Inventor of the Segway Confronts World Thirst

Water is the lifeline for cultures all across the world. It cultivates crops, cleans our bodies and, of course, we drink it-but it's easy to take clean water for granted here in America where it is so plentiful. In other places clean water is as rare as diamonds, and as time goes on, the scarcity of water is expected to only get worse. But one man hopes to bridge this gap between the western world and the third world with a portable, energy efficient device that can purify even the most putrid water into a crystal clear elixir.

Although most of the earth is made up of water, a very small percentage of this water is drinkable and/or tapped for use. In Somalia for instance, over 30% of the population does not have access to clean water. According to a study conducted by the United Nations, "...six thousand people die every day from drinking water that is not clean or safe." This proposed a serious problem to Dean Kamen, head inventor at DEKA Research in New Hampshire. After many long hours working toward a solution, Kamen created something amazing. He calls it 'The Slingshot' and it could revolutionize the way people get clean water in those far corners of the globe.

The Slingshot can extract 10 gallons of usable water in an hour from any source, expending only 500 watts of electricity in the process. According to Encyclopedia.com:

"Kamen was cautious about predicting the success of his water purifier, nicknamed the Slingshot. It was still costly to produce, but it was small, weighing about one hundred pounds, and it could run on almost any fuel, including wood, grass, or cow dung."

After a little tinkering, and hopefully some philanthropic help, Dean Kamen hopes to bring the price of the Slingshot down to $2,000 which would be a steal, considering that each unit costs a couple hundred thousand to manufacture. Because of the efficiency this mechanism exhibits, the Slingshot could prove to be a lifesaver for communities that struggle to find a reliable source of clean water. However, the cost of making such a sophisticated piece of equipment is pretty expensive, making widespread distribution a financial obstacle that needs further brainstorming to overcome.

The Slingshot could find itself being a godsend to millions who struggle every day. After creating the Segway (those little motorized scooters), Dean Kamen has set his innovative prospects to meet a global need, without any hope for profit. Kamen should be praised for his selfless work and dedication. It's amazing to see such a technological breakthrough that hopes to secure a better future for the entire world--not the profit margins of some private company or corporation.