html

"Altruistic behaviors such as prey sharing are prosocial acts that can instigate and perpetuate various forms of reciprocity. Subsequent relationship dynamics provide a foundation for the evolution of societal norms and associated encephalization in social taxa, like primates and dolphins. Some cultures within these families benefit from interactions with other mammal species but accounts of any wild animals attempting to provision humans are extremely rare. In this article, we present 34 cases of both sexes and all age classes of killer whales (Orcinus orca) offering prey and other items to people who were on boats (n = 21), in the water (n = 11), and on shore (n = 2) in four oceans. A total of 18 species were offered—six fishes, five mammals, three invertebrates, two birds, one reptile, and one seaweed. In almost every case the whales awaited a human response before subsequently reacting. The occurrence of these events suggests a limited cost to exploratory behaviors in some populations of this species. We suggest these apparently nonrandom cases may be representative of interspecific generalized altruism. This behavior may represent some of the first accounts of any wild predator intentionally using prey and other items to directly explore human behavior and thus may highlight the evolutionary convergence of intellect between highest order primates and dolphins."

Graphene Filter Desalination

2025-05-30T18:48:00.000-07:00

[image credit: dimitrisvetsikas1969 on pixabay.com]

This blog post is a placeholder for collecting links to interesting research papers, background reading, etc. - on the topic of graphene filters for saltwater desalination.

Suggested Background Reading:

Australia’s Graphene Filter Makes Salt Water Drinkable in Seconds

"Scientists at Monash University have developed a graphene-based filter that can desalinate ocean water instantly using minimal energy."

"The filter is just a few atoms thick, made from graphene oxide with nanoscopic pores that allow water molecules through while blocking salt and other impurities. Unlike traditional desalination, which uses energy-intensive reverse osmosis, this filter works passively under low pressure—making it ideal for remote or disaster-stricken regions."

"Its efficiency could help solve water scarcity for millions. Tests show it can purify seawater faster and more effectively than any existing system, without relying on heavy infrastructure"

New Monash-designed water filter removes stubborn ‘forever chemicals’

"The research team designed a beta-cyclodextrin (βCD) modified graphene oxide (GO-βCD) membrane with nanoscale channels that selectively retain PFAS while allowing water to pass through."

"In tests, the Monash membrane significantly outperformed traditional polyamide membranes, which typically remove only about 35 per cent of short-chain PFAS. The team also confirmed that the membrane creates an energetic barrier that prevents PFAS movement, effectively blocking contamination."

"Study first author and Monash PhD candidate, Eubert Mahofa, highlighted the significance of this breakthrough in PFAS filtration: 'PFAS are difficult to manage because they dissolve easily in water and can spread far from their original source, making contamination challenging to contain and remediate. Removing small PFAS molecules from water has been a major hurdle for existing filters,'"

Paper:

Manipulating Intrapore Energy Barriers in Graphene Oxide Nanochannels for Targeted Removal of Short-Chain PFAS

"Removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water has become a research topic of interest in recent times. However, it is very challenging to remove short-chain (<C₈) PFAS from water sources using traditional means, especially in mixtures. Herein, a β-cyclodextrin (βCD)-modified graphene oxide (GO-βCD) membrane is designed with asymmetrically sized nanochannels that exhibit strong affinitive binding interactions with PFAS. PFAS transport is significantly hindered within the GO-βCD lamella due to interactions with the strategically embedded βCD sites and complementary molecular dynamics simulations reveal that short-chain PFAS exhibit ∼20% stronger binding affinity to βCD compared to that of alternative structures of cyclodextrins. The GO-βCD membrane demonstrates remarkable simultaneous retention of over 90% from a mixture of perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA), perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) while achieving a permeance of 21.7 ± 2 L m^–2 h^–1 bar^–1 and upconcentrating the feed by ∼300%. The performance of GO-βCD was compared to that of polyamide membranes, which exhibit a significant decline in capacity to retain short-chain PFAS (∼35% for PFBA). In combining permeation experiments and molecular dynamics simulations with the transition state theory model, it was demonstrated that the energy barrier for transport of PFAS is greater within the GO-βCD laminar architecture compared to that of GO-αCD and pristine GO. These modified membranes have strategically embedded sites capable of hindering PFAS transport and provide an approach for removing broad-spectrum PFAS under realistic conditions, over long-term operation (24 h), and at concentrations relevant to surface and ground waters."

