Recently a UK design student won the James Dyson Award by creating a working prototype of a water bottle that can filter out 99.9% of  bacteria leaving the water sterilized in just a couple minutes. I wrote an article about a year ago on the LifeStraw which served the same purpose, however, the “Pure” water bottle design works much different.

Using a unique technology the water bottle uses a wind-up ultra violet bulb to steralize that water that is collected. The water then passes through a series of filters until it’s bacteria and virus free.

This water bottle could potentially save millions of lives in third world countries who can’t access fresh drinking water. It’ll be interesting to see how this is mass produced and where it’ll be most used.

I welcome you to start a discussion below on your thoughts and reactions to this new unique water bottle. Do you think this could ultimately save thousands of lives?

via [thedesignblog]

The concept does have its issues. One is the issue that the AtoD battery may not even have enough juice to keep a larger product running. Now the issue has been looked over and at this moment in time it seems as though AtoD battery’s may be used simply as a short term replacement. Another problem is the issue of heat when in contact with the memory foam coated battery. Despite a few questions, AtoD battery proves to be an intriguing concept that definitely has huge potential. It’ll be interesting to see how the concept improves as technology grows.

via [treehugger]

Despite aerogel being fairly expensive, it could be one of the most significant materials of this century. In recent news scientists from Ohio and Arizona are creating aerogels that can absorb oil from spills or stop pollutants from ever reaching the environment.

“It would be put on top of the water, where it will float on the surface and absorb oil and then, just like a kitchen sponge, you could squeeze the oil out,” said Matt Gawryla, a scientist at Ohio-based AeroClay Inc. AeroClay is working to commercialize the aerogel technology originally developed at Case Western Reserve University.

If this technology could be used to clean oil spills in the Gulf Coast of Mexico this could turn out to be one of the most influential technologies used to clean a disaster.

via [Discovery]

It looks like this concept does need som work, and it would be interesting to know what type of material it’s made out of. However, if this can gets picked up by any of the big beverage companies, this could certainly change how cans are produced.

Designers: Jiwoon Park & Kwenyoung Choi

via [yankodesign]

via [yankodesign]

Segway has developed variations of thier two-wheeled personal vehicle, but recently, with the help of GM, Segway has unvieled an electric-powered two seater called the Puma. It can reach a top speed of 35 mph, and can travel 35 miles before needing a recharge.

Larry Burns, vice president of research and development for GM, said it would cost about 35 cents to charge the Puma’s lithium ion battery system — essentially a larger version of the power system for the Segway Personal Transporter.The Puma balances on two large wheels while driving. For safety, it employs two sets of wheels in the front and back — similar to drag-racing vehicles — to prevent it from tipping over. When it parks, it rests on the front set of wheels.

This is definitely something that would be used in urban areas. What better then to have an eco-friendly vehicle that can fit tightly in parking spaces.

via [metaefficient]

Imagine a product that cost less than $3 to make, which could save millions of lives. The private company, Vestergaard-Frandsen, have been known for creating products that could be useful in third-world countries, such as unique mosquito nets. Only this time they’ve created an offorable way to generate clean water through a filtered straw. The ten inch plastic cylinder can destroy bacteria, parasites, and even some viruses. Thousands of the LifeStraw’s has already been bought during earthquakes in Asia. In theory, someone could drink the water out of a toilet, and be happier than ever. It’s always good to see an idea that helps the people who need it most.

via [core77]