Generating Power From Water

Scientists discover a new, clean way to generate power from water.

1 minute read

October 25, 2003, 7:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


Scientists at the University of Alberta in Canada are creating a stir with their discovery of a clean and simple way to generate electricity by forcing water through narrow glass tubes, a finding being touted as the first completely new way to generate electricity in more than 160 years. According to research published today in the latest issue of the "Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering," the process works by harnessing the natural energy created when a flowing liquid meets a solid surface. The work is in its early stages, say researchers Larry Kostiuk and Daniel Kwok, but by the end of the decade the process could be used to make "water batteries" to power mobile phones and other small electronic devices without using toxic materials or creating pollution. Eventually the system might be used for full-scale generation of clean power." [ Summary by Grist Magazine - http://www.gristmagazine.com/ ]

Thanks to Grist Magazine

Monday, October 3, 2005 in The Independent

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 18, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Two people walking away from camera through pedestrian plaza in street in Richmond, Virginia with purple and white city bus moving in background.

Vehicle-related Deaths Drop 29% in Richmond, VA

The seventh year of the city's Vision Zero strategy also cut the number of people killed in alcohol-related crashes by half.

June 17, 2025 - WRIC

Two small wooden one-story homes in Florida with floodwaters at their doors.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?

With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

June 16, 2025 - Governing

Two people on bikes riding toward downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota on Stone Arch Bridge.

How Bike-Friendly Is Your City?

PeopleForBikes just released its annual rankings.

30 minutes ago - Streetsblog USA

Large white banner with red letter reading "Space Available - Apts. for Rent - Call 898-0660" on brick building in Washington, D.C.

US Rents Squeezing Low-Income Tenants

Despite a recent — and slowing — apartment construction boom, renters at the lower end of the income scale are still struggling to find housing.

3 hours ago - Bloomberg CityLab

Person holding sign reading 'Rent Relief Now!' wearing blue face mask.

Tech Tools Help Tenants Push Back Against Problematic Landlords

Shelterforce found more than a dozen examples of tenant-serving technology that help renters identify landlords, respond to eviction, fight back against housing discrimination, and more.

4 hours ago - Shelterforce Magazine