Wind Turbine Creates Water Out Of Air

For millions of people, spanning over 20% of the human race, getting access to fresh drinking water is a struggle that could cost them their lives. Droughts are catastrophic for the people living in these drier climates but one company, Eole Water, is working to change that. Developed by French inventor Marc Parent, a new windmill uses electricity to pull moisture from the surrounding air, turning it into drinkable water. Marc was inspired by the condensation on his air conditioner while living in the Caribbean and he began working on a turbine that would use the power of wind to generate electricty which he could use in turn to pull moisture out of thin air.

"Each unit can create 1,000 liters of drinking water using only moisture and powered only by wind. Let me highlight this word : CREATE. All existing solutions (wells, desalination, lakes/rivers pumping, etc.) only treat an existing source of water. Thus, what happens when there is no or no more water available?" stated Thibault Janin, the marketing and communication director of Eole Water,  "The WMS1000 can create water when there is no existing source available. That makes a difference. Our technology integrates water creation, water collection, water treatment and water local distribution.  The WMS1000 can produce and distribute water everywhere."

So far the turbines have been tested in France,  Abu Dhabi, and soon Dubai. The Dubai location will be opening by the end of the year and will be available to the public.

Man Builds Himself Bionic Hands

When Sun Jifa went out fishing one afternoon 8 years ago, he had no idea it would change his whole life. The Chinese fisherman had been attempting to use a homemade bomb to catch more fish when it exploded prematurely and took both of his hands from him. Sun tried to get assistance from the hospital but while they were able to save his life, he simply could not afford the prosthetic limbs they offered as a replacement for his own. Not having the money to afford the prosthetics didn't stop Sun though and he spent the next 8 years working on constructing a pair for himself.

This year, his efforts finally saw fruition. Sun has crafted a set of metal limbs which he can control through a series of wires where his elbows attach.

"I control them with movements from my elbows and I can work, love normally and feed myself just like anyone else," said Jifa.

Now, he plans to try and perfect his prototype in the hopes of helping others who simply can't afford the prices for current prosthetic limbs. The ones he is using now are steel and therefore heavy and tiring to wear for long periods of time. They can also become uncomfortable in extreme temperatures. If Jifa is successful in his design attempts, however, he may be able to assist a lot of people. There are approximately 24 million individuals living in China currently who have limb disabilities. 

Amazing 15-Year Old Scientist Improves Pancreatic Cancer Test

Jack Andraka can't vote, and he can't drive. Yet. But what he can do is to invent a cheap, accurate test for pancreatic cancer, which

detects pancreatic cancer 168 times faster than current tests. It’s also 90% accurate, 400 times more sensitive, and 26,000 times less expensive than today’s methods. 

(Via Fast Company) 

This is Jack, speaking at TED, a global ideas conference:




(Jack Andraka at TED@NewYork talent search. June 7, 2012. New York, NY. Photo: Ryan Lash. Via the TED flickr photostream.)

And here's his talk (it's pretty amazing):

He started his research because a friend's brother was killed by pancreatic cancer, and Jack felt that he wanted to do something to help. Not only that, but after he came up with his idea, he contacted research institutions all over the country, hoping for someone who would help develop and implement it.

What an awesome kid.