In the quest for sustainable design and minimalist living, OxiJet is the latest in a series of products aimed to reduce consumption. Manufactured by New Zealand-based Felton Industries, the OxiJet features a unique “air shower” head that injects tiny air bubbles into the water stream to make the shower feel like it’s at full pressure while using 50 percent less water.

The OxiJet was developed by Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CISRO) to alleviate water restrictions in some Australian states. Using four micro nozzles to jet the water, it uses the Venturi effect to increase water speed. When diameter varies in a tube, it creates a difference in pressure and fluid speed, air gets sucked into the Venturi tube because of the partial vacuum, it mixes in with the water and forms tiny bubbles in the water stream.

“The end result is that you save on water bills and conserve water use for the environment, but it feels like you are getting a high-volume shower.,” says a company spokesperson. “Many low-flow fixtures reduce flow and pressure, Oxijet draws air into the water stream, making the water droplets hollow and larger.”

For more information, watch this YouTube video of Dr. Jie Wu, fluids specialist at CSIRO. [Gizmag]