A flywheel generator for data centers?
by: Gizmodo , 2010-12-23 20:09:47 UTC
Active Power has created an updated version of its system designed to provide seamless energy backup and tailored it for the IT crowd.
Dbrain tablet unfolds a keyboard to become a notebook
by: The Design blog, 2010-12-23 12:56:06 UTC
Intended toward medical professionals, the “Dbrain” by Portuguese designer Catia Caeiro is a portable computer that users can carry with them all the time as an auxiliary to access multimedia and expand their business. Weighing about 400g, the Dbrain essentially works as a tablet that unfolds a keyboard to transform into a notebook to ensure comfort while enhancing work efficiency of the user. With a thickness of 1.2 cm, the sleek and lightweight system can adapt to different daily situations, becoming highly practical and versatile for the users on the go.
[Cheers Catia]
Mountainboard Wheel makes your ride more safe and enjoyable
by: The Design blog, 2010-12-27 09:07:27 UTC
Performing tricks on a skateboard is already a skillful task, but when you have to ride it on an uneven or hilly terrain, you need to equip yourself with the proper tools, including an efficient mountainboard, to fully enjoy the adventure. Commissioned by Mountainboard Italia Association, designer Marco Vanella has come up with an innovative mountainboard that runs on special airless wheels, which makes the off-road ride more safe and enjoyable. Including sticks for easy regulation of hardness, the new mountainboard wheels are 44% lighter than standard wheels. While the new asymmetrical-tread tire concept allows a smooth, controlled ride to enhance the experience of the rider.
Via: Marcovanella
Cups Made of Jell-O To Become a Real Product
by: TreeHugger Design, 2010-12-27 14:19:00 UTC
Photo via The Way We See The World
Back in July we showed you Jelloware, cups made from Jell-O that make a far less wasteful solution for parties, festivals, and other events where minimizing trash is a must. The cups can be eaten, or simply tossed on the ground where the ingredients break down and help grass grow better (also a big plus for outdoor music festivals). After our coverage during the summer, the design company
The Way We See The World had so many requests from people wanting to buy the product that they've come up with a solution for getting the colorful and creative cups to sto...
Read the full story on TreeHugger
Solar Powered Rain Catchment Offers Shelter and a Fresh Drink
by: TreeHugger Design, 2010-12-23 13:45:00 UTC
Image via Alternative Consumer
Here is an interesting concept for rainwater catchment.
Created by Mostafa Bonakdar, a design student from Tehran, Iran, the structure is both a shelter during rain as well as a drinking fountain. It features both solar power and rainwater collection, with the solar power running a purification system inside. ...
Read the full story on TreeHugger
Honda's fun little hybrid
by: Gizmodo , 2010-12-24 23:00:00 UTC
CNET Car Tech reviews the 2011 Honda CR-Z.
Originally posted at The Car Tech blog
What’s next in wind energy harvesting systems
by: Ecofriend, 2010-12-22 11:46:59 UTC
As we know it
With fossil fuel reserves depleting fast, researchers over the globe are focusing their attention on systems that can generate energy from renewable sources of energy such as wind. The trend is catching up fast as in 2005 wind energy generated less than one percent of global energy by producing 58,982MW of power. However, by 2008 eight percent of Europe’s electricity was derived from wind, which was well ahead of coal and natural gas. Moreover, wind power generation in the United States has increased 13 fold from what it was in 2000, and this surge has played a crucial role in propelling the U.S. to the number one position in terms of wind energy production.
According to statistics, about 2 percent of global electricity production comes from wind-powered generators, with capacity increasing manifold in recent years. The cost per watt of wind generated electricity is also less than solar energy in some countries.
Need for a change
Though wind energy does seem perfect for a green future, conventional wind turbines still face certain drawbacks. Wind turbines are expensive and can get damaged when hit by a heavy storm or severe lightning. Moreover, conventional horizontal axis wind turbines are criticized for not being bird-friendly. There is no dearth of people who believe that wind turbines look ugly on the landscape. Wind turbines, on an average make a sound of about 50-60 decibels, which annoys people living near wind farms.
What’s next
1. Flying Electric Generator
• What’s new:
Developed by San Diego-based Sky WindPower, this kite-like 1100lbs structure is capable of producing power for as little as 2 cents per kilowatt hour, while flying at an altitude of up to 30,000 feet. Four rotors at the points of an H-shaped frame provide the necessary lift to keep the platform floating in the air like a kite. Electricity generated by the spinning rotors is transmitted to the ground through aluminum cables tethered to the frame.
• What difference will it make:
The generators will be floating at altitudes where most birds don’t fly. Moreover, some researchers opine that harvesting 1 percent of energy from jet-stream winds could produce enough power for everybody on the planet.
• Problems:
Though the generators are bird-friendly and won’t bother anybody with noise, they will cost much more than conventional wind turbines. Moreover, being heavy, the design also faces stability issues.
