Zone In

Facial Cleanser Probe

2009-12-19T22:17:00.001+08:00

Alright, after a few bites at the heavenly durian, it's time for something educational. I'm sure everyone knows what facial cleansers are or at least have a vague idea of what it does from its glaringly obvious name. People use these to wash their faces so that their complexions glow like those models with porcelain-like skins on tv ads. I use them too. However, like all synthetic products, these things have dozens of chemicals in them (does mentioning this startle you enough to get you worrying now?) So, I grabbed the nearest facial cleanser I have (not disclosing its name and brand here as my intention is to bring the issue of chemicals in facial cleansers in light instead of finding parties to blame) and read through its label, specifically its list of ingredients. Here's what I found:

Water
Stearic Acid
Glycerin
Propylene Glycol
PEG-8
Lauric Acid
Potassium Hydroxide
Myristic Acid
Beeswax
Glyceral Stearate
PEG-100 Stearate
Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Corn starch modified
Methyl Lactate
Phenoxyethanol
Fragrance
Tetrasodium EDTA
Methyl Paraben
Water, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
Methylisothiazolinon
Cl47005
Cl42090
Cl 17200

There, almost 2 dozens of chemical ingredients (maybe more, considering "fragrance" may consists of many aromatic compounds). Now, the amount of chemicals maybe startling, but that doesn't mean its unsafe nor vouch that it is otherwise. It's as good as saying some compounds found in margarine or butter (I couldn't recall which one) is only one atom less than some other poisonous compounds. In chemistry, one atom makes all the differences. I decided to dig around for some info on these compounds and this is what I managed.

Steric Acid ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stearic_acid )
"Stearic acid is useful as an ingredient in making candles, plastics, dietary supplements, oil pastels and cosmetics, and for softening rubber.It is used to harden soaps, particularly those made with vegetable oil."
From the info provided, it is known that steric acid is widely used in industries and cosmetic products. In fact, steric acid is added in cosmetic products together with ethyl glycol to form esters (glycol stearate and glycol distearate) that give these products pearly effect. In the article, steric acid is said to be less unhealthy than other saturated fatty acids as it is less likely to be incorporated into cholestrol esters.

Glycerin ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycerol )
Glycerin, formally known as Glycerol, is widely used in personal care products as lubricating agent and humectant. An interesting fact about glycerol is that it is also used in the production of nitroglycerin (GNT), an essential compound in explosives. It is generally harmless, as implied in the article, unless shoddy manufacturers substituted glycerol with diethylene glycol which is similar in appearance, smell and taste but toxic to human.

Propylene Glycol ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propylene_Glycol )
Propylene glycol used in personal care products is racemic mixture. Unlike the previous chemicals, propylene glycol has potential health effects as stated in the article. However, these potential health hazards are only valid if huge amount of propylene glycol is consumed in short amount of time. Owing to its extremely low toxicity (and it's neither carcinogenic nor genotoxic), it is generally recognized as safe for physiological applications.

Intermission

2009-05-22T21:33:00.004+08:00

Zone In comes to an intermission to bring you this magnificient video taken by William Castleman during the 2009 Texas Star Party. More details of the video and its owner are available below the video.

Galactic Center of Milky Way Rises over Texas Star Party from William Castleman on Vimeo.

EAP Zone In Unshackled

2009-05-15T20:56:00.002+08:00

With the end of semester 2 of academic year 2008/2009, this blog, and by extension its owner, yours truly, are now free from the original modus operandi of this blog.

However, I would like to preserve this blog as much as update it with interesting academic articles that I stumble upon from time to time. The choice was made based on the fact that the effort that I poured into creating and maintaining this blog shall not be wasted, regardless of how things have been for the blog.

Also, this blog will be renamed to better justify its new purposes, which I have not really determine aside from hotlinking to other sites and possibly adding a few words of mine pertaining to the articles linked.

That is all for now.

Reflection on EG1471

2009-04-21T06:57:00.001+08:00

EG1471 has been, overall, an enjoyable module. Lessons were undertaken in a relaxing manner, which I greatly appreciate. The occasional language games held further fostered cooperation among fellow classmates and enhanced the learning environment. However, there were still a few hurdles that I encountered over the past 4 months whilst reading this module.

