Rain

Tiny drops of water might not seem like powerhouse energy producers, but a new method shows how simple tubes might be able to turn falling rain into an energy source. In tests, the method was able to power up 12 LED lights.

It's certainly not uncommon for backpackers to carry a rain poncho, hammock, shelter and groundsheet. The Nomad Cape is aimed at lightening their load, by combining all four pieces of gear in one unit.

Having flexed its muscles in predicting kidney injury, toppling Go champions and solving 50-year-old science problems, artificial intelligence company DeepMind is now dipping its toes in weather forecasting.

We've recently seen a number of devices that can be added to bikes, that help keep the rider dry in the rain. A new ebike known as the AllWeatherBike, however, doesn't need any add-ons – its "roof" can reportedly be pulled up in just three seconds.

Dedicated bicycle commuters may not let a little rain stop them, but that still doesn't mean they like getting rained on when they ride. The Softtop, from German manufacturer RainRider, is one of the latest gadgets designed to help keep them dry.

If you're carrying a folded umbrella and it starts raining, you just pop that umbrella open and keep walking. The Italian-designed BikerTop is designed to work in much the same way, although it's made for use by cyclists.

As useful as solar energy is, it still has one major Kryptonite: gloomy weather. Now, a team of Chinese engineers has developed a hybrid solar cell that can produce electricity come rain or shine, using the triboelectric effect to harvest energy from the movement of raindrops on its surface.

Using a poncho is one alternative to a full-body cycling rain suit, but German inventor Thomas Schmidt has come up with another … it's a bicycle-mounted umbrella that you stick your head through.​

Cloud-seeding scientists may soon have a new tool at their disposal, with researchers in the US successfully testing a cloud-seeding drone aimed at offering a cheaper and safer alternative to current methods.

Adding fenders to a bike can be a hassle, plus they often end up rattling or rubbing. That's why UK product designer Mark Stebles created his Stebles Bike – its front and rear mudguards are actually part of its frame.

The Cypress may be the last and best umbrella you'll ever own. Its telescopic suspension system is designed to be stronger, durable, and more resistant to flipping inside-out.

Kisha is a smart umbrella that uses an app to predict the weather, and warns you when you're about to leave it on the bus. Even without its smart features, Kisha is still impressive, offering what the manufacturers describe as "perfect" stitching and a "perfect" opening and closing mechanism.