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Our Changing World for Thursday 15 April 2010

  • Chatham Island Oystercatchers

    9:46 PM.Chatham Island oystercatchers have responded well to management that includes moving nests up the beach away from waves Read more Audio

  • Tasting Fat

    9:34 PM.Matt Golding explains that a new study has found that fat is a taste, not just a texture Audio

  • Emulsified Diesel

    9:20 PM.Veranis Corporation researchers are adding water to diesel to create a cleaner fuel for New Zealand vehicles Audio

  • Testing Sporting Equipment

    9:06 PM.Palmerston North-based company OBO is using an air cannon to test sports gear like face masks Audio

Testing Sporting Equipment

Palmerston North-based company OBO is making protective sporting gear for people like hockey goalies, and is then selling those products to 61 countries around the world.

As part of the design process, materials and products are tested in a purpose-built lab, where an air cannon fires balls at high speed and a computer records information on motion and impact.

Ruth Beran meets with Rueben Parr, Kamilan Naicker and OBO founder Simon Barnett who take her on a tour of the one thousand-square metre facility.

Below is the actual video made when the face mask was hit by the ball fired from the air cannon during this story.

Emulsified Diesel

Tony Devos at the contraol station console, and a Caterpillar engine fitted with dynamometer and sensors

Tony Devos at the control console, monitoring up to 160 different streams of information coming in from a standard Caterpillar engine fitted with dynamometers and sensors (images: J. Gregory)

At a small workshop in Lower Hutt, experiments with diesel fuels are producing exciting results. And the secret is just adding water. The result is emulsified diesel, a blend of water, diesel and some chemical additives, which together produce a cleaner burning and more stable fuel. It could also potentially have cost-saving benefits at the pump, and a better result for the environment and our lungs.

Project director Ian Coard and Research and Development Director Tony Devos of Veranis Corporation, are based at the Wellington Institute of Technology's Lower Hutt campus, and they explain it all to Justin Gregory.

Emulsified diesel fuel, smoke test filters showing difference between normal and emulsified diesel emissions, Leigh Ramsay and Tony Devos taking readings

Blended emulsified diesel, Bosch smoke test filters showing emissions from standard diesel fuel (top) and emulsified fuel (bottom), and fuel-blender Leigh Ramsay (standing) and Tony Devos taking readings during a trial (images: J. Gregory)

Tasting Fat

Matt GoldingUntil recently, it was believed that the tongue could only detect five tastes: sweet, sour, salt, bitter, and savoury or unami (which are foods that are rich in protein).

While fat is known to be a texture which can be identified in the mouth, a new study has found that people can also taste fat, and a person's sensitivity to it can impact on how much fatty food they eat, and also their likelihood of being overweight.

Ruth Beran meets Massey University'sMatt Golding (left) who puts her tastes to the test.

Chatham Island Oystercatchers

Oystercatcher eggs in nest, and Pat Liddy next to nest

Two eggs in an oystercatcher nest, and DoC ranger Pat Liddy next to the nest (images: A Ballance)

If you go to almost any beach in New Zealand, chances are you'll see an oystercatcher or two wandering around. Same goes in the Chathams, except out there they have their own special oystercatcher that needs a helping hand from time to time. Department of Conservation ranger Pat Liddy takes Alison Ballance to Wharekauri Beach to see a conservation success story in action.

Chathams oystercatchers on Wharekauri Beach, sign about oysterctcher nesting area and dead pilto whale on beach

Pair of oystercatchers on Wharekauri Beach, sign alerting people to oystercatcher nesting area, and dead pilot whale (images: A. Ballance)