Can and May

From Ancora Imparo

As we remember Nicolas Appert, who was born on 23 October year 1752. Appert is honored as the father (or pere) of canning. He answered Napoleon's challenge to devise a method for preserving food for troops far afield; and, after more than a dozen years of work, took home the 12,000 franc prize.

We could talk about canning and its place in English language but we'd prefer to limit our can discussion to a candid look at where can fits into the continuum of power, possibility, and permission.

Schoolchildren learn the rule that can is used for ability (can I complete the homework assignment in less time than you?) while may is used to request permission (may I use the calculator to answer the question?). But language watchers know this rule is frequently left at the schoolhouse gate.

Why? Probably because can and may are frequently interchangeable in senses denoting possibility. Possibility, of course, plays into both ability (or power) and permission. Because the possibility of a person's doing something may (or can) depend upon another's acquiescence, both can and may are used—since at least as long ago as the 19th century—to denote permission. And although some commentators advise may for more formal contexts, you're in good company whichever word you choose.

Your Car and Home Could Soon Be Powered By Urine

MSNBC July 8, 2009 Urine-powered cars, homes and personal electronic devices could be available in six months.

Using a nickel-based electrode, scientists can create large amounts of cheap hydrogen from urine that could be burned or used in fuel cells. One cow can provide enough energy to supply hot water for 19 houses.

One molecule of urea, a major component of urine, contains four atoms of hydrogen bonded to two atoms of nitrogen. If you place a special nickel electrode into a pool of urine and apply an electrical current, hydrogen gas is released.

A urine-powered vehicle could theoretically travel 90 miles per gallon.

Using urine as a source of fuel may sound like a bit of a stretch, but it’s actually quite ingenious. It’s based on the use of hydrogen, the most abundant element in the universe.

Hydrogen has been called “a renewable, versatile, simple sustainable domestic energy” because it can be produced from tap water to generate power for homes and cars.

So people, you may start building a reservoir for your urine and frost them! euww. remember you might save money in future.