ocean – Impact Lab

New Discoveries, People Making a Difference

Sunlight, a Sponge, and the End of Thirst: Scientists Unleash Scalable, Energy-Free Desalination

July 27, 2025

Forget billion-dollar desalination plants, complex filters, or energy-hungry infrastructure. The next revolution in clean water might just come from a 3D-printed sponge and the sun.

In a radical leap forward, researchers at the American Chemical Society have developed a lightweight, porous aerogel that turns salty seawater into fresh, drinkable water using nothing more than natural sunlight and a curved piece of plastic. No electricity. No pressure systems. Just a sun-powered sponge that could fit in your backpack—and possibly save millions.

Analysis, Breakthrough Thinking, Great New Product, People Making a Difference, Science & Technology News

New water desalination technology makes ocean water drinkable

April 8, 2014

New method devised using a small electrical field that will remove the salt from seawater.

Chemists with the University of Texas and the University of Marburg have devised a method of using a small electrical field that will remove the salt from seawater.

Continue reading… “New water desalination technology makes ocean water drinkable”

Photo Perspectives, Robots, Science & Technology News

Wave Glider SV3 – world’s first wave and solar powered unmanned ocean robot

April 10, 2013

Wave Glider SV3

Liquid Robotics has announced the Wave Glider SV3, what it calls the worldʼs first hybrid wave and solar propelled unmanned ocean robot. These super-smart robots have been revamped with Wi-Fi and cellular communications and are primed to compete in a series of industries, and might eventually create a couple new ones while they’re at it. (Pics)

Continue reading… “Wave Glider SV3 – world’s first wave and solar powered unmanned ocean robot”

Analysis, Animals, Breakthrough Thinking, Education, Historical Perspectives, New Discoveries, Sealife

Do Dolphins Think Nonlinearly?

July 18, 2012

Dolphin behavior is still largely an enigma to humans.

Research from the University of Southampton, which examines how dolphins might process their sonar signals, could provide a new system for human-made sonar to detect targets, such as sea mines, in bubbly water.
Continue reading… “Do Dolphins Think Nonlinearly?”

Art, Breakthrough Thinking, Globalism, Health & Fitness, Historical Perspectives, New Discoveries, New Viewpoints

Moby Hotel or disaster relief housing?

April 16, 2012

Is this the shape of the future?

If you happen to be curious about what the future home of your grandchildren might look like, take a glance at Remistudio’s concept hotel called The Ark. Russian architect, Alexander Remizov, is the mastermind behind the project, he believes that his floating “slinky,” which can hold up to 10,000 people can have multiple uses, including a safe house for disaster relief. The prototype’s main materials are timber, steel ,and high-strength ETFE plastic and it is built to handle land and/or water…

Continue reading… “Moby Hotel or disaster relief housing?”

Analysis, Globalism, Science & Technology News, Sealife

Ocean plankton the key ingredient that decides the future of Earth’s climate

February 19, 2012

Understanding the chemistry of phytoplankton is key to controlling Earth’s climate.

Tiny ‘phytoplankton’ in the oceans have a huge impact on Earth’s climate – and understanding them could be key to the planet’s future health.

Continue reading… “Ocean plankton the key ingredient that decides the future of Earth’s climate”

Analysis, New Discoveries, Science & Technology News, Space

NASA discovers there may be flowing water on Mars

August 5, 2011

Dark seasonal streaks on crater walls could be flows of salty water.

We have known for a while now that ice exists on Mars. We have seen a lot of suggestions that liquid water may have once existed on the surface in huge rivers and oceans. But NASA has announced for the first time, they may have actually spotted some flowing, liquid water.

Continue reading… “NASA discovers there may be flowing water on Mars”

Science & Technology News

China aims for world’s deepest dive in a manned submersible in 2012

July 26, 2011

The Jiaolong reached 16,591 ft in a dive in international waters in the Pacific.

Scientists in China aim to complete the world’s deepest dive in a manned submersible in 2012 by going to 7,000 meters (22,966 ft) beneath the sea after a successful test dive in the Pacific Ocean, state news agency Xinhua reported Tuesday.

Continue reading… “China aims for world’s deepest dive in a manned submersible in 2012”

Analysis, Big Problems, Globalism, Science & Technology News, Sealife

Ocean life threatened by mass extinction

June 22, 2011

The combined effects of climate change, over-exploitation, pollution and habitat loss will cause the mass extinction.

Ocean life is at an imminent risk of the worst spate of extinctions in millions of years due to threats such as climate change and over-fishing, according to a study led by the International Programme on the State of the Ocean (IPSO).

Continue reading… “Ocean life threatened by mass extinction”

Analysis, Food, Health & Fitness, Science & Technology News, Sealife

Dust Blown Into the Oceans From the African Desert May Increase Risk of Seafood Poisoning

February 20, 2011

Dust from the African Desert can increase the growth of bacteria that are the main cause of food poisoning from seafood.

Researchers have found that harmful bacteria found in seawater flourish in the presence of dust that comes from the Sahara desert in western Africa, as well as other areas of continent.

Continue reading… “Dust Blown Into the Oceans From the African Desert May Increase Risk of Seafood Poisoning”