alex driver + carlos peralta: biophotovoltaics
by: Designboom - Weblog, 2011-08-29 06:45:00 UTC

from tables to power plants, an engineer and two designers conceptualize a series of products that utilize biophotovoltaic technology, harvesting electrical energy from the photovoltaic processes of algae and moss.

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smart cities, healthy cities: dutch design at beijing design week 2011
by: Designboom - Weblog, 2011-08-29 11:30:00 UTC

for beijing design week 2011, the dutch design initiative 'smart cities, healthy cities' features exhibitions, workshops, and screenings on innovative approaches to sustainability and the improvement of urban life.

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Friendlier Deforester
by: Yanko Design, 2011-08-29 07:01:34 UTC

This logging machine by designer Regimantas Vegele is a response to growing concern over current timber extraction methods that have a negative impact on surrounding flora/fauna and delicate root system of trees that effects nutrient content in the soil. The low-impact forester aims to decrease these negative effects while retaining the high productivity of current machines.

Designer: Regimantas Vegele

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Best wearable solar energy generating systems
by: Ecofriend, 2011-08-29 10:55:07 UTC
Abdul Vahid V:

There are several methods that every person can take up to contribute into the worldwide efforts to cut the effects of global energy crisis. Generation of alternative energy from every aspect of life is part of such a move. Here are some of the best wearable objects - clothes and other accessories that you can use to generate solar energy for your mobile devices, tablets and other handheld devices:

1. Solar Handbag

Here, a luxury handbag turns into a mobile solar power station. Embedded with a pick of flexible solar panels and decorations the handbag is a cute product. You can carry this power generating handbag into a party with the extra pride of contributing a bit into the world’s extensive efforts for energy conservation. The handbag comprises of thin film solar panels and other elements needed to harvest power from sun. The handbag is designed by Diffus Design in partnership with the Swiss embroidery expert Forster Rohner.

2. Solar Powered Bikini

The bikini suit carries thin solar cells that generate power when the wearer is sunbathing or hanging out in a park. With the power generated, you can charge your mobile phone or other similar devices. But many have criticised the bikini because it does not look comfortable to wear due to the ‘conductive threads’ in its design.

3. Solar cells turn soldiers into sitting ducks

A few Australian National University researchers have designed some flexible and wearable solar panels called SILVER for soldiers. The film-thin panels can be placed on the outfits of the soldiers. The technology helps soldiers charge their gadgets even on the war front. The SILVER project cost $2.3 million. It was funded by the Australian Department of Defence.

4. Solar Vest

Solar Vest is a technology that merges both the solar panels and built-in 8,800mAh battery. Solar Vest can be used on clothes to generate power from sun. The wearable solar panel has a price tag of $126. It also has AC input and USB power input options.

5. Wearable solar technology

Elena Corchera is a fashion designer known for her green and eco-friendly designs. Her new efforts to slot in organic solar cells into the clothes are commendable. She has introduced several outfits that incorporate solar cells and other electronic components in the very design to generate power for mobile phones and other handheld devices.

6. Solar wearable sash

Just Imagine UK Limited has designed a wearable sash that incorporates small solar panels and batteries. Designers of the sash have slotted in thin membrane and bendable solar cells in the strap with an aim to help users meet emergency situations of phone battery dry-outs.

7. Solar Case

It is a solar panel-mounted case for iPad nano. Named Boblbee Solar, the device is capable to fully charge the iPad nano three times during its 24-hour battery backup in use. Boblbee Solar contains solar cells in the curved top panel. The device is totally shatterproof and waterproof.

8. Flexible solar charger

A company named Suntrica has designed a variety of flexible solar chargers that users can carry in the pocket. The devices feature thin-film solar cells and battery to store power generated by the solar panels. Based on the capacity of the battery, Suntrica has released three solar chargers. They are SolarStrap, SolarBadge and SolarBadgePRO, which offer battery capacity in the range of 3.7Wh to 7.3Wh.