Other Suggested Papers:

Advanced Thermal Optimization of Solar Stills Using Encapsulated Phase Change Materials and Graphene Oxide Nanoparticles for Enhanced Energy Efficiency

"Solar desalination is a widely employed system that harnesses solar energy to produce drinking water. The key advantages of solar stills include that the generation of freshwater is a renewable energy-based, eco-friendly, and cost-effective process. This sustainable approach addresses the critical need for clean water while minimizing ecological impact and offering economic benefits. In the solar still system, the configuration of the absorber plays a crucial role, as an ineffective absorber can lead to lower thermal performance and reduced water productivity. This investigation focuses on an absorber design that incorporates a tube container containing Phase Change Material (PCM) of paraffin wax. The encapsulation of PCM within the still enhances heat transfer and provides heat energy, especially during radiation fluctuations. Moreover, the thermal properties of the PCM were improved by introducing graphene oxide nanoparticles dispersed within. Three different concentrations of graphene oxide (0.3 wt%, 0.6 wt%, and 0.9 wt%) were investigated. It was explored that paraffin with 0.9 wt% graphene oxide nanoparticle demonstrates superior thermal performance compared to paraffin alone. Significantly, at a concentration of 0.9 wt%, the paraffin/graphene oxide nanoparticles showed increased water productivity, temperature, and still thermal efficiency by around 33.9%, 41.2%, and 68.7%, respectively."

Emerging membrane technologies for sustainable water treatment: a review on recent advance

"The growing scarcity of freshwater resources, coupled with industrial pollution, necessitates the development of efficient and sustainable water treatment technologies. Membrane-based desalination and heavy metal removal processes are at the forefront of these technologies, providing efficient and reliable solutions to meet the growing demand for clean water. This study provides a comprehensive review on recent advancements in desalination technologies, focusing on emerging materials that have significantly influenced desalination and heavy metal removal performances. A meticulous screening of recent review papers on both along with experimental studies published within the last year is provided, thereby offering an updated perspective on the ongoing experiments dedicated to water treatment using membranes. Notably, this review considers various membrane types, including nanocomposites, biomimetic, thin-film composites, hybrids, and membranes associated with forward osmosis. Results indicate that nanocomposite membranes, thin-film composite membranes, and forward osmosis membranes are widely used for desalination and heavy metal removal compared to hybrid and biomimetic membranes. This widespread utilization can be attributed to their well-established fabrication techniques, robust mechanical properties, high removal%, and better scalability for industrial applications. In contrast, while hybrid and biomimetic membranes are promising, they are still under development and facing challenges pertaining to material synthesis, cost, and integration into existing systems."

Interfacial Engineering of Sulfonated Polyethersulfone/ZIF-8 Forward Osmosis Membranes: Applying Sulfonation and Interlayers for Enhanced Desalination Performance

"This study explores the strategic synthesis of sulfonated polyethersulfone (SPES) with tunable sulfonation degrees to engineer selective interfacial layers (SLs) for thin-film composite (TFC) forward osmosis (FO) membranes. To overcome the persistent trade-off between water permeability and salt rejection in conventional TFC membranes, this work introduces an interlayer engineering strategy utilizing zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 nanoparticles (ZIF-8 NPs). Unlike traditional approaches that focus solely on membrane surface modification, the integration of ZIF-8 as a nanostructured interlayer addresses interfacial defects and enhances solute screening by leveraging its molecular sieving capabilities and hydrophilicity through the Janus membrane effect. SPES-based membranes exhibited a notable enhancement for water flux from 15.23 to 32.12 L/m² h compared to neat polyethersulfone (PES) SLs. Simultaneously, the salt rejection effectively reached 93.9% for SPES/ZIF-8/PA(#2). XRD and FTIR analyses confirmed the crystallinity and chemical integrity of ZIF-8 NPs, while FESEM revealed their uniform dispersion across the SL surface. Notably, the sulfonation process not only enhanced surface porosity but also created a chemically reactive interface for ZIF-8 anchoring, a dual-functionality rarely achieved in prior studies. The findings offer a scalable framework for designing high-performance TFC membranes with hierarchically engineered interfaces, paving the way for next-generation desalination and resource recovery systems."

