Nasa’s Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) had made an impact into Cabeus crater near south pole of Moon on 9th October and had kicked up debris as high as one mile. Scientists have analyzed the plume of the debris and concluded that it was frozen water. It seems quite a significant quantity of water was thrown up when LCROSS crashed into the crater. This finding would herald a new era of solar system study and space exploration, after all water is an important resource and it also gives a promise of sustenance of life.

It would be too early to conclude the implications of this finding but nevertheless it does give a lease of life to hopes that there could be life elsewhere and in future human beings could colonize the moon. With water resource readily available researchers can now hope to set up lunar base for future lunar and space exploration. The only hitch could be budget required for such ambitious projects. As of now study of the debris seems to unlocked important mystery about lunar surface which was believed to be devoid of water.

Via Telegraph

Called Eco-Navi by Panasonic, it uses a light-activated sensor to detect dirt levels. Sweat stains on the other hand, it detects through a sensor that apparently sends tiny electrical impulses through the wash as it spins. The new and intelligent washing machine was displayed at the ongoing CEATEC, Japan.

The product is aimed at bringing down unnecessary use of water in removing stains specifically and washing clothes in general. How does that possibly happen? This machine helps bring down power consumption from 79 watt hours to 72 watt hours.

Water use for the machine can be brought down from as high as 72 liters, to 67 liters per load. The machine went on retail sale recently in Japan.

Priced at a high $ 3,000, you can surely expect it to drop over the months, like with any other electronic product. Such machines are an urgent need in a market known for its excessive water consumption.

Via: DiscoverMagazine

Chandrayaan – the famed Indian mission to the moon has come up with startling evidence of existence of water on the lunar surface. The Indian moon mission had to be aborted after they lost contact with the spacecraft. But findings of one of the probes show that Moon soil is indeed damp. This crucial finding will make it one of successful endeavors in recent times.

The Apollo missions did come back with slightly damp rocks and soil but the Chandrayaan’s   probe has picked up distinct signal of H2O and two other satellites too support this finding. The existence of water on Moon will renew interest of astronauts and space researchers who have been looking for possible evidence of sustainability of life on lunar surface.  Scientists speculate that it would be possible to use this water resource for dwelling of astronauts on the moon.

It is ironical that space agencies have been searching for evidence of existence of life, water on different planets but first evidence of existence of H20 came from lunar surface itself.  Further NASA probes will certainly gather more substantial details.

Via BBC

Without a large rock or stone blocked in the creek, the water stream move in smooth and regular paths. However, when some rocks or stones are in the creek, the water moves along the side of rocks. The stream becomes irregular and weak.

This wall basin fixture works in pretty much the same way. Here, the Dish of the tap represents the creek. When the stone is pulled up, the straight flow mode is activated where the water is released fast, straight and in high volume. This acts like a normal tap. When the stone is pushed down, the water flow is blocked and it spreads along the side of stone. This is the side flow mode which spills water over 360 degrees. The water thus flows over larger surface area but is released in less volume. This mode is ideal for rinsing large objects or washing hands.

The stone acts as an “on and off” function. When the stone turns anti-clockwise, it releases water. The dish acts as the water temperature control. When turned anti-clockwise, hot water is released.

The stone in the creek has been designed by Wong Bun. Not only does it look good, it helps to save water. So do your bit and install the fixture. However, you need to be true to using the mode actually required.

Via Tuvie

Here is good news for those who love cars! We have just managed to gather the latest news about The Gibbs Aquada Car, which is amphibious car. The Aquada functions like any other normal convertible cars but it sets its difference clearly only when you drive it to the water.

By virtue of being amphibious, the Aquada can be used as a boat into the water. All you have to do to drive it into the water is to simply push a button! After this, you must press the gas. The wheels automatically rise as you press the accelerator and within 12 seconds the Aquada can turn into a boat that can zoom up to 30mph. Aquada is powerful enough to tow a water-skier. It has a very distinctive style and class of its own.

The Aquada will hit the US market by 2011. According to some rumors, it is said that might come with a price tag between $85,000 and $100,000 online. Considering that it is amphibious and its great features, it is still a good price to deal with. It will be a great fun to drive the car into the water.

Via: BusinessPundit\GibbsTech

Though installing huge rainwater harvesting equipments can be very expensive; there are other ways to keep your expenses low and also cut down on the use of water suing rainwater. One could use the many available rain barrels, which come in all shapes and sizes.

