Eco Factor: Evaporation-based water purifier.
Yesterday we wrote about an osmosis-based water purifier, which would be able to convert seawater into potable water. The approach seemed fantastic, but the infrastructure it would require will cost much more than what developing and underdeveloped nations, which are more prone to waterborne diseases, could afford. Now we have a low-tech approach to cater to the same problem. Dubbed the Watercone, the device is essentially an evaporator.
The user can pour up to 1.7 liters of dirty water in the black pan and cover it with the transparent cone. Keeping the device in direct sunlight heats up water and turns it in into vapor. As water evaporates, it leaves behind the impurities in the pan and clean water condenses on the surface of the cone. After a few hours the cone can be emptied into a clean water bottle or a glass. The device is scheduled to hit the shelves this summer bearing a price tag of just $30.
The Dark Side:
The system is undoubtedly a cheap and low-tech alternative to expensive water purifiers. However, the process would be extremely slow, especially if you are not living in a tropical country.
