New energy source found in tap water
Scientists who discovered a new way of generating electricity from water say they may have stumbled across an alternative source of clean energy to rival wind and solar power. The breakthrough could lead to batteries that use water instead of toxic substances.

The scientists made the discovery when they were investigating what happens when tap water is forced through extremely narrow glass tubes. “When we took a syringe of water and squeezed it through the filter, we got enough power to light a light bulb,” said Larry Kostiuk of the University of Alberta in Canada. “The harder you push the syringe, the more volts you get.”

Water batteries might one day be used to power mobile phones and calculators. More likely would be to install the electricity-generating devices where water is already being pumped, such as at city water filtration sites.