Muji
by: Sustainable Design News, 2010-11-04 10:14:55 UTC

This fascinating monograph provides an unprecedented view into the inner workings of Muji, one of the most influential brands leading sustainable design. A prescient advocate of sustainable consumption and the matchless utility of good design, Muji's founding principle was to develop new and simple products at reasonable prices by making the best use of materials while minimizing their impact on the environment.

Sun + Flower = Lunchbox!
by: Yanko Design, 2010-11-19 12:52:24 UTC

The Sunflower Lunchbox is a cute solar-powered appliance that heats and cools food items at the same time. A collapsible petals-like contraption (laced with solar cells) is used to trap the solar energy, which is then stored in an internal battery. With the simple touch of a button, you can then heat or cool down the contents within the individual boxes. It’s an ideal lunchbox for those fussy about eating piping hot food and solid cold drinks!

How it works:

• When the lunch box is closed, the compartments are connected to an electrical circuit through three lids for heating and cooling at the same time or separately, depending on the user’s wishes.
• Once opened, the electrical circuit is broken allowing you to take out the compartments individually and eat!
• Every pan has its own display through which you can control the heating or cooling your food.

Designer: Edita Barabas

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Don’t Blush, Go Ahead And Touch
by: Yanko Design, 2010-11-19 11:38:31 UTC

I’m trying not to be corny here, but addressing the very serious issue of breast cancer. The awareness is kind of out there, but just leaving messages on Facebook in the month of October is not enough. A practical approach like the Smart Pink is required. It’s a self-adhesive sticker that ladies can stick across their chest and follow the pink-path with fingertips for self-diagnosis. A combination of maneuver-stickers makes the pack and the kit is a certified diagnosis from Korea Breast Cancer Foundation.

The video below has an info-segment in Korean for the first minute, but detailed live demo after that. Watch it!

Just a note, I think this can turn out to be a very effective product, if marketed well, to raise awareness and probably save many lives. I know if I had a instructive tool like this, I would use it! So, great job designers!

Designers: Mi Hyun Ryu and So Ra Park

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LiteOn turning power charger is inspired by a drop of water
by: Ecofriend, 2010-11-12 06:19:53 UTC

Eco Factor: Concept charger converts kinetic energy into renewable electricity.

With a large number of portable electronic devices being purchased all over the world, industrial designers have started working on eco-friendly products that can help charge these devices with renewable energy. The LiteOn by industrial designer Cindy Karimun is one such device which uses kinetic energy to gain clean electrical power.

Inspired by a drop of water, this eco-friendly concept charger is based on the principle of electromagnetic induction. The device includes a spring which can be wound by the user by turning the base of the device. Once the spring is fully wound, it is set free and the energy is used to generate electricity.

All the energy generated by the process is harvested in an onboard battery, which can then be transferred to portable electronic devices via a USB port. The device also includes three LED bulbs, which light up as a beautiful lamp to notify the user of the charging conditions.

Via: Coroflot

Double Life concept wind-powered streetlight doubles as a bench
by: Ecofriend, 2010-11-19 11:34:30 UTC

Eco Factor: Sustainable streetlight powered by renewable wind energy.

The streetlight is an essential public facility and plays an indispensable role for safety and townscape of the city. However, a huge amount of electricity is consumed to light up the street lights, so it can be a burden for the modern city, causing insufficient energy supply. Industrial designer Woojin Kim is proposing a sustainable lighting solution that doubles as a bench to be utilized as a public facility. Dubbed Double Life, the concept streetlight design is powered by generator-condenser unit (a concept device that can generate and store electricity at the same time) with a wind turbine to utilize renewable wind energy.

The Double Life uses vertical axis wind-turbine for maximum efficiency of generating electricity and reducing visual resistance. LEDs are used for the lamp to minimize energy consumption and for its semi-permanent lifetime. It is settled under the plate which is used as the bench seat. Onboard sensors detect sunshine, enabling the motor to rotate the screw pillar to lower the bench plate down through the spiral structure. After the sun is set, screw pillar moves the plate up to light position. The screw structure is designed to move very slowly over time to provide safe operation and to prevent any accidents for the bench users.

Thanks: [Woojin Kim]

Green-tech companies look overseas for foothold
by: Gizmodo , 2010-11-20 14:00:00 UTC
To navigate uncertain policies in the U.S., clean-tech start-ups are trying to grow on the cheap and get first products online in China and other countries.

Chain Rocker chair made using old bicycle chains and tires
by: The Design blog, 2010-11-19 06:05:04 UTC

Recycling old bicycle parts, BRC Designs has created a rocking chair that other than resting the user, not too sure if in utmost comfort, also helps in reducing the metal waste lying all around the place. Dubbed “Chain Rocker,” the recycled seat is made using old bicycle chains and tires layered upon a steel support construction, which itself is bent from 98% recycled steel to strengthen the entire structure. Measuring 21.5 x 30 x 41″ (WDH) in dimensions, the Chain Rocker with its delicate, but at the same time robust design, can be an ideal gift for a rocking biker.

Via: Inhabitat

teague: give water project
by: Designboom - Weblog, 2010-11-17 20:38:00 UTC

water shortages are a serious concern throughout the entire world and something that can easily be improved through design intervention. working with in-house prototype adam kumpf, teague design studio created a wireless water consumption monitor with real-time feedback.
read more

Walgreens to host EV charging stations
by: Gizmodo , 2010-11-18 16:22:58 UTC
NRG Energy partners with the pharmacy chain and others as it rolls out a retail EV charging network in the Houston area.

Toyota lays out green-car push with hybrids, EVs
by: Gizmodo , 2010-11-18 17:49:34 UTC
Auto maker says one of its 11 new hybrid cars to be rolled out by the end of 2012 would be a compact with fuel efficiency exceeding 94 mpg, the highest for a gasoline-electric model.