1. Ballast-free technology would not have been possible without computer modeling to help scientists test different experimental solutions Invented by Ukrainian-born engineer Igor Pasternak

2. >Despite sterilization protocols, ballast water can carry organisms that are harmful to dumping sites’ ecosystems >Would reduce fuel and cargo transport costs by ~ $2.55 per metric ton >Cheaper to build than large transport planes: 1/3 the cost of a 747 and needing about 1/3 the fuel >These airships could potentially carry significant payloads across large distances without ever having to stop for refueling

3. Sources http://www.prism-magazine.org/summer09/briefings.cfm http://ns.umich.edu/new/releases/6427 http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2012-06/plan-airships-might-finally-take http://www.gidenstam.org/FlightGear/Airships/images/fgfs-SSZero-251.jpg http://www.popsci.com/sites/popsci.com/files/styles/article_image_large/public/images/2012/06/airsh ip3.jpg?itok=4J4yI0M4 http://www.popsci.com/sites/popsci.com/files/styles/article_image_large/public/images/2012/06/airsh ip3.jpg?itok=4J4yI0M4 http://www.popsci.com/sites/popsci.com/files/styles/article_image_large/public/images/2012/06/airsh ip4.jpg?itok=Ot7xIjG_ http://www.popsci.com/sites/popsci.com/files/styles/article_image_large/public/images/2012/06/airsh ip4.jpg?itok=Ot7xIjG_