Surface Roughness Engineering for High-Salt-Tolerant Solar Evaporator with Enhanced Efficiency in Sustainable Desalination

"The accumulation of dense crystal layers on solar evaporators compromises performances by reducing light absorption efficiency and obstructing water transport channels, ultimately diminishing evaporation rate. To mitigate this issue, spatially separated crystallization sites can be engineered on the evaporator surface to disrupt salt adhesion and prevent dense layers formation. In this study, we developed a 3D column-shaped wood evaporator (KAC-DW) by coating delignified wood (DW) with KOH-activated carbon (KAC). The KAC coating creates microstructured surface featuring abundant protrusions (~144 mm−2, each 20 μm in height), which effectively inhibit salt crystal adhesion. Under 1 kW m−2 solar radiation with a 15 wt% NaCl solution, the KAC-DW evaporator achieved an impressive water evaporation rate of 8.18 kg m−2 h−1 over 96 h (0 m s−1 wind speed)—more than double the performance of uncoated DW (3.91 kg m−2 h−1). This enhancement stems from two key mechanisms: (1) the KAC protrusions prevent dense crystal layer formation, preserving open surface channels for evaporation, and (2) they promote the growth of loose salt crystals, thereby expanding the effective evaporation area and further boosting the evaporation rate."

Scalable Multifunctional Fabrics with Boosted Intrinsic Photothermal Efficiency for Salt-Resistant Solar-Driven Janus Evaporators

"Global population growth and climate change are causing freshwater scarcity, which necessitates creative solutions like solar-driven desalination. This technology's widespread adoption is hampered by cost and efficiency issues. Intrinsic photothermal conversion efficiency has gotten less attention than light trapping and thermal management, which have been the main focuses of efforts to increase photo-to-vapor efficiencies. Here, a commercial padding and vapor polymerization method are used to develop scalable nylon fabrics that act as solar absorbers. This is achieved by anchoring iron catalysts with hydrolyzed perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane chains, which cause confined polymerization of pyrrole to generate polypyrrole. By narrowing the bandgap and generating bioinspired light-trapping nanostructures, this technique achieves a superior intrinsic photothermal conversion efficiency of 84.6%, which is 4.94 times higher than that of unconfined polymerization. These fabrics are used to create a Janus evaporator, which operates steadily in prolonged seawater testing and shows an evaporation rate of 3.84 kg m⁻² h⁻¹. The low manufacturing cost of ≈28 RMB m⁻² emphasizes its scalability and economic potential. This work offers insights into the design of high-performance, scalable, and cost-effective solar absorbers by prioritizing increases in light absorption and intrinsic photothermal conversion efficiencies for developing solar desalination technology."

Robust Design of Fiber Bundle Reinforced PES Hollow Fiber Loose Nanofiltration Membranes With Long-Term Operation Stability

"Usually, reinforcement is introduced into the membrane matrix to solve the problem of hollow fiber membranes with poor mechanical properties. Herein, the fiber bundle reinforced PES hollow fiber loose NF membranes with GO doping were fabricated by the skin-core fiber spinning technology and concentric circle method in order to overcome the easily collapsible hollow fiber membrane at medium and high-pressure operation. The reinforced structure and content of GO exhibited noticeable effects on the structure and properties of membranes. On the one hand, the fiber bundle constructed the excellent mechanical properties of the membrane (185 MPa) for enhancing the lateral pressure resistance, which was beneficial for long-term stability. On the other hand, the high permeation flux and efficient dye desalination property were obtained due to the doping of GO. For example, the permeation flux of the obtained PPG-3 membrane was up to 115.6 L m⁻² h⁻¹ with the rejection of Congo red (99.8%) and MgCl₂ (only 4.0%). Consequently, the GO-doping and fiber bundle reinforced way could be considered as a synergistic effect to prepare the high permeation flux and long-term operation stability of the hollow fiber loose NF membranes, which will be suitable for dye desalination in textile wastewater treatment."

