【英语时差8,16】太阳能也能用于制造液体燃料？ -下

Instead of burning coal, oil, or biomass to heat things up, scientists have found that it’s possible to use solar energy. For example, some experimental facilities use thousands of mirrors to reflect sunlight onto a large plate on a tower, heating it to around 2100 degrees Fahrenheit¹. The heat is used to jumpstart a reaction that turns a mixture of water and woodchips into gas. The gas can then be refined into liquid gasoline and diesel² fuels. Making liquid fuel the old fashioned way, from oil, has been cheaper than using solar power. But it’s also dirtier. And because oil prices are highly volatile³ and oil is a limited resource, gas prices can shoot up at a moment’s notice. So in many ways, making liquid fuel using solar power is an attractive option. One day, it may be a practical option, too.

1 Fahrenheit   

n./adj.华氏温度；华氏温度计(的)

参考例句：

• He was asked for the boiling point of water in Fahrenheit.他被问到水的沸点是华氏多少度。
• The thermometer reads 80 degrees Fahrenheit.寒暑表指出华氏80度。

2 diesel   

n.柴油发动机，内燃机

参考例句：

• We experimented with diesel engines to drive the pumps.我们试着用柴油机来带动水泵。
• My tractor operates on diesel oil.我的那台拖拉机用柴油开动。

3 volatile   

adj.反复无常的，挥发性的，稍纵即逝的，脾气火爆的；n.挥发性物质

参考例句：

• With the markets being so volatile,investments are at great risk.由于市场那么变化不定，投资冒着很大的风险。
• His character was weak and volatile.他这个人意志薄弱，喜怒无常。