Invisible and, often odorless, green leaf volatiles emitted from vegetation act as a defense mechanism, communicating to other foliage that danger is near.

ENGADGET: Chemical sensors could detect plants' cries for help, reduce need for pesticides

The espresso process releases more volatiles than other methods of preparation.

ECONOMIST: Espresso coffee

Metals, platinum-group elements, rare earth elements, and other volatiles, like H, H2O, and carbon compounds, are abundant on asteroids, many of which are relatively accessible from Earth.

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Hydrocarbons, helium, hydrogen, and volatiles in the solar system are important for human exploration and habitation because they will provide essential high-energy, high-density fuels and feedstock for off-world manufactured goods and materials for construction.

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Total Oil ( TOT - news - people ), thinks Sefose could eventually be used in a sixth of the 1.3 billion gallons of paint purchased in the U.S. each year, displacing as many organic volatiles as if all the cars in Florida vanished.

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