About Salman Zafar

Salman Zafar is the CEO of BioEnergy Consult, and an international consultant, advisor and trainer with expertise in waste management, biomass energy, waste-to-energy, environment protection and resource conservation. His geographical areas of focus include Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Salman has successfully accomplished a wide range of projects in the areas of biogas technology, biomass energy, waste-to-energy, recycling and waste management. Salman has participated in numerous national and international conferences all over the world. He is a prolific environmental journalist, and has authored more than 300 articles in reputed journals, magazines and websites. In addition, he is proactively engaged in creating mass awareness on renewable energy, waste management and environmental sustainability through his blogs and portals. Salman can be reached at salman@bioenergyconsult.com or salman@cleantechloops.com.

Make Your Pool More Sustainable Now!

The word sustainable has no single definition since its meaning changes to different people over time. But simply put, sustainability is the use of practices that creates the least blueprint to the environment. When you choose materials or implement policies that promote environmental awareness, you are practicing sustainability.

A pool is not a pool without water, electricity, and chemicals for its maintenance and operation. With this in mind, is it possible to own a pool without damaging the environment?

The answer is yes. There are many ways to have a highly sustainable pool. Here are some of them:

swimming pool maintenance

1. Use water-neutral method

Water-neutral pools have water-saving and water-harvesting devices like water reservoirs to collect rainwater that can replenish the pool. Another way to save water is by installing backwash-minimization systems to reduce the amount of water needed to maintain the swimming pool. The upfront cost for buying water-neutral devices can be expensive, but considering the benefits they offer, they are practical tools in the long run.

2. Use eco-friendly technologies

Another way to make your pool greener is to use eco-friendly accessories such as LED lights instead of the usual halogen bulbs. LED lights use less power than other types of lamps. This means that they consume less electricity too, which means it lets you save on money. They are also easier to automate, so you can set a timer for them through your mobile phone. If you have older pools that come with halogen lamps, you may consider changing them for LED bulbs.

3. Harness the power of the sun

There is nothing more satisfying than taking a dip in a warm pool. However, running your pool heater consumes a lot of electricity which causes a surge in your electric bill. Installing additional 2-3KW solar panels on top of the pool heater can cover the cost of running pool accessories. You can connect the pool pump to the solar panel and let it run between 10 am to 3 pm while the sun is up. This solar pool setup will save you a lot of money later on.

If there is a downside to installing a solar panel, it’s the fact that it needs ample space and the right location where it can get a lot of sun rays.

4. Use a thermal pool cover or solar “bubble blanket”

One of the simplest ways to prevent pool heat loss is to cover the pool when not used. Pool covers help in heat retention, reduces evaporation, lessens the need to top up the pool, and maintains chemical balance.  Thermal covers are specially designed to withstand strong UV, which helps retain the heat more. Thermal blankets with the highest R-value work best in heat retention.

5. Keep your pool clean

Cleaning the pool is a lifetime responsibility. Skimming the pool to remove visible objects, vacuuming the walls and floor to loosen up dirt and algae, and using chemicals to remove bacteria and other microscopic organisms are all part of the cleaning process.

Typically, pool cleaning needs your pool pump and water filtration to run to replenish the pool and backwash the filter to remove the debris. However, there is a better way to clean your pool without wasting a lot of water and electricity.

swimming pool maintenance

Using an automatic pool cleaner (also known as pool vacuum) to maintain the water’s good condition is efficient and eco-friendly. A pool robot saves a lot on electricity since it has its own pump and filtration system, meaning you don’t need to run the pool system while cleaning. A pool vacuum has four different types: suction-side, pressure-side, pressure with booster pump, and robotic.

Some of the best pool cleaners only use the same amount of energy as a standard light bulb or about 5 cents per hour. If it takes three hours for them to clean, it translates to an additional 15 cents on your electric bill. This amount is definitely lower compared to running the pool’s pump and filter at the same time.

A pool robot also comes with filters for collecting debris. The dirt is trapped inside the device, not in the pool’s filter system. This process reduces the need to apply chemicals and performs backwashing to clean the pool’s ducts and filter system.