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E-portfolios

Personally, I have no problem with using blogs as a yardstick of progress in this module. However, I believe that there is room for improvement in how assignments can be better drafted in order to meet the objective(s) of introducing the E-portfolios in the first place. The purpose of keeping an e-portfolio was said to facilitate the process of understanding and using academic English. Currently, assignments are mainly focused in presenting summaries of information gained elsewhere such as talks and suggested readings. The topics that were presented in the aforementioned sources did not vary much from each other, with global warming being the hot topic (no pun intended). In fact, I have written nothing but global warming in this module. I personally find this is extremely restrictive and repulsive. With those feelings, I tend to avoid my e-portfolio assignments as much as possible. I understand that our works can be evaluated easily if such conditions were imposed. Also, it may be a perfect simulation of what is to be expected in the near future when we are to partake actively in academic and professional community. However, as mentioned previously, this is very repulsive indeed and definitely not the best way to initiate our motivation in academic writing. Furthermore, I had great difficulty in commenting my fellow classmates' works constructively with the exception of offering compliments. As their works were centred around the very few topics that were provided in the first place, my comments for one piece of work would generally apply to other pieces with the same topic unless there were exceptional points highlighted. Again, the repulsiveness towards essays on the same topics applies here too.

I personally would have preferred a more engaging and less restrictive e-portfolios networks where blog entries are based on user preferences. Why limit them to global warming when the whole web is practically swarming with global warming articles?

Deadlines

Admittedly, this is a hurdle that I brought upon to myself. I included it here so as to serve as a reminder to myself that I have serious issues with deadlines. Thankfully, EG1471 tutors are a forgiving lot and I managed to meet stipulated deadlines for all the assignments. There is really no other solution to this than making sure that I work on assignments promptly.

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With these lessons learnt, hopefully EG1413 would be a more enjoyable module.

My Common Grammar Mistake

2009-04-21T05:27:00.001+08:00

The following are my 3 glaring and common grammar mistakes. The list is not exhaustive, of course.

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1^st type: Article

Article is one of the most simple grammar structures to be comprehended and used. However, I often commit mistakes related to this grammar structure, the reason being that I often overlook them when I write.

A simple example would be: "Otherwise, fuel economy of HEVs and ICVs are mainly determined by various factors and comparable to each other." (Extracted from my writing assignment 2).

In this excerpt, the article "the" must be present in front of "fuel economy", so as to show that "fuel economy" refers to that of HEVs and ICVs.

Therefore, the corrected version should be: "Otherwise, the fuel economy of HEVs and ICVs are mainly determined by various factors and comparable to each other."

I could not think of a better solution other than proof reading and edit my essays properly.

2^nd type: Prepositions

Although this type of mistake rarely turns up in my final works, there were still occasional slips related to prepositions every now and then, resulting in awkward sentence structures. I often have trouble choosing which prepositions to use because of their overlapping definition.

For instance, "Therefore, it can be concluded that the limited benefits of HEVs which can only be obtained under specific environments may render the switch to HEVs overall pointless." (Extracted from my writing assignment 2 again.)

There are more than 1 mistake in this excerpt, but I shall correct the part related to preposition now and leave the other mistake for later because it is another one of my common mistake. In this excerpt, the preposition "under" should have been "in" instead, as "specific driving environments" can be visualized as a 3-dimensional noun, "in" which HEVs operate and not "under" which HEVs operate.

Hence, the corrected version should be: "Therefore, it can be concluded that the limited benefits of HEVs which can only be obtained in specific environments may render the switch to HEVs overall pointless."

The solutions that I adopt were to review the use of prepositions so that I am sure I have clear understanding of how to use prepositions, and of course, careful proof reading too.

3^rd type: Punctuation

Punctuation is yet another grammar structure that is easy to understand and used properly. However, the careless me have always managed to either punctuated wrongly or forgot to punctuate my sentences. I have no problem whatsoever with the use of full-stops, as there must be a full stop at the end of every sentence. Its counterpart, the comma, however, is somewhat trickier for me to handle. I could not decide whether the commas that I intend to use in my sentences are there for cosmetic purposes, such as to improve readability and show coherence, or they should be there as dictated by grammar. Mistaking the former for the latter often led me to drop the commas and consequently, my sentences ended up grammatically incorrect.

Using the same example as above: "Therefore, it can be concluded that the limited benefits of HEVs which can only be obtained in specific environments may render the switch to HEVs overall pointless."

