Creating Water With Solar As Easy As Riding A Bike
Can you imagine being able to produce drinking water in the middle of the city using nothing more than air and solar power? A fascinating new invention makes this possible with the help of some compact solar panels. When attached to the frame of a moving bicycle, the Fontus literally fills a bottle with water created out of thin air!
Kristof Retezàr, a student at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna, developed this special bottle holder, which he decided to name after the Roman god of wells and springs.
It’s easy to simulate different weather patterns in the bathroom using a hot shower and some other techniques, so the inventor set out to test his ideas extensively. After 30 or so tests, he finally managed to achieve a perfect drop- flow of one drop per minute. With this concept refined, Retezàr managed to build a working prototype for just under $40.
Once the inner compact system was functional, Retezàr designed a compact hull which can be attached to a bicycle.
Once a bicycle moves, air enters the holder while the small photovoltaic panels supply enough energy to cool it. Once the cool air hits a perforated wall, it creates enough condensation to drip into the bottle below. Basically, Fontus works by using a temperature change to draw moisture out of the air.
Although cyclists can benefit from this technology under many different conditions, it does achieve best results in warm, humid weather. Fontus manages to make roughly 0.5 litres, or about 17 ounces, of water in about 60 minutes at 50% humidity.
This exciting, inexpensive technology has the potential to help people with limited access to safe drinking water. The Fontus offers a practical solution for acquiring fresh water in regions of the world where groundwater is scarce, but air humidity is high.
This invention is capable of creating water that’s actually potable in some regions of the world, and in many cases it will be even better quality than municipal tap water. Fontus filters the air to block dust, and those who use it won’t have to drink chlorine or other additives either.
Although it has been thoroughly tested, this amazing device isn’t available to the public just yet. The inventor hopes to get help from investors or a crowdfunding campaign to get this project off the ground.
Whether the Fontus actually takes off or not, this new technology still proves one thing. It’s still possible for one person, with a little help from solar power, to develop something new which has the ability to change the world forever.
Sally Blakeway