A Beginner’s Guide to Futures Trading

Futures crypto trading is an efficient financial tool that allows to bet on the future assets prices and gain profits. The process might seem rather complicated for a beginner trader, so in this article, we will come up with a simple futures trading guide to help you understand what steps should be taken for successful trading.

Trading Futures Guide

Before explaining how to trade crypto futures, it would be appropriate to mention some crucial aspects every experienced trader knows:

  • To predict the future price of a crypto asset, you should analyze its fluctuations in the past and find some historical indicators and patterns.
  • You should be able to read crypto charts and see the market trends.
  • Carry out technical analysis of the asset.
  • Consider the news background, which also affects the price movements.
  • Evaluate the global economic situation.

Beginners Guide to Trading Futures

First, pick an asset you want to use for futures trading. Choose popular crypto coins with large trade volumes and market capitalisation. Little-known assets are not a good idea for futures trading, as their rates are incredibly volatile. We recommend picking Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and other credible assets.

Next, pick a platform where you will trade – Binance, WhiteBIT, Kraken, or any other large exchange supporting futures trading.

Then deposit crypto to your account and pick the leverage you want to use. Different crypto platforms offer different leverage. It can be 5x, 10x, 20x, or 100x. Then pick the type of order you want to enter the market with. It can be long or short (sell assets or buy). Also, mention the number of contracts you want to make. Some futures trading strategies imply using several contracts to hedge risks.

To practice how futures trading works, welcome to the WhiteBIT platform. It allows for demo trading using demo tokens, which you can’t lose or deposit. Having enough practice in demo trading, you will receive valuable experience and skills for future trading on real markets.

5 Tips for Launching a Green Career

Are you passionate about the environment? Do you want to work on climate change or try to create sustainable buildings or make a career in waste recycling? Maybe you hope to work in national forests or affect government policy on environmental issues. There are plenty of opportunities for green-oriented jobs. Keep reading for more on careers that can be good for both you and the planet, whether you are changing careers or just finishing high school.

1. Consider Your Focus

You should start thinking broadly about what kind of renewable energy career you’d like to have. With a few years of school ahead of you or a career change, you’ll have time to learn more and decide, but it can help if you at least have a general idea about the direction you’ll pursue.

electrical-engineering

Maybe you’d like to work in science, or perhaps you want to write about the environment. You may want to pursue renewable energy degree or become an entrepreneur, founding sustainable companies. Start doing research as early as possible.

2. Plan for School

If you already have a degree, you may not need to go back to school. It depends on how different your new career is from your old one and whether your skills will transfer or if you need further education. If you don’t have a degree, it will be much easier to break into most fields with one, and in most cases, it will be necessary.

If you are worried about money, keep in mind that there are grants, scholarships and loans available. You can shop for a low interest rate on private loans to make sure that you get the best deal available for you.

3. Start Now

You should start as soon as possible to learn about the issues and get involved. There is probably a community group near you that you can join. This can also help you get started networking and meeting other people who have the same interests and ambitions as you as well as professionals who may be well on their way in their careers.

You can learn a lot through volunteer work about the issues that you are most passionate about and what types of jobs you enjoy doing most.

4. Networking and Internships

If you are a student, talk to your professors, your advisor and the career center at your school about your ambitions and what career paths might be right for you. Whether you are a student or a career changer, see if you can set up informational interviews with people doing the types of jobs that interest you.

solar-rebates-faqs

5. Stay Balanced

Doing environmental work or another job that you feel passionately about does not mean that you have to throw your entire being into it. It’s still important to maintain a work-life balance, perhaps doubly so when you work for a nonprofit or in another field that tends to attract people who are as interested in the issues they are working on as in what they are being paid.

Be sure to carve out time for friends, family and hobbies so that you don’t burn out while trying to save the world.