They are some of the best ways to save water. They are easy and inexpensive and you can help save the environment by using these rain barrels. When the water collects on the roof, it would flow down to be collected in these barrels. Each barrel can give you enough water to take a bath in the tub.

If you have a roof of 1,000 square feet, a downspout can collect up to 600 gallons of water. This water can also be used to water plants as it is low in sodium and chlorine. You would be leaving fewer carbon footprints and thus emerge as an environment saviour. It is always a better idea to look for cost effective but environmental friendly options.

Via: South County Times

So each time you step under the shower, beware of the curtain that will engulf you like a devil. Apparently, the purpose of designing such a piece was aimed at showing to people how water overconsumption can be countered in `either a disturbing or gorgeous way’ using innovative material and inflatable technology.

The next time you step into a shower, you may want to remember the balloon that will get blown around you!

Chances are, that thanks to the shower curtain, some people may want to do away with the idea of shower, completely. Elisabeth Buecher is part of Puff and Flock, a new London based textiles collective.

Via: Mocolocco

The old Doppler Effect method of discovering planets only measured the velocity of the planet when gravitational pull causes the parent star to wobble as the planet orbits it.  According to planet researchers, there are significant limitations to Doppler searches. Scientists assert that readings from the Doppler cannot reveal the ‘angles of inclination of the orbital planet to the line of sight.’ Without this information, the actual physical size of the planet cannot be determined. Scientists are already at the stage of detecting Venus-size planets, and will soon get to Earth-size ones.

The Anglo-Australian California and Carnegie Planet Searches (AAPS) which is the ‘world’s largest and most prolific team of planet hunters’ discovered what it calls transit searches or the technique to finally find the elusive angle of inclination.

Upon calculating the angle of inclination when a planet transits in front of its parent star, and as it passes the line of sight from Earth, scientists will be able to determine the planet’s ‘eccentricity’ or ‘how elliptical or round its orbital path is.’

David Latham of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics believes that “It could happen almost any time now. We now have the technological capability to identify Earth-like planets around the smallest stars.”

Launched in early March, NASA’s Kepler space observatory is one such facility that is poised to likely find Earth-like planets in the vast universe. NASA has been following the dictum of ‘follow the water.’ Since water is an imperative for life, the agency is of the assumption that life-supporting planets lie on a ‘habitable zone’ or that distance from the star where it is not too hot for water to evaporate nor too cold for water to freeze.

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Via The Daily Galaxy

Water scarcity, pollution, and sanitation were the main talking points in the Ministerial-level talks among more than 100 ministers from 190 participating countries meeting at the recent World Water Forum in Istanbul. The main premise is that water has become one of the world’s worsening problems. The content of heated debates is whether water should still be considered a fundamental ‘right’ or is it just a fundamental ‘need.’ It baffles why there is even a need for such a debate.

There were some immediate and serious considerations that involved intensive discussions such as agriculture that is a water-intensive activity but is not solving the problem of world hunger, the concentration of populations in coastal areas and the need for a comprehensive study and planning of water use in these areas, and the  vulnerability of population groups such as women and children especially in developing countries, as well as the provision of non-conventional resources such as desalination and reuse.

In the end, the Istanbul Declaration will take a formal position that water is still a fundamental human right, because most participating countries adopt the belief. More concretely, this right is translated to safe access to drinking water and sanitation, as well as water security. In the meantime, the world’s raging water problems need to be tackled posthaste, among them are the unprecedented and fast  impacting of climate change on the water situation, population growth, migration, urbanization, desertification, drought, and land degradation.

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Via Yahoo! Green

In a global scenario of water shortage, technology has to play a bigger role in saving the most important natural resource. After all, didn’t life first emerge in water! In an attempt to contribute to the same, Nimbus has designed a futuristic wasbowl that is expected to consume 60 time less water that the present day sink in your washroom.

The Nimbus washbowl uses ultra small drops of water spray for washing hands, thereby helping preserve an impressive volume of water. So when you place your hands in the washbowl, sensitive infrared motion detectors detect the vibration and spray a stream of water, which is actually only a few milliliters, to wash you hands.

Presented as a concept design in the Vodoparad International design contest, the futuritis washbowl is not only sustainable but also a great product functionality wise. It will check consumption of water in your washroom and also prove to be an attractive attachment to the decor.

Via behance