Recent comments in /f/askscience

PhiliFlyer t1_j3aelpb wrote

This is not true. Plasticizers are generally not used in elastomeric seals (nor tires as in your previous reply). Elastomers (of which natural rubber is a member) embrittle due to oxidation and thermal degradation. In the case of polyurethane elastomers, water hydrolysis can cause degradation.

Leaving a dishwasher unused will actually prolong the life of the seals since there is less exposure to water, oils, and oxygen at high temperatures.

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davew_haverford_edu t1_j3a9t10 wrote

You might want to listen to the "Bengal Water Machine" segment of this podcast (or find the associated article):

Podcast/Article: Testing planetary defenses against asteroids, and building a giant ‘water machine’

URL: https://traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/e763ee7a-311f-4004-8c05-ad8a0018d51b/68fe80a5-856c-4341-9f13-ada1016db982/3ec14be4-bac0-4202-8a57-af1100fbc292/audio.mp3?utm_source=Podcast&in_playlist=dddf1674-4d7d-4aaf-a7f9-ada1016db98c

Description: <p>On this week’s show: NASA’s unprecedented asteroid-deflection mission, and making storage space for fresh water underground in Bangladesh</p>

URL: http://www.sciencemag.org/rss/podcast.xml

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