by: The Design blog, 2011-08-24 13:24:41 UTC
Asmita Prasad:
DrawBraille PhoneDrawBraille Phone by Shikun Sun
Although most of us in the sighted world almost never think about it, but recent developments in technology have been a tad discriminating when it comes to people with disabilities. One such development that stands out more than the others is the cellphone segment which simply cannot be used by people with visual disabilities. However, there are innovators who are developing concepts that look to level the playing field. DrawBraille touch-enabled cellphone is one of the more revolutionary products in this category that we have seen in quite a while.
The phone basically uses the Braille alphabet embossed on the surface of the phone to aid both input and output functions. With mechanical dots forming the input area and larger square patterns serving as the display, the phone offers regular-cellphone like functionality to the device without ever becoming inaccessible for the visually disabled.
There are 210 mechanical dots on the phone’s reading area that represent the 35 Braille alphabets in 5 rows. Users simply have to slide their fingers over these dots to read phone menu, access the phonebook, read emails and text messages as well as e-books and even potentially surf the net using this Braille reader.
Developed by designer Shikun Sun, the touch-enabled phone also uses touch-input functions to make phone usage simpler for the blind. Other innovations on the product include functions like checking battery status via Braille, locking the touchpad and even locating nearby public facilities and using the phone as a music player.
Swedish company Solvatten recently began distributing its user-friendly solar water sterilization jug in countries like drought-afflicted Somalia. The device disinfects up to 10 liters of water in two or more hours, depending on conditions. To use it, you just fill the jug, open it like a book right down the middle and place it in the sun. Clear plastic panels expose microbes in the water to UV rays while the black plastic interior absorbs radiation to heat the water. You’ll know the water is ready to drink when you see a smiley face on the jug’s heat sensor. Since people often cook over wood fires in rural developing regions and this device cuts out the need to boil untreated water, it can also reduce deforestation, improve indoor air quality, and even save lives.
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Got a first generation Apple TV laying around and wondering what to do with it? Daniel Kurt came up with the idea of recycling it into the 1 Nixie Clock. Every structural element is reused along with new components like an integrated nixie controller board and tube holders.. The heavy duty tissue cable doubles as a power cord and wall mount string.
All electronic components in the fully functioning clock are assembled by hand. Kurth will provide the CNC shapes (for the tube holders and cover plate) for free on request.
Technical specifications:
• Recycled Apple TV 1 body • 12 / 24 hr mode • 108 cable connections • Up to 200.000 hours tube lifespan • 9 V AC/500mA • Eco-saver automatic dimming function/automatic OFF • Auto Detection of 1Hz, 50Hz or 60Hz clock pulse input mode • DCF77 Module can be added externally • 6 x Z560M Nixie Tube (unused) running at 170 VDC • Dimming via push button • Handmade assembly of all electronic components • CNC routed tube holders (DIBOND) and cover plate (PVC) • Made in Luxembourg • Wallmount possible
Yanko Design Timeless Designs - Explore wonderful concepts from around the world! Yanko Design Store - We are about more than just concepts. See what's hot at the YD Store!
by: Ecofriend, 2011-08-23 12:01:40 UTC
Akshika Chawla:
UrbanTilesSolar powered OLED Tiles
The future of architecture is definitely green and while some architects are working to develop next-gen structures that are in harmony with nature, some are planning materials that can be incorporated in existing structures to turn them green. Designer Meidad Marzan has come up with such a product, which can help buildings flaunt their green style using nothing more than the power of the sun. The designer’s creation, dubbed UrbanTiles, is included with photovoltaic panels that harvest energy during daytime to light up OLEDs after dark.
UrbanTilesSolar powered OLED Tiles
The two sides of a tile used in the design has photovoltaic panel on one side and OLED (Organic Light emitting Diode) on the other side. The tiles have been designed to be able to rotate and expose one particular side to the outside at a time acting as ‘Window blinds’. During the day, the photovoltaic panel containing side is exposed to the sunlight. This panel, with the help of sunlight, gets charged and stores energy which will be useful during the night to light up the OLED side. Similarly, the tiles expose their illuminated OLED sides during night.
Scientifically, a single OLED consists of a layer of organic material situated between two electrodes: one anode and the other cathode. It is believed the future costs of employing OLEDs will get lowered. Their light weight, ease of fabrication onto plastic substrates, improved brightness and power efficiency make them an apt choice for use.
