Serenity: An eco friendly vessel to cruise around British broad canals
by: The Design blog, 2011-08-10 12:40:56 UTC
Asmita Prasad:

Designed to cruise around all British broad canals, the Serenity is a fashionable new broad boat that mimics the lifestyle of young professionals in Britain. The vessel is created keeping in mind the physical conditions presented by UK’s inland waterways and looks to serve as a hired living space at various marinas that can be leased by hotels as a substitute for their land-based establishments, as a timeshare vessel, as a private home or even as a luxury weekend getaway.

The state-of-the-art vessel by British designer Adrian Smith is conceptualized keeping in mind the locales that the British canal system runs through and looks to fit in both the chic modern parts of the country as well as the more traditional and conservative area with its architecturally-inspired exteriors.

The roof of the vessel has been turned into a mobile garden that is equipped with a low-maintenance fescue grass that is laid upon a sustainably-sourced durable Kebony decking. The open plan interiors also benefit from the roof lights that allow the vessel to utilize daylight and minimize the energy spent on lighting the living space while also giving the inhabitants of the vessel a delightful view.

On the inside, the cruiser features an open plan floor space with half height walls providing a fluid flow of light though the vessel. The interiors are also fitted with adjustable mood lighting that allows inhabitants to create different sets of light atmospheres. The living space itself is divided into luxurious double bedroom, a comfortable lounge that is geared up with a day bed to turn into a fully-functioning living space, a separate study/dining space, and a shower room with a walk-in wardrobe, a gallery and a unique interior bridge that gives the cruiser a posh touch.

The vessel also features a side entrance that is fully accessible by wheelchairs. A section of the transom folds down to serve as a ramp with another segment of the decking using hydraulic arms to raise or lower it. The highly-styled vessel also looks to be as environmentally friendly as possible by producing a lower carbon footprint thanks to its auxiliary systems being run by a bio fuel generator and the cruiser itself being propelled via a Hydrogen propulsion system.

[Cheers Adrian]

MARS: Mobile Arctic Research Station sets a new era for living quarters
by: The Design blog, 2011-08-10 12:56:43 UTC
Sahil Khurana:

Carl Burdick has come up with a plan for giving wasted MD80/DC-9 series of jets a new lease on life. MARS, standing for Mobile Arctic Research Station, has been refurbished while its main body has been converted into a living quarter. With the surging fuel prices, many of these jets are simply lying in bone yards, counting away their life years towards rot.

The utility for these planes has come to an abrupt end, while their use is believed to dwindle completely in coming years. On retiring, these planes have been proposed to be used in a manner which would make any recycling enthusiast proud. If the planes would be rotted, owing to their large number (almost 3000), these would end up contributing almost 12 million kilograms of waste to the environment.

Re-purposing the planes into convertible living quarters, every possible feature has been put to appropriate use by the designer. Carl has converted the area under the main deck from holding luggage and a fuel tank to containing a snow smelter, heating and ventilation systems, along with a water pump and filtration system. Adding to the enormous number of features is a grey water recycling system, a bank of lithium ion batteries while the black water is aptly recycled by a remote composting toilet tank.

For stowing away the luggage, cargo and supplies, Burdick has refurbished a large area for all its appropriate worth. Although still a concept, it won’t be long for the design to become a reality. The designer surely has a winner in his hands; given the large number of planes he can convert using his unique concept.

Via: Krop

Imagining a Green Chemistry Moonshot
by: Greener Design, 2011-08-05 11:45:13 UTC

Despite the desperate need for cleaner, healther chemicals, green chemistry is an elusive concept for almost everyone. How can we describe the challenge in a way that is accessible and inspiring for the person on the street?

Tree-hugging Bike
by: Yanko Design, 2011-08-05 07:16:24 UTC

Designed for short-range use, this compressed air powered two-wheeler is perfect for the urban environment. Designer Jurmol Yao imagines the Transport Hornet as a viable means of getting around for businesses like the postal service that move at low-speed and could refill at stations between stops. The benefits: zero-pollution, reusable quick-fill air cylinders, and no noise!

