Category: Science

Kiwanis Club of Aurora members receive the Aurora Public Library Foundation Lifelong Learning Inspiration Award at a recent event at Santori Public Library of Aurora. From left, Kiwanis members Larry Frieders, Jack Hienton, Amy Roth, and Kim Groom.

Big hearts, generous volunteers, donors help Aurora Public Library Foundation

By Miriam Meza –  Valentine’s Day is not just roses, cards, and yummy chocolate. It is about expressing love and appreciation to those around you. When you think of Valentine’s Day, hearts may come to mind. For Aurora Public Library Foundation (APLF), big-hearted individuals are what comes to mind. Generous

Dan Palace, external investment consultant from Allianz Global Investors shares information Monday with the Rotary Club of Aurora members about water scarcity and sustainable investing. Palace said the increase in water insecurity will drive up the need for investment in smart water technology. An estimated 2 trillion gallons of water leaks from broken pipes in the U. S. each year. Jason Crane/The Voice

Increase in water insecurity will drive up the need for investment in smart water technology

Dan Palace, external investment consultant from Allianz Global Investors shares information Monday with the Rotary Club of Aurora members about water scarcity and sustainable investing. Palace said the increase in water insecurity will drive up the need for investment in smart water technology. An estimated 2 trillion gallons of water

Montgomery Village attorney Steve Andersson, left, explains the legal aspect to Board members, including Village president Matt Brolley before a vote to amend the Village zoning ordinance regarding gas and petroleum manufacturing at the Montgomery Village Board meeting Monday. Two weeks prior, petitioners for a proposed $40 Million pyrolysis facility said the plant would help recycle scrap tires using a thermal distillation process by converting tire chips into carbon powder and liquid fuel under a vacuum seal and airlock. After research and discussion, trustees Denny Lee, Doug Marecek, and Theresa Sperling voted 3-1 against the amendment. They agreed while the technology is in use in Germany their concerns are for the references given by the interested entity and safety concerns for the residents and Aurora University’s $20 Million athletic facility next door to the proposed location. Trustee Steve Jungermann voted in favor. He said the facility would create jobs and petitioners weren’t given a fair shot. Jason Crane/The Voice

Montgomery Village Board votes 3-1 against proposed $40 Million pyrolysis facility

Montgomery Village attorney Steve Andersson, left, explains the legal aspect to Board members, including Village president Matt Brolley before a vote to amend the Village zoning ordinance regarding gas and petroleum manufacturing at the Montgomery Village Board meeting Monday. Two weeks prior, petitioners for a proposed $40 Million pyrolysis facility

From left: Mooseheart physics teacher Curt Schlinkmann and seniors Anthony Gomez and Amanda Jones. Schlinkmann, who originated Mooseheart’s bridge-breaking contest in 1987, will retire at the end of this school year. Mooseheart Communications photo

Bridge-breaking contest at Mooseheart to end 33-year run

For 33 years, it’s been a tradition at Mooseheart for Curt Schlinkmann’s physics class members to participate in a bridge-breaking contest in early January. This year’s version of that contest took place Wednesday, Jan. 16 and senior Amanda Jones’ won when her bridge held 33.6 pounds of weight before it

Donna Crane

Solar industry’s future lies in lightweight technology

First of two parts Solar industry’s future lies in lightweight technology. Scientists are developing flexible, thin-films that will be more resilient and have wider uses than current solar technology. John Fialka, submitted the following report online November 30 for Scientific American (E&E News). “Now that solar energy is competitive with

Eric Peterman, CEO of GRNE Solar, answers questions at the Montgomery Village Board meeting Monday. GRNE Solar is requesting approval for a special use permit to install solar panels on approximately 43 acres at 800 S. River Street. The power would be for the Fox Metro Reclamation District and could save taxpayers an extimated $160,000 per year. • A request was made for a special use permit for a Ricky Rockets fuel center at the Southwest corner of Orchard Road and Jericho Road. The proposed facility would be a gas station, car wash, convenience store, multi-tenant building and future out-lots, and hospitality use. The plan could be approved next month. • A property tax rebate in the amount of $45 will be mailed to each residential property owner who submits an application by December 17. The application can be found on the Village of Montgomery website. Jason Crane/The Voice

Installation of solar panels for the Fox Metro Reclamation District could save taxpayers $160,000

Eric Peterman, CEO of GRNE Solar, answers questions at the Montgomery Village Board meeting Monday. GRNE Solar is requesting approval for a special use permit to install solar panels on approximately 43 acres at 800 S. River Street. The power would be for the Fox Metro Reclamation District and could

Arlene Hawks, executive director of SciTech Hands On Museum in Aurora, shares plans with members of the Kiwanis Club of Aurora, Tuesday at the Prisco Center in Aurora. The museum in downtown Aurora with approximately 200 hands-on exhibits, recently celebrated 30 years of educating students of all ages. Founding director Ernest Malamud, a Fermilab physicist, envisioned an inspiring space to introduce people of all ages to science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. Hawks, a former teacher and theater director at East Aurora High School, hopes partnerships and funding from Fox Valley businesses and organizations will continue to help the Museum develop fresh, interactive STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) exhibits. She was happy to report the museum traffic has increased by 40%.

SciTech Hands On Museum in Aurora recently celebrated 30 years of educating students

Arlene Hawks, executive director of SciTech Hands On Museum in Aurora, shares plans with members of the Kiwanis Club of Aurora, Tuesday at the Prisco Center in Aurora. The museum in downtown Aurora with approximately 200 hands-on exhibits, recently celebrated 30 years of educating students of all ages. Founding director

John Whitehead

Big Brother assisted by technology

It’s a given that Big Brother is always watching us. Unfortunately, thanks to the government’s ongoing efforts to build massive databases by using emerging surveillance, DNA, and biometrics technologies, Big Brother, and his corporate partners in crime, are getting even creepier and more invasive, intrusive, and stalker-like. Indeed, every dystopian