Fontus self-filling bottle condenses humid air into drinking water

the fontus self-filling water bottle by kristof retezar, collects the moisture contained in air and condenses it as safe drinking H2O. the device harvests up to 0,5 liters in an hour when under the right climatic conditions. it is useful for long bike journeys as well as in world regions where freshwater is scarce yet humidity is high. The bottles can be turned into a vertical position and loosened divided-in-two peltier element cooler is powered by solar cell energy to cool down the upperside and heat the bottom. wind enters the lower section at high speed and cools it down. the air then moves to the upper chamber where it is stopped by little perforated walls in order to separate the particles. the droplets then flow through a pipe to be stored in a container.

0,5l can be generated in an hour whilst in humid conditions, trial and testing was an important part of ‘fontus’ self-filling H2O bottle’s development. ‘after more than 30 experiments, I finally achieved a constant drop-flow of one drop of condensed water per minute. after developing a functioning inner system, I designed a compact and practical hull which can be easily attached to a bicycle, integrates the water bottle and can be comfortably handled.’ said kritstof for the james dyson awards. The device is helpful for long bike journeys diagram of how the air condenses and harvests water molecules

Two Swedes Develop Invisible Bike Helmet

With bikes becoming increasingly more popular as people begin to steer away from cars and into cleaner and healthier options, a fresh new idea has come onto the scene with regards to safety. Out with the old and in with the new declares the invisible bike helmet.

Imagine getting on a bike and not having to wear anything on your head, yet your head is protected. Immediately you are probably thinking you must be in some sort of bubble while riding the bike, but this isn’t the case. Take a moment and look at the picture above, can you figure out how this works before reading on?

I can say for myself, I didn’t always find it comfortable to wear a helmet when riding a bike, and there is some sort of freedom you lose once you are wearing one. Don’t get me wrong, I feel bike helmets are necessary for safety especially in cities where you battle for the road with other cars. I just feel that they may not always be the best and most practical solution. This is why I’m very intrigued by what this pair of daring Swedish women have come up with.

Anna Haupt and Terese Alsti have created the worlds first invisible bike helmet. It’s called the Hövding helmet. You truly have to see it it believe it.. hehe. I already know what you are still thinking since you first clicked this article and looked at the image, “..the heck is the helmet??” I said the same thing. It wasn’t until I watched the video below that I realized exactly how this works and I was very impressed by it all.

The clever pair of inventors studied bicycle accidents one after another and finally came up with a mind bending solution that uses many familiar technologies but in a very creative way. The clever thought that has gone into this project is truly unique. The Hövding helmet works in a way not many would imagine it to and although it is tempting to describe in complete detail how it works, the video truly does a great job of bringing it all together in a suspenseful manner.

This is your last chance to figure out how this thing works before watching the video, any ideas? If not, click play below and enjoy the world of creativity and innovation. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. Did you figure it out before watching the video? What do you think of the design?

How To Cross Ten D.C. Bridges In One Bike Ride

Capital Bikeshare riders don't let a little thing like a bridge stop them from traveling between Virginia and D.C., as a recent analysis showed. While bridges traditionally used to carry vehicles may seem intimidating to cyclists, it's possible to use many safely, as one rider proves with a new route.

The 17-mile continuous route was planned by Tom Allison, a researcher and analyst at a non-profit who lives in Petworth, and crosses ten bridges: Key, Roosevelt, Memorial, 14th Street, "L'Enfant," Douglas, 11th Street, Sousa, Whitney Young Memorial and Benning Road. From his Map Attacks blog:

This ride is really special; it brings together so many diverse views and experiences of D.C. The majesty of the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, industrial remnants near Buzzard Point, the raw flow and speed of 395 traffic, booming commerce around Nats Park, RFK Stadium's fading glory, D.C. General Hospital homeless shelter (looming over Congressional Cemetery no less), and some pretty darn serene nature scenes along the Anacostia and Kingman Island. Of course, starting in Georgetown and ending on Benning Rd produces its own socioeconomic contrast.

DCist asked Allison, who has been cycling in D.C. since 2008, to point out some of the trickier spots along the route. There's construction and truck traffic around the 11th Street Bridge, he pointed out via email, and a cyclist must ride against highway traffic along Kenilworth Avenue to enter the Whitney Young Bridge around 33rd Street NE.

And then there's what Allison calls the L'Enfant Bridge, at the I-395 overpass on the channel side of Ohio Drive SW.

Ohio Drive is two lanes there, and there's a double switchback ramp on the west side of Ohio Drive that goes up to a protected sidewalk on the bridge, crosses over the Maine Ave fish market, switches back again and dumps you out at the L'Enfant Promenade. ... Then you take a ramp to circle you down to 9th Street SE. None of these turns or streets are even marked, including the ramp from Ohio Drive in the first place.

While there's clearly a long way to go to make D.C.'s bridges safe for cyclists to use, Allison said he doesn't think this route would have been possible in 2008, when he started cycling in the city. "At least not as safe."