LIFESAVER

The Lifesaver was developed in response to natural disasters such as 2004’s tsunami and Hurricane Katrina. The concept is relatively simple, based upon the fact that the smallest virus is 25 nanometers across, so by using a filter with holes 15 nanometers across, all nasties can be trapped without the need for chemicals. The term ‘nasties’ is actually quite an understatement. Lifesaver can filter out bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi and all other microbiological waterborne pathogens. And in the real world, of course, the bottle was much harder to realize than we’ve described it. The bottle is the world’s first ultra filtration water bottle, and the inventor put all of his life savings into developing it. But it was this level of development effort that has brought about a product that is exceptionally easy to use. Fill it with water by unscrewing the base and dipping it in the nearest puddle or stream, screw the base back and use the pump to force the water through to a teat at the other end. The clean water can then be drunk directly or poured into a separate container for storage. These simple instructions make it suitable for use by children, and in developing countries. Lifesaver是一件概念新颖的便携式水过滤器，能将自然界的水净化到可饮用的级别。该水杯的原理是采用了纳米级滤芯，最小的病菌的直径为25纳米左右，而Lifesaver的滤芯则达到16纳米，因此能将细菌过滤出去。 Lifesaver是一件概念新颖的便携式水过滤器，能将自然界的水净化到可饮用的级别。该水杯的原理是采用了纳米级滤芯，最小的病菌的直径为25纳米左右，而Lifesaver的滤芯则达到16纳米，因此能将细菌过滤出去。 之所以说其新颖，还是于Lifesaver的使用非常简单和高效。只需将水瓶放到水中，打开底盖，将水瓶浸入水池或河流中，灌满水后，旋紧底盖。河水就依靠活塞的压力，通过滤芯，到达瓶口。一分钟内，就可以过滤750毫升的水。Lifesaver的滤芯可拆换，使用寿命为4000升，如果你每天饮水2升，可以用5年半。该设计曾在2007年士兵技术论坛中获得未来士兵系统装备的最佳技术奖。 The unit uses replaceable filters, which can treat about 4000 liters of water – five and a half years of usage if you drank 2 liters every day. The filter is speedy, too - 750ml of water can be prepared in just under a minute. And users can rest safe in the knowledge they’re getting maximum life out of the product without poisoning themselves, as the unit has a unique feature to shut itself off when the cartridge has expired.

这么好的玩意儿，要多少钱呢？英镑230元，这个价钱还真不是一般人能承受的。尽管这种技术，非常适合环境恶劣地区的发展中国家和受灾地区使用，然而不菲的价钱，还是使这项产品只能用于户外、装备等特殊场合。 Costing £230 ($460), the Lifesaver isn’t exactly cheap, but it is a world first, and we’re sure the price reflects the genuinely innovative R&D that went into its development. Not only was it featured at Well-tech, it won ‘Best Technological Development for Future Soldier System Enhancement’ at Soldier Technology 2007. It’s ironic that a design that can bring world peace can also support world conflict, but here’s hoping it’s used for the former rather than the latter.