There is a hint of digression in the sentence above owing to the presence of the adjective clause "which can only be obtained in specific environments". As this argument was already explained explicitly in earlier in my essay, this clause only serves as an emphasis on the limitations that HEVs face. The sentence would still convey the core message, with or without this clause. Therefore, the must be commas sandwiching the clause.

The final version of the sentence should be: "Therefore, it can be concluded that the limited benefits of HEVs, which can only be obtained in specific environments, may render the switch to HEVs overall pointless."

One solution that I thought off is to adopt the same train of thought as displayed above whenever I am deciding whether to drop the punctuations.

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As mentioned before, the list is non exhaustive. The three listed grammar mistakes are my most common mistakes. I personally believe that these errors are elementary mistakes that should be avoided at all cost.

!!!This is a draft!!!

2009-03-03T04:39:00.001+08:00

Summary of Global Warming on the Road : The Climate Impact of America's Automobile

This report was conducted to analyze the extent of automobile carbon emission rate in US and guides the process of paradigm shift in designing and implementing policies to curb automobile carbon emission.

Authors : John DeCicco and Freda Fung (Environmental Defence)

Assited by : Feng An (Energy and Transportation Technologies, LLC)

-www.environmentaldefense.org

1. Drawing the correlation between the use of automobiles and global warming and outlining plausible explanation

2. Analysis methodologies available for scrutiny.

Hybrid Electric Vehicles and Electric Vehicles—A Technological Assessment

Author : Frost and Sullivan

1. Technical analysis on hybrid electric vehicles and electrical vehicles
2. Adoption factors and challenges

3 Speakers, 1 Cause : Global Warming

2009-02-03T09:40:00.005+08:00

On 30th January 2009, 3 distinguished speakers delivered their presentations to hall full of undergraduates regarding global warming at NUS. The first speaker was Prof. Andrew C. Palmer, who is currently based in Centre of Offshore Research (CORE), Department of Civil Engineering of NUS. The second speaker was Dr. Benjamin K. Sovacool; who is a research Fellow in Lee Kuan Yew's School of Public Policy. The last speaker was Dr. Rajasekhar Bala; Associate Professor from the Division of Environmental Science and Engineering of NUS.

Prof. Andrew C. Palmer started his presentation by stating a list of factors that influences changes in policies around the world and pointing out that global warming is among the top priorities of policymakers around the world. He went on to suggest a strategy in tackling global warming that includes utilizing existing technologies and devising schemes with significant efficacy. Then, he identified several key sectors in tackling global warming such as improving fuel efficiency and carbon sequestering before emphasizing that it is possible that more than one key sector to be addressed to ensure the substantial improvement. Among these sectors, Prof. Palmer chose to explain carbon sequestering. At this point, he explained the details of carbon capture and storage, constraints involved if this method is adopted and some suggested solutions. He continued with a brief description on the option of geo-engineering before wrapping up his presentation with emphasis on the political will to make changes that has always hamper efforts in addressing global warming.

Associate Professor Dr. Benjamin K. Sovacool from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy explained on a systematic approach towards technologies known as Science and Technology studies. This systematic approach, as Dr. Sovacool shared, serves as a guideline in analyzing and assessing existing science and technologies economically, socially and politically. The adaption of this approach in designing plans to tackle global warming allows holistic assessment. By adapting this approach, details of plans that can be improved shall be promptly addressed. Besides, this approach allows glimpses into the complex network of technology, socio-economy and politics. Such opportunity in turn provides plausible explanations for the successes and failures of technologies. Dr. Sovacool presented two case studies as examples; the rejection of electric-powered vehicles and nuclear energy, two technologies that have the potential to change the course of efforts against global warming. He further explained that electric-powered vehicle lost out to its nearest competitor; gas-powered vehicle. Even though the technology of powering vehicles with electricity is now deemed years ahead of its time when it was introduced in the early 20^th century, gas-powered vehicles found their ways into the car market through clever marketing schemes. That technology failed to appeal to the masses and thus lost ground to rival technology, despite the higher ground it has. Another case studies presented by Dr. Sovacool was the adaption of nuclear energy. He cited list of plausible socio-economic and political reasons for the lukewarm response shown towards this form of energy.