Recommended Reading: The Future of Environmental Jobs – Navigating Career Paths with Online Assessments

How Home Builders Create a Better Product for Buyers

When it comes to homeownership, there are a lot of options out there. You can buy an existing home, build a new one, or even purchase a pre-fabricated property. And each of those options has its own set of pros and cons.

But if you’re looking for the ultimate in flexibility, control, and customization, then building your own home is the way to go. And in this article, we’ll explain why this could be an excellent option for you.

benefits of building your own home

You get to choose everything – the floor plan, the finishes, and even the location.

Looking at new homes for sale is an exciting prospect, but it can sometimes be overwhelming. Just where do you start, and with so many things to consider, it’s easy to get frustrated or feel lost in the process.

The good news is that you have complete control over your new home. You can make all the decisions from big-picture choices like location, floor plan, and overall look to more specific details like the individual lighting fixtures and door fitments.

Depending on the builder, you might even have some say over more practical elements such as soundproofing and energy efficiency standards — not just aesthetics.

So even though buying a new house can be intimidating, it’s also hugely empowering because with each decision comes an opportunity for total customization. With a combination of careful planning, thoughtful design choices, and due diligence on research, you’ll be able to create your ideal dream home!

A new build home is typically more energy efficient and has better insulation than a resale home

When it comes to choosing a new home, many people find themselves weighing the benefits of buying an existing resale property versus building a new one. It’s true that a resale property can offer advantages like more immediate availability and established neighborhoods, but there are some key advantages to consider when opting for new construction.

A major consideration is the energy efficiency and insulation offered by a newly built home — features that don’t always come standard with a resale.

New homes are constructed up-to-date with insulation standards and energy-efficient appliances, meaning they require less energy to heat or cool than older homes. Additionally, you’ll often find higher quality windows on newer models, which helps to seal in the air more effectively than pre-existing single-pane glass technology that may be found in older homes.

So while there may be a temptation to buy existing due to the convenience factor, don’t overlook the importance of investing in modern insulated architecture that could give you substantial cost savings over time.

You can personalize your home to fit your unique lifestyle and needs

Any home is a reflection of its owner and the activities that are taken place there. It makes sense to personalize your living space in such a way that it compliments your habits and lifestyle. By making thoughtful design choices and adding personalized details, you can make your home unique while expressing who you are.

Adjustments to suit your family’s lifestyle will also help you create an environment conducive to productivity, relaxation, and inspiration. A few simple changes, like painting the walls a different color or changing the style of windows, can make all the difference in how your home feels.

Add lighting fixtures that fit each room’s mood and decorate according to what you enjoy looking at. Prioritizing storage solutions and organizing items can help reduce clutter, creating a more comfortable atmosphere for everyone who lives in the house.

Personalizing your living space is one of the best ways to ensure you get precisely what you want out of life.  With just a few minor adjustments here and there, anyone can make their house feel more like home in no time at all!

A new build home will likely appreciate in value more than a resale home in the same neighborhood

When it comes to making a real estate investment, deciding between building a new home or purchasing an existing one can be challenging.

Appreciation over time

On the one hand, buying an existing home allows you to move into it right away and can often come with desirable features like mature landscaping and a larger lot size. On the other hand, building a new home may provide more appreciation over time- especially considering that many resale homes remain stagnant in terms of value or sometimes even decline over time.

Boosted curb appeal

In most neighborhoods, resale homes will have reached their peak value once purchased from the previous owner and won’t go up much in price until significant renovations are done. Meanwhile, constructing a new residence means buyers can pay for all sorts of modern updates and enjoy the boosted curb appeal before prices take off in the area.

So, if you’re looking for long-term economic security and stability, a new build home may be worth considering over other real estate options available in the same neighborhood.

You don’t have to worry about repairs or renovations with a new build home

Moving into a new home can be a hugely exciting experience. But when you move into a resale property, you’re never entirely sure if the previous owner was completely honest about the home’s condition until you move in.

building your own home

With a new build home, you can have the peace of mind that comes from knowing there won’t be any hidden problems or expensive repairs to worry about. Instead, you’ll get to start out with a high-quality and modern home, so everything is fresh and up-to-date.

