Planet Earth is now home to some 7.5 billion people. In spite of the ever-increasing population and life expectancy figures, one of the sad truths of our world is that more than one in 10 people do not have access to clean drinking water - but all that might be about to change.
Researchers at the State University of New York have created a portable solar still, which is a technology that will allow people to generate their own drinking water much like they generate energy with solar panels.
Solar stills have actually been around for millennia. They’re essentially black-bottomed vessels that filled with water after it has been trapped using a clear material (such as a sheet of plastic). The suns heats up the black container, causing the water to evaporate and become trapped in its upper layer, leaving contaminants and dirt behind.
The problems with solar stills to date have been the cost to set one up, and the amount of surface area required to produce an adequate amount of clean water each day. The researchers at the State University of New York managed to improve the ancient design in two fundamental ways, namely ensuring that it’s just the topmost layer of the water that gets heated for less lost energy, and employing materials that would make the new solar still design viable for the poorest people in the world to own.
Materials include a fiber-rich paper, similar to the paper used to print currency on, that’s coated in carbon black. The latter is a cheap powder that is left as a by-product of oil and tar production. Polystyrene blocks are also cut up and turned into 25 connected sections.
The polystyrene foam allows the solar still to float on the surface untreated water and acts as an insulating barrier, preventing sunlight from heating up too much of the water below. Evaporated water is trapped by a clear acrylic cover before being funneled into a collection vessel.
According to a report on the new solar still design, it channels the energy in sunlight into evaporating water with 88% efficiency. This level of efficiency allows the new design with a 1-square-meter surface area to purify 1 liter of water every hour, which is four times faster than commercially-available solar still designs.
At an estimated cost of just $1.60 per square meter, providing the minimal level water needed to sustain a family of four might cost as little as $5 per solar still. Are we on the cusp of a water revolution? Only time will tell.
Content and image source: The Plaid Zebra
Second image by Deposit Photos.
Seeing is Believing: Bionic Eyes and Advanced Eye Care
The advancements in eye technology are incredible, and this work has exciting benefits for everyday eye care.
5 World-Changing Medical Advances From the Past Decade
Perhaps the most important technological advancements are those related to healthcare. Here are 5 such incredible medical breakthroughs from the past decade.
10-Minute Test Can Detect Cancer Anywhere in Your Body
With this new technology - you can detect cancer in the body in just 10 minutes!
Revolutionary Migraine Drug Given Seal of Approval!
The FDA have just approved a migraine treatment that’s the first of a new class of medication. Find out more here!
Dawn of a New Era: First Gene Medicine Approved by FDA!
Genetic engineering of cells to fight disease sounds like science fiction, but thanks to a new treatment, it has arrived in the medical world. Find out more.
This Study May One Day Help Treat Chronic Stress And PTSD
A recently discovered protein in the brain (p11) can be linked to both depression and stress and has the potential to help future treatments
This Secret Invention Changed the Course of WW2
Let’s take a closer look at the proximity fuze, also called Vt Fuze, an invention that changed the course of the second World War.
5 Robotics Trends Anticipated in 2024
What does 2024 have in store for the field of robotics?
Scientists Develop 'Flying Dragon' Robot to Fight Fires
Scientists in Japan have created a water-spitting 'flying dragon' robot to fight fires.
New Study: A Pill that Works Out Your Muscles?!?
New study shows that, though we are not there yet, a pill can and probably WILL come out that works out the muscles and grows them.
Wow! Who Knew That Jupiter Was So Mesmerizing?
Take a look at Jupiter like you've never seen it before!
26 Incredible Facts About the Human Mind
The human brain is an interesting and powerful organ, which is why we've gathered 26 interesting facts about exactly how human psychology works.
The Science Behind Why Laughter is the Best Medicine
They say laughter is the best medicine. But why exactly do we laugh?
19 Everyday Items That Started as Military Inventions
Look around your home, and you’ll surely find a handful of these items that were originally developed for the armed forces.
6 Weird and Creepy Medical Tools of the Past
After seeing these weird and creepy medical devices of the past, you’ll be thankful you live in the 21st century. Take a look for yourself.
How Can You Recognize a Fake Gadget Before Buying It?
More often than not, you're almost unable to recognize them. So, before purchasing the product you want to have, bear in mind the following tips:
20 Useful Facts About the Science of Cooking
The science behind cooking is not often thought of, but it plays a crucial role in a dish turning out right. Here are 20 facts on the science of cooking.