2. Magenn Air Rotor System (MARS)
• What’s new:
Developed by Magenn Power, the MARS is a lighter-than-air tethered wind turbine that rotates about a horizontal axis in response to wind, generating electrical energy. Electricity generated by the system is transferred down the 1000-foot tether for immediate use, or to a set of batteries for later use, or to the power grid. Helium sustains MARS in air and allows it to ascend to a higher altitude than traditional wind turbines.
• What difference will it make:
The Magenn Air Rotor System is less expensive per unit of actual electrical energy output than competing wind power systems. Moreover, wind farms involving MARS can be placed closer to demand centers, reducing transmission line costs and transmission losses. The generators are also mobile and can easily moved to different locations to correspond to changing wind patterns.
• Problems:
The system does promise to generate renewable energy in an efficient manner. However, since the MARS floats in mid air, it is only suitable for relatively remote locations due to air rights and flight paths.
3) Wind Lens Turbines
• What’s new:
Developed by Kyushu University Professor Yuji Ohya, the Wind Lens was unveiled at the Yokohama Renewable Energy International Exhibition 2010. The system features a honeycomb-like structure that triples the amount of wind energy that can be produced by offshore turbines. The Wind Lens works similar to a magnifying glass that intensifies light from the sun, except in this case, the lens is used to intensify wind flow.
• What difference will it make:
Each lens, which measures about 112m in diameter, will be able to provide enough energy for an average household. Moreover, since the system features unique hexagonal bases, it might also win over the many critics of wind turbines who claim that conventional turbines are an ugly blight on the landscape.
• Problems:
Though the system promises to deliver renewable energy at a reduced cost, it may not be easily adopted by countries other than Japan, due to differing intensities and directions of wind conditions.
4) The Aerogenerator
• What’s new:
Developed by Scottish firm called WindPower, the Aerogenerator resembles a giant rotary washing line. The 144-meter high V-shaped structure would be mounted on offshore locations to generate power through a rotating vertical shaft as opposed to the horizontal shafts of the more familiar windmill designs.
• What difference will it make:
The creators of the Aerogenerator claim that it can not only generate as much as 9MW of renewable electric power, but is also capable of harnessing wind from all directions without need for the usual gearing mechanisms needed in regular horizontal axis wind turbines. The developers also claim that the design overcomes the issues associated with large horizontal axis wind turbines.
• Problems:
The weight of the turbine blades could becomes excessive and when they turn they’ll be under enormous stress because gravity compresses them as they rise and stretches them as they fall. The larger the turbine is made the more robust the blades need to be, which will add to the cost of the turbine.
5) Vibro-Wind Setup
• What’s new:
Researchers at Vibro-Wind Research Group have developed a low-cost method of converting vibrations from wind energy to electricity. Similar to solar panels, which grace many rooftops today, the developers hope that soon buildings outfitted with Vibro-Wind panels stores the energy they convert even from the gentlest of breezes.
• What difference will it make:
While traditional wind energy harvesting systems require the use of large, expensive turbines, the Vibro-Wind Setup would require a fraction of the space and cost much less. Moreover, the setup generates electricity from vibration caused by wind rather than wind itself, which increases the efficiency of the setup.
• Problems:
The developing team is currently working on the integration of these energy-harvesting panels into buildings. Once the issues related with installation are sorted out, it will be nice to see how much energy the setup can generate.
Piece of Peace from a Box
by: Yanko Design, 2010-12-22 13:02:32 UTC
Piece of Peace is a relief effort concept that makes use of the box they’re usually shipped in. The box can be unfolded and taken apart to reveal a world map. The idea is relief should mean more than just food and clothing but also tools to educate.
Designer: Lie Zhong-Fa
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Let’s Play Lego Sockets
by: Yanko Design, 2010-12-23 12:33:58 UTC
Rotating 360° is a multi-outlet socket system that allows you to add many sockets to the strip – ala Lego style. The main feature is that you can turn around the socket-outlets in any direction, so as to accommodate various plugs. You have to admit that this is a cool idea.
Designers: Cheng-Hsiu Du & Chyun-Chau Lin
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Yanko Design
Timeless Designs - Explore wonderful concepts from around the world!
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TVs Will Get Energy Efficiency Labels in 2011
by: Eco Geek Latest, 2010-12-23 17:39:02 UTC
Starting in the new year, TVs will be outfitted with Energy Guide stickers much like those on household appliances such as refrigerators or washers and dryers, allowing consumers to make energy efficient choices more easily.
The Federal Trade Commission is requiring all TVs to bare the stickers, which will feature the estimated annual energy cost of the TV, with a scale comparing it to other TVs in the same size range. The figures are based on a cost of 11 cents per kWh and five hours use per day.
The new requirement applies to all TVs sold in stores as of January, but websites have until July 2011 to add the labels.
via FTC
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