New Inventions or Discovery

Usually, the corn cob is considered an agriculture waste. This natural and organic waste material may be used in the industry, in general, and in the building industry, in particular. The work presented in this paper was developed in order to give a contribution to the knowledge of this material, by attempting to describe and assess its macrostructure and microstructure, elementary chemical composition, density, water absorption, fire resistance and thermal insulation capacity. These properties of the corn cob were compared with the corresponding ones of the most common thermal insulation products applied in the Portuguese building industry, which are extruded polystyrene (XPS), expanded polystyrene (EPS), cork and expanded clay. Several similarities were found when comparing the properties of these materials, in particular between the corn cob and the cork, which suggests that the corn cob may be used as a raw material to process thermal insulating products, light partition walls, ceiling coating, indoor doors and furniture, among other possible applications. The obtained results can also contribute to a more environmentally friendly building industry.

Humanity captured the best form of power at the beginning of the 20th century when two great industrialists discovered a new and magical form of electrical power that sparked a long and heated  battle for its control and ownership. The new invention held a multi-billion future that started a rivalry between George Westinghouse a renowned engineer and Thomas Edison a brilliant inventor. The two engaged in a public relations war concerning the economic dominance of the new invention. The battle which is often described as the “War of currents” revolved around fear. The war was so unbelievingly thrilling that it was featured in the movie “The prestige”. As we commemorate Tesla’s birthday on July 10th, let us relive the experiences of the inventor as he set out on the journey to provide the world with an affordable way of getting electric power.

Usually, the corn cob is considered an agriculture waste. This natural and organic waste material may be used in the industry, in general, and in the building industry, in particular. The work presented in this paper was developed in order to give a contribution to the knowledge of this material, by attempting to describe and assess its macrostructure and microstructure, elementary chemical composition, density, water absorption, fire resistance and thermal insulation capacity. These properties of the corn cob were compared with the ...

Usually, the corn cob is considered an agriculture waste. This natural and organic waste material may be used in the industry, in general, and in the building industry, in particular. The work presented in this paper was developed in order to give a contribution to the knowledge of this material, by attempting to describe and assess its macrostructure and microstructure, elementary chemical composition, density, water absorption, fire resistance and thermal insulation capacity. These properties of the corn cob were compared with the ...

Usually, the corn cob is considered an agriculture waste. This natural and organic waste material may be used in the industry, in general, and in the building industry, in particular. The work presented in this paper was developed in order to give a contribution to the knowledge of this material, by attempting to describe and assess its macrostructure and microstructure, elementary chemical composition, density, water absorption, fire resistance and thermal insulation capacity. These properties of the corn cob were compared with the ...

Usually, the corn cob is considered an agriculture waste. This natural and organic waste material may be used in the industry, in general, and in the building industry, in particular. The work presented in this paper was developed in order to give a contribution to the knowledge of this material, by attempting to describe and assess its macrostructure and microstructure, elementary chemical composition, density, water absorption, fire resistance and thermal insulation capacity. These properties of the corn cob were compared with the ...