15-Year-Old Invents Algae-Powered Energy System

Mike writes "Signaling a bright future for sustainable energy, 15-year-old Javier Fernandez-Han has created a remarkable algae-powered energy system that is capable of producing food and fuel, treating waste, containing greenhouse gases, and releasing oxygen. Dubbed the VERSATILE system, the project recently netted him a $20,000 scholarship for winning this year's Invent Your World Challenge."

Vapourware

[BierGuzzl]

FTA: "The algae-powered system hasnâ(TM)t yet been built, however, and skeptics will remain until it is. Even if FernÃndez-Hanâ(TM)s design doesnâ(TM)t pan out as planned, weâ(TM)re thoroughly impressed by his innovative spirit."

"Play pump"

[fiannaFailMan]

A pump powered by children playing? I did a double take when I saw that. Then there was a link to it [inhabitots.com]. I tip my hat to the person who thought of that. Bloody ingenious.

And now the punch line of the article?

[EkriirkE]

"The algae-powered system hasnâ(TM)t yet been built..."

Re:There's only

[copponex]

It's a merry-go-round [inhabitots.com]. Kids spin around, laugh, and spin some more all the time at local parks in the States. Even in China and Malaysia, when they're not manufacturing Nikes for pennies per hour, I'm sure they might like to feel like normal children, and play outside on a merry-go-round.

If it suits you to be a non-contributing little shit and sneer at anyone who tries, then so be it. But at least stay quiet while you're doing it.

Re:There's only

[cplusplus]

Play pumps are being installed in many places in Africa, and have been for over 5 years now. They're a pretty big success so far. Frontline on PBS did a piece a while ago about them: FRONTLINE - South Africa [pbs.org]

Re:Mutant!

[protest_boy]

I'll bet this guy is is dad.

http://report.rice.edu/sir/faculty.detail?p=6098EF446D2F9399 [rice.edu]

Re:Yawn...

[Anonymous Coward]

I didn't invent anything this clever when I was 15. How about you?

By 15, I was already able to launch squirrels more than 200 metres!

Slashdot: News for aAngry Nerds.

[karlwilson]

What's the problem here? Slashdot: News for aAngry Nerds.

Re:Freakin' Prodigies...

[Ex-MislTech]

Its worse than that, he just copied some Phds work off youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hioZ7C6HLs [youtube.com]

Re:"Play pump"

[Zouden]

The advertising supports the pump. Read the article.

Re:Saudiswillkillhim tag

[harl]

What are you talking about?

You can buy a Hyosung GT-250 Comet for ~$2,700.

They get around 112.9 mpg with standard gas.

Re:Saudiswillkillhim tag

[Nocturna81]

http://www.dieselmotorfiets.nl/ [dieselmotorfiets.nl] Here you go, this is the place they make them. And guess what, it's for sale for 17500 euros. Do you have any other Myths you need Busted(TM) ?

Re:Yawn...

[ivucica]

Y'mean, s/ informs /, informs /g?