BMW i3 ConceptZero-emission city car concept

BMW has introduced its futuristic, all electric car concept, named i3, which is designed for city use and is expected to hit dealerships in 2012. With the European Union emission levels getting stricter from next year, many companies are now focusing on electric or hybrid models of their automobiles.

The i3 concept is a five door hatchback design with fully transparent doors, and roof made of glass. It is a first car from BMW that has been designed ground up for electronic propulsion. The “coach doors” have an opposing construction that makes it look unique and spacious. Designed with a long wheelbase, its short front and rear overhang make parking easier.

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BMW i3 Concept

BMW i3 Electric Car Concept

Touchscreen displays are mounted on the dashboard with a large number of functions. These functions are accessible via smartphone and can be used to find the vehicle, nearby charging stations etc. Renewable raw materials have been used in the construction of interiors, which include the instrument and door panel made from natural fibers and naturally tanned leather seats giving it the ambiance of a lounge.

i3 is based on innovative LifeDrive architecture. It consists of two sections – the section for life consists of passenger compartment, while the drive section consists of power-train and battery. Drive section is mostly the bottom half of the car, made of lightweight aluminum. Life passenger compartment forms the top and is made of carbon-fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP). All this helps in keeping i3 lightweight with 2750 pounds. Use of CFRP offers various advantages over steel. It’s 50 percent lighter than steel, never rusts and offers better protection.

i3 has a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery. It has a single-speed transmission, 170 HP and 184 lb-ft of torque. Maximum range per charge is 140 miles, which considering the traffic conditions in cities might come down to 80-100 miles. This is on par, compared to Nissan’s electric car, Leaf. The maximum speed is 93 mph with the acceleration of up to 62 mph in 7.9 seconds.

The Rex (range-extending) model of the car will include the gasoline-based motor that will recharge the battery in case it runs out of power. BMW hasn’t announced any price tag for i3 but considering Nissan’s Leaf and Chevrolet Volt price of $33000 and $4000, respectively, i3’s price too may fall in this range.

Via: Diseno-art

Air PurfierAir Purfier concept by Matthew Scholes

The very word “air purifier” brings the image of a dull, artificially lit, grey, hospital environment that is depressing even on the sunniest summer day. But designer Matthew Scholes does not think that a medical device has to have a dreary visage. This is why his air purifier concept comes in a lively, cheerful and simple to use form.

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Air Purfier

Air Purfier concept by Matthew Scholes

The basic aim of this concept is to make an industry-standard medical purpose air purifier look as good and as non-intimidating as it possibly can without losing its functionality at any level. The purifier also comes with a no-fuss set of controls to ensure that the user’s interaction with it is as effortless as it possibly can be. The device thus has a single touch button that turns the device on and off with a single indicator light that turns red to indicate that the filters need to be changed. By simplifying controls, the device essentially simplifies the user’s interaction with it.

The filter system within the device works on three levels to ensure optimum performance. The first level of filtration consists of a mesh HEPA filter that captures large particulate matter and other floating particles that the air has. This cleans the air of dust and larger air-borne allergens. The second level in the system is a photo catalytic UV filter which breaks down organic compounds like germs present in the air and prevents the spread of infectious bacteria and viruses.

The third level of filtration focuses on improving the air quality. This filter is composed of a mechanism which uses a zeolite screen to remove nitrogen from the airflow thereby increasing the percentage of oxygen in the overall flow of air.The purifier also sets itself apart from traditional air filters in the way it creates air movement. Traditional air purifiers come with fans that essentially slice the air creating a choppy air flow. This air purifier concept moves air via an innovative air induction method that uses low pressure to reduce turbulence in the air stream which allows the device to move air noiselessly.

When the air has passed through the final filter, a bit of it is drawn by a ring fitted around the outer edge of the inner surface of the outlet. This air is passed through an axial fan installed beneath the filtration chambers and is sent through internal channels to remove turbulence. A ring at the front of an expanding conical void fitted at the front of the purifier creates an area of low pressure in the air which allows the device to draw more air in from the ring at the front which then leads the air to the back of the purifier allowing it to go through the filtration process. Thus, the air inside a space is run through the device multiple times to ensure every bit of it free of germs and particles.

Since one the main objectives of the design was to create a non-intimidating exterior, the device is finished in a pale green color which has been found to be one of the more soothing and calming colors of the spectrum since it resembles the color of natural greenery in the springtime.

