“It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.” - Albert Einstein
Today’s technology is improving at a rapid pace. With modern technology, we can learn quickly and easily, it is useful in making large tasks simple. However, on a more negative side, sometimes we feel encouraged to use technology too much when it is not needed - but if we use technology to benefit society and protect our world, then maybe it’s more beneficial than we think?…
Here are a few examples of some recent innovative ideas, which could benefit our world:
Paper waste converted into a ‘Non-Toxic Green Aerogel’:
Scientists from National University of Singapore (NUS) have very recently and for the first time ever - successfully discovered a cost-effective way to convert paper waste into green, ultra-light, non-toxic, cellulose aerogels, which are extremely strong, flexible and water repellent. Benefits and features include: A super high ‘Oil Absorption’ capacity, ideal for cleaning oil spills, with over 4 times the absorption capacity of current commercial sorbents. It has low thermal conductivity and can serve as an ideal building ‘heat insulation material’. It can potentially be used as an environmental friendly and biodegradable substance in the packaging industry. Polymer-enhanced aerogels have numerous potential applications, both in space, on distant planets and on our own Earth.
An Effective Wound Dressing that can save Lives:
This product can stop patients of gunshot (and similar), wounds from bleeding out in 15 Seconds: ‘XStat 30’ is a new dressing, originally used by the military in battlefield situations that consists of a large syringe containing small sponges that can plug up a wound and restrain excessive bleeding. The XStat 30 syringe releases a number of small sponges which can each potentially absorb up to a pint of blood (for context, the human body usually has eight pints). Within fifteen seconds of being administered, the sponge should grow large enough that it can completely seal a bullet wound, all while applying the necessary pressure to stop any additional bleeding. One syringe can hold up to 92 tablet-sized sterile sponges.
Self-Filling water Bottles:
The Earth’s atmosphere contains a large amount of mostly unexploited and natural freshwater. A Netherlands based company known as ‘Fontus’ have created a ground-breaking product using technology that’s been around for over 2,000 years. Globally, there are many developing countries which have problems with drought and obtaining safe drinking water. However, pushbikes are still a common mode of transport in such countries, so the company have designed a product which perfectly suits and exploits this method of ‘water production’. They have designed an ingenious way of acquiring freshwater in regions of the world where groundwater is scarce, but air humidity is high. The product can potentially work as a mobile water well, which could provide a child with water for the day while riding to school. This product will also offer great benefit to athletes, hikers/hill walkers and travellers for whom the burden of water provision can be problematic. Carrying water supplies for replenishment, in most cases is heavier than many of the modern food products currently available to athletes and hikers.
Super Absorbent Concrete:
The UK has suffered considerably in recent years from problems of inland flooding, due to heavy rainfall and insufficient drainage systems to deal with the situation. A product named ‘Topmix Permeable Concrete’ has been designed to help combat this ongoing problem. Many British homes were devastated by floods at Christmas time 2015, just over a month ago and the recovery process can take years and inflict irreparable damage to people’s homes, wellbeing and belongings. The product provides a super-absorbent surface covering which allows water to seep through it rather than collecting on top. Permeable concrete allows any excess surface water to freely drain through the surface to the underlying ground with the ability to act as a reservoir during periods of high downfall. The company claims not only to help to tackle flash flooding in urban areas but suggests it may also help to reduce the overheating of tarmac in hot weather.
It's encouraging to learn that at least some of today’s technological advancements can continue to have a positive effect on current and long-term problems. Ongoing Scientific Research has thankfully helped us progress and advance in a number of beneficial ways!
By Robyn, 8L1
