Tag: water purifier

USB-based Purifier Cleans Water in Under a Minute

It seems like you can do anything via USB these days – even purify water.  The SteriPEN Freedom is a tiny USB-based water purifier that uses an ultraviolet light to purify a 16-oz. glass of water in as little as 48 seconds. The device eliminates bacteria and viruses that cause waterborne illnesses making it a valuable tool for both the hiker and the world traveler – at least those who travel with a laptop! Unlike previous battery-driven models, the SteriPEN Freedom features a micro USB port for charging and can be used up to 40 times on a single charge.

Its overall lifespan is estimated at roughly 8,000 treatments, and best of all the device also doubles as a flashlight. It’ll be available next month for $119.

SteriPEN Official Website

Pedal Power to Purify Water

Over the years we’ve heard of how bicycles can generate power for lights (on the bike and off), but how about purifying the liquid needed to cool down the rider? That’s the idea of a new bicycle that could soon be mass produced for the developing world. Nippon Basic Company announced a new bike system called Cycloclean that needs only manpower to help run a motor to pump water through a series of filters, purifying five liters (1.3 gallons) of water in about a minute.

So far the company has sold about 300 bikes since launching the system in 2005, and soon the bikes could be mass-produced in Bangladesh, where demand for the cycles has increased. The only drawback could be the cost – currently the bikes sell for about $6,600 – making this a rather expensive glass of water. But if costs can come down, this could be a way to have clean, safe drinking water for those long rides.

[Via Bangkok Post: Japan touts pedal-powered water purifier]