9. Solar Panel Sunglasses

The idea of combining solar cells with sunglasses is fantastic. One uses sunglasses when one is out into the sunlight, which means solar cells on sunglasses will bring better results. The idea has been realized by two designers Kwang-Seok Jeong and Hyun-Joong Jim. They have made use of high energy efficient dye solar cells to develop the technology. Along with protecting the eyes from sunrays, sunglasses become a source for alternative energy for your mobile phones and music devices.

10. Solar-Panel Necklace

It is a beautiful solar cells mounted necklace from the Swedish designer Mae Yokoyama. The designer has used mini solar cells and LEDs to develop the necklace, which will offer both, ornamentation from its shining LEDs and power from its solar cells.

Everything I need to know about flying wind generators
by: Ecofriend, 2011-08-29 11:09:45 UTC
Purnaiah Vemuru:

The adverse effects caused by global warming are increasing with every passing day and are caused mostly by the traditional way of generating electricity by burning fossil fuels and the threat of scarcity of these fuels also increasing with the growing demand. Now, there is a drastic need for searching reliable alternative sources of renewable energy.

Wind turbines that fly at high altitudes are one option. These machines are tethered to ground supports and also transfer electricity generated at higher altitudes to the ground using these tethers. Many researches proved that wind power produced by wind turbines is the reliable, eco-friendly, cost-effective and best alternative sources of green energy. It is amazing to know that, the wind energy can cater for the energy requisite of entire planet by harvesting a mere percent of high-altitude winds. At present, Megenn Power and Sky WindPower are the two of the companies strive for developing flying generators for high-altitude winds.

Trends:

1. Makani Power to develop energy harvesting kites

Kites are more advantageous than traditional wind turbines, as they can fly at extreme high altitudes and can take the benefit of high speed winds for generating a relatively high kinetic energy. Makani Power, a California-based high altitude wind power generating company is creating a prototype of energy-harvesting kite with 1MW power generating capacity.

Makani Power is now developing kites driven by the robots for keeping them in floating condition for longer periods. These kites are designed for altitudes of up to 600 meters.

2. NASA researchers envisions airborne wind turbines for renewable energy

Mark Moore, a NASA aerospace engineer reveals that the future wing farms will be placed at high altitudes to take the advantage of more consistent and jet-speed winds at higher altitudes. These airborne turbines can continuously float for at least a year and during the bad weather like thunder storms, they can be reeled back easily. The power generated is transmitted to the earth stations through nanotube tether cables.

3. MARS

After successfully launching the full-fledged version of wind turbine in North Carolina, Magenn Air Rotor System (MARS), has finally come out with a unique closed three-dimensional cylindrical structured teethed wind turbine. These turbines can cater industrialists by replacing the traditional diesel generators or for usage in remote areas.

It has the advantage with its closed structure for making the turbines in versatile sizes. It is filled with Helium and can fly so high up to 1000 feet. The power generated can be used immediately, stored in batteries or transmitted to a power grid. As per Pierre Rivard, president and CEO of Magenn, MARS can be replaced by the diesel generators or can be in remote locations and is most suitable for industrial purposes.

4. Joby Energy tests high-altitude wind turbine prototype

Joby Energy is aiming for generating highly reliable renewable energy with low-cost by using the advantage of high-speed winds at higher altitudes. Its prototype looks like an airplane without cockpit and assembled with couple of vertical air turbines. Initially the turbines are given power for the vertical take of the unit and after reaching the designed height they are self-sufficient to rotate with the cross winds and enables the unit to rotate in a giant circle.

10 electric sportbike designs oozing green power
by: The Design blog, 2011-08-29 05:27:50 UTC
Jaspreet Kaur Walia:

People are become quite particular about their lifestyle in this environmentally-conscious world. They are opting for things that won’t harm or deteriorate our beautiful surroundings further. Even their gas guzzling rides are being swapped by electric vehicles. Two-wheelers have become a favorite amongst today’s generation and bikes have always come slashed with a sexy tag. Below is a list of 10 electric sportbikes that are powered the green way, but still manage to snarl like an angry beast when in motion. These will save the beautiful environment without asking its users to compromise on speed and style.

