Fuel cells generate electrical energy through a chemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen. To obtain clean energy, the splitting of water into its components of hydrogen and oxygen is critical. Researchers at the University of Basel study how sunlight can be used for this purpose. The scientific journal Chemical Communications published their latest results.

Developing clean and renewable sources of energy is one of the greatest challenges of our civilization. Artificial photosynthesis is one of the most promising approaches. This is when water is photo-electrochemically with the aid of sunlight separated into its components H2 and O2 and stored. When the chemical elements are later combined, electrical energy can be created. A team of researchers led by the University of Basel chemists Catherine Housecroft and Edwin Constable are working together with the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) to implement this method. Read more

Based on a series of simulations ran through sophisticated computer models, researchers from MIT are highlighting the possibility that a significant percentage of the population of Asia could suffer severe water shortages by the year 2050. As a basis for the study, the team made use of a pre-existing MIT-generated computer model designed to simulate Asia’s complex economic, climate, and growth characteristics. A detailed water-use model known as a Water Resource System was then introduced, and the team ran a number of simulations aiming to cover the widest range of potential scenarios.

According to the study, an extra one billion people living in Asia could experience water stress by the year 2050

Each of the simulations tested the key variables by holding steady one or more of the factors while allowing another, such as population growth, to increase in line with predicted numbers. Each of the scenarios also accounted for, amongst a host of other factors, the interconnected nature of the water supply in the affected regions. For example, if climate change or any other contributing element causes the water basin at the top of a network to go unfilled, other basins further down the network that would ordinarily be fed by the primary basin suffer in kind. Read more

There are many ways to filter and purify water out in the wild, the MSR Guardian and Oasis being a couple of the most recent we’ve looked at. Since 1999, Hydro-Photon has gone with ultraviolet light, offering lightweight, compact SteriPen purifiers that quickly zap away microorganisms. With its new Ultraviolet Reflection (UVR) technology, it makes the UV purification process even faster, so outdoor enthusiasts can get clean water more efficiently than ever.

The SteriPen Emergency+ kit will come with both 2- and 4-L water containers

UVR kits pair SteriPen portable, battery operated purifiers with soft RapidUVR water bottles. The bottles feature a proprietary reflective coating that amplifies and contains the UV rays from the purifier, speeding the process enough to purify up to 4 liters of water in 90 seconds, compared to 1 liter/90 seconds when a SteriPen is used without a UVR bottle. Read more

Recently, showers like the Nebia and the Hamwell’s e-Shower have launched to help us save water when showering. The WaterDrop foldable watering can, however, takes a much simpler approach. It is designed to collect the average 3.5 l (0.8 gal) of water we waste waiting for the shower to warm up.

The WaterDrop takes the form of a tote bag that allows for the easy collection, storage and transportation of water.

Designed by Spanish startup Esferic, saving water is only part of the WaterDrop’s aim. It is also hoped that it will help to “promote a societal shift in water consumption habits” by increasing people’s awareness about the need to be frugal with water.

Nonetheless, Esferic says daily use of the Waterdrop will save users more than 1,000 l (220 gal) of water a year. It is made of recyclable thermoplastic polyurethane and takes the form of a tote bag with a reinforced handle so as to allow for the easy collection, storage and transportation of water. Read more

Innespace Productions, co-founded by New Zealander, Rob Innes and Californian Dan Piazza, has just unveiled its latest submersible watercraft, the SeaBreacher. The two seat Dolphin (this along with the Bionic Dolphin constitute a new type of recreational watercraft modelled on a dolphin) was recently selected as one of Time magazine’s 2006 Best Inventions.

Angel in action.

The second model Innespace has designed and built, the new SeaBreacher is fifty percent larger than the original vessel in order to accommodate two full size occupants and larger engine packages. The current prototype is powered by a 130kW Atkins Marine rotary engine. The supercharged race version will produce over 180kW and an international race series is planned. The 12mm thick canopy on the SeaBreacher is taken from the new F-22 Raptor jet-fighter. Read more