The engine runs in the air

A team of researchers in Columbia has announced that it has successfully built steam engines that can produce energy. In theory, it can harvest all the water vapor in the air, in the ocean or anywhere else on Earth, and then convert it into energy .

Successfully built a steam engine in the air

This is a source of renewable energy almost endless, promising to be with the sun, wind, tides ... to provide human solutions green energy , clean in the future.

The secret behind this amazing engine is the bacterial spores . In nature, bacterial spores expel when exposed to water and they contract when they are dry. Thanks to this seemingly simple feature, the researchers believe they can apply it to the engine.

Specifically, they attach the bacterial spores to a plastic bandage, forming a set of artificial muscles that work by hydrating (HYDRAs). When exposed to water (in the air, or in the air), spores expand and stretch. When dry, the ribbon will shrink into curved form. It goes on and on .

In the experiment, the researchers installed a steam engine into a toy car, and as you can see in the video below, it has moved very slowly. However, this is a very unique and successful invention . The researchers hope that they or other groups can continue to develop larger engines based on this technology, paving the way for future water- efficient vehicles .

So in the end, we have the right to dream about a water-powered car, right?

Below are some videos testing the steam engine

Toy truck

Lift up the weight

Close open the door model

Researchers introduce the steam engine project