Dr. Rajasekhar Bala begun his presentation by providing statistical data and scientific consensus on environmental issues provided by international environmental groups such as the IPCC. He elaborated on agents of global warming known as green house gases and their roles in global warming. He also mentioned the dire consequences of global warming if this issue is not addressed promptly with adequate actions. As an example, he highlighted policies adapted by the Singapore government which reflects her role in the battle against global warming, particularly Singapore Green Plan 2007 and Singapore Green Plan 2012.

Among all three speakers, I found that Dr. Sovacool's presentation was the most intriguing and thought-provoking. His points were clear and easily comprehended but convey messages that condense the essences of environmental preservation efforts. I was able to realize the inadequacy of conventional approach towards mitigation efforts through the two case studies presented. The shortcomings mitigation efforts may not lie in their technicalities but perhaps other aspects that I think are often overlooked. I realized that any mitigation effort needs to be economically and technically feasible, socially acceptable. Political wills may determines the fate of mitigation efforts too among the aforementioned aspects. The complex network of technologies, mitigation efforts notwithstanding, commands holistic mitigation plans so that the efforts can succeed.

Efforts to Mitigate Global Warming by IPCC and UNEP

2009-02-01T17:37:00.011+08:00

The documentary "An Inconvenient Truth" presented by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Al Gore mainly revolves around the former US Vice President's efforts in ascertaining unequivocal facts among the public that global warming is occurring and that its implications are severe. The documentation of efforts that an individual can put in to address global warming is a twist from the conventional climate change mitigation strategies that require joint efforts of environmental and special interest groups. Although Al Gore has resources that many individuals lack; political influence, financial backup, and scientific database, he proved that individual efforts can contribute to solving global warming by reaching out to the public and educating the masses about global warming. Collective efforts, however, are still the most effective measure to counter the global issue of climate change as individual efforts are rarely noticed. Environmental and special interest groups are more likely to garner support in their causes and contribute to solving global warming than individuals undertaking the same path. Al Gore is truly an exception in this matter.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), a sub-organization of the United Nations (UN) is among the forerunners in combating climate change. UNEP serves to oversee the development of environmentally sound policies and encourages sustainable development in those countries. Other priorities of UNEP include constantly reviewing the global environment and bringing pressing issues of global warming to the attention of governments and the international community. UNEP has attained many achievements through its 7 divisions in the combat against environmental issues thus far. One of the most prominent achievements is the establishment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) with the World Meteorological Organization (IMO). IPCC is a scientific body that aims to provide scientific information related to climate change. UNEP has also successfully launched India Solar Loan Programme in 2007; a programme that provided 18000 households in India with photovoltaic electrical energy supply.1 This type of initiatives is not limited to domestic households as UNEP also encourages the use of renewable and clean energy among industries in the developing world through the Rural Energy Enterprise Development (REED). The REED is responsible for the injection of more than USD$10 million in Brazil, China, Ghana, Senegal, Mali, Tanzania and Zambia to develop renewable energy technologies in the aforementioned countries. IPCC, India Solar Loan Programme and REED make up only a tiny fraction of the UNEP list of measures adopted to address global climate change, with more programmes to be developed and undertaken as a result of active collaboration to governments and non-governmental organizations alike.

The IPCC main focus is to establish a database of global warming-related scientific literature. The panel evaluates risk of climate change induced by human activities and provide scientifically feasible suggestions for adoption and mitigation to policy makers all over the world. Ever since its inception in 1988, the IPCC has published 4 reports, one each in 1992, 1995, 2001 and 2007. The reports mainly consists of data of environmental issues, their possible causes, observed and projected impacts on the environment and followed up by outlines of measures that can be taken in various socio-economic sectors. In its recent report, the IPCC has included energy supply as one of the key factors in tackling climate change. As of now, the IPCC has identified that high-carbon emission energy generation technology is the mainstream energy supply globally and widespread adoption of low-carbon emission technology may takes decades to realise. The growing demand for energy from current economic giants and emerging economies such as China and India calls for energy sources of higher capacities and efficiency as energy consumption is projected to increase drastically in years to come. Even though low-carbon technology may not be able to fully replace high-carbon technology in the short run in terms of energy output, it certainly has the potential in the long run. Renewable energy sources identified by the panel includes hydropower, solar, wind, and geothermal, which leave less to no undesirable impacts on the environment as compared to conventional energy sources such as coal and oil, with the exception of hydropower. These sources do not require extraction process similar to those of fossil fuels and there is hardly any emission of green house gases (GHG) from power plants which utilize these sources as no combustion is involved. The panel then further elaborated on policies and measures related to adoption of clean and renewable energy sources proven to be effective and their key constraints in implementation. Other key points covered in the IPCC reports were subjected to the same argument. By providing comprehensive studies in the cause and effect of climate change, the panel is able to provide extensive information needed to tackle global warming. As much as drastic actions need to be taken when it comes to global warming, taking the right action is just as important and in that sense the IPCC can provide the essence of taking the right actions in tackling global warming.

