What’s in the water down under? This is the second year in a row an Aussie has won the James Dyson Award, with both designs also aiming to save lives — albeit in very different ways. This year’s winning product is Airdrop, a network of pipes that sucks water from the air and irrigates drought-stricken Australia with the condensation it needs to grow plants.
The Swinburne University of Technology student was selected from a talented shortlist of entries for the always-off-the-hook awards, and has won its designer £10,000 ($15,555) to develop his invention further, plus another $10,000 for his uni.
What I love most about the Airdrop is that Linacre studied the Namib beetle, specifically how it can survive in arid conditions by collecting the dew off its back. Using this research, the Airdrop device sucks water molecules from dry air, and then pumps them through underground pipes, cooling them in the process so they turn into condensation. From there, it’s pooled at the roots of the plants, thus ensuring the season’s planting wasn’t done in vain.
Jazz
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 8:44 AMDidn’t George Lucas invent this about 30 years ago?
Nathan
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 1:04 PMGeorge Lucas should have applied for a patent, probably would have been granted one as well.
Ed Luck
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 8:46 AMBut I was going to head to Toshi station and pick up some power converters!!
Zar
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 8:58 AMReminds me more of Dune and the moisture collectors. Awesome achievement either way. I expect we are going to need them……
Calvin Lichty
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 9:59 AMAye. When I first read the title, I couldn’t help but think of the moisture collectors in Dune.
It’s a great achievement and all of that but I believe people have been doing this kind of thing for years. In the survival course I took while in Boy Scouts we learned how to collect water from the air using a plastic tarp and some rocks.
James Mac
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 10:20 AMYeah, but Dyson doesn’t hold the patent on rocks.
Good Stan
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 10:07 AMFor gods’/allahs’/Yawehs’/Zeus’ (etc) sake DON’T sell the rights for this overseas, and get the patent squared away ASAP. This seems like a development that will have the world beat a trail to Australia and the developer. Outstanding!
Chat the Leaper
Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 10:35 PMNext step, defeat the Sardaukar and then invade Giedi Prime! Take that Empire! Take that Harkonnens!
Van
Friday, November 11, 2011 at 12:20 AMgeez the guy can use the money to finally get a haircut and a shave. woot!