Written by Tina Casey

Imagine the Starship Enterprise powered by safe, reliable solar energy and – well, okay so it’s a lot less dramatic than the dilithium crystal thing, but that’s the point: you get the speed without the risk because essentially, there’s no fuel.  According to a gathering of scientists at the Second International Symposium on Solar Sailing, ultra-thin solar sails that are less than one-fifth the thickness of plastic wrap are the way to go for powering certain types of future space flights. The solar cells work by collecting the pressure generated by sunlight, just like a regular sail collects wind pressure.

Written by Aditi Justa

Researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts have found that the salp, a 5-inch long, barrel-shaped organism could be the ocean’s most efficient feeders and can consume particles that span a huge size range. Living in mid-ocean waters, this streamlined jellyfish like organism filters the seawater for food particles. For the study, the salps were offered food particles of three sizes - smaller, around the same size as, and larger than the mesh openings.

Written by Desh

EcoDays, a Korean company specializing in wastewater treatment process design, takes wraps off a High Performance Bioreactor at the IFAT ENTSIRGAR 2010 in Munich, Germany. Dubbed as E.PFR Series, the biological reactors treat wastewater efficiently with 2-4 days of hydraulic retention time and never ask for loads of energy for doing it. Ideal for both aerobic and anaerobic processes, the multi-staged up flow type plug flow reactor has a high gas/liquid mass transfer efficiency and good mixing status.

Written by Desh

The brainchild of auto designer Alexei Mikhailov, UVO (Urban Vehicular Ovalon) is a concept car designed for congested urban highways of 2021. The single passenger, oval vehicle promises to offer a green commute with its use of advanced fuel cell technology that powers its two efficient in-wheel electric motors.