Janus Membrane for Simultaneous Water Purification and Power Generation

"The intricate water‐energy nexus pinpoints the necessity of simultaneously managing both resources. The effective interaction between water movement and porous materials lies at the heart of membrane processes as well as hydrovoltaic technology. Herein, an innovative water‐energy cogeneration system combining hydrovoltaic technology into membrane distillation processes is reported, leveraging hierarchically porous structures composed of polyaniline (PANI) and polydopamine (PDA)‐modified carbon nanotubes (CNTs) nanofilaments on a commercial PVDF substrate. The heat‐conductive CNTs network with the water‐rich PDA, improves thermal efficiency, enhancing water production by 17.3% compared to bare PVDF. Synergistically enhanced by efficient ion transport within the PANI network, electron accumulation along the PANI‐PDA‐CNTs direction, and the conductive nanobridge effect of CNTs, a continuous and durable power density of 2.78 µW cm⁻² is achieved in the commercially available membrane filtration process. This work provides an accessible approach to concurrently addressing water and energy challenges."

Nanofiltration membranes with ultra-high negative charge density for enhanced anion sieving and removal of organic micropollutants

"Nanofiltration membranes with high charge density are highly attractive for selectively removing organic micropollutants and divalent anions from water environments. Here we constructed polyamide (PA) membranes with ultra-high negative charge density via a sea-squirt nanofibrillated cellulose restricted interfacial polymerization process. Sea-squirt nanofibrillated cellulose, which contains a high content of 7.0% carboxyl groups and 29.8% hydroxyl groups, effectively fettered piperazine and regulated the interfacial polymerization reaction kinetics. As a result, the optimized membrane had an ultra-high zeta potential of −148 mV at pH 7 and a charge density of −32.6 mC m ⁻² . This membrane achieved outstanding performance metrics, including a water permeance of 41.5 l m ⁻² h ⁻¹ bar ⁻¹ , exceptional SO 4 ²⁻ /Cl ⁻ selectivity of 144.5 and greatly increased water/organic micropollutant selectivity. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed a 73.1% reduction in the diffusion rate of piperazine due to competitive forces, leading to a PA surface enriched with -COOH groups. This work provides an effective strategy for tuning the PA membrane charge density to increase water purification and wastewater treatment efficiency."

Cyrene-Enabled Green Electrospinning of Nanofibrous Graphene-Based Membranes for Water Desalination via Membrane Distillation

"High-performance and sustainable membranes for water desalination applications are crucial to address the growing global demand for clean water. Concurrently, electrospinning has emerged as a versatile manufacturing method for fabricating nanofibrous membranes for membrane distillation. However, widespread adoption of electrospinning for processing water–insoluble polymers, such as fluoropolymers, is hindered by the reliance on hazardous organic solvents during production. Moreover, restrictions on industrial solvents are tightening as environmental regulations demand greener alternatives. This critical challenge is addressed here by demonstrating, for the first time, the fabrication of nanofibrous electrospun membranes of PVDF-HFP, poly(vinylidene fluoride)-co-hexafluoropropylene using a renewable, environment- and user-friendly solvent system containing Cyrene (dihydrolevoglucosenone), dimethyl sulfoxide, and dimethyl carbonate. The same solvent system was further used to produce nanocomposite graphene oxide (GO) and graphene nanoplatelet (GNP)-containing nanofibrous electrospun membranes. When tested for water desalination via membrane distillation, these membranes either outperformed or matched the performance of those produced with hazardous organic solvents, achieving salt rejection rates of >99.84% and long-term stability. The economic viability of the green solvent system was further validated through Monte Carlo simulations. This work demonstrates the potential to move fluoropolymer electrospinning from dimethylformamide-based systems to greener alternatives, enabling the consistent production of high-quality nanofibrous membranes. These findings pave the way for more sustainable manufacturing practices in membrane technology, specifically for water desalination via membrane distillation."

