人類首次發現地磁逆轉,就是前述發生在 42000 年前的「拉尚事件」(Laschamps event),也是被研究得最透徹的地磁逆轉。拉尚事件存在的證據散佈世界各地,最新來自澳洲塔斯馬尼亞一個天然冰河湖的沉積物岩芯。但地磁逆轉的發生,究竟會對地球的氣候與生態造成多大程度的影響,一直是科學上待釐清的疑問。來自澳洲新南威爾斯大學 (University of New South Wales) 與南澳博物館 (South Australian Museum) 的科學團隊最新的研究發現,地磁逆轉對地球帶來的衝擊比過去所想象的來得大,其影響範圍遍佈全球。
當時地球磁場的强度減弱到今天的 6% 以下,是羅盤也會找不着北的程度。因此近乎失去磁場的地球,就像在充滿危險高能量粒子的太空中衣不蔽體,宇宙輻射可直接到達大氣層。而與此同時,太陽正經歷好幾次的太陽活動極小期(Grand Solar Minimum),儘管總體而言這時期的太陽活動較不頻繁,但也更不穩定,常常噴發巨大的太陽耀斑,使更强大的宇宙射線襲向地球。模型顯示,更禍不單行的是來自太空和太陽耀斑的宇宙射線,穿透大氣層上層使空氣中的分子帶電,造成一系列的化學反應,讓平流層的臭氧也流失慘重。此時期的地球表面,磁場與臭氧層的保護同時被削弱,對生物有害的宇宙輻射與紫外光比以往更強烈。
以市面上備受矚目的 Panasonic A La Uno 全自動洗淨馬桶為例,就是將材料科學、結構工程與流體力學發揮到極致的典型代表:
1. 材料層:有機玻璃系新素材
A La Uno 全自動洗淨馬桶採新開發的「有機玻璃系新素材」(以壓克力高分子為基礎研發的衛浴專用材料,這類高分子成形技術亦被廣泛運用於大型水族館高壓觀景窗與飛機機艙罩)。這種材料表面具備極佳的疏水性與耐水垢特性,水滴不易長時間攤平停留;材質堅固、不易破裂,耐刮、不易造成細小傷痕。通過實驗測試,這種素材配合泡沫洗淨,在沖洗後能有效沖刷掉高達 99.99% 的大腸桿菌,從源頭阻斷細菌定殖。
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2. 結構層:無接縫工藝與三重防濺防護
在宏觀結構上,A La Uno 全自動洗淨馬桶採用無水箱沖水與便器、溫水洗淨便座一體成型設計,減少傳統水箱與座體之間的結構層次及接縫,並搭配可動迴轉式排水系統完成沖洗。更貼心的是其「三重防護」設計:
泡沫防護:在水面上製造一層充沛的泡沫緩衝層,有效抑制男性站立小便時的尿液與污水飛濺;
外圍防護:馬桶邊界特別設計了高約 3mm 的水檔,防止液體延著外壁滴落至地板;
測漏防護:便座與馬桶本體採用不外露的防護設計,避免液體從縫隙飛濺滲漏。
Panasonic A La Uno 全自動洗淨馬桶
3. 動態流體層:雙效泡沫洗淨、漩渦水流與 nanoe™ X
當污垢降落在馬桶內壁時,A La Uno全自動洗淨馬桶 的動態流體科技便接手進行徹底打掃。其「雙效泡沫洗淨」會先釋放直徑約 5mm 的「毫米泡沫」包裹並帶走大塊髒污,再透過直徑約 60微米的「微米泡沫」深入微觀縫隙,徹底溶解殘餘的油脂與細微污垢。接著,配合高度清潔力的「漩渦型強力水流」,利用旋轉產生的流體剪切力,一口氣將附著力已被削弱的污垢剝離並沖走。此外,Panasonic A La Uno 全自動洗淨馬桶還搭襯了 nanoe™ X 健康科技,釋放氫氧離子有效抑制異味與髒污,維持空氣與內壁的良好衛生狀態。
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