H2O Power: 9 Cool Water Powered Creations

In today’s eco-conscious generation, we are constantly looking for ways to save energy or power our stuff with less economic impact. Of all of the sources of energy in the world, the most natural and readily available is quite possibly water.

Water is used in hydroelectrical power plants to generate electricity by using water current to control a generator. Many new methods of deriving power from water have recently emerged, however, and some of those methods are seen put to use in the water powered gadgets and technologies listed below.

1. Water Powered Jet Pack
   

   I have no idea how legitimate this is, but it’s cool to watch nonetheless. It is supposedly a water powered jet pack designed by a 16 year old, who is seen here demonstrating it before a crowd.

2. Water Powered Hovercar

   A group of firemen created a makeshift hovercraft by attaching several fire hoses to an apparatus welded to a compact car. The force of the water caused the vehicle to hover, as seen in the video. This method was also tested and deemed Plausible on an episode of Mythbusters on the Discovery Channel.

3. Water Powered Micro-fuel Cell
   
   There has been talk over the past couple of years about a water powered micro fuel cell, and Samsung has announced that they have a working model capable of powering cell phones for 10 hours with nothing more than a shot of water. Water would react with a metal inside the cell, producing hydrogen, which would then produce 3 watts of electricity. Samsung is planning on having a commercial model available by 2010.
4. Water Powered Battery

   A Japanese inventor has created a carbon-based battery that is activated by water. The unit can remain dormant for several years and would only work when injected with water.

5. Water Powered Clock
   
   A desktop clock has recently been developed that is powered entirely on water or any other electrolytic fluid like soda, coffee, or beer. The clock is powered by extracting electrons from the water in the liquid reservoirs in the back of the unit, which provides a steady electrical current.
6. Water Powered Car
   
   The water powered car is something that has been around for years, but it has been continually buried by the money-hungry oil industry. The most recent version of the technology has been developed by the Japanese company Genepax, who has unveiled their Water Energy System fuel cell prototype. The system contains a material that’s capable of breaking down water into hydrogen and oxygen through a chemical reaction, thus powering the vehicle.
7. Water Powered Calculator
   
   This calculator runs similarly to the water powered clock in that you simply pour water into its liquid reservoir for it to function. Once the water evaporates, you have to refill it in order to use it again.
8. Water Power Pool Lights
   
   Many pool owners know that having underwater lights in the pool isn’t necessarily very cost effective, and can oftentimes increase your energy bill. These Ecolights solve that problem by using a built in water turbine that runs on the water flow from your filter pump to generate the necessary electricity required to power your lights.
9. Lightdrops Umbrella
   
   This polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) umbrella has a built-in system of LED lights which are powered by kinetic energy derived from raindrops. The heavier the raindrops, the higher the kinetic impact on the “collective membrane” surface of the umbrella, and thus the more energy is produced to power the lights.

• Published in Futuristic, General on 01/13/09
• By Nicholas