All in all, when considering the pros and cons of choosing a newly built home versus a pre-owned one–the advantages of having no repairs or renovations needed easily win out!

Our Roundup

So, if you’re considering buying a new build home, here’s our summary of the top reasons why you should go for it:

  1. You will get to choose everything about your home
  2. It will also be more energy efficient
  3. It’ll appreciate in value over time.

You won’t have to worry about any repairs or renovations that may need to be completed once you’ve moved in.

What is the Future of the Construction Industry?

The story of the world economy over the last few decades has been one of rapid digitisation. New technology is playing a role in just about every facet of life – and the construction industry is no exception. We’re using computers to not only design and plan structures, but to actually build them, too. So what new developments can we look forward to in the future? Read on to know more about the tech trends in the construction industry:

1. Virtual and Augmented Reality

It’s difficult to get an idea of exactly how a finished building will look before it’s actually constructed. After all, a top-down plan of a proposed conservatory, loft conversion, or leisure centre, is not going to convey the full reality of the finished product. As such, we’ve always accepted a degree of uncertainty.

Virtual reality in construction

That’s likely to change in the near future, thanks to the emergence of artificial and virtual reality products. It’s now possible to use a VR headset to look around a computer-generated version of a proposed project, and make minor changes before a single brick has been lain. Or, we might use augmented reality as the project is ongoing to achieve much the same thing.

2. Green Buildings

The need to reduce emissions and make buildings sustainable has never been more pressing. This means more efficient envelopes, and energy that’s generated right in the buildings themselves. The homes of the future might come will ultra-efficient photovoltaic rooftops, or ground-source heat pumps.

3. Construction Insurance

As the industry progresses, firms are likely to come up against new and unexpected kinds of risk, which will necessitate specialised forms of construction insurance.

4. Smart Homes

The smart home has been something of a buzzword in recent years, though there are some misconceptions about home automation. With all of the energy-consuming appliances and devices able to communicate with one another, we’re afforded an accurate picture of a given home’s energy consumption – and we’re able to tweak the dials via algorithms. The rollout of smart meters means that energy companies can react swiftly to changes in demand, thereby lowering costs and bolstering overall efficiency.

smart-homes

Over the coming decades, it’s likely that this principle will be expanded to encompass not just individual homes, but entire estates, and eventually cities.

5. 3d Printing

Additive manufacturing is something that’s been revolutionary in the world of prototyping, but hasn’t quite lived up to the considerable hype in the world of construction. It’s probable that in the future, construction as we know it will be done through entirely different means, and that walls will be thrown up using materials extruded from a machine-controlled nozzle, in much the same way as small-scale 3d printers like the Creality Ender 3 V2 do today..

It’s possible to throw up buildings incredibly quickly and cheaply using this technology – provided that the initial expense of the printer itself is overcome.

Recommended Reading: Environmental Impact of the Construction Industry

Tips On How To Manage Your Fleets Fuel Expenditure

For fleets and their managers, money spent on fuel makes up a majority of any team’s budget, and recent fluctuations in price meant that a massive effort was needed to try and keep things from completely breaking the budget. In this article, we will look at three ways your fuel spending can be better managed. Broadly speaking this can only be done in two ways, consume less fuel or find a cheaper fuel source. The next question then is how?

how to manage fleet fuel expenditure

Analysis of Driving and Duty Cycles

While the debate still rages on about what the next generation of fuel there are methods to reduce current fuel spending costs. Typically these costs are sensitive to drive and duty cycles, this implies that analysis of said cycles can result in a possible reduction in costs if done right. With advancements in technology including GPS tracking and data harvesting analyzing either a driving cycle or the overriding duty cycle is made far easier than most would expect.

Data that is generated by modern technology can even be used to predict savings in adopting technology like real-time driver tracking which can then be used to offset the expected return of investment technology adoption typically entails. Further, data taken in real time will assist in determining future costs associated with duty cycles even in the event of a freak weather event as an example.