1. ION electric bike

The ION electric bike has been designed by Tom Miceli and has been given aggressive looks. The good-looking bike comes fitted with an 84 Volt electric battery, which produces 46 hp and a torque measuring 105 lb-ft. ION can touch a top speed of 80 mph. The batteries take 6 hours to get fully charged and after that can easily cover a distance of 60 miles.

2. 2011 Roehr eSupersport Electric Sportbike

One of the most famous bikes of 2010, the Hyosung GT650R, has an electric version now! Christened the Roehr eSupersport Electric Sportbike, it can run for a good 75 miles on a single charge. The curvy ride comes embedded with a 96 valve LiFePO4 battery that has a capacity of 7.7 kwH. It can produce a torque of 80 ft-lb and 48 hp. The suspension is much better as compared to the Hyosung GT650R and the rear shock absorber makes it look all the more stylish.

3. Mission R electric motorcycle

Here is another addition to the world of e-bikes, the Mission R electric motorcycle. The tasteful outer skin is well complemented by the power it comes injected with. The bike zooms on the road like an angry beast and can touch a top speed of 160 mph in a single gear. Wow! It can produce a horsepower of 141 and the liquid-cooled 3-phase AC motor shoots the torque to 115ft-lb.

4. The Agility Global Saietta Electric Sportbike

The Agility Global Saietta is a zero emission bike that fetches all the power from its electric motors. The exotic creation is worth drooling over and will make onlookers stare at it in surprise. It has been given an eccentric shape, which makes the bike stand out of the crowd. The motors are situated in the front and are beautifully concealed under the composite material that is light in weight. The bike will be made available in two models: The Agility Saietta S and The Agility Saietta R. The S version can jump from zero to 60 in 4 seconds, while the R version takes 5 seconds.

5. Triumph Daytona

GoWheel has created an eco friendly bike named Triumph Daytona, which has been caked with brawny features. Give it 2.7 seconds and see it jumping from zero to 60 mph. The electric engine will make the bike touch a top speed of 103 mph and has range of 143 miles. Its tasteful looks set hearts racing and force onlookers to gawk at the stunning creation. The battery will stay in a functional mode for 5 years and or 114,000 (whatever comes first).

6. The Mission One Electric Sports Motorcycle

The motorbike is a definitely a clean and green beauty out to rule roads with its magical aura. If you are a lover of speed then the Mission One Electric Sports Motorcycle will manage to pump enough adrenaline rush. The all-electric bike has a range of 150 miles, produces a 100 lb-ft torque and has a top speed of 150 mph.

7. Zero S Electric Sportbike

The eye-appealing electric creation has been crafted from aircraft grade aluminum. The exclusive design manages to drench the rider with smooth acceleration and a top speed of 96.6 kilometer per hour. Zero S is not at all noisy and comes sans an exhaust. The clean bike is easy to maneuver and can cover a distance of 97 km on a single charge.

8. Empulse electric sportbike

Brammo Empulse electric sportbike will definitely send in thrill-chills with its sexy façade. The bike comes in three models and each delivers a different average range on a single charge. Empulse 6.0, Empulse 8.0 and Empulse 10 have an average range of 60 miles, 80 miles and 100 miles, respectively. All three variants can jump over 100 mph and will prove to be a treat for lovers of speed.

9. Vectrix SBK, the Electric Sport Bike

Now, this is one creation that will give gas-guzzling beasts a major inferiority complex. It will attract sportbike customers with its tasteful appearance and power-packed performance. Vectrix SBK is a high performance electric sportbike with a top speed of 125 mph. When moving at a speed of 110 mph it can cover a distance of a quarter mile in as less as 12 seconds. The battery takes 2.5 hours to get fully charged.

10. Electric sport bike

Electric Motorsport is out with the GPR-S electric bike that has a range till 100 km and weighs 285 lb. It comes fitted with an electric drive system which is 14.2 kilowatt and gets pumped by a lithium battery pack. The battery can be charged in 4 hours. It weighs 129 kg and can touch a top speed of 100 k/h.

