Oil

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An oil is a substance that is in a viscous liquid state ("oily") at ambient temperatures or slightly warmer, and is both hydrophobic (immiscible with water) and lipophilic (miscible with other oils, literally). This general definition includes compound classes with otherwise unrelated chemical structures, properties, and uses, including vegetable oils, petrochemical oils, and volatile essential oils. Oil is a nonpolar substance.

The term oil is often used colloquially to refer to petroleum.

For more information about Oil, read the full article at Wikipedia.
This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.


News tagged with oil

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Method makes refineries more efficient

Chemistry / Other

created Dec 22, 2009 | popularity 4.5 / 5 (6) | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- Refineries could trim millions of dollars in energy costs annually by using a new method developed at Purdue University to rearrange the distillation sequence needed to separate crude petroleum into products.


Frederic Scheer, head of the plastics manufacturer Cereplast

Potatoes, algae replace oil in US company's plastics

Chemistry / Materials Science

created Dec 21, 2009 | popularity 4 / 5 (19) | comments 6

Frederic Scheer is biding his time, convinced that by 2013 the price of oil will be so high that his bio-plastics, made from vegetables and plants, will be highly marketable.


Fish fatty acids don’t make you cleverer or happier

Medicine & Health / Health

created Dec 22, 2009 | popularity 3.3 / 5 (3) | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- A diet rich in fish fatty acids has no effect on cognitive functions such as memory and concentration in the elderly. Nor does it affect their level of wellbeing. This is the conclusion drawn by Dutch researcher ...


Not easy being green

Not easy being green

Space & Earth / Environment

created Dec 18, 2009 | popularity 3.7 / 5 (3) | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- It was a battle to save a cherished piece of nature from the forces of economic growth. Preservationists formed groups to present their case, and public figures across the country spoke up ...


Nanoparticle protects oil in foods from oxidation, spoilage

Nanotechnology / Nanomaterials

created Dec 08, 2009 | popularity 3 / 5 (3) | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- Using a nanoparticle from corn, a Purdue University scientist has found a way to lengthen the shelf life of many food products and sustain their health benefits.


Nanotech treatment gets boost with GSK licensing agreement

Nanotechnology / Bio & Medicine

created Dec 17, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- GlaxoSmithKline and Ann Arbor-based NanoBio Corporation announced today that they have signed an exclusive over-the-counter licensing agreement for NanoBio’s unique nanoemulsion treatment for cold sores in ...


Study confirms untold levels of oil sands pollution on the Athabasca

Space & Earth / Environment

created Dec 07, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 2

After an exhaustive study of air and water pollution along the Athabasca River and its tributaries from Fort McMurray to Lake Athabasca, researchers say pollution levels have increased as a direct result of nearby oil sands ...


Safe journey for works of art

Safe journey for works of art

Technology / Engineering

created Dec 04, 2009 | popularity 4 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Valuable paintings travel long distances when they are shipped from one place to another. To minimize damage, they are packed in special picture cases. In future, these will be equipped with sensors to detect ...


CSIRO researchers create giant waves

CSIRO researchers create giant waves -- virtually

Technology / Computer Sciences

created Dec 03, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- CSIRO scientists have created 'rogue waves' more than 20 metres high and smashed them into virtual oil and gas production platforms to compare different mooring designs.