Buzz
Not everything that shines is precious. In fact, some of the most astounding and groundbreaking inventions on the horizon are also the most revolting.
10. Diaper-Powered Electricity
The Japanese are renowned for their longevity. Centenarians are more common in Japan than anywhere else, and those aged 65 and older make up a quarter of the population. With a nearly stagnant birth rate and a growing elderly demographic, sales of adult diapers have reached record highs. Disposing of these used diapers is a serious issue, as they don't break down easily and take up valuable space in landfills. Incinerating them consumes excessive fuel and harms the environment.
Fortunately, a Japanese company named Super Faiths has developed a novel technology that effectively tackles the issue of diaper disposal. The diapers are first placed inside a machine that eliminates pathogens, after which they are repurposed as a clean fuel for generating electricity. The Super Faiths system cuts down carbon dioxide emissions by 40 tons annually. Numerous hospitals and senior care facilities have adopted this technology, saving on their energy bills while simultaneously lowering their carbon footprint.
9. Sewage Used as Artificial Snow
The winter sports industry is a multi-billion-dollar enterprise. In the U.S. alone, it generates up to $66 billion annually, creating thousands of jobs. However, with the accelerating effects of global warming, ski resorts have been facing increased challenges. Reduced snowfall has become such an issue that experts predict only half of the 103 ski resorts in the U.S. will remain operational in the next 30 years.
With no immediate solution to climate change in sight, resorts needed a fast and (literally) dirty fix. One method they use is snow-making machines, but producing artificial snow demands large amounts of water and electricity. As many areas in America face droughts due to changing weather patterns, using freshwater is not a viable option. Consequently, some resorts have turned to using sewage water.
Although the water is initially treated to eliminate harmful toxins before it enters the snow-making machines, not everyone approves of sewage snow, as it still contains remnants of chemicals and other contaminants that could pose health risks. Sadly, resorts believe they have no other viable alternatives.
8. Cars Powered by Feces
Owning a car has become increasingly burdensome in recent years. With unrest in the Middle East, economic downturns, and the gradual depletion of oil reserves, the price of gasoline has skyrocketed, alongside the significant environmental damage caused by oil consumption.
Given these issues, leading scientists are searching for alternative energy sources to fuel our cars. While electricity is one option, much of it still comes from coal and oil, so the search for a truly sustainable energy solution continues. Amid this crisis, one individual had a brilliant idea: 'Why not use something people produce in abundance for free?' And thus, poop power was born.
To generate energy from feces, the first step involves collecting sewage and separating the solids from the liquids. These solids, known as biosolids, are then treated with microbes that consume them and release gases, primarily methane and carbon dioxide. The methane is then directed through a machine that separates hydrogen atoms from carbon atoms. Hydrogen, being highly flammable and burning cleanly, makes for an excellent alternative to fossil fuels.
The Orange County Sanitation District's Fountain Valley facility in California has already tested this cutting-edge technology, yielding excellent results. This success has prompted the automotive industry to accelerate their production of hydrogen-powered vehicles. In 2005, Hyundai plans to unveil a car powered by hydrogen, featuring more efficient engines that allow for smoother and longer drives, with a range of 483 kilometers (300 miles) per tank. Other leading car manufacturers are following suit.
“Hold on,” you may ask, “Isn't hydrogen dangerous?” Not really. Hydrogen may actually be safer than gasoline in our vehicles. In a crash that causes a tank rupture, gasoline can pool on the ground and ignite easily. In contrast, hydrogen simply evaporates. Hydrogen is also non-toxic and eco-friendly, unlike gasoline.
7. Fungus-based Homes and Packaging
Naturalists have long dreamed of a future where buildings are grown like plants, and it seems that day may soon arrive. Researchers have discovered a viable material grown from fungi that could replace concrete. This fascinating material is derived from thin white fibers called hyphae, which serve as the plant’s roots. These tiny strands spread underground to form an intricate network known as mycelium. When fungi are densely packed together, the mycelium forms a solid and compact mass, which, when dried and processed, can be molded into bricks. The result is a substance that is stronger than concrete, non-toxic, and even resistant to fire and mold.
