Technology News

Chemical reaction in landslide rocks may start wildfires
A new research has suggested that a chemical reaction in rocks in landslides may be responsible for starting wildfires. ANI

Now, a project to encourage visually-impaired pupils to take up computer science
The U.S. National Science Fioundation (NSF) is funding an initiative at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) that has been designed to help prepare visually impaired middle school and high school students participate in computer science programs at the collegiate level. ANI

New invention to neutralize hurricanes with help from supersonic jet
Scientists have put forward a patent application about developing a supersonic hurricane neutralizer, which can put a spanner in the atmospheric works by flying supersonic jet aircraft in concentric circles around a hurricanes eye, the calm area around which the storm rotates. ANI

Now, a device that converts toxic waste into electricity

Environmental engineers at Pennsylvania State University, US, are developing a device that would be able to clean toxic waste from mines and convert it into electricity.

Washington, Dec 27 : Environmental engineers at Pennsylvania State University, US, are developing a device that would be able to clean toxic waste from mines and convert it into electricity.

According to a report in Live Science, the researchers tested a lab-scale version of their invention on fluids tainted with iron, similar to polluted water from mines.

The device attacked the dissolved iron, removing electrons from it. This generated electricity while at the same time making the iron insoluble, thus efficiently pulling this contaminant from the water.

"The iron that the device recovered could find use as a pigment for paints or other products," said the researchers. "In principle, such a machine could also pull other metal contaminants from polluted water," they added.

Contaminated water seeping from coal and metal mines is a serious environmental hazard that endangers the safety of drinking water supplies and the health of plants and animals. This caustic pollution-loaded with metals such as arsenic, lead, copper, iron and cadmium-is currently difficult and costly to treat.

The new device would be able to fight this environmental problem effectively, as well as providing an alternative source of energy.

But, the problem with the device is that so far, it only generates a modest amount of energy.

For example, "A fridge-sized version might light up a small incandescent bulb," researcher Bruce Logan told Live Science.

Still, the researchers hope to significantly improve power output in future versions, as well as bring down costs.

"It's an exciting start," said researcher Brian Dempsey.

"We are also working, in other research projects, on removal of arsenic and other contaminants," he added.

ANI