100 Amazing Inventions
76. Why is Gravity Light an important invention?
GRAVITY-LIGHT:
Did you know that there
are currently over 1.5 billion people in the world - especially poorer
countries who have no reliable access to electricity? These people rely,
instead on mostly kerosene for lighting once the sun goes down. GravityLight
is a lamp that is powered not by electricity, batteries, kerosene or diesel
but by gravity.
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| Gravity Light |
This lamp uses a bag filled with rocks or earth, attached
to a cord, which slowly descends. After a few seconds, this action powers
the light for up to thirty minutes whenever needed.
Once the weighted bag reaches the floor, which depends on
how high it was installed, it is simply lifted to repeat the process.
GravityLight has no batteries to run out, replace or dispose of. There
is no smoke or fumes too.
GravityLight is completely clean and green- it is truly
revolutionary new approach to storing energy and creating
illumination, especially for developing countries.
77. How has Mangalyaan created history?
MARS ORBITER:
ISRO, which is the
Indian Space Research Organization, created history on September 24th
2014, by successfully putting a space craft into orbit Mars with its very
first attempt. The Mars Orbiter Mission, named Mangalyaan, floated smoothly
into Mars orbit making India the first country in the world to achieve this
feat in its maiden attempt.
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| Mars Orbiter |
Unlike many other space craft, the Mangalyaan only has five
equipments on board to study the various conditions on the Mars, and it
has been hailed as the most cost effective space project to date.
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| Mangalyaan |
The mission is critical, as it will help ISRO understand
better the dynamics of keeping a spacecraft in orbit for almost a year.
It will also help our scientists gain deeper insights into deep space
communications, and more efficient ways to manage future interplanetary
missions.
78. Why are 3D printers very useful?
3D PRINTERS:
3D printing is a rapidly changing technology that has
exciting potential for designers and industries all over the globe.
These printers can build objects from digital blueprints. A
3D printer is very different from an ordinary printer. It follows a
predetermined plan provided by computer software. The computer directs
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| 3D Printer |
the
3D printer to add new layers to a digital blueprint. The object is thus,
built up layer by layer, and until a complete three dimensional product is
produced.
One of the greatest advantages of 3D printing is that it
can be used to create artificial organs for organ transplant. 3D
printers speed up industrial processes, and can immensely improve
defense systems by helping to create complex weaponry.
On a day to day level, 3D printing can transform our
homes to small factories where we can fabricate practically we want.
With a 3D printer, one can manufacture objects that were previously
made at the industry level, such as ornaments or toy cars. Isn't that
a thrilling thought?
79. What is SOCCKET?
SOCCKET:
SOCCKET looks like a soccer ball, but it is much more. It is
a portable generator that harnesses and stores energy when played
with.
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| A Child using SOCCKET for reading |
As the ball is kicked around, it harnesses the kinetic
energy exerted on it.
Weighing about 30 grams more than a standard soccer ball,
SOCCKET is constructed from custom water-resistant foam that is both
durable, and soft to the touch. A pendulum like mechanism inside
captures the kinetic momentum generated during play, and stores this
energy inside for later use.
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| Obama playing with SOCCKET to charge |
Just 30 minutes of play can power a simple LED lamp for
three hours. Designed and assembled in the USA, the project is
currently being piloted in selected areas of North America- continents
where soccer is the national pastime.
80. Why is it getting easier to charge mobile phones?
SOLEPOWER:
Mobile phones are very
useful, but their batteries have to be recharged frequently.
This means you have to carry your charger everywhere, and
if you are at place where there is no electrical plug point, recharging is
not possible.
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| Mobile Charger |
With a new device called SolePower, developed by a
company of the same name, recharging your mobile phone battery as easy
as walking!
This device comes in two parts- the power generating
insole, and the battery.
The user places the insole in their shoe, and snakes
the wire through the laces. The battery is then fastened around the
ankle, or to the top of the shoe.
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| Sole Power |
The wire is plugged into the battery, which then
receives its charge simply from the user walking around as they
would normally. In testing, the company found that the battery would receive enough energy to fully charge an iPhone in anywhere from 4 to 8 kilometers. SolePower does not depend on external conditions. Rain or shine, day or night, every step you take is a step closer to a full battery.