Archive for July, 2010
What is Ultra Filtration?
The term “ultra” is a modifier that is thrown around haphazardly to enhance the meaning of virtually any phrase. But when it’s attached to filtration, as in ultra filtration, it distinctly alters the meaning. In ultra filtration, hydrostatic pressure is used to force a liquid through a semipermeable membrane, effectively removing large molecules from the solution.
You’re probably asking yourself, “Who actually does this?” Typically the process is used to purify and concentrate protein solutions, such as those used in the dairy industry. The only difference between this and other types of filtration is the size of the molecules that are removed from the liquid.
Reveling in Technological Advancements
As someone who’s grown up immersed in technology, it’s easy to take the innovations of the last few centuries for granted. I mean, we get frustrated if we don’t have communication for a couple of minutes, whereas a century ago many people would be happy to hear from their relations a few times per year. Not only has communication grown exponentially—particularly with the advent of the internet—but so has the quality of our products.
Thanks to precision machining, manufacturers can mass-produce millions of tiny parts that work in conjunction flawlessly. From the tiny screws and microprocessors that go into your cellphone and laptop to the massive beams and steel plating used to construct immense edifices, everything around us is meticulously designed. And what’s even more amazing—in my opinion at least—is that many of us now take these amazing feats of design and engineering for granted