Designer: Jurmol Yao

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Seatropolis: A self sustaining sea community powered by renewable energy systems
by: Ecofriend, 2011-08-06 06:20:48 UTC
DATTATREYA MANDAL:

Yes, it may look like some giant extraterrestrial pods harvesting our sea resources; but in reality this is what designer Andrew Bowen conceptualized as a mega refuge for a dystopian future. In this future, cityscapes would be covered with floods due to long term effect of global warming on melting ice caps. Mass migration to sea based communities would be the only possible way to continue with human civilization, and this is where the self sustaining Seatropolis comes into the picture.

The overall organic form will be partly submerged in the middle of the high seas. Coming to accessibility, entrances can be reached through two circular openings (at the ends) along the horizontal axis, above the water level. Bulbous shaped skylights along the irregular roof will induct natural sunlight inside the spatially evolved space. Along the water surface there will an in-built pond that would be correlated to a fish farm (a conspicuously bulbous element with perforations below the sea level), and it can be utilized as a self sustaining facility for acquirement of food. Other food producing facilities will include hydroponics, and water desalination systems of clean water supply.

Coming to clean renewable energy production facilities, the Seatropolis will incorporate deep aqua-thermal energy generating mechanisms, photovoltaic glass, and wave energy systems. They will cater to living spaces, scattered along the side lines of the organic space. And, finally as a transportation criteria, the whole ‘city’ will use the flow of ocean current drifts to literally move from one location to another. This would help in better resource gathering and management, justifiably contributing to a greater degree of sustainability.

Via: Coroflot

10 green camping gadgets for eco friendly camps
by: Ecofriend, 2011-08-06 06:29:03 UTC
Shivangi Mujumdar:

For campers to go green can be a challenge especially for those who have never done it earlier. However it is still possible to go green while camping. Here are 10 green camping gadgets for eco friendly camps.

1. The Light cap 300

The product is newly developed and innovative gadget. It is a combination of water bottle and solar powered LED lantern. You can store water in the bottle and keep sensitive documents in the water light container. Every camper should have such gadget.

2. E-Powerless Fridge

One great inventor had discovered this eco friendly product. This gadget is simple to use and have great functions to operate. Fill the sand in the small pad and keep the smaller pad in the slightly larger one. Cover it with damp cloth. When water evaporation takes place, it will draw heat out and cool the inside. You can use this gadget when you are camping without the heavy ice.

3. The Freeloader Globetrotter Kit

This kit is the collection of the supplies of necessary equipments. It is designed to carry the devices which are portable electronics. The kit has one freeloader that charges the electronic items. It charges GPS locator and Mp3 players. The kit comes with weatherproof solar panel and a super charger to attach to the backpack or bike rack whichever is convenient to use with freeloader.

4. Solar Powered Tent

This is another eco friendly product, which is best suited for campers. The tent comes with integrated interior LEDs and solar panel. The panels have the facility to charge the batteries. At least 4-6 hours of direct light is enough to provide 2-4 hours tent light. This tent comes in two-capacity versions – one is designed for 4 persons and other one for 6.

5. Solar Pocket Shower

This device heats up water with the sun’s energy. The gadget consists of portable bag with a plastic nozzle which holds up to ten liters of water. Fill it with the water and rest of the work will happen in quick time. The holding capacity should be at least 7 minutes of shower time.

6. Eva GPS

Eva GPS is the great concept using solar energy. This gadget helps you to reach the destination without any problem. The gadget also has a built in camera, which help to display all the information of the routes which can be convenient and safe for you. It also records the destination you visit the most. It displays the details in short time.

7. The Greeky Lights

The Greeky Lights are one of the great creative objects available at affordable cost. This light is operated with the help of natural sunlight which comes from fabric optics. Along with this you also get a collector dish.

8. The Eye Max Wind-Up Solar Powered Radio

This gadget comes with LED torch light. It also features radio powered by the solar panel and wind up wind. Only thirty seconds of wind-up can give thirty-five minutes of listening time. The torch also provides a powerful light with long battery life.

9. Eco Friendly Watches

These watches are biodegradable which you get at an affordable cost. It can be a great way to go green. The watch is boasted up with 80-93 percent biodegradability. Sprout watches are very well know in this eco friendly product featuring mineral crystals and mercury-free batteries.

10. Solar Panel Sun Glasses

These glasses trap the solar energy. It then converts the energy to power the small devices through power jack. Capmers must have such useful sunglasses. These sunglasses stop solar glare and generate renewable energy, which can be transferred to your favorite gadget with ease.

