Invention special: Green technology - tech - 30 September 2008 - New Scientist Tech

Invention special: Green technology - tech - 30 September 2008 - New Scientist Tech: "
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Invention special: Green technology
12:02 30 September 2008
NewScientist.com news service
Justin Mullins
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As the evidence that humans have altered the Earth's climate and environment for the worst continues to grow, the race is on to produce technologies that will reverse or slow those ill-effects.

This week New Scientist looks at some recent patent applications that hope to be part of a new, greener, world.

Osmotic power generation

Osmosis – the way water automatically flows from a weak solution into a stronger one – is a fundamental to biological life. Now the process could also generate our electricity.

Various researchers have tested the idea of using a semi-permeable membrane to separate freshwater and seawater, and using the pressure generated as water flows from one to the other to drive a turbine. The pressure that builds up can be as much as 25 atmospheres.

But various inefficiencies ..."

(Via .)