A water pump that uses thermal energy from the sun is to undergo field testing before potentially being used by farmers in the developing world for irrigating fields. The device uses a non-inertive-feedback thermofluidic engine (NIFTE) that converts relatively small temperature differences between its heat source and heat sink into mechanical force. It does this without any electrical supply or mechanical moving parts, instead using liquid pistons that move up and down in response to pressure variations caused by boiling and condensation. Because of this it can hope- fully be produced relatively cheaply, with a cost of ￡50 per pump being mooted.
展开▼