Never Forget the Basics

Adoption of new technology is certainly one way to reduce costs, but it is also important not to forget the basics. Things like maintaining proper tire inflation, reducing vehicle weight, reducing potential rolling resistance, getting drivers to practice passive idle reduction, and most importantly maintaining vehicles properly are tried and tested ways fuel costs can be reduced.

If the fleet manager wants to dive even deeper into similar ways to reduce costs, newer vehicles often include computer-governed powertrains. This allows for the powertrain to be made more efficient by mapping power delivery curves and transmission shift points via the onboard computer for improved fuel consumption.

Transport Fleets Using Telematics

Modifying Driver Behaviour

No matter where you are based drivers are your most important asset and getting them to adopt better behaviors on the road can be one of the best methods to reduce fuel consumption. Be it in Colorado or charlotte trucking relies fundamentally on the driver in question. Fleet managers across the globe have found great success in reducing costs. Here again, the technology used to analyze driving and duty cycles and be used to track driver behaviors.

Modern tracking systems not only provide GPS data but data pertaining to the overall condition of the vehicle. Specialized fleet management systems like CameraMatics not only provide GPS data but data pertaining to the overall condition of the vehicle. This data can be used to determine problem driving areas and subsequently corrected.

Conclusion

While the world waits on a new fuel source to come to market cheaper than what we currently have, the best method is to reduce fuel consumption that threatens to blast a hole in any budget. Above we have seen three fleet fuel management methods to do so with some of them requiring little to no capital expenditure.

What Is A Bitcoin Wallet? Everything You Need To Know

Crypto wallets are an important addition for anyone who wishes to be a part of the crypto ecosystem. These wallets are specially designed to store information regarding your digital assets. At the same time, it is also important to mention here that these wallets are protected by highly confidential keys. For more detail : bitcoin-loophole.live/

Accessible And User-Friendly Bitcoin Wallets

There are two kinds of keys that protect a crypto wallet one is the public and the other one is a private key. Taking this a step ahead let’s understand more about the bitcoin wallet and what are the key aspects associated with it. When it comes to cryptocurrency transactions, crypto wallets are an integral part of it. At the time of registration on a crypto exchange platform or when you want to use a bitcoin ATM, you would require a wallet where you will be finally receiving the cryptocurrencies.

There are different types of wallets however, most importantly, you should note that several companies provide them. Not every crypto wallet may be suitable for you because each of them holds its own set of pros and cons.

The two basic classifications of a crypto wallet are under the following categories:

  1. Hardware wallet
  2. Software wallet

Software wallet

These are like digital bank accounts. You can send and receive and manage cryptocurrencies using a software wallet. A software wallet gets installed on your computer and works with an active  internet connection. Make sure that you don’t use a public Wi-Fi system for this as there is a greater probability of breaching attempts. In simple terms, you can say that this wallet is like a keychain where you store the keys that give you access to your crypto. To protect the wallet, they are designed to generate seat phrases which are usually between 12 to 24.

Securing the software wallet

One of the easiest ways to crack your software wallet is to secure the keys and you must keep a backup. Crypto wallets come with a feature for restoring and backup. With it, it becomes easier for you to get back the information and details even if you lose the wallet. To ensure complete safety, you should write your recovery key on a piece of paper.

bitcoin wallet principles

Hardware wallet

The next option that you have is a hardware wallet. As evident from the name this wallet has a physical existence and doesn’t need the power of the internet to access.  As compared to the software wallet, the hardware wallets are considered to be a safer option primarily because they don’t need an internet connection. This adds to the layer of security. However, there is always a probability of losing the wallet and so one has to be very cautious while using it.

You can get a hardware wallet from dollar 32 up to dollar hundred. These wallets provide the user complete access to their digital assets however it may be less convenient than using a hot wallet since you always need to carry a physical product for this.

What’s next?

Once you have gotten I estimate of the type of wallet you want to invest in, the next step is to invest in one and start trading using the right crypto exchange platform. As much as it is important to get a good crypto wallet, it is equally significant to register yourself on a trusted platform where in you can access all the cryptocurrencies of your interest.