[Thanks Matthew]

New Designers 2011: design graduate Brendan Magennis has made a collection of flat-packed furniture that has no screws or glue and can be assembled with just a few hearty whacks of a mallet. (more…)

Read the rest of Danny Hess and the Search for a Sustainable Surfboard

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Glocke is a unique cradle for an MP3 player and is inspired by the Korean Buddhist Bell. The bell works on the principle of resonance and amplifies sound, spreading its outreach. So when you dock the MP3 player on this device, it amplifies the low sound using the glass cylinder and glossy plastic body to full effect. The LED lamps are cute and glow according to the volume of the music…simply magnificent!

Glocke is a 2011 Sparks Awards Bronze winner.

Designers: Taehak Kwon, Yongbum Lim, Jungjoon Hwang, Sangyong Han and Sangyong Park

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Why should babies have all the fun? We all like to feel comfortable and secure. The Cradle  came out of research regarding children with RMD or rhythmic movement disorder. The chair provides a safe, relaxing environment for them to calm their senses but the solution seemed applicable to anyone looking to escape the rigors of a 9-5 life. The entire piece is flatpack ready and all materials are sourced from environmentally friendly resources, right down to the glue that binds the initial plywood layers.

Designers: Richard Clarkson, Grace Emmanual, Kalivia Russel, Eamon Moore, Brodie Cambell, Jeremy Brooker and Joya Boerrigter

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“Minimal” and “chandelier” are two words rarely seen together but this design, created for Viennese crystal specialists, Lobmeyr, is a twist on the extravagant classic elegantly expressed through “less is more” styling. The One Crystal Chandelier achieves its minimal form with a cable ran through a curved tube with a single LED light at the end. A lone, dangling crystal is lit from below creating a powerful yet simple shimmer. A thoughtful design sure to be adored by lovers of classic and contemporary design alike.

Designer: Thomas Feichtner

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P2 is a water purifier system that dispenses clean water the normal way – through a spout plus has a detachable water-purifying jug that you can carry out with you. So basically you’re not restricted to taking water from the main body unit, which by the way dispenses both hot and cold water. Its ideal for an office environment or maybe hospitals and cafeterias; anything that makes water – queues short!

Designer: Jung Hoon Lee

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Samsung Blue EarthSamsung Blue Earth Eco-friendly Solar Smartphone

Want to join the green bandwagon and free yourself from the guilt of not being environment conscious? Well, then here are some eco friendly products that help in doing so. Benefits of using them are immense, prominent ones being less harmful to Mother Nature and less green bill taxing. So go for these products and help make the planet greener!

1. iFan iPhone Wind Charger

iPhone iFaniFan iPhone Wind Charger

The iFan iPhone Wind Charger designed by Tjeerd Veenhoven is an ideal product for all green energy lovers. The gadget uses wind to charge the iPhone instead of solar energy so you need not worry about getting your iPhone warmed up. It can be charged at any place having a decent wind flow. Just six hours, and your smart phone is ready to bubble.

2. Unicross solar- and wind-powered travel chargers

Unicross solar- and wind-powered travel chargersEco-friendly battery chargers from Unicross

Perfect for travel lovers, the WWF endorsed Unicross, has come up with two mind boggling eco friendly chargers. No worries of your mobile phones being switched off while you are camping! Nomad, a charger using wind energy, comes with a USB adaptor, bike mount, Li-Ion battery, travel clock charger, built-in alarm and lots of other interesting features. It can charge your phone in just 3 hours. The other one uses solar power to charge any battery within 15 minutes.

3. Samsung’s Solar Powered Laptop

Samsung’s Solar Powered LaptopSamsung’s Solar Powered Laptop Will Be First Sun Powered Laptop Sold in US

The Samsung NC215S wins the race as the world’s first solar laptop. Priced at $399, this ecotop, has memory of 1GB, 1024×600 pixel display and a 10.1 inch screen. Charge for two hours and kick it up to life for one. There are solar cells built in the lid of the laptop. Because of the LED backlit display, it is brighter than other computers. The inauguration has already been done in India where Samsung has already launched its debut.

