Resource Efficiency: Next-Generation Technologies

As we all know, many of Earth's resources that we use in our daily lives and production are not renewable. Due to the fact that some substances and materials that our planet possesses are depleting day by day, groups of scientists and inventors tirelessly work on creating new technologies and useful gadgets that will help solve this issue. Today, let's explore some of them.

Eco-friendly Refrigerator

Currently, the refrigerator is practically an indispensable item in households. However, most models available in stores today operate on an old principle patented back in the early 20th century. In other words, manufacturers still use harmful chemical agents. Regardless of the configuration, a refrigerator consumes an average of 8-10% of all the energy in your home.

Instead of the conventional device, a Russian developer proposed a next-generation refrigerator with a housing made of biopolymer gel and an ergonomic food cooling system. Since there is no motor, 90% of the total volume is dedicated to food storage. Another feature of this technology is that such a refrigerator has no specific shape or size — all parameters can be customized to fit your kitchen's interior.

Unfortunately, currently such a bio-refrigerator only exists as a concept because some of the necessary technologies to bring the idea to life are still in the development stage. Nevertheless, its inventor is confident that in a few decades, the device will become an indispensable element in every home and will replace less efficient refrigerators on the market.

Aerogel

The next technology we will discuss can be applied in various aspects of our lives — from everyday needs to cosmic scales. An unusual substance called aerogel was obtained by extracting liquid from silicon gel.

In other words, this material is made up of almost 100% air, making it an ideal insulator for retaining heat indoors. Additionally, the so-called "frozen smoke" can be used for collecting comet dust in numerous research studies. Despite its multifunctionality, the material has a significant drawback — it is not very durable and can break even with slight bending.

Currently, a team of scientists is diligently working on eliminating this downside and enhancing the substance's resistance to external pressure because if this experiment is successful, aerogel will become an indispensable material in construction.

Soylent — An Alternative to Traditional Nutrition

Recently, the trend associated with a healthy lifestyle is becoming increasingly popular. In this regard, American enthusiasts have developed a super-nutritious complex that can replace solid food.

This solution will benefit your body more than regular food containing excess calories. Furthermore, Soylent is perfect for those who lack time to prepare meals. Many believe that the invention of such a product will also help reduce hunger in some countries around the world.