Doing proper research is a must if you are willing to make the most out of your investment in cryptocurrencies. You must explore the different types of crypto wallets available in the market.

Nowadays, you have different cryptocurrencies like utility tokens, security tokens, stablecoins, national cryptocurrencies and others. This gives you more scope for diversifying your investment portfolio and getting into the mode of being a seasoned investor.

Conclusion

Cryptocurrencies are here to stay, and you may like it or not, you cannot certainly ignore the growing face of cryptocurrencies. Whether it is bitcoin or Ethereum or non-fungible tokens, decentralized finance is slowly penetrating the lives of individuals and then changing the global economy. Hence this is the right time to make a start and choose like this auto-trading bot

Sputtering Target: An Overview

Thin films are required for several processes—from manufacturing touch panels and glass to solar cells and displays. These layers are manufactured using a process called sputter deposition. The sputtering target is a vital piece in the procedure.

This article will cover all you need to know about sputtering targets.

Let’s dive right in.

What is a Sputtering Target?

A sputtering target is a raw material that helps produce thin films used in sputtering deposition/coating. It helps to coat different materials called the substrate. Substrates can be glass, displays, solar cells, etc.

Sputter targets can be circular, like the one shown below. Similarly, they can come in powdered form.

what is sputtering target

Source

Sputter coating occurs in a sputtering system. The image below shows what this system looks like. The sputtering system is a vacuum chamber with a controlled pressure of 0.5 to two pascals. 

applications of sputtering target

Source

The coating process begins with the introduction of argon gas until the system attains a low-pressure argon-filled environment.

Sputtering targets are usually negatively charged. Since argon has a positive charge, it is attracted to the target. When it collides with the sputtering target, it ejects atoms from the target surface. There is also a magnetic material/array in the system that reinforces the ejection of these atoms.

Then, the ejected atoms travel opposite the target to coat the substrate layer-by-layer until they form a uniform thin film.

One of the most popular target materials used as sputtering targets, especially for semiconductors, is aluminum. This is thanks to its versatility and superior heat resistance. However, you still need a certified aluminum powder supplier to get the best possible coating quality.

4 Uses of the Sputtering Target

The sputtering target is a vital piece for coating most of the materials you use today. In this section, we will discuss the four popular uses of the sputtering target.

1. Semiconductors

The sputtering target is necessary to create several thin layers in semiconductors. These include microchips, flat panel displays, etc. The target is an integral part of the wiring and barrier layer of the semiconductor.

Besides, in wafer manufacturing, these targets are necessary to produce conductive layers and metal grids. The importance of the sputtering target further extends to chip packaging, where it is used to manufacture the wiring layer and metallic layer just below the bump.

The targets used for semiconductors are the most demanding when it comes to purity and technology. They will not meet the required electric performance if the impurity level is higher than required. This can lead to circuit damage. Metals such as Aluminum, Tantalum, Titanium, Copper, etc., are recommended for the process. A mil-spec supplier can help ensure this purity.

2. Solar Cells

The sputtering target is an integral part of thin film solar cells, which is the second and one of the most efficient generations of solar cells. With the target coating, this generation promises 10 to 20 years of lifetime with the best payback time.

There are many targets used for solar cell coating. The first is cadmium telluride (CdTe) sputtering target. This target works with the least carbon footprint and water usage during the sputter deposition process. With CdTe, you also don’t have to worry about energy deficit in the short term. However, cadmium is a component of the target, which can be toxic.

Another target used is the CIGS target. CIGS is the combination of copper, indium, gallium, and selenium. Films prepared using CIGS show superior light absorption and power-generating potential.

You can also use the gallium arsenide target, which maintains its efficiency even at overly high temperatures. It is most suitable for solar cells used in areas with high radiation and ultraviolet rays, such as aerospace.

3. Low Radiation-Coated Glass

Energy-saving glass or low radiation-coated glass is replacing the traditional glass today. This is partly because of its aesthetics and its energy-saving and light control capabilities. The magnetron sputtering technique is used to manufacture this low radiation coated glass.

