With oil spills and pollution infesting the planet’s waterways and oceans, it may be time to think big – challenging the restrictions on what is possible – focus our design and engineering genius – not on drilling for more pollutants far beneath our seas – but on finding new and innovative ways to cleanse the Earth and return it to its rightful, pristine condition.
Faced again this morning with the depressing reality of the Gulf oil spill I thought I’d feature a conceptual design project that envisions technology that could make a positive impact on the world’s environment and waterways. Physalia, as designed by the French futurist and architect, Vincent Callebaut, is a floating zero emissions amphibious eco structure, powered by renewable energies – creating an inspirational symbol of positive energy and greener technology. The ship is envisioned passively navigating Europe’s waterways as a floating lab and water cleansing system.
Powered by zero-emissions renewable energy and the flow of the waterway, (sounds kinda sexy, no?) the vessel’s roof would contain a double pneumatic membrane chiseled with smooth photovoltaic solar cells, whilst its hull would feature hydro-turbines to transform the energy of the fluvial stream in hydro-electricity and enable adjustments to the soft navigation. Physalia’s surface would consist of aluminum, covering a multi-hull steel structure – the silver-plated hull is then covered by a TiO2 layer of Anatase that would react to ultraviolet rays as part of the ship’s water pollution reduction system.
As well as operating as a self cleaning vessel, Physalia is intended to clean the waterways of the pollution created by traditional boats and industries. Additionally, its double hull is criss-crossed by a hydraulic network that would enable it to filter water channeled from the waterway and purify it biologically via its living, green roof and gardens.
Perhaps through vision and creativity, we’ll eventually achieve positive change and a greener, bluer world, unencumbered by YouTube video feeds of unchecked oil flowing into the once pristine, vibrant oceans. Back to reality…
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Wow, those are some incredible pictures! Sounds awesome.
It’s a shame this is only a vision of the future and not a reality as you could do with an armada of these ships in the Gulf of Mexico right now.