Sheep Wool Insulation Comes To America
by: TreeHugger Design, 2011-08-29 15:38:20 UTC
Image credit Oregon Shepherd It is common in New Zealand and a luxury in the UK, but now sheep wool insulation has come to America, via Oregon Shepherd. There is a lot to love about this stuff; "This all-natural and inherently fire-retardant material is non-toxic, resists mold growth, is vermin resistant and is acoustically superior." After all, sheep know a thing or two about keeping warm.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Quote of the Day: George Baird On Sustainable Architecture
by: TreeHugger Design, 2011-08-29 20:27:11 UTC
Philip Merrill Environmental Center, subject of a major lawsuit George Baird was the most articulate professor I ever had; he once launched into a sentence, the length of a paragraph, that was so intricately constructed, with such an extraordinary vocabulary (I remember hearing the word "historicity" for the first time) that the entire lecture hall broke into spontaneous applause at the end of it. He is no slouch at sustainable design either, and writes in Architectural Record about recent legal problems that have affected so-called sustainable buildi... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Eco-bathroom – Water Saving Toilet Concept
by: EnviroGadget, 2011-08-17 09:00:40 UTC

The Eco-bathroom is a concept design for a toilet and washbasin unit where the water used in the sink is stored to flush the toilet. The concept design has a sleek and elegant look to it, a modern feel that would look good in a majority of bathrooms while helping you to save on your water usage.

The Eco-bathroom Concept has been designed by Michael Passos. Everyone is aware these days that we must conserve water, and for those on a water meter there is the added incentive to reduce costs. So much perfectly useable water simply runs down a plughole to go to waste in homes all around the world, water than could be used for flushing toilets and other such activities.

The Eco-bathroom combines a toilet with a washbasin, the water used in the basin is stored for use flushing the toilet, helping to reduce the amount of water used significantly. Many toilets can waste up to 9lt of water a flush, and depending on the number of people within a household that can add up to a lot of water. There are other systems that will also achieve this for you currently, either devices to install yourself or complete systems to install, however many can look rather dated, and can even be rather untidy to look at. This concept differs by offering you all the eco-friendly benefits in a modern and stylish system.

Source: iGreenSpot

Want to buy this gadget? Check out the Eco-bathroom – Water Saving Toilet Concept article on EnviroGadget to see the lowest prices for this gadget.

© 2008 to 2011 EnviroGadget.com. You can now keep up with the latest eco-gadgets on the EnviroGadget Facebook page. Why not help us to spread the word?

Related posts:

1. Perfect Flush – Toilet Water Saving Gadget
2. Sloan’s Greywater System – Recycles water for toilet flushing
3. Air-Based PropelAir Toilet Flush System

Walk and Talk For Hours Using Shoe Power
by: Gadget Lab, 2011-08-26 19:00:35 UTC

Taking the stairs could mean more time between charges for your phone.

Researchers at University of Wisconsin at Madison have developed a shoe insert that uses the impact of your strides to generate electricity for your phone. The prototype “footwear-embedded harvester” consists of two pouches filled with nanoparticle liquid metal called galinstan. It generates electrical current as it is forced through narrow channels, a process the researchers call “reverse electrowetting.” Power is stored in a battery in the arch of the shoe.

Other kinetic energy harvesters use piezoelectrics, which feature crystal sheets that polarize and produce energy through movement. The drawback is the technology generates so little power that an iPhone 4 wouldn’t notice the boost.

The power sneaker features the option to plug a phone into the shoe, but researchers Tom Krupenkin and J. Ashley Taylor sought a less cumbersome approach. They found the biggest draw on your phone’s battery occurs when it’s searching for Wi-Fi or a cell tower signal, so they attached a Wi-Fi transmitter directly to the harvester. The shoe, not the phone, powers the connection to wireless signals. They say that means your battery can last up to 10 times longer.

The device is also able to be directly connected to a phone, which could be useful for soldiers toting night-vision goggles, or marathoners who rely on their iPhone 4’s music for motivation. And with no moving parts, the system requires minimal maintenance, making it a boon for those in areas with little or no electricity.

Krupenkin and Taylor plan to commercialize the technology through their new firm, InStep NanoPower. They’re courting shoe makers to design an incorporated piece of footwear.