One company has already begun utilizing this innovative technology to create buildings that are literally grown from the earth, such as this impressive tower. Even better, the material can be applied in various other fields, including replacing plastics and Styrofoams as packaging, furniture, and even automotive components. This not only reduces our carbon footprint but also provides a superior product that is cheaper, free of toxic chemicals, and more durable. Items made from this material are even landfill-friendly, as they are biodegradable when exposed to the right microbes.
6. Snail Excrement Flooring
Recycling has its limits. After four to six rounds of recycling, paper becomes too degraded to be reused. The resulting pulp is essentially worthless and is often discarded into landfills. However, a Dutch designer named Lieske Schreuder may have a creative solution: snails and their droppings. This works because snails feed on vegetation such as mushrooms, grass, and tree bark. Since paper is primarily composed of wood fibers, snails eagerly consume it.
While experimenting with snails, Schreuder made an interesting observation: the feces of snails that were fed colored paper would match the paper's color because the snails' bodies reject the pigments. She also discovered that snail droppings, when compressed and dried, can be transformed into tiles ideal for flooring. By utilizing thousands of snails and experimenting with various colors, Schreuder has produced a range of tiles in vibrant hues. This innovation extends the life cycle of paper with minimal environmental impact and provides an efficient use of snails.
5. Urine-Based Energy Drinks
One significant challenge for astronauts in space is access to drinking water. Given the limited cargo capacity of rockets, water is a precious resource, so space explorers must recycle in unconventional ways. Space stations already have a complex system to convert astronauts' urine, sweat, respiratory moisture, and laundry water into drinkable water. Although this may sound unappealing, the quality of this water actually surpasses what we consume here on Earth.
However, drinking only recycled water for extended periods can become monotonous. For variety and to add essential minerals, NASA developed a system that transforms urine into an energy drink. Using a process called forward osmosis, the urine is pushed through a membrane that separates the water from the impurities before it is mixed with sugar and other standard ingredients found in energy drinks.
This process requires no electricity, can work with any liquid, and utilizes easy-to-use equipment that can fit in a single bag, making its potential applications virtually limitless. Soldiers can carry it during missions, reducing the need for excessive supplies while ensuring they have access to clean water throughout their operations. Adventure enthusiasts could also bring it along on trips to places where potable water is scarce. In addition, it could be sent to regions affected by natural disasters or emergencies, where water sources are contaminated or damaged.
4. Authentic Vanilla Flavoring
Vanilla stands alongside chocolate and coffee as one of the most beloved flavors and fragrances. However, unlike those extracts, which are derived from tree seeds, vanilla comes from the pods of orchids in the same genus. Growing orchids is far more challenging than growing trees, as they are sensitive to weather conditions and susceptible to pests. The high demand for vanilla combined with its limited supply led companies to seek more affordable alternatives from food scientists.
The organic compound vanillin, responsible for vanilla’s signature flavor and scent, was first synthesized on a large scale in the 1930s using lignin, a substance derived from pine tree pulp. In recent years, synthetic vanillin has been produced from petrochemicals, which are often regarded unfavorably. This opened the door for the search for alternative sources of vanillin.
The first naturally sourced alternative to vanilla, aside from wood pulp, was castoreum, a substance derived from the anal scent glands of beavers. This chemical is surprisingly used in a wide array of commercial products, including raspberry and strawberry flavorings. It's also found in cigarettes to give them a distinct aroma. However, due to the declining beaver population and the challenging process of extracting castoreum without killing the animal, this substitute never became widespread in the vanilla industry.
