GC: n CT: When an atom of a radioisotope decays, it gives off some of its excess energy as radiation in the form of gamma rays or fast-moving sub-atomic particles. If it decays with emission of an alpha or beta particle, it becomes a new element. One can describe the

GC: n CT: Big Data is an all-encompassing term for any collection of data sets so large or complex that it becomes difficult to process using traditional data processing applications. The challenges include analysis, capture, curation, search, sharing, storage, transfer, visualization, and privacy violations. The trend to larger data sets

GC: n CT: Binary Power Plants. Binary plants, like dry-steam and flash-steam plants, make use of naturally sourced hot steam generated by activity from within the Earth’s core. All geothermal plants convert thermal energy to mechanical energy, then finally to electrical energy. Binary plants specifically use a second working fluid

GC: n CT: The benefits of exquisite selectivity matched with mild conditions enable an entirely new and complementary approach to synthetic chemistry. Biocatalysis has developed enormously in the past decade and now offers solutions to many intractable chemical problems in the pharmaceutical, fine chemical and lower value industrial sectors. The

GC: n CT: What is bio­cli­matic architecture? Archi­tec­ture that has a con­nec­tion to Nature. Build­ing designs that take into account cli­mate and envi­ron­men­tal con­di­tions to help achieve optimal ther­mal com­fort inside. It deals with design and archi­tec­tural ele­ments, avoid­ing com­plete depen­dence on mechan­i­cal sys­tems, which are regarded as sup­port. A

GC: n CT: Nowadays, different research projects in Spain focus on the convergence of construction, bioclimatic and domotics systems (17). However, for significant results, these studies should be carried out in environments with similar conditions to those in standard houses. Therefore, the system presented in this work has been installed

GC: n CT: Biocoal is made from all types of biomass and bio-residues – which represent an abundantly available resource. Not only is this resource available for free, it also has the potential to generate income by providing a disposal solution for unwanted bio-residues including agricultural biowaste, sewage sludge and

GC: n CT: Here we consider bioconversion to be the use of biological processes to transform biomass materials from one form to another. Such conversions involve the use of enzymes, microbes or other biological agents, alone or in combination. It is important to note that in the ‘biorefinery’ the bioconversion

GC: n CT: Rapid and efficient enzymatic degradation of plant biomass into fermentable sugars is a major challenge for the sustainable production of biochemicals and biofuels. Enzymes that are more thermostable (up to 70°C) use shorter reaction times for the complete saccharification of plant polysaccharides compared to hydrolytic enzymes of

GC: n CT: Biodiesel is a domestically produced, renewable fuel that can be manufactured from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled restaurant grease. It is a cleaner-burning replacement for petroleum diesel fuel. It is nontoxic and biodegradable. S: EERE – http://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/biodiesel_basics.html (last access: 26 November 2014) N: 1. also bio-diesel,

GC: n CT: Bioelectricity is generated from two bioenergy sources: solid biomass, such as wood chips and pellets, and biogas and biomethane that can be used both for electricity generation or co-generation and for injection into the gas grid as a direct substitute for natural gas. Electricity generation from these

See biomass energy

GC: n CT: Bioethanol has a number of advantages over conventional fuels. It comes from a renewable resource i.e. crops and not from a finite resource and the crops it derives from can grow well in the UK (like cereals, sugar beet and maize). Another benefit over fossil fuels is

GC: n CT: Biofertilizers are live formulations of agriculturally beneficial microorganisms, which upon application to seed, root or soil can mobilize the availabslitty of nutrients by their biological activity and help to improve the soil health. Mmicrobes involved in these formulations not only mobilize N and put P but also

GC: n CT: Microorganisms have the ability to produce electrochemically active substances that may be metabolic intermediaries or final products of anaerobic respiration. For the purpose of energy generation, these fuel-substances can be produced in one place and transported to a biofuel cell to be used as fuel. In this

GC: n CT: Biofuel cells are energy devices for the production of electricity, inspired by nature in their use of naturally occurring food sources as fuel. Some examples of these fuels are the energy rich molecules available in food, such as carbohydrates and sugars. The inner working of a biofuel

GC: n CT: Biogas typically refers to a gas produced by the anaerobic digestion or fermentation of organic matter including manure, sewage sludge, municipal solid waste, biodegradable waste, energy crops or any other biodegradable feedstock. Biogas is comprised primarily of methane and carbon dioxide. S: BG – http://www.big-east.eu/info_biogas/info_biogas.html (last access:

See biodiesel

GC: n CT: A flood of data means that many of the challenges in biology are now challenges in computing. Bioinformatics, the application of computational techniques to analyse the information associated with biomolecules on a large-scale, has now firmly established itself as a discipline in molecular biology, and encompasses a

See biosafety

GC: n CT: Biomass is the term used for the biological material from living or recently living organisms such as wood, waste materials, gases and alcohol fuels. Biomass is commonly plant matter that is specifically grown in order to produce electricity or to produce heat. S: BAA – http://www.biofuelsassociation.com.au/what-is-biomass (last

GC: n CT: We have used biomass energy, or “bioenergy”—the energy from plants and plant-derived materials—since people began burning wood to cook food and keep warm. Wood is still the largest biomass energy resource today, but other sources of biomass can also be used. These include food crops, grassy and

GC: n CT: Biomass fuel is defined in several ways. A restricted definition of biomass includes only fuels from recent photosynthesis and, as such, biomass could be considered as carbon neutral. An expanded definition of biomass also encompasses municipal waste (residential and commercial garbage) that is incinerating. In both cases,

See biomass power plant