Sunblock and Wind Turbines

The same metal that protects your skin from sunburns and skin cancer also protects wind turbines!

Mineral sunblock contains minerals like zinc that reflect the sun away from your skin so it won’t burn or suffer other effects of prolonged exposure to the sun’s Ultraviolet (UV) rays, such as cancer and wrinkles.

Mineral sunblock is also known as “physical sunblock” because it forms a physical layer of protection on your skin – it literally blocks the sun’s rays.

Mineral sunblocks are naturally broad-spectrum, meaning they offer protection from both UVA and UVB rays, no matter which brand you use. They are also considered gentle enough for children and those with sensitive skin.

The zinc used in sunblock is actually in the form of zinc oxide, a white powder. Most zinc oxide is made by melting metallic zinc and heating it until it vaporizes, usually at temperatures around 1000 °C. The zinc vapor reacts with the oxygen in the air to form zinc oxide (ZnO). Zinc oxide particles are then collected so they can be used in a wide range of applications.

Zinc oxide is also used in health products to treat things like diaper rash, minor burns, cuts and scrapes.

Zinc also has many industrial applications. For example, because zinc oxide reflects the sun’s UV rays, it is often used in rubber and plastic products to prevent UV rays breaking down these materials.

Zinc’s main use is in alloys to galvanize (protect) steel. Zinc oxidizes/rusts more quickly than the metal it is protecting, and the underlying metal will not corrode until all the zinc has been sacrificed. This extends the life of a wide range of products and infrastructure and makes galvanized steel one of the strongest construction materials. About 60% of global zinc supply is used for galvanizing.

Zinc is important in clean energy. Wind turbines require about six tons of zinc per megawatt of capacity because they are mostly made of steel that needs to withstand the elements. Galvanized steel is also used in electric vehicle bodies and in various parts of electric vehicles and solar panels.

Nova Scotia has a zinc mine at Gays River. See its story at https://notyourgrandfathersmining.ca/gays-river1

The Gays River zinc mine.