An Assessment of the Phytoremediation Potential of Planted and Spontaneously Colonized Woody Plant Species on Chronosequence Fly Ash Disposal Sites in Serbia—Case Study

In this study, the potential of planted (Tamarix tetrandra Pall. ex M.Bieb. and Robinia pseudoacacia L.) and spontaneously colonized (Amorpha fruticosa L. and Populus alba L.) woody species for the phytoremediation of potentially toxic trace elements (TEs) such as As, B, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Se, and Zn, from the chronosequence fly ash (FA) deposit lagoons (L1 and L2) at the ‘Nikola Tesla A’ Thermal Power Plant (TENT-A) in Serbia were analyzed. The differences in the pseodototal and bioavailable (DTPA-extractable) concentrations and mobility (AR index) of TEs in FA at the examined lagoons are a result of the time-conditioned influence of weathering (3 and 11 years respectively) and vegetation development on changing the basic physical and chemical properties of FA (texture, pH, EC, CEC, C, N, and bioavailable P and K) and its toxicity. This resulted in differences in the concentration of TEs in the roots and leaves of the examined plants at L1 and L2. All examined species accumulated Cr the most in the root (BAF > 1 and TF < 1), which suggests that they are good stabilizers of this element. Biological indices for As (BAF > 1 and TF < 1) identified T. tetrandra and A. fruticose as good stabilizers of As. P. alba stood out as accumulating the highest levels of B, Ni, and Zn, T. tetrandra the highest levels of Cu, Mn, and Se, and R. pseudoacacia the highest levels of As and B in leaves (BAF > 1; TF > 1), which makes them good extractors of these elements from the FA at TENT-A. However, due to toxic concentrations of As, B, Se, and Zn in their leaves, they are not recommended for the phytoremediation of the investigated lagoons through the process of phytostabilization. Under conditions of elevated total Cu and Ni concentration in FA, the content of these elements in the leaves of A. fruticosa at both lagoons were within the normal range. This, in addition to a good supply of essential Zn, the stabilization of As and Cr in the roots, an increase in BAF, and a decrease in TF for B with a decrease in its mobility in ash over time, singles this invasive species out as the best candidate for the phytostabilization of TEs in FA at the TENT-A ash deposit site.

Biographical Profiling of Nikola Tesla for the Creation of an Engaging Story

This paper focuses on the potential of storytelling as a means of influencing students to become engaged with science and to choose a career in a STEM field. Given the role that leaders can play in motivating and influencing people and considering Nikola Tesla a leader in the fields of electrical engineering and science, the paper identifies Tesla’s leadership traits, as these emerge from his life story, that is, actual historical events regarding his life and his scientific/technological work. These leadership traits refer to (a) imaginative thinking and innovation, (b) persistence/perseverance, and (c) vision, and point to the need for empirical studies to document the effectiveness of the Nikola Tesla story to motivate and influence students. The significance of the Nikola Tesla story for science education is also discussed.

Potential Usage of Hybrid Polymers Binders Based on Fly Ash with the Addition of PVA with Satisfying Mechanical and Radiological Properties

Since recycled technologies usage is mandatory for environmental safety, and in this regard, it is important to examine new materials that can be used in construction and are primarily produced from fly ash. In addition to characteristics such as hardness and compressive strength, the given materials must also be radiologically and environmentally safe. The main concept of engineered geopolymer gel composites based on fly ash residues is focused on developing binder materials via gel formation processes that can replace ordinary cement materials. This study is unique in researching the potential use of fly ash from the Nikola Tesla thermal power plant in Serbia, where the hybrid geopolymeric materials synthesized from fly ash are experimentally examined with the addition 1 wt% and 2 wt% of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). This paper aims to investigate the structural, morphological, mechanical, and radiological properties of hybrid materials with the addition of PVA and without additive in the period of ageing for 28 days at room temperature. The phase composition was investigated using X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) analysis, while morphological characteristics of these materials were examined using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDS). Vibrational spectra of obtained samples are investigated using diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) techniques. The hardness and compressive strength are also examined, indicating that the 1 wt% addition in geopolymeric matrix results in the best mechanical properties. Radiological measurements of investigated all geopolymer samples show decreasing activity concentrations of radionuclides for 50% compared to fly ash.

