How can I build a steam powered boat or solar powered water purifier?

Question

I'm going to enter a science fair and I want to build either:

(i) A steam powered boat (doesn't have to be huge... best if it can fit into my sink or bathtub so I can test it)

(ii) Solar powered water purifier (this I have no idea how but my science teacher told me it is not very hard)

Please don't tell me to ask my science teacher b/c she says she cannot help me more than that.

Answer 1

This doesn't exactly fit what you are looking for, but if you wanted to make a solar or candle- powered boat instead of steam powered, here's a really amazing engine design that can be made worth aluminum cans and about $5 worth of other stuff. This particular technology is starting to get very serious scrutiny for real applications. You would need to add a cam shaft and paddle wheel just like a real steam boat to adapt this engine.


For a solar powered water purifier, all you need is to find a diagram of a still (like the kind for making whiskey), and solar oven as a heating unit (there's all sorts of solar oven designs on the web)

Answer 2

I know how to build a solar powered water purifier.
Get a solar panel produce hot-water, and connect to an absorption chiller which can produce ice, once the water iced (also crystallized) will give you a purified water.
The absorption chiller could be find here at:

Answer 3

Create Home Solar Power : http://Solar.eudko.com/?NOs

Answer 4

Anybody can make a pop-pop steam boat.