Unusual Invention - the waterless Toilet **(coming soon)
by Startacus Admin
When Bill Gates speaks, people generally listen. In a world where the developing world struggles to find fresh water to drink, there is a massive irony that we use fresh water to wash away our ‘c&*p’ when we use the toilet.
So when Bill Gates (he’s a bit of a computer Wizard and Billionaire don’t you know) decided that he would pump a little of his own cash into trying to solve this very issue, by inventing a waterless flushing toilet, quite a bit of interest was shown by 
the global innovation community.
Last month, Gates handed California Institute of Technology based company Caltech the first prize of $100,000 for its’ working model of a solar-powered toilet, where a solar panel produces power to break down faeces and urine into hydrogen gas, which in turn can be used for some power supply usage as well!
Gates also handed out prizes to Britain's Loughborough University and Canada's University of Toronto for their designs and hopes that the science and innovation community can work together to make their creations a viable reality within a few years.
The Bill Gates' Foundation spends around $80 million a year on water, sanitation and hygiene issues so although a $100,000 first prize might seem like a small drop in the ocean, Gates must still be congratulated for confronting this issue heads on.
We reckon there is plenty more to come with this story and will definitely report back when there is more to tell.
Join the Self Start society! If you like what you see here on Startacus and want to get involved yourself, why not become a member of our growing community by joining for free here!
The FinTech startup that is “on a mission to transform credit control” for small businesses everywhere...
Collaborative workspace & community providers, WeWork, are committing over $20m to empower creators from around the world through a new platform called the Creator Awards.
Augmented Reality is all about to further change thanks to Apple's latest technology...
The startup that's on a mission to make contact lenses more affordable than ever...
Future tech trends that could impact the travel industry going forward.
This article aims to clarify some of the facts around the EU General Data Protection Regulation & how it impacts you as a founder of a startup.
The digital EdTech platform which “connects experts and learners around the world for live, interactive video lessons”.
Start Up Loans Company have produced an interactive timeline highlighting some key turning points over the past 100 years that have shaped some of the big businesses we know today.
Leading online market research company Marketest, share some invaluable thoughts on why market research is an essential part of the business startup process.
The innovative app that's on a mission to make paying off your holiday easier than ever. Anytime anywhere!
Published on: 25th September 2012
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.
- WeWork Creator Awards application deadline approaches 16th Aug 2017 Collaborative workspace & community providers, WeWork, are committing over $20m to empower creators from around the world through a new platform called the Creator Awards.
- UK men’s shaving supplier Cornerstone secures new £3.5m round of investment 6th Aug 2017 UK shaving pioneer Cornerstone secures further £3.5 million investment and adds e-commerce veteran as a board advisor.
- 4% of the world’s startup unicorns are based in the UK 2nd Aug 2017 A new National Investment Fund proposed by the UK's Chancellor, Phillip Hammond, will aim to help UK startups become world-leading unicorns.
- Drive, the startup accelerator from Belron, invests in two startups from latest programme 31st Jul 2017 Belron & innovation partner, L Marks have backed tech innovation with investment and contracts for two startups from it's latest startup accelerator programme, Drive.