CONSEQUENCES FROM THE ENERGY OF THE DIPOLE OR THE RATIONALE FOR THE IDEA OF NIKOLA TESLA

According to the virial theorem, a dipole has a small total energy at infinite negative potential energy and infinite positive kinetic energy, see [1] §10. Nikola Tesla was able to realize this energy in the car he built. The fundamental difficulties for creating a machine without an engine on gasoline energy have been overcome. But the experimental studies of Nikola Tesla were much ahead of the existing technologies, and according to my calculations, the breakdown voltage, for example, porcelain should be made orders of magnitude higher. Nikola Tesla could create a voltage of a billion volts, and according to modern data, the maximum voltage is a million volts. Moreover, it is necessary to use towers of great height to avoid breakdown. If we calculate the force created by the potential of the dipole and equate it with the force of attraction, then we will receive compensation for the gravitational field of the Earth.

Wireless Transmission of Solar Power

The Solar Power Satellite (SPS) is an energy system that collects solar energy in the upper atmosphere and transfers it to the ground. It has been seen as one of the best ways to alleviate the problem of future electricity needs. In the times to come, wireless power transmission will be used as it requires less maintenance and numerous other benefits. Solar energy is used for wireless power transmission. The wireless transmission concept was first realized by Nikola Tesla. Wireless transmission can bring about a noticeable change in the field of electrical engineering, which can lead to the fact that traditional copper wire is no longer used. For this project we used renewable energy as a source for wireless energy transmission. The DC output voltage of the solar cell is increased with a step-up converter and converted into oscillating signals. These oscillating signals are amplified via an amplifier and then supplied to the transmitting coil. By operating at the resonant frequency and achieving good coupling between the transmitter and receiver coils, electrical energy is transmitted between the transmitter and receiver due to the Magnetic resonance.

Direct or alternating?

The article is devoted to the so-called "war of currents", which unfolded in the United States in the late 19th-early 20th century. The winner of this "war" was a talented Serbian inventor Nikola Tesla. He professed the ideas of alternating current. He was opposed by the famous American businessman and scientist T. Edison. Enterprises of the latter produced machines running on direct current. It made a big profit. After a number of conflicts, Tesla, who worked for Edison, left his company and organized a business of his own jointly with an industrialist D. Westinghouse. Tesla's ideas and projects won a landslide victory. The development of direct current systems ended in the late 1920s, despite the efforts of T. Edison. N. Tesla was at the origins of alternating current systems, the appearance of electric motors, robotics, wireless charging devices and much more. Today, the ideas of the great Serbian inventor, even the most fantastic ones, are experiencing a rebirth.

Early turbulence and pulsatile flows enhance diodicity of Tesla’s macrofluidic valve

Microfluidics has enabled a revolution in the manipulation of small volumes of fluids. Controlling flows at larger scales and faster rates, or macrofluidics, has broad applications but involves the unique complexities of inertial flow physics. We show how such effects are exploited in a device proposed by Nikola Tesla that acts as a diode or valve whose asymmetric internal geometry leads to direction-dependent fluidic resistance. Systematic tests for steady forcing conditions reveal that diodicity turns on abruptly at Reynolds number $${\rm{Re}}\approx 200$$ Re ≈ 200 and is accompanied by nonlinear pressure-flux scaling and flow instabilities, suggesting a laminar-to-turbulent transition that is triggered at unusually low $${\rm{Re}}$$ Re . To assess performance for unsteady forcing, we devise a circuit that functions as an AC-to-DC converter, rectifier, or pump in which diodes transform imposed oscillations into directed flow. Our results confirm Tesla’s conjecture that diodic performance is boosted for pulsatile flows. The connections between diodicity, early turbulence and pulsatility uncovered here can inform applications in fluidic mixing and pumping.

The Emperors of scientific versatility that influenced Clinical Medicine; Dr Golding Bird and Nikola Tesla

Physics and Chemistry are fundamental composites of medicine. Concepts and theories from these fields continuously influence modern day medicine, including the development of novel diagnostic methods, pharmacological and surgical interventions and inadvertently, patient care. The use of scientific approaches to improve existing clinical practices is important to understand. This includes the exploration of key innovators that were ahead of their time when inventions were developed to support “the collateral sciences”. Two such innovators are Golding Bird and Nikola Tesla; 2 unique and incredibly versatile scientists. Electrotherapeutics has had a remarkable history. The use of Torpedo Fish (Torpedo mamorata, Malopterurus electricus) to provide analgesia was reported by Scribonius Largus in AD 47 in his monumental work Compositiones Medicae