Silver sputtering targets are very popularly used for energy-saving glasses. This is due to their elevated conductivity, ductility, and malleability. Another material is chromium sputtering target. This target can make a film as tiny as 2 to 10 micrometers. Chromium is hard, doesn’t wear off easily, and can resist impact. These are the features you want in your glass.

Titanium sputtering target is perhaps the most versatile choice. Whether you’re using it for semiconductors or low radiation-coated glass, it slots in seamlessly.

Other important target materials to note are the zinc tin target, silicon aluminum target, and titanium dioxide target.

4. Optical Glass

Sputtering targets are also necessary components for making coatings of sunglasses, optic filters, eyeglasses, and other optics glasses. You can superimpose these thin films on these optical components. These thin films further optimize how light is transmitted or reflected in the optical glass. In essence, sputtering targets are responsible for the anti-static safety property of lenses and other visors.

Coating with the target material can help you elevate the luster and lifetime of the optical glass. It also minimizes abrasion and increases the glass’s thermal conductivity.

The targets used in this case are similar to the ones used in the energy-saving glass coating. Their difference lies in their manufacturing procedure.

There are two popular sputtering processes for optical glass coating. The first is ion beam sputtering. This involves bombarding the target with high-energy ion beams. This will help eject the target atoms and form a hard, dense, and smooth film on the optical surface.

The other sputtering process is advanced plasma sputtering. This process uses a hot cathode to eject the atoms instead of high-energy beams. This process gives you smooth and hard coating on the optical surface, reinforcing its stability. It is a very versatile process. Thus, it is the preferable choice for high-volume and more demanding coating processes.

In Conclusion

From automobiles to electronics and other applications that require thin films, the sputter target is integral. It helps you add more functionality and durability to the substrate. There are various types of target materials, each suitable for various purposes. Some of them include zinc, titanium, CIGS, CdTe, and others.

These targets have various applications. You can use them to make components of semiconductors and solar cell coatings. They also come in handy when you want to coat energy-saving and optical glasses.

3 Reasons Why Your Business Should Invest in a Generator

Residents of Texas who recently experienced life without power for a significant time period will tell you it can be pretty debilitating. For business owners, the problems presented by power outages are manifold and can be catastrophic for the bottom line. One way to mitigate the risks associated with power outages is to invest in a good quality generator which can assist when trouble strikes.

Generators don’t come cheap, so it’s understandable that business owners will want to do their research before taking the plunge and making a purchase. If you find yourself on the fence when it comes to investing in a generator for your business, here are a few points that may help you with your decision:

energy-company

It Will Keep Your Business Running During a Power Outage

Anyone who has been out shopping or eating at a cafe during a power outage will know how inconvenient it can be. Often, you won’t be able to buy anything and operations will cease. If, however, the business were to have a generator that kicks in the moment the power goes down, then things will be significantly different.

Having a generator ensures that critical systems can continue to work and you won’t have to contend with disappointed customers. Be sure to investigate your options with a reputable supplier like Blue Diamond Generators who can advise you on the various models available and help find a model that is most well-suited to your business needs.

Generators Can Also Help During Brownouts

While the rise in the use of renewable energy is certainly a welcome development, one of the issues is that the power supply from these sources can be somewhat variable. Solar panels and wind turbines are being built at a rapid rate but they don’t always serve people when they need power most.

For example, wind power tends to be strongest during the spring and fall seasons but not necessarily during the summer and winter months when people actually need more power. Often when these systems become overloaded with demand for power, brownouts are implemented as a means of regulating the power supply.  Having a generator means that your business can remain environmentally-friendly but also continue operating should the renewable energy sources prove unreliable.

Investing in a Generator Can Be Cost-Effective in the Long Term

When you consider the amount of money your business loses as a result of a power outage or a brownout, then the cost of a generator doesn’t seem so bad. For example, in the catering trade, a loss of power results in food expiry, and these expenses are rarely recoverable. If you find that such events become regular then these expenses quickly build up. Owning a generator and fuel reserve could prove to be a long-term investment, especially if your business is operating in an area which is susceptible to storms of natural disasters.

