Is it possible that we have
discovered a new form of renewable energy? Scientists from Columbia University
think so! Evaporation is a very impressive natural force that is actually more
powerful than current forms of renewable resources such as wind and solar
energy. Nevertheless, scientists never thought that it was possible to collect
and transfer evaporation into an energy source to be used by humans, until now.
Engineered by Columbia University scientists, Eva is the first
evaporation-powered car charged by a turbine engine that moves as water
evaporates the wet paper lining that makes up the engine-walls.
While this feat of evaporation
energy is still years away from becoming a complete reality, and still ever
further away from the commercial market, the thought of what the future holds
is quite intriguing. To start with, Eva has opened yet another door to the
growing industry of electric cars. Ozgur Sahin, Ph.D., an associate professor
of biological sciences and physics at Columbia University, speculates that it
is possible to design a full-size car that is fueled by an engine that runs off
of evaporation.
On an even
larger scale, it has been stated that it is not required to use fresh water to
create this new form of energy; saltwater is also capable of this task giving
hope to scientists and environmentalists alike that one day this technology
could become a large-scale floating device in the ocean or other bodies of
water. The possibilities are rapidly becoming endless.
Obviously
there is still a great deal of research, experimentation, and engineering
discoveries to come before. Along with the successes that are sure to be many
downfalls and setbacks, but we are crossing our fingers for the scientists of
Columbia University as they continue to develop systems powered by evaporation.