After facing numerous obstacles, a sustainable solution for the vanilla shortage was discovered, thanks to Mayu Yamamoto from the International Medical Center of Japan. She developed a process to create vanillin from a plentiful, eco-friendly, and renewable resource: cow dung. Cow poop is rich in lignin, and the method of extracting vanillin is both cost-effective and faster than traditional approaches. For her work, Yamamoto received an Ig Nobel prize. Unfortunately, the vanilla industry has not shown interest in adopting this method, leaving us without the possibility of vanilla-flavored cow dung milkshakes anytime soon.
3. Vaccines From Aborted Fetuses
In the early 1960s, an event that seemed trivial at the time had a profound impact on medicine and saved countless lives. Two women, one from England and another from Sweden, chose to have abortions. What made this otherwise ordinary event extraordinary was that certain cells from the fetuses were sent to two research institutions: the Medical Research Council in the UK and the Wistar Institute in the US. These cells formed the foundation for vaccine research, leading to the creation of vaccines for rubella, polio, rabies, chickenpox, hepatitis A, and many other diseases. More than four decades later, these two sets of fetal cells are still integral to research for life-saving medicines.
Developing vaccines for viruses presents significant challenges, as viruses can only replicate within living cells. However, adult human cells are unsuitable for such research, as they can divide only around 50 times before they die. In contrast, fetal cells are essentially immortal, able to replicate endlessly. These cells are also sterile, making them highly suitable for research purposes.
2. Foreskin Everything
The discussion surrounding foreskin and the choice of whether to retain or remove it has been a topic of contention for centuries. The Romans, for instance, valued the foreskin highly, going so far as to condemn a consul to death for having been circumcised. The Greeks also had an appreciation for it, even tying it during the Olympic Games as the sight of the exposed tip of the penis was considered offensive. For the descendants of Abraham, circumcision was seen as a symbol of their covenant with God, a practice that was later adopted by Christians. One biblical narrative even recounts how God attempted to kill Moses because his son was uncircumcised. The debate over this issue continues today, with scientists weighing the merits of both sides.
The scientific relevance of foreskin primarily lies in its use after removal. While it is typically discarded, in some cases, it is preserved due to its valuable potential. If the foreskin comes from a newborn, it can be used to generate up to four acres of new skin, which can be employed in skin grafts. This method is particularly beneficial for burn victims, as harvesting the patient’s own skin is often painful and may not yield enough tissue. Newborn foreskin has become a common choice because its cells are less likely to become infected or rejected by the body compared to other types of donor skin.
The advantages of using baby foreskin go beyond just medical treatments. It is also a key ingredient in numerous anti-aging products designed to reduce wrinkles. Foreskin is rich in fibroblast cells, which are responsible for creating skin-strengthening proteins like collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. The effectiveness of foreskin-based anti-aging products is so remarkable that one even earned Oprah’s endorsement.
1. High-Tech Future Food
In 2012, the global population surpassed seven billion. By 2024, it is projected to reach eight billion, and by 2050, we will see nine billion. If no major events significantly decrease the population, the growing demand for food will place immense pressure on the environment and further deplete already scarce resources. As a result, people are increasingly exploring alternative food sources to ensure we can feed future generations.
One of the most promising (and simultaneously most off-putting) alternative food sources being researched is insects. These creatures are highly nutritious, and they grow far more quickly and cheaply than traditional livestock such as cows and pigs. Additionally, raising livestock contributes significantly to carbon dioxide emissions, which makes insects a more eco-friendly option. While certain regions in Asia and Africa already include insects in their diets, the prospect of eating bugs remains a daunting idea for much of the world.
Researchers at London South Bank University are integrating cutting-edge technology to help ease people’s discomfort with the idea of eating insects. In their innovative process, bugs are first turned into powder, which is then mixed with other ingredients. The resulting blend is fed into a 3-D printer, creating visually appealing and appetizing edible designs. The team hopes that transforming the bugs from their natural, unsettling form into trendy, fun shapes will change public perception and encourage people to incorporate insects into their regular diet.