4. iUnika’s Solar-Powered Netbook

iunika solar powered netbookiUnika Unveils Ultralight Cheap Solar-Powered Netbook

The GYY notebook computer prides an 8 inches screen. It is a 1.5 pound solar powered device with solar panels at its back. Costing $180, it exhibits 400 MHz processor &128MB of RAM. True, the figures seem less luring, but it justifies its low cost. Better, the body is made of bioplastics and biodegradable materials and hence is recyclable.

5. Samsung Blue Earth

Samsung Blue EarthSamsung Blue Earth Eco-friendly Solar Smartphone

A perfect example of eco friendly product, this amazing phone is made up from the recycled plastic of water bottles. The phone uses solar panels at its back to charge itself. The best part is that it has two awesome green systems - Eco-Mode and Eco-Walk, an installed pedometer.

6. Solar Powered GPS Device

iBT GPS solar Bluetooth GPS data loggerGPS device uses the sun to keep you on track

Find roads effortlessly with the iBT-GPS Solar Bluetooth GPS Data Logger. The device is powered by the sun and promises a life of over 35 hours once fully charged. It adorns solar panels replacing its color screen. It has a memory of 8MB which makes space for 50,000 waypoints. It also performs the functions of a trip recorder with three modes of recording – time, distance and speed. You can easily watch your trip on Google Earth.

7. G2 Portable Fuel Cell Power Source

G2 Portable Fuel Cell Power SourceDesigned by Angstrom

With this device you can charge your phones, cameras and other gadgets. It has a group of eight V60 fuel cell modules which is used to charge the 2.0W fuel cell system. The Gadget comes with an in-built USB Port. Angstorm holds the credit for designing this device. Its hydrogen cells however need to be refilled at stations.

8. Solar Powered Voltaic Generator Bag

Voltaic Generator BagSolar Powered Voltaic Generator Bag for charging laptops

With this device you can charge your laptops, cell phones and ipods wherever you go. Designed by CES Voltaic Systems, this solar based generator bag uses solar panels to churn out 14.7 watts of power to charge your gadgets as against 4 watts in other bags. Priced at $599, this generator bag is made from fabrics of recycled soda bottles that are rock strong, water and UV resistant.

9. Solio Classic Hybrid Solar Charger

Solio Classic Hybrid Solar Chargersolar charger that proved you could go green in style

This green charger allows you to charge more than thousand devices. All you need to do is move the blade apart and charge your device with sun shining. It has a Li-Ion battery and charging it once will ensure 56 musical hours or 10 hrs of chitchat for mobile phones. The battery has a capacity of 1650mAh and is ready for use whenever you like, be it day or night.

10. Vexia Econav 435 GPS

Vexia Econav 435 GPSVexia Econav 435 GPS is attempting to do its bit for the environment

Another GPS device at its best! Vexia Econav 435 GPS offers the most economical solution to drivers by suggesting the shortest routes. The fuel consumption would considerably reduce; one-third reduction is expected. All the driver has to do is enter the model number of the car, the fuel used and the number of passengers. Even the smallest suggestion regarding acceleration and routes would be presented accordingly.

Energy generating bikesNew York Sports Club

Have you ever thought that the pedaling which you do at fitness centers can generate electricity? Read along to find out how you can attain environmental nirvana by just pedaling your spin bike. A company named Green Revolution has manufactured a device called Star Trac Spinner NXT, which can convert human energy into electricity. The cycle is similar to the cycles which we see at fitness centers. These eco friendly cycles, which come fitted with generators, are installed in 75 centers across the US.

The generators fitted in these cycles convert human energy into electricity. Mike Curnyn, chief strategy and marketing officer at Green Revolution, said that the cycles will hit European markets later this year. The mechanism of the spin bike is quite simple. A small black box is fitted around the flywheel of the one of a kind bike and this box is connected to a small control panel. The user can see how much power s/he has produced by checking the digital screen fitted on top of the control panel.

I would love the opportunity to use this retrofitted bike and produce some power by pedaling this unique machine. The generator of the bike is connected to a cable, which is connected to a black cabinet. The cabinet converts the DC electricity generated through pedaling into AC electricity.

There is no denying the fact that this spin bike is worth using, and, according to Boston-based International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association, the use of this bike will increase in future. The manufacturers of the spin bike should keep in mind a very important factor. They should make sure that the machines should not be costly because the energy generated by it is not very high. Green Revolution has invested $200 to $300 per bike, which is affordable. The companies, however, can come up with models which will be cheaper than Green Revolution’s machines.

Via: The New York Times