Comments on: Mobile Plastic Eye http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/04/05/mobile-plastic-eye/ Yesterday's tomorrow, today. Fri, 05 Sep 2008 05:12:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Blurgle http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/04/05/mobile-plastic-eye/#comment-1052224 Blurgle Mon, 07 Apr 2008 00:11:22 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/04/05/mobile-plastic-eye/#comment-1052224 The big trouble at the mines is that many mines are located in Congo, a country without the stability to create the infrastructure required to ensure the mines are operated safely. Toxic waste is one problem; worker safety and workers' rights are another. I believe one of the mines was accused of using child labour. Much of the tantalum used in electronics, though, comes from Australia and Canada, which are both closer to the major markets for tantalum and significantly better regulated. The big trouble at the mines is that many mines are located in Congo, a country without the stability to create the infrastructure required to ensure the mines are operated safely. Toxic waste is one problem; worker safety and workers’ rights are another. I believe one of the mines was accused of using child labour.

Much of the tantalum used in electronics, though, comes from Australia and Canada, which are both closer to the major markets for tantalum and significantly better regulated.

]]> By: jayessell http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/04/05/mobile-plastic-eye/#comment-1052216 jayessell Sun, 06 Apr 2008 20:07:45 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/04/05/mobile-plastic-eye/#comment-1052216 Isn't Tantalum (nice name BTW) the mystery element that makes cellphones possible? It was in the news years ago. Trouble at the mines? Toxic waste? Isn’t Tantalum (nice name BTW) the mystery element that makes cellphones possible?
It was in the news years ago. Trouble at the mines? Toxic waste?

]]> By: Blurgle http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/04/05/mobile-plastic-eye/#comment-1052204 Blurgle Sun, 06 Apr 2008 17:22:43 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/04/05/mobile-plastic-eye/#comment-1052204 They do use something vaguely similar these days, but not in one piece. See Wikipedia's article on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocular_prosthetics" rel="nofollow">ocular prosthetics</a> for more details. Removable glass (really, plastic) eyes are still common among older people and in poorer countries. The eye in this article has the disadvantage that it can't easily be replaced, say if it cracks or chips or if the natural eye's colour dulls with age. Old glass eyes and the new ocular prosthetics can be easily replaced if necessary. They do use something vaguely similar these days, but not in one piece. See Wikipedia’s article on ocular prosthetics for more details.

Removable glass (really, plastic) eyes are still common among older people and in poorer countries. The eye in this article has the disadvantage that it can’t easily be replaced, say if it cracks or chips or if the natural eye’s colour dulls with age. Old glass eyes and the new ocular prosthetics can be easily replaced if necessary.

]]> By: Rick Auricchio http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/04/05/mobile-plastic-eye/#comment-1052202 Rick Auricchio Sun, 06 Apr 2008 16:19:25 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/04/05/mobile-plastic-eye/#comment-1052202 Is something like this done today, or are there other reasons? a) Fewer eyes are lost nowadays; b) There were complications. Anyone know? Is something like this done today, or are there other reasons?

a) Fewer eyes are lost nowadays;

b) There were complications.

Anyone know?

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