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A comment on New multiferroic alloy turns waste heat into green electricity for free. Parent comment

Re:New multiferroic alloy turns waste heat into green electr... by jerf on Thursday June 23, 2011 @10:15AM (#2687926)
The objections DanielBMarkham are raising are literally high-school physics issues. I'm not expecting a QM explanation of what's going on, at this stage the researchers may not even be totally clear, but we know the efficiency is going to be bounded by thermodynamics, and in particular "generating electricity from waste heat!" rates dangerously high on the Science Bullshit-O-Meter. It can be done, but the bounds on efficiency are pretty dismal.

I'm not asking for a physics PhD level of coverage, but if you're going to cover this sort of thing giving us at least a high-school level of coverage would be nice. Just segment it off so those who are somehow interested in this but lack even that low bar of knowledge don't get too confused.

... or... not. I honestly can't say with a straight face this would increase your reader count, or any other interesting metric like that.

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Re:New multiferroic alloy turns waste heat into green electr... by eru on Friday June 24, 2011 @09:39AM (#2692131)
While it may not increase your reader count in the short run, it will probably make your readers come back, and let the article stay relevant for longer.
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Re:New multiferroic alloy turns waste heat into green electr... by NY_USA_Hacker on Thursday June 23, 2011 @12:11PM (#2688409)
"High school" WOW! What distant planet did you just arrive from?

You didn't get the memo: "All content is to be at the level of a not very good student in the fourth grade. There are two exceptions: Math is to be at the second grade level or below. Sex is to be at the tenth grade level or above."

Now you have the memo and know not to expect anything as far out, absurdly advanced, totally unrealistic, super genius level as high school physics!!!!!!!

Yes, you may want to rush back to your home planet. Have any extra space on your ship?

[ Parent | on HN ]