How it works: Heat activated fan
by: Ecofriend, 2011-08-06 08:58:24 UTC
Dipika Sharma:

What is it:

When it comes to making new inventions, human beings have always been able to go beyond the imaginary. How unbelievable would it be if natural gas or stove could be used to run a fan? Sounds a bit weird but this is the reality, thanks to Garrett Wade. The world is desperately looking for alternatives to their needs so that they do not harm the environment and thus provide some ease to the ailing earth. This invention is surely a step towards an eco friendly technology. It is surely the right invention at the right time when the whole world is seeking electricity saving alternatives.

Technology used:

This heat activated fan comprises of a thermoelectric motor which needs heat for the propulsion of its petals. It just needs to be placed above a heater or natural stove; the heat generated from them will propel the fan blades and provide warm wind. So, all you need to do is to place it above your stove and enjoy warm breeze that too without getting worked up thinking of the electricity bill. By using the heat activated fan, the stove too can be utilized effectively and electricity can be saved.

How does it work:

Since these fans do not run on electricity, it is totally cordless and can be placed anywhere. The price range of these fans is from $139 to $179 and these are available in number of sizes so that the user can pick up according to his/her requirements. This fan will probably be very famous especially in the cold regions as they give out warm air serving the purpose of a room heater. The best part about these heat activated fans will be that you can carry them anywhere as they do not require any electricity source or batteries.

Consumers can hugely benefit from these heat activated fans firstly because of its efficiency and secondly because it will also reduce the energy consumption of the house, thus reducing the overall electricity bill. This fan has a steel louvered body and has great looks that will surely leave you awestruck. Though these fans are a little highly priced but the incentives are surely lucrative enough to attract people’s attention.

Stylish Recycled Sawdust & "Shavings" Furniture By Yoav Avinoam
by: TreeHugger Design, 2011-08-06 16:00:56 UTC
Photos: Yoav Avinoam Sawdust is a multi-purpose "waste" material that can apparently be reused in many ways: turn it into mulch, throw it by the handful into a composting toilet, or transform it into furniture as Israeli designer Yoav Avinoam has done with his down-to-earth but stylish "Shavings" furniture collection.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Green technologies for eco friendly homes of the future
by: Ecofriend, 2011-08-04 07:05:26 UTC
Suja Natarajan:

Global warming, pollution and toxic wastes scream that our environment is rapidly deteriorating. To protect our own interests, it is quite imperative that we should think and implement ways and techniques that are eco-friendly. We can think of building homes or remodeling an existing home using eco-friendly materials and methods. This goes a long way in contributing towards protecting our environment. A green home can be designed to be eco-friendly. Use of recycled materials, energy and water efficient appliances, low VOC materials to check the air quality are some ways to consider when building a home. On an average, building such homes costs nearly twenty five percent more than building a standard construction. However, choosing to build an eco-friendly home not only saves the environment but also make great savings on your pocket.

Energy efficient home appliances

Energy Star is a standard created by United States Environmental Protection Agency. It is an effort to conserve energy and green house consumption. Appliances built on this standard normally use twenty to thirty percent less energy than required by federal standards. Such gadgets carry the Energy Star logo. Energy Star appliances adhere to strict compliance to meet energy efficiency guidelines set by EPA and US Department of Energy. Home is full of appliances which use lot of energy. When you are building or remodeling your existing home, invest in buying or replacing your existing appliances energy star compliant home gadgets. Apart from these, simple steps such as turning off the lights/fan when not in use, installing additional insulation and using CFLs help to reduce and conserve energy significantly.

Renewable energy generation

Energy that renews or replenishes through natural resources such as rain, sunlight, wind, geothermal heat is Renewable Energy. This energy can replace conventional energy mainly in transport gas,power generation, hot space or water heating. The cost of operation and maintenance is low for these facilities. These have low impact on the environment since they generate very low waste products or chemical pollutants.

Examples

1) PacWind is a vertical axis wind turbine at home

Seahawk from Pacwind is a compact turbine unit that can be used for homes, buildings,boats, emergency and remote power. This vertical wind turbine is designed to supply electrical loads in 48,24 or 12 VDC. It measures about 55 inches in height and 30 inches in diameter. It has several advantages over a conventional propeller. It is completely noiseless and vibration free. Since the direction of the wind is irrelevant, cross winds do not affect VAWT. It has only one part that is movable. You can effectively make use of this eco-friendly wind turbine whenever and wherever the wind blows.