Sleep Inventions: 16 Gadgets to Help You Doze Off
If you frequently struggle with sleep, then trying these amazing new sleep innovations could help change your life.
You Wouldn't Believe How Far Technology Has Come
Take a look at the advancements of technology in this video. Impressive.
What on Earth Is a Black Hole? This Video Explains All...
What on Earth are black holes, how do they affect us, and should we be at all worried about their existence? Find out here.
The McGurk Effect - Don't Believe Your Eyes!
What we hear can be affected by what we see...
These Expensive Megaprojects Proved to be a Waste of Time
Not all megaprojects are useful. Here are some worthless ones.
New Study: There is a Sure Way to Slow Aging
This new study confirms what has long been suspected: The less calories we consume, the slower we age.
This Is Why You Should Choose Paper Towels Over Air Dryers
Jet air dryers seem to provide a rapid solution to drying our hands in public restrooms, but they're actually havens for bacteria. Take a look.
Satisfy Your Curiosity About the Universe with These Q&As
Discover more about the universe by reading through these facts.
13 Incredible ROOF INNOVATIONS For Your House
Keep the roof of your house safe with these incredibly useful inventions.
This Visual Shows the Science Behind the Shape of Rivers
A fascinating visual model that explains why and how rivers change their course.
7 Little-Known Body Parts We Never Knew About
Here's a look at some of the weird and little-known body parts that you didn’t know you had.
The Oldest Medicines That Have Stood the Test of Time
Learn about some fascinating old medicine and general healing practices that have survived for thousands of years.
24 Confusing Optical Illusions Explained - Fascinating!
How do our eyes fool the brain? Let's find out as a neuroscientist explains the truth behind the most confusing optical illusions.
INTERACTIVE: How Personal Items Have Changed Over Time
Some of you will be old enough to remember what many of today's objects used to look like. Here are 20 such objects. Click to see them as they used to be.
10 Fascinating Facts About the Subconscious Mind
10 facts about the way the subconscious mind works
Incredible New Bionic Arm Fuses With Woman's Nerves
Karin's bionic hand is real sci fi, making her one of the first true cyborgs.
Travel From the Sun to Pluto With Our Interactive Guide!
The solar system is a fascinating place, and we wanted to bring you an interactive journey that you can use to travel through it. Enjoy the journey!
The First Robot Ever Made Was Created 250 Years Ago...
This automaton is pure genius, especially when you consider it was built 250 years ago...
WATCH: This is What Occurs In Our Brain When We're In Love
We all love being in love, and actually crave it and need it, but what actually happens to our brains when we're in love? Watch this TED Talk to find out.
Toilets: The Greatest Medical Advancement in Human History
While toilets make some people laugh, they are actually a deadly serious medical advancement. This video explains what toilets mean to civilization.
These 20 Tech Inventions Will Define the Next Decade
The future is here. Check out some emerging technologies that are all set to chane our world forever.
Check Out This Radio-Controlled Lego-Powered Submarine
This is the height of creativity! Check out this insanely cool Lego submarine. It actually works!
Welcome to the Fastest Maze-Solving Competition Ever Made...
Welcome to Micromouse, a competition for the quick of eyes and the quick of minds. This is the oldest robotics race.
GUIDE: How Alcohol Affects Us, Drink by Drink...
In this article, we're going to discuss the exact amounts of alcohol in our blood and what they look like, including how each level affects us and our ability to function.
I Bet You Didn't Have a Clue About These Human Body Facts!
The human body is the most complex machine known to mankind, but I bet you don't know these 10 amazing facts about it...
Can One Photo Really Tell How Good Your Eyesight Is?
Scientists say that this single photograph can tell you whether you have good vision or not. Who can you see in the image?
11 Technologies to Potentially Achieving Immortality
Scientists are hard at work developing technologies that could extend our lifespans and even make us immortal. Here are 11 of them.
12 Mind-Blowing Archaeological Discoveries Of 2022
Archaeologists made some remarkable discoveries in 2022. Here is a look at the most fascinating ones.
20 Amazingly Simple Inventions That Make Life Easier
Some wonderful inventions can fix some of the most annoying little problems that bug us every single day. Here are 20 of the most inventive ideas I've ever seen that I can't believe no one has invented before.
12 Earliest Versions of Tech Inventions We Use Every Day
Witness the evolution of 11 popular devices we use all the time by looking at how they all started...