Researchers explore solar power’s use on a potential moon base
Two University of Queensland students are exploring whether solar power could provide around the clock electricity and thermal energy for a moon base or settlement.
It’s one step in a research project by Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering students Reece Otto and Shon Mori to develop a versatile and scalable power solution for space settlements.
Their paper demonstrates that by using concentrated solar power in conjunction with thermal storage from moon rocks, electrical energy and thermal energy may be used.
Driver Reviver Program kicks off for another year
Community engagement activities will be held across the state from tomorrow to promote safer driving habits for long-distance drivers as part of the Driver Reviver Program.
The program encourages people travelling long distances to take a break, with dedicated volunteers across the state offering a hot drink and time for a chat to help motorists get to their destinations safely.
For more than 28 years, Driver Reviver has been run by volunteers, funded by sponsors and supported by the Transport and Main Roads Department.
Earl Sweatshirt: Some Rap Songs
- For many artists, recording an album is an innately emotional process, a tangible document of their mental state at the time. This couldn't be truer for Earl Sweatshirt, whose promising start with rap collective Odd Future was cut short by two years at a Samoan boarding school. Debut album Doris, released after Earl's return, boiled down his youthful anger into something much darker.
TourniquetX: Global Intimacy
- Over the years I’ve become a bit suspicious of the music industry. All that money that pools up at the big end of town, grabbed in fistfuls by the major labels - how much of that gets back to the little people, the struggling artists? Well I reckon, not much. Just the other day I was surprised to learn that someone -who I wouldn’t have suspected- felt the same way; that person was Sia.
Jeff Tweedy: WARM
- WARM, is the first solo album of original songs by Indie-rock icon and Wilco frontman, Jeff Tweedy. The album coincides with the release of Tweedy’s autobiography, Let’s Go (So We Can Get Back), and despite being over thirty years into his career, both are unfamiliar territory for the legendary songwriter. At fifty-one, Tweedy is simultaneously too old to be releasing his first solo album, and too young to be releasing a memoir — but Tweedy has never been one to adhere to conventions.
Various Artists: Buried Country
- In 2000, Clinton Walker published the book Buried Country - an excavation of the often forgotten history of aboriginal country music. In more recent years, Walker has come in for some criticism for how he represents aboriginal people in his books. However Buried Country was a revelation, opening the eyes of many Australians to a submerged piece of our musical history.
France abandons petrol tax rises after deadly protests
French President, Emmanuel Macron, scrapped a fuel tax rise amid fears of violence after weeks of nationwide protests and the worst rioting Paris has seen in decades that left four people dead.
Prime Minister, Edouard Philippe, told lawmakers yesterday the government is ready for dialogue, something made evident by the dropping of the tax increase from the 2019 budget bill.
French protesters welcome Macron's decision to scrap the fuel tax rise planned for next year but said it may not be enough to contain public anger.
Treated sewage water to become tap water in US city
Treated sewage water is set to become tap water in the US city of El Paso, as several cities around the world struggle to meet city water supplies.
El Paso is set to become one of the first cities in the US to use treated sewage water as drinking water, with the city working on building a facility to treat sewage.
Australia needs a sugar tax, the Senate reports
A Greens-led Senate inquiry has recommended.Australia’s obesity epidemic should be targeted through a sugar tax and advertising restrictions.
Greens leader and committee chair, and former general practitioner, Richard Di Natale, said similar taxes in other countries has led to manufacturers reducing sugar content in products.
Di Natale said that this is not something that only affects consumption, but production, forcing healthier products to be made available.
Crossbench MPs pressure Government to remove refugee children from Nauru and Manus Island
The Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, has ramped up his attack on Labor as he faces prospects of defeat on a bill to get more refugees off Nauru and Manus Island.
Labor, the Greens, and crossbenchers have teamed up to legislate faster medical treatment for refugees in offshore processing and remove children from the islands.
The Government is strongly opposed to it but there is a chance the bill has enough support to pass the Lower House.