Whisky Cleans Water

In what seems like some bizarre twist a byproduct from the production of whisky is being used to clean rivers. I wonder if the byproduct is some form of algae.

Scientists at Aberdeen University have created DRAM – Device for the Remediation and Attenuation of Multiple pollutants – which they claim could revolutionise the cleaning up of old and contaminated industrial sites.

They claim the secret process can remove different types of pollutants including chlorines, heavy metals and pesticides at the same time and is far quicker and more cost effective than current clean up techniques.

Biological Determinism for Happiness

This is good news for some people and irrelevant news for others. There is new research coming out that hints that biology plays a significant role in how happy we are.

esearchers from the University of Edinburgh and the Queensland Institute of Medical Research in Brisbane have found our personalities and happiness are largely hereditary and that genetically determined personality traits affect our happiness.

The research, published in the latest issue of the journal Psychological Science, rated the personalities of 973 pairs of twins. The twins were rated using the Five Factor Model of personality, which measures neuroticism, extroversion, conscientiousness, openness and agreeableness.

The study shows identical twins have a very similar personality and well-being. But fraternal twins are only around half as similar.

This suggests that genes are responsible for certain personality traits. Those who are conscientious, extroverted and not overly neurotic are more likely to be happy. People with these personality traits also tend to have a happiness buffer to help them through hard times.

Wave Powered Boat to Travel on Waves

Kenichi Horie, who has traveled on a solar powered boat, will now travel across the pacific on a wave-powered boat. Strange, but true!

The boat made of recycled aluminum relies on the energy of waves to move two fins at its bow and propel it forward. Horie said it is a sturdy vessel, designed to right itself if it capsizes. But it is equipped with an engine and an 11-metre sail mast for emergencies.

The journey – which would take a diesel-powered boat about 10 days to complete – is expected to take Horie about 2.5 months. He will take along rice, canned food, microwaveable meals and beer.

Solar panels atop the catamaran will power the microwave and Horie will also have a satellite phone and access to e-mail.

Eco-Friendly Weddings

Green weddings are gaining popularity, we’ve mentioned them before, and now the green wedding trend has evolved.

Octopus’s Garden in Oro-Medonte (an hour north of Toronto), is one of these unique locales. Specializing in intimate weddings and cocktail parties, its garden is a true eco-tourism setting. In keeping with a balanced lifestyle, Octopus’s Garden grows a wide selection of organic fruits, vegetables, edible flowers and herbs, allowing the bride and groom to create their dream feast – naturally.

According to Bruce Mathews, head chef and one of the main hosts, it’s the almost four acre natural setting, surrounded by crown land on three sides along with a hundred organic fruit trees, hardwood trees, evergreen trees, a wildflower garden, herb garden, and rivers that really make it the perfect place for those who wish to pursue the garden path.

Solar Leafs for Homes

Solar leafsThis is a neat idea that may or may not go with your aesthetic tastes, but should go with your green tastes. Inhabitat says that solar leafs can hang off your house while providing you power. Like leaves on trees, these leafs use the sun to make energy, and unlike trees, these solar shingles also get power from the wind.

Using a series of flexible solar cells as leaves, GROW takes the shape of ivy growing on a building- the leaves are solar cells while the wind that causes them to flutter is harvested as viable energy. Teresita hopes that the modular system would be readily available via the Moma store or Design Within Reach, rather than a commercially out-of-reach system like many traditional solar components. GROW also integrates an energy monitoring system for users to visualize their consumption. The leaves are made of 100% recyclable polyethylene, and are available in a variety of colors and opacities.