2D Materials for Potable Water Application: Basic Nanoarchitectonics and Recent Progresses

"Water polluted by toxic chemicals due to waste from chemical/pharmaceuticals and harmful microbes such as E. Coli bacteria causes several fatal diseases; and therefore, water filtration is crucial for accessing clean and safe water necessary for good health. Conventional water filtration technologies include activated carbon filters, reverse osmosis, and ultrafiltration. However, they face several challenges, including high energy consumption, fouling, limited selectivity, inefficiencies in removing certain contaminants, dimensional control of pores, and structural/chemical changes at higher thermal conditions and upon prolonged usage of water filter. Recently, the advent of 2D materials such as graphene, BN, MoS₂, MXenes, and so on opens new avenues for advanced water filtration systems. This review delves into the nanoarchitectonics of 2D materials for water filtration applications. The current state of water filtration technologies is explored, the inherent challenges they face are outlines, and the unique properties and advantages of 2D materials are highlighted. Furthermore, the scope of this review is discussed, which encompasses the synthesis, characterization, and application of various 2D materials in water filtration, providing insights into future research directions and potential industrial applications."

2024--August Latitude38.com Caption Contest - 2nd Place

2024-08-01T16:52:00.000-07:00

https://www.latitude38.com/issues/august-2024/

My submission made it into the Top 10.

See page-39:

Biodegradation of polyethylene by the marine fungus Parengyodontium album

2024-06-23T12:31:00.000-07:00

Biodegradation of polyethylene by the marine fungus Parengyodontium album

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172819

"Plastic pollution in the marine realm is a severe environmental problem. Nevertheless, plastic may also serve as a potential carbon and energy source for microbes, yet the contribution of marine microbes, especially marine fungi to plastic degradation is not well constrained. We isolated the fungus Parengyodontium album from floating plastic debris in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre and measured fungal-mediated mineralization rates (conversion to CO2) of polyethylene (PE) by applying stable isotope probing assays with 13C-PE over 9 days of incubation. When the PE was pretreated with UV light, the biodegradation rate of the initially added PE was 0.044 %/day. Furthermore, we traced the incorporation of PE-derived 13C carbon into P. album biomass using nanoSIMS and fatty acid analysis. Despite the high mineralization rate of the UV-treated 13C-PE, incorporation of PE-derived 13C into fungal cells was minor, and 13C incorporation was not detectable for the non-treated PE. Together, our results reveal the potential of P. album to degrade PE in the marine environment and to mineralize it to CO2. However, the initial photodegradation of PE is crucial for P. album to metabolize the PE-derived carbon."

Shocking images show the world's biggest garbage dump as clean-up intensifies at fungus-infested site twice the size of Texas

New Research Breakthrough: 19x Energy Jump in Capacitors

2024-05-12T13:29:00.000-07:00

High energy density in artificial heterostructures through relaxation time modulation

DOI: 10.1126/science.adl2835
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adl2835

"Electrostatic capacitors are foundational components of advanced electronics and high-power electrical systems owing to their ultrafast charging-discharging capability. Ferroelectric materials offer high maximum polarization, but high remnant polarization has hindered their effective deployment in energy storage applications. Previous methodologies have encountered problems because of the deteriorated crystallinity of the ferroelectric materials. We introduce an approach to control the relaxation time using two-dimensional (2D) materials while minimizing energy loss by using 2D/3D/2D heterostructures and preserving the crystallinity of ferroelectric 3D materials. Using this approach, we were able to achieve an energy density of 191.7 joules per cubic centimeter with an efficiency greater than 90%. This precise control over relaxation time holds promise for a wide array of applications and has the potential to accelerate the development of highly efficient energy storage systems."

https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a60732620/capacitor-energy-storage-breakthrough

"In a study published in Science, lead author Sang-Hoon Bae, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering and materials science, demonstrates a novel heterostructure that curbs energy loss, enabling capacitors to store more energy and charge rapidly without sacrificing durability."
"Researchers believe they’ve discovered a new material structure that can improve the energy storage of capacitors."
"The structure allows for storage while improving the efficiency of ultrafast charging and discharging."
"The new find needs optimization but has the potential to help power electric vehicles."

