Scientists are working on a clever way to utilize the evaporation powers in nature for energy generation. Have you ever seen the mysteriously pretty sight of a lake in winter covered by a layer of thick fog? When the cold winter air lies over a warm body of water like a lake, the water molecules evaporate from the surface water into the colder air above it. A lab at Columbia University in New York recently created two devices that generate electricity from this evaporation process, by making use of the change in humidity. The first device is a floating, piston-driven engine that generates electricity causing a light to flash, and the second a rotary engine that drives a miniature car. The researchers were successful in getting the car to roll on its own, solely powered by evaporation.
Generating renewable energy from evaporation
More of Today's Solutions
The Ocean Cleanup removed a record 25 million kilos of plastic in 2025 (and t...
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a world where the scale of plastic pollution can feel overwhelming, 2025 brought a milestone worth celebrating: ...
Read MoreAncient nits aid uncovering of human ancestry
To uncover information about ancient genomes scientists have previously relied on fossils of bones and teeth. Alongside ethical issues, the problem with this is ...
Read MoreAlways late? Here’s 7 tips to curb the habit
We’ve all run late before, whether it was because of a missed alarm, couldn't find the right outfit, or getting stuck in traffic. It ...
Read MoreHow Uruguay achieved 98% renewable energy
During the 2000s, as global fossil fuel costs skyrocketed, Uruguay faced a tremendous issue. Uruguay, as a country heavily reliant on foreign oil, found ...
Read More
