Europe to welcome the big V6 hybrid this new year
by: Ecofriend, 2011-12-16 20:40:21 UTC
Munmun Goswami:

Come 2012, and Europe will witness a new hybrid car entering its markets. This time its Volvo V6 diesel plug-in hybrid that is all set to woo its target customers. However, it is not the individuals who will mainly buy this hybrid. In fact according to Volvo, a majority of companies will go in for this car. The credit for putting V6 into the market goes to Volvo and Vatenfall, one of the leading energy companies in Sweden.

Powered by a 215 horsepower diesel engine, 70 horsepower electric motor and 12 kWh lithium ion batteries, the car can be driven up to 30 miles solely on the electric mode. After that the diesel engine comes into picture. The electric motor is situated in the rear wheels whereas the diesel engine is used for powering the front wheels. When these two are in synergy, they can produce a maximum 285 horsepower. Also, you can reach from 0 to 60 miles in just 6.2 seconds, which is quite amazing for a plug-in diesel hybrid. While driving, you can choose between Power, Pure and Hybrid options. Whenever one starts the car, the default mode is hybrid. Coming to its carbon emissions, it’s as low as 49 grams for every 100 km.

Charging it is the least of a problem. Five hours of electric juice and your vehicle would be ready to swoop you away. And in case the electric gush ends up before you reach your destination, you just do not need to worry. Its diesel engine would cough up to life once the electric work is over. As far as the pricing is concerned, one needs to shell out $75,500 (or €57,000) to become its owner. So start preparing for your next car purchase. You would not be able to resist the urge of possessing a V6.

Source: cnet

Incandescent Light Bulb Ban Pushed Back
by: Eco Geek Latest, 2011-12-16 20:47:34 UTC

A Congressional spending deal made late last night includes a provision that prevents the Department of Energy from enforcing the incandescent light bulb ban set to go in effect in January for another nine months.

The first phase of the ban, which still remains on the books but just can't be enforced, includes higher efficiency standards for 100-watt bulbs.  By the end 2014, all incandescents will be phased out.  According to the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, many American light bulb makers had already started investing money on making the change from incandescents to more efficient bulbs like halogen, CFLs and LEDs and this delay may now cause them to lose money to foreign competitors still selling the cheaper bulbs.

The delay in enforcement will end on September 30, 2012 at the end of the government's fiscal year when hopefully the legislation will be able to go into effect.

via Chicago Tribune

3D Printed Strandbeest by Theo Jansen
by: mocoloco, 2011-12-16 21:44:04 UTC

Dutch kinetic artist Theo Jansen has created a 3D printed Strandbeest that's powered by the wind.

amid.cero9: the golden dome
by: Designboom - Weblog, 2011-12-16 11:39:00 UTC

an inflated organic form hovers above, creating a partially enclosed environment which interacts with the architecture and nature around it. 

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tribute to great minds of design in asia
by: Designboom - Weblog, 2011-12-16 19:41:00 UTC

the DFA awards pays tribute to three international design heroes and role models in the creative industry, recognized for the significant social impacts their work has created.

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pastmapper historical google maps
by: Designboom - Weblog, 2011-12-17 14:02:00 UTC

the project uses old city maps and directories to overlay historical information of the city of san fransisco over a google maps -like interface.

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Even Superwomen Have to Fight Against Breast Cancer
by: fast company, 2011-12-16 16:11:48 UTC

ALCC promotes breast cancer awareness; appeals to inner geeks of those at risk.

It doesn’t take X-ray vision or any other superpower to examine yourself for breast cancer. At least that’s the message the Associação da Luta Contra o Cancer is spreading in its latest ad campaign.

In stark close-ups that could double as movie posters, the ALCC’s ads feature a handful of artfully rendered female superheroes checking themselves for lumps. Above their shoulders, in traditional comic book font, a caption reads:

“When we talk about breast cancer, there’s no women or superwomen. Everybody has to do the self-examination monthly. Fight with us against this enemy and, when in doubt, talk with your doctor.”

Previous campaigns the ALCC created to spread awareness have included haunting (NSFW) images of insects literally crawling beneath the skin of a woman’s breast.

While arguably less visceral than those previous ads, the superpowered images take a cool tact toward showing women that the power to save their lives resides in their own hands.

Click here for a slideshow of all of the superhero self-examination

Revend Launches Light Bulb Recycling Vending Machine
by: Environmental Leader, 2011-12-14 14:14:55 UTC
U.K. corporation Revend Recycling Limited has launched a “reverse vending” recycling machine for the collection and recycling of domestic light bulbs and batteries. Ikea will be placing the units in some of its European stores. The machine, called the Revend, has the option of giving out -or “reverse vending” – discount vouchers or other rewards [...]

WWF Accuses APP Supplier of Clear-Cutting in Tiger Sanctuary
by: Environmental Leader, 2011-12-14 14:23:25 UTC
WWF and non-profit coalition Eyes on the Forest have alleged that one of Asia Pulp & Paper’s wood suppliers is clear cutting in a Sumatran tiger sanctuary that APP has publicly supported In a report, The Truth Behind APP’s Greenwash, the non-profits say that field investigations and satellite image analysis revealed PT Ruas Utama Jaya clear-cutting inside [...]

The Case For Girls Infographic: Women In Numbers
by: fast company, 2011-12-16 16:50:40 UTC

The response to Fast Company's recent feature story, "The Case for Girls," has been incredible. First, digital agency AKQA's mock ad campaign became a real-life call to action and a mobilizing worldwide event. Now social media agency Lovesocial has announced a partnership with indie doc Miss Representation and reached out to Fast Company to create an infographic to illustrate the stats featured in our story.

 

Click to enlarge.

The goal of the partnership is to "amplify the voices of individuals around the country who are standing up to sexism and shifting the cultural mindset around what is possible for women and girls,” says the film's director, Jennifer Siebel Newsom. The urgency of this mission is palpable as you can see in the graph above: Gender preferences when starting a family in the U.S. haven't changed in over 50 years. With the ability to change perceptions, is this a problem advertising can solve? Tweet your thoughts on the matter to @FastCompany or @SheenaMedina.

Related: Louis C.K.: The Next Steve Jobs Will Be A Chick