2) Solar air heaters for warm, green winters

Solar Air Heaters use sun’s energy to heat the air and passes it through a thermal chimney. The hot air is transferred from the chimney to the room, thus making your room warmer in winters. You can also make use of standard fans or solar power to speedup the process. Ready made heaters as well as DIY heaters are also available. Thus, you can heat up your home spending less energy as well as less money.

3) Walking House

This compact modular dwelling system is suitable for people who live a life of a vagabond. It moves through the land collecting energy from its surroundings making use of solar and wind energy. It also collects rain water and has a solar heated hot water system. It features a composting toilet to dispose the sewage. The construction can equip up to four people to lead a normal daily life. It is made of steel,wood and aluminum and windows are made of polycarbonate material.

Eco building materials

Eco building materials have very minimal impact on the environment or helps in conserving energy. These materials come from renewable resources and are non-toxic. They are durable and need minimal maintenance. It can be cleaned easily without the use of chemical detergents. Such materials reduce toxic emissions and helps in providing a toxic free environment for its inhabitants. Cellulose insulation has low organic compound-emitting materials which can be used for insulation. Building materials are made from plant materials, sustainable lumber, recycled stone, non-toxic , renewable and recyclable products. Green homes make efficient use of sunlight and wind and make great energy savers. An enormous volume of gas emission can be reduced by simply constructing buildings that use energy efficient concepts.

Sustainable insulation

Good insulation conserves significant amount of energy. Insulation made from recycled materials do not contain chemical irritants. A properly insulated building brings down energy emissions as well as electricity bills. There are many green and sustainable alternatives that can be used for insulation.

Best types of green insulation

1. Sheep Wool Insulation : This is an excellent insulation material and has low embodied energy. It needs to be treated with chemicals to reduce fire risk and prevent mite infestation. These are natural, non-flammable and make it very eco-friendly.
2. Cellulose: This is made of newsprit and other cellulose fibre. It can be used in floors, roofs, used as loose fill or in quilts, batts and boards.
3. Flax and Hemp : These are made of natural plant fibers and have low embodied energy. This can be used as a fire retardant, fungicide or an insecticide. Few examples are Flax 100 and Isonat.
4. Eco Fiberglass - This environment friendly product contains forty five percent of recycle materials. It uses binders that have zero formaldehyde.
5. Expanded Clay Aggregate : These small clay pellets can be used as an aggregate and insulator. It expands at high temperature and become weight-bearing and have good insulation properties.

Energy monitors

There are devices to monitor the energy consumptions including green house emissions at home. These are helpful in providing info to the users so that the data can be used in reducing the energy consumption. These monitors range from being simple to complex energy saving machines. Cutting back the energy usage helps not only on the environment but also the pocket.

Recycle Water: Helder Rodrigues’ pro-conservation concept for Roca
by: The Design blog, 2011-08-05 13:15:18 UTC
Asmita Prasad:

Created for the 4th edition of the Jump the Gap design competition organized by sanitary ware giants Roca in collaboration with BCD, the Recycle Water Concept is an eco-conscious design that addresses the threat of freshwater scarcity with an innovative solution. The concept looks to minimize the wastage of water in daily activities like washing hands and using the shower with innovative tweaks that ensure that users can never accidentally leave the water running, even for a short period of time.

The Recycle Water concept works on two levels: it intuits when the user needs to be in direct contact with the water thus reducing any chances of water wastage via idle running and it recycles the water that is used in the shower, washbasin and bidet etc., and filters it so to can be used for other household purposes.

Conceptualized by designer Helder Rodrigues, the design features an extensive system of motion sensors that are installed in the washbasin and the shower. The washbasin only releases water when the user places his hands in it. As soon as the user withdraws his hands away from under the faucet, the water flow stops. A similar mechanism in the shower only turns on the water when the user stands under it. The shower however, turns on after 5 second delay which allows the user to disrobe before the water turns on. To turn the water off, the user simply has to leave the shower area.

The toilet and the bidet are fitted with a user-controlled mechanism that allows users to adjust the amount of water needed for different uses. The shower is also fitted with a sponge-like absorbing layer that soaks in all the water used by the bather. When the sponge is full, a hydraulic system squeezes the water from the sponge and into a reservoir where it is filtered. This water can then be used in the bidet, flushing toilet or even in the garden.

Via: Jump the Gap