Blogs

 Check out the Household Water Treatment network (http://www.who.int/household_water/network/en/).  The network was formed by the World Health Organization and UNICEF to help improve the health of vulnerable populations through improved water quality.  Their website includes a wealth of information of interest to the network.  You may also want to brouse  http://waterinstitute.unc.edu/hwts.

Utilizing work completed by DARPA which utilized flying robotic parafoils to deliver emergency supplies in disaster situations, Disney creates a flying dragon for its Fantasyland opening.

http://www.livescience.com/25504-disney-flying-robot-dragon.html

Material science experts are examining material stress points to determine how to build better building materials.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121213142303.htm

Scientists are examining how to convert waste heat from light into usable energy through manipulations of biochemical reactions on the nanoscale.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121213172344.htm

Experts project the price of solar modules will continue to fall through the next decade making the technology more affordable.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121212134211.htm

A new foam is being tested to stop bleeding in combat situations but could also be useful in other austere environments such as post disaster.

http://www.technewsdaily.com/15895-foam-injection-soldiers-bleeding.html

A new inflatable solar lamp provides a cheap, storable energy solution for post disaster and impoverished populations.  The company that markets the light, Mpowered, is partnering with One Laptop Per Child to help move its product into the marketplace.  The light's developer is adding a cellphone charger and wireless access to future models.

http://www.livescience.com/25478-luci-inflatable-lamp.html

Four US telecom companies have set up a system that allows people to text 911 instead of having to dial in.  They believe this new technology will help match modern communication methods and keep the system relevant.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/07/us-fcc-emergecnytext-idUSBRE8B605D20121207