If you’re able to find the funding,  then investing in a generator or a transformer ultimately allows your business to keep running even when others can’t. Not only will this give you a comparative edge over other businesses, but you could potentially make significant savings in the long run, especially when you consider any potential losses and disruptions that could happen as a result of a power outage.

Industrial Ovens: Types and Uses

Industrial ovens are absolutely essential pieces of equipment in many industries, from the pharmaceutical industry to the world of manufacturing.

Able to operate at immensely high temperatures, well in excess of 250 degrees Fahrenheit, these ovens can make use of various power sources, including electricity, gas, and oil, in order to operate, being used for heat-treating parts, conditioning metals, and much more.

This guide will take a look at some of the many different types of industrial ovens and some of their common uses too.

industrial-oven

The Types of Industrial Ovens

There are many different types of industrial ovens, and new types are being produced by leading industrial oven manufacturers all the time. It’s therefore not possible to list every single variety out there, but the list below will cover some of the most common types, introducing their basic design and functionality.

1. Electric

An industrial electric oven, as the name implies, will make use of electricity as its primary power source. This allows it to reach high temperatures very quickly, as well as giving the user a lot of precise control over the interior temperatures, times, and settings. These types of ovens are useful when working with certain types of metal products and combustible items that aren’t suitable for gas ovens.

2. Gas

Gas ovens make use of gas to operate and are more affordable to use than electric ovens due to their lower energy costs. They can heat up very quickly and keep their temperatures high for longer than other oven types, making them useful for extended sessions of heating and treating. They generally make use of either natural gas or propane and are well-suited for jobs like automotive part manufacturing and powder coating onto the steel.

3. Drying

A drying oven, as the name implies, is designed to dry out the items that are placed inside it, removing any excess moisture. This can be very useful for sterilizing medical items, heat-treating metals, and so on.

4. Curing

A curing oven is designed to help powders and paints bond with metal surfaces. They’re great for processes like powder coating, as well as being useful for hardening substances like plastic and rubber, and they can have a range of different power sources, including electricity and gas.

5. Conveyor

A conveyor industrial oven is one that has a conveyor belt system on the inside which gradually moves the items along into different oven zones. There are usually multiple heating zones operating at different temperatures in a conveyor oven, as well as cooling zones too, and these ovens are hugely versatile, working with curing, drying, forming, and other processes.

6. Batch

A batch industrial oven is a very large oven that can take on big jobs, heating many items all at once. These tend to be some of the biggest industrial ovens around and they’re usually powered by electricity.

7. Tunnel

A tunnel oven is a long industrial oven with openings at either end and a belt in the center. Items move along the belt, through the tunnel, from one end to the other, being heated and baked in the center. These ovens tend to operate continuously, able to treat batch after batch of items, making them well-suited for baking and food preparation.

Uses of Industrial Ovens

There are many different ways in which industrial ovens can be used, for example:

  • Food – Just like commercial ovens you find at home or in restaurants, industrial ovens can also be used to bake food products, but on a much larger scale than a typical home oven. They’re essential for businesses that make large batches of food for sale and delivery.
  • Sterilization – Industrial ovens can play a key role in sterilizing medical items and accessories like scalpels, syringes, and so on. Their high temperatures help to kill bacteria and other germs, as well as eradicating other contaminants.
  • Pharmaceuticals – Another medical application of industrial ovens is for making pills in the pharmaceutical industry. These ovens can be used to essentially bake the coatings of pills into place and getting rid of any excess chemicals or contaminants.
  • Heat Treating – This process is when heat is applied to metals to create different effects, like strengthening or tempering the metals or aging them. This process can take days to complete but can result in much stronger and more durable metals for use in industries like aeronautics and automotive.

Final Word

In their many forms, sizes, and styles, it’s clear to see that industrial ovens play a vital role in the world around us.