Fracking is a step in the production of gas and oil by the high pressure fragmentation of shale using water, sand and chemicals. Using fracking to produce shale oil and shale gas has the potential to make the United States largely independent of foreign sources of natural gas and significantly less dependent on foreign sources of oil. The major exploitation of shale oil and gas will depend on dealing with environmental concerns surrounding potential ground water contamination and water depletion that result from the fracking process. Continue reading “FRACKING – the quest for energy independence”

Before you start you might want to check out the Chicago Public Health Agenda that overviews the latest statistics on the epidemic.

Continue reading “The Science and Policy of Obesity”

The Chicago Council on Science and Technology and Belgrade Committee Sister Cities International Present:

The Genius Spark of Nikola Tesla

A traveling exhibit of one of the world’s most celebrated scientists
in its first U.S. visit

Continue reading “The Genius Spark of Nikola Tesla, Expo at Navy Pier”

By Matej Mavriček, Policy Fellow

Radiation is essentially various shrapnel that is released when an atom or atoms undergoes decay, fusion or fission. In this article, I will discuss the basics of radiation, types of danger of radiation, where it comes from, and a framework of risk with radiation. This is meant to inform some of the possible effects of radiation as a result of nuclear accidents or purposeful detonations.

Continue reading “Radiation: From A(toms) to S(ieverts)”

By Matej Mavriček, Policy Fellow

Proliferation is but the spread of something – a technology or an idea, across a geographical area. We often use the term when the “something” in question is undesirable, viewed as dangerous or infectious. So it seems only fitting that the spread of nuclear technology would be called proliferation.This article is intended as a historical background for the field of nuclear proliferation.

Continue reading “Uranium, Plutonium & Cake: A Brief History of Proliferation”

By Matej Mavriček, Policy Fellow

On October 13, the EPA issued a statement permitting the increase of the ethanol blend wall from 10% to 15%, instituting a new fuel in the US market, the E15 (85% gasoline, 15% ethanol mix). The fuel is only approved for cars, light-duty trucks and medium-size passenger vehicles manufactured in 2007 and later. Continue reading “The Trouble With Blending”