Both UNEP and IPCC operate at a global scale and thus their efforts have far-reaching impacts. This type of top down approach, however, often fails to display the urgency in dealing with pressing issues such as global warming. Their efforts are often hampered by constraints in various level of governance. Governments may not adopt suggestions drafted because consensus that these bodies achieved are not obligatory and more than often the measures suggested do not agree with economic interests that are lobbied by groups with vested interests. Economic constraints aside, it is observed that political will is still lacking when it comes to adopting necessary changes to tackle global warming. The situation might change for better in the future as impacts of global warming become more prominent.

Reference :

Laurie David,Lawrence Bender, Scott Z. Burns (Producers) &
David Guggenheim (Director). 2006.
An Inconvenient Truth [Motion Picture].
United States : Paramount Classics.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2007).
Climate Change 2007 : Synthesis Report, Summary for Policymakers
Retrived January 30, 2009, from
http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar4/syr/ar4_syr_spm.pdf

United Nation Environment Programme. (2007).
UNEP 2007 Annual Report
Retrieved January 30, 2009, from
http://www.unep.org/PDF/AnnualReport/2007/AnnualReport2007_en_web.pdf

Developing Vital Traits of an Engineer

2009-01-20T18:14:00.005+08:00

Prof. Seeram Ramakrishna's opinions on the ever changing state of engineering featured in the article entitled "The Expanding World of Engineers" published in The Sunday Times, 5th August 2007 were brief outlines of the job scope for engineers, the current scenario in engineering education and some crucial ideas on the challenges and future of engineers. Prof. Seeram Ramakrishna also highlighted how engineering changed over the time, from the conventional jobs in highly technical fields to service oriented industries of no less technicalities and complexity. The diversity, versatility and flexibility of engineers' skills and knowledge have propelled the engineering field to a new level of difficulty in facing growing demands and challenges nowadays.

The versatility of engineers owes much to the systematic and analytical thinking that engineers practise coupled with the uncanny abilities in designing holistic solutions to problems encounter. These abilities are not inherent and it may take years to develop and hone.

Engineering education provided by universities addresses the need to develop the aforementioned abilities in engineers. The courses offered are usually structured to provide engineers in training with ample amount of technical knowledge and enough practical sessions to reinforce classroom learning. These practical sessions are crucial because they provide the opportunities for the trainee engineers to develop their skills in controlled environment. Many engineering undergraduates sign up for enhancement programmes such as industrial attachments and internship programmes which are products of collaboration between the university and companies with the intentions of providing the undergraduates with exposure to the working environment. These programmes allow the trainee engineers to hone their analytical skills and solution designing skills along with a myriad of soft skills which are lacking in the controlled environment of classroom. That aside, these trainings ensure trainee engineers have a smooth transition from university life to working life.

There is a limit of how much can these skills be developed within the confines of university though. Work experiences will help engineers to develop the aforementioned skills even further. The engineering field is an ever changing one and engineers need to constantly update themselves with latest information and skills in order to be better equipped in their work.

Brief Introduction to Zone In EAP

2009-01-20T17:24:00.000+08:00

Similar to what I always do whenever I start a blog, I feel that it is only appropiate for me to dedicate my first entry for a brief introduction of my blog and perhaps divulge some personal details.

However, there will a bit of twist this time, noting that this blog also serves as my e-portofolio for EG1471. Hence, there is not going to be any jokes, photographs, or personal entries. This blog is an academic blog and thus the entries shall be of such nature too. Besides writing assignments, I will post interesting academic articles that I stumble upon from time to time.

I am Fong Wai Nam, the owner of this blog and several other non-active ones that you can find at the sidebar. My major is Materials Science and Engineering. More details on me can be found at the bottom of the page.

Feel free to comment at the end of every entry or at the chat box.

That is all for introduction. My second entry will be my first writing assignment.