Newspaper Page Text
Science
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All that glitters
CLEANS
Gold is the latest weapon
against toxic waste.
GOLD DETERGENT may sound
like some hip soap for celebri
ties, but it could turn out to be the
best way to clean up toxic waste.
Michael Wong, a chemical engi
neer at Rice University, has discov
ered that gold can help to destroy
cancer-linked chemicals used by fac
tories and dry cleaners and in cer
tain household products, such as spot
remover and cosmetics.
Right now, more than 27,000 sites
nationwide are contaminated with
toxins called trichloro
k ethane (TCE) and per-
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chloroethene (PCE).
Current cleanup
I techniques would
1 cost billions of
dollars to employ,
and they wouldn’t
even destroy those
chemicals they
Glitter masks
the mineral's
tough work.
only move them to another site.
Wong used his “chemist’s intui
tion” to realize that he could com
bine gold with the metal palladium
to see if the combination might be ef
fective. He dusted palladium over tiny
samples of gold, then sprinkled the
resulting “fairy dust” onto contami
nated water. The golden detergent
broke down the chemicals into the
more environmentally friendly ethane.
Wong hopes that his discovery can
be used soon to help clean up toxic
waste sites at a fraction of the cost
of current, less-efficient techniques.
And, one day, the precious-metal con
coction might be used to purify drink
ing water in Third World countries. E 3
Karen C. Fox
USA WEEKEND • Feb. 29-March 2,2008
Mom didn’t think she needed email...
now she can’t live withoutit.
The HP Printing Mailbox with Presto
Service lets her receive email and
full-color photos without a computer
or Internet connection.
The Perfect Solution for Parents &
Grandparents
If you’re like me, you’d love to get Mom into
the electronic family loop. My mom doesn’t
want to use a computer, so until now I haven’t
been able to send her email. Recently, a friend
told me about a great solution she found. It’s
called the HP Printing Mailbox with Presto
Service, and it lets her send email, photos, and
PDF documents to her parents even though
they don’t have a computer.
Stay Connected to Family
My grown kids and I rely on email to stay
in touch. Keeping in touch with my
Mom is different. She doesn’t have or want
a computer, and while I always had good
intentions of printing photos and sending
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letters, I just didn’t have the time. Sure, I
call a lot, but she was missing out on all of
the great family emails and photos that I get
from my kids.
Simple Technology Makes Staying in
Tbuch Easy
Then we got her the HP Printing Mailbox. It
is a remarkable product that lets anyone
receive email and attached photos, or PDF
documents, without the hassle and expense
Presto
v 2008 Presto Services Inc ’Presto’ ’Presto Services Inc.', "You’re Connected', 'Printing Mailbox' and the Presto stylized logos, are service marks or registered service
of Presto Services Inc in the United States and other countries. U.S. and International Patents Pending. 'HP' is a registered trademark of Hewlett-Packard Development Company. LP.
43 23
For free information, visit:
www.presto92.com
or call (800)417-8987
X Jhr
of a computer or Internet connection. It’s
easy to set up and simple to use. All you
need is an existing phone line and electrical
outlet. Now our whole family can send Mom
email and photos that are transformed into
beautiful, full-color printouts. Messages are
printed automatically, so all she has to do
is pick them up off of the Printing Mailbox,
read, and enjoy! It couldn’t be simpler.
Whether we send pictures, jokes, or just a
note saying, “Hi, we love you,” Mom says
the HP Printing Mailbox has been a real joy.
Try Presto
See firsthand how Presto brings loved
ones who don’t use a computer into the
electronic family loop. It’s risk free. If you’re
not completely satisfied, simply return it
within 60 days for a refund.
44 Presto has provided a simple and
powerful way for my family to share
photos with each other with no one
being left out. 5 ’
Brian V. from California
44 My mother LOVES it! This is the
best present 1 have ever given my
mother. She says that getting her
Presto mail is like someone coming
to her house for a visit.
Sherri M. from Chicago
(m Hi
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