China’s first offshore carbon storage project was put into operation on June 1 in the South China Sea.

With an annual capacity of 300,000 tons, the project is designed to store a total of more than 1.5 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), which is equal to planting nearly 14 million trees.

The operation of the project means China’s achievement in acquiring a complete set of technologies and equipment for capturing, processing, injecting, storing and monitoring CO2 at sea.

The project, serving the En ping 15-1 oil platform 200km southwest of Shenzhen, captures and processes CO2 from oilfields and then injects CO2 into a dome geological structure at a depth of around 800 meters under the seabed.

What needs to be done to inject CO 2 into the seabed?

Firstly, a location appropriate for storage shall be found. The “dome” geological structure discovered by Chinese experts, which resembles a massive bowl, is a natural “can” that is able to hold CO2 stably.

After the location is decided, a 900-meter-deep well with ad is pia cement(位移) of over 3,000 meters needs to be drilled so that CO2 can be sent to the “dome” geological structure.

Given such a huge di placement, the friction (摩擦力) on the sidewall of the well is expected to multiply, so the drill would probably stick inside the well. In addition, the well is likely to suffer from collapse and drilling fluid loss because of the loose soil under the seabed.

To cope with these challenges, drilling experts tailored anti-corrosion(耐腐蚀) drilling fluid that’s able to support the sidewall, which makes the injection of CO2 smooth.

Besides, a monitoring system has been fixed to the CO2 injection tube to see if the tube is leaked.

China’s sea area creates a sound environment for the storage of CO2. Its potential CO2 storage capacity is estimated to be 2.58 trillion tons, offering important support for the country to reach its goal of peaking carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.

Because of COVID-19, tourism industries have to think about new ways of promoting tourist attractions online. One way of getting tourists to travel abroad from their own home is through virtual reality (VR) technology. Here are some of the best virtual travel tours that can be enjoyed online right now.

For wild animal lovers, the company andBeyond has been live streaming (直播) wildlife to viewers at home from South Africa. In order to raise money for the wildlife, andBeyond is also now offering unique virtual experiences such as a private meeting. During the meeting, viewers can chat to guides who will answer all the questions and share their experiences from a recent drive.

Those wishing to explore the US will be excited to know that national parks including Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon and the Everglades, now offer 360-degree videos through Google Earth.

On the Google Arts & Culture platform (平台)，you can also enjoy a detailed virtual journey through some other national parks, such as Alaska's Kenai Fjords, the volcanoes of Hawaii or Utah's Bryce Canyon.

In the UK, the National Trust has organized many virtual tours from their most breathtaking views and gardens, including the Giant's Causeway and the flower beds of Hidcote House.

Even if it can’t compare to a real-life experience, VR technology still allows us to get a little closer to the world's greatest wonders. At the very least, these platforms might help travelers plan their next holiday once the pandemic (流行病)is over.

During the past decade, artificial intelligence has been rapidly evolving and changing our daily lives. From virtual personal assistants like Siri and Alexa to self-driving cars, AI has not only improved our efficiency but also created new industries and new possibilities. As students, it’s critical to understand and keep up with the latest developments in artificial intelligence. Let’s take a closer look.

AI is defined as the ability of machines to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and language translation. Thanks to rapid improvements in computer hardware and software, AI has been widely applied to a variety of industries, including healthcare, finance, transportation, and education. For example, AI-powered medical devices can detect illnesses and provide personalized treatment recommendations. AI algorithms can also help financial institutions to detect fraud and improve investing decisions.

However, AI is not without its challenges. One of the primary concerns is the impact of AI on employment. As AI continues to replace human workers, many argue that it could lead to job displacement and income inequality. Additionally, there are growing concerns about the ethical implications of AI. For example, AI algorithms could reinforce societal biases or be used in malicious ways, such as cyber-crime or warfare.

How can we ensure that AI is being developed and used ethically? One solution is to promote collaborative efforts between AI developers, policymakers, and the general public. Transparency and openness in AI development could help to mitigate potential biases and ensure that AI algorithms are being developed in line with social values.

The rise of AI has the potential for both positives and negatives. It’s critical for students to stay informed and contribute to the conversation on the ethical development and usage of AI.