Why use silicon to make photovoltaic cells?
Silicon from one ton of sand, used in photovoltaic cells, could produce as much electricity as burning 500,000 tons of coal.
Ancient crystal skulls
It is claimed that 13 ancient crystal skulls have been found with mysterious properties.
The Mitchell-Hedges family loaned the skull to Hewlett-Packard Laboratories for extensive study in 1970. Art restorer Frank Dorland oversaw the testing at the Santa Clara, California, computer equipment manufacturer, a leading facility for crystal research. The HP examinations yielded some startling results.
Researchers found that the skull had been carved against the natural axis of the crystal. Modern crystal sculptors always take into account the axis, or orientation of the crystal's molecular symmetry, because if they carve "against the grain," the piece is bound to shatter -- even with the use of lasers and other high-tech cutting methods.
To compound the strangeness, HP could find no microscopic scratches on the crystal which would indicate it had been carved with metal instruments. Dorland's best hypothesis for the skull's construction is that it was roughly hewn out with diamonds, and then the detail work was meticulously done with a gentle solution of silicon sand and water. The exhausting job -- assuming it could possibly be done in this way -- would have required man-hours adding up to 300 years to complete.
Note: 5/08, crystal skulls find themselves in the lates Indiana Jones movie!
Camel survival fact
Camels have three eyelids to protect themselves from blowing sand.
Where are the tallest sand dunes in North America?
Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado has the tallest sand dunes in North America, about 750 feet high.
What decides whether a baby sea turtle is male or female?
The temperature of the sand decides whether baby sea turtles hatch male or female. Warmer nests produce more females.
What was "The Sand Reckoner"?
In "The Sand Reckoner," Archimedes estimated how many grains of sand would fill the universe.
Where are the largest coastal sand dunes in North America?
The Oregon Dunes stretch about 40 miles and are the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in North America.
What are tree islands?
The Oregon Dunes have "tree islands," patches of forest surrounded by sand.