- Industry: Broadcasting & receiving
- Number of terms: 5074
- Number of blossaries: 1
- Company Profile:
The largest broadcasting organisation in the world.
A polymer is a giant molecule made up of thousands of atoms. It can be natural or man-made (synthetic). Many plastics in everyday use are polymers, such as polythene or PVC; but then so is cellulose, which makes up wood pulp from which paper is manufactured.
Industry:Natural environment
The levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere prior to the start of the Industrial Revolution. These levels are estimated to be about 280 parts per million by volume (ppmv). The current level is around 380 ppmv.
Industry:Natural environment
In a central heating system, the programmer is the device containing a clock that turns the heating and hot water systems on and off at designated times, while the thermostat sets the maximum temperature.
Industry:Natural environment
Renewable energy comes from natural sources that can be replenished and not permanently depleted - such as biomass, hydro-power, geothermal heat, solar power, wind power, and wave and tidal power - and most of which do not produce CO2emissions. They are unlike fossil fuels, which took millennia to form and cannot be replenished.
Industry:Natural environment
A renewables obligation is the legal requirement for UK energy providers to source a certain percentage (currently 8%) of their energy from renewable sources. They are awarded renewable obligation certificates (ROCs) to demonstrate that they have done so.
Industry:Natural environment
Secondary glazing is a less effective form of double glazing, used where the latter is unaffordable or undesirable in some way (such as in listed buildings). A separate layer of glass or plastic is fitted to the inside of the existing window frame. The gap between the two panes determines its effectiveness in insulating against heat loss and noise.
Industry:Natural environment
A semiconductor is a solid material that is able to conduct electricity, but with conductivity less than that of a good conductor and greater than an insulator. Semiconductors include silicon, and are used in the manufacture of photovoltaic cells, as well as computer chips and other electronic devices.
Industry:Natural environment
Silicon is a chemical element known as a 'metalloid' (because it has intermediate properties between a metal and a non-metal). It is used as a semiconductor, for example in microchips in computers, and to make photovoltaic cells for solar panels.
Industry:Natural environment
A smart meter is a more sophisticated version of your normal gas or electricity meter (in fact, a single smart meter may monitor both) that is linked to your energy provider and can also be linked to a computer in your home. Not yet available, it will eliminate the need for estimated bills, and allow you to monitor your own usage: which devices are using the most energy and when. Smart meters will generally also store up to a month of usage data.
Industry:Natural environment
A smoke-free zone (or smokeless zone, or smoke control area) is not, in this context, anything to do with cigarettes. It refers to an area, designated by a local authority, where only authorised fuels - for example smokeless fuel, coke, and gas - may be burned. Other fuels may sometimes be permitted when used on specified authorised appliances. Ordinary coal, and wood (other than small amounts of kindling) are prohibited. The zones originated in London after legislation in 1946 in response to terrible smogs but are now very common in towns and cities nationwide.
Industry:Natural environment