May 2024 - Latitude38 magazine Caption Contest

2024-05-01T16:26:00.000-07:00

https://www.latitude38.com/issues/may-2024/

My submission made it into the Top 10.

See page-41:

[image source: Latitude38.com, May 2024 edition]

A Beautiful New Sea Shanty Song...by Elle Cordova

2024-04-24T15:42:00.000-07:00

To find, again, The Heart of Mother Ocean...

2024-02-21T08:52:00.000-08:00

[image credit: DimaDim_art on pixabay.com]

In 2022, when I decided to leave the Pacific Coast, and look for a small town to endure the time I would need to have work done on my boat - I didn't imagine staying for more than 6-12 months.

After having the boat destroyed in early April 2023 - the refuge I had established became a place of healing - and a place to endure the vicissitudes of fate - until a clearer path ahead emerged.

Looking back now, over the last 14 months - I also see that this isolation was necessary - to find again that spark of joy for Mother Ocean.

The longer I abide here, the deeper the desire will grow to return to the ocean again.

It is a bit of a paradox - to find again my love for a thing, I must first abandon it.

February 2024 - Latitude38 magazine Caption Contest

2024-01-31T09:23:00.000-08:00

https://www.latitude38.com/issues/february-2024/

My submission made it into the Top 10.

See page-35:

[image credit: Latitude38.com - February 2024 magazine]

An Amazing 90 Day Build Video

2024-01-02T16:33:00.000-08:00

I am just...stunned.

Vendor: Professional Plastics

2023-11-02T13:00:00.000-07:00

https://www.professionalplastics.com

Fullerton, CA (Corporate HQ)

Professional Plastics, Inc.
1810 E. Valencia Dr.
Fullerton, CA 92831

Toll Free: 800-878-0755
Local: 714-446-6500
Fax: 714-447-0114
sales@proplas.com

https://www.professionalplastics.com/Small-Boats-and-Watercraft

"Overview of Small Boats & Watercraft (3732-SB) — Recreational boating is a popular leisure activity in the U.S. More than 88 million U.S. adults participated in recreational boating in 2013, using a boat for (sports) activities such as fishing and water skiing and/or to travel. The U.S. recreational boating market had an estimated retail value of almost 37 billion U.S. dollars in 2013. Sales of new recreational boats amounted to just over six billion U.S. dollars. In total, 11.99 million recreational boating vessels were registered in the U.S. in 2013. These boats are classified into several categories: sailboats, personal watercrafts, sterndrive boats, inboard boats and outboard boats. Professional Plastics offers a full-range of products used on small boats and watercraft including King StarBoard® HDPE which is commonly used for Hatches, Doors, Grab Rails & Handles, Step and Dock Boxes, Rod & Cup Holders, Countertops (other than galley), Chairs, Tray Tables, Frames and Trim. We also offer a wide range of lightweight materials, and glazing materials used for windshields, windows, mirrors and other applications. Our tubing products are used for fluid lines, and we offer spiral-cut tubing which is used for electrical wire wrapping."

G-10 products, for example (illustrative, not exhaustive):

https://www.professionalplastics.com/G-10--FR4

"Overview of G-10/FR4 — G-10 (or G-10/FR4) is a composite material composed of woven fiberglass cloth with an epoxy resin binder that is flame resistant (self-extinguishing)."

https://www.professionalplastics.com/G10FR4SHEET

2024 Singapore Yachting Festival (April 25-28)

2023-10-13T13:33:00.003-07:00

Image by confused_me from Pixabay

I have plans to be in Japan during the month of April 2024, helping facilitate a conference.

Afterward, I'm tentatively planning to fly to Singapore for their 2024 Yachting Festival.

https://singaporeyachtingfestival.com/
https://singaporeyachtingfestival.com/schedule/

Venue:
ONE°15 MARINA SENTOSA COVE
11 COVE DRIVE, SENTOSA COVE, 098497 SINGAPORE

Note: The 2023 event reportedly had over 9,000 attendees.