UrbanTilesSolar powered OLED Tiles
UrbanTiles change the scenery of the city as the entire structure looks glamorous during night. The city and its building structures become epic light objects in the urban space. Adding more to the beauty of the structure, the tiles even follow a certain pattern of illumination creating a canvas of images. In a certain pattern the tiles may flip-flop and form a text visibly shown at the building’s facade and in another the tiles may form circles, squares, smileys, stars and other similar shapes making the view of a building’s facade adorable.
by: Ecofriend, 2011-08-24 05:16:19 UTC
Babita Sajnani:
LED ChandelierLED chandelier
In today’s times, when resources are becoming scarce and where each attempt in going into preserving the Earth for our future generations, people from all walks of life are looking at prospects of achieving work the ‘green’ way. Reducing, reusing and recycling old materials is the new mantra which is a great way to use our resources judiciously and also leads to energy conservation too. Similarly, the trend for producing eco-friendly goods seems to be catching on with the lighting industry too where certain designers have made amazing lighting fixtures out of recycled materials such as plastic and have incorporated LED - which is instrumental in conserving a lot of energy. Here are ten such beautiful chandeliers that not only look stylish and modern but are eco-friendly too!
1. Recycled Bottle Cascade Chandelier
The ‘Cascade Chandelier’ is a magnificent lighting ceiling fixture made out of old plastic bottles that have been metamorphosed into something spectacular by Michelle Brand. The designer exhibited the Cascade Chandelier at the HauteGREEN in 2011 which looks like a cascade of flowers but those flowers are actually made out of plastic bottles. Brand is an eco-designer whose work reflects how normal everyday objects can transform into a work of art. Millions of water bottles are disposed off daily and changing them into an aesthetic object of value is something very challenging. The Cascade Chandelier is a great example of how recycled plastic can gain new dimensions.
2. LED Chandelier by Christoph Klemmt
This amazing LED chandelier by Christoph Klemmt is a spectacular and unique concept which not only serves the purpose of illumination but can be a sculpture in its own right. This massive modernistic chandelier is specially designed to reflect the sunlight in different colors during the day time, whereas during the night, the solar energy that is harnessed by the surface is them used to power the LEDs. This photovoltaic chandelier looks like a gravity-defying object and is a great way to merge imagination with a ‘green’ purpose.
3. LED Constellation Chandelier
You must be aware of the conventionally designed chandeliers, however the LED Constellation chandelier begs to differ from the traditional sorts. This amazing chandelier uses LED lamps that are affixed on to the ends of 91 different strings of copper tubes that form a cluster-like ’star burst’ effect. This energy-saving chandelier uses only 12V power as opposed to the the conventional 20W bulbs.
4. Bic Ballpoint Pen Chandelier
This cool design of creating a chandelier with Bic ballpoint pens, called the ‘Volivik Lamp’, is the work of a recent Spanish design studio in Madrid. This chandelier was unveiled at the Valencia Furniture Fair in 2006 and is produced by putting together innumerable ballpoint pens to create a traditional chandelier-like shape. This is truly a great way to recycle old plastic ballpoint pens into something extremely creative and useful!
5. A two tier recycled beer bottle chandelier
This macho-looking chandelier is made out of recycled beer bottles that looks colorful and is a good way to reuse glass instead of dunking them into overspilling landfills. The beer-bottle chandelier has two tiers that totally comprise of 52 bottles that are put together by a steel rivet band along with 8 bulbs that illuminate this big chandelier.
6. Eco friendly green light
This chandelier is surely a delightful one with a ceiling lighting fixture surrounded by plants. This ‘green’ lamp used the LED energy-saving technology which is powered by a solar panel along with lush greenery to provide the ultimate eco-friendly look! The plants provide a fresh look to the lamp, however, they serve a greater purpose of removing toxic compounds like formaldehyde, benzene etc. from the air and improving the air quality of the space. The photovoltaic solar cells harness enough energy to power 6W LED lamps and also provide nourishment to the plants by enabling them to carry on with their processes.The entire lamp is made using recyclable to recycled products which also adds on to its eco-friendliness.
7. Recycled PET Bottle Chandelier
Soft drink PET bottles can now serve another purpose instead of adding on to the exploding volume of PET bottles that are being thrown into landfills. These non-biodegradable plastic bottles have been converted into amazing hanging lamps by the WT Designers who have added more color to the plastic and created beautiful hanging plastic chandeliers.
8. World’s largest LED Chandelier
LEDs are now taking over the humble lamp - as the energy-saving features and longevity of LEDs make them a very viable and eco-friendly option. LEDs are also being incorporated in the classic chandeliers and with the imminent advent of the latest OLED technology most of the chandeliers will adopt LED technology that will make chandeliers appear even more elegant and majestic. The Meyda Tiffany chandelier which is the world’s biggest chandelier, hangs inside the Stanley Theater in Utica New York and this chandelier has adopted LED technology by incorporating 328 of such lamps that only consume 1120W of electricity! LED technology saves up to 7 times more energy that regular lamps and the glow is a class apart.
9. The trippy hanger chandeliers!
The Trippy Hanger chandeliers are used by recycling old hangers to create a spooky-looking ceiling lighting fixture. Designed by Ali Siahvoshi, this eccentric piece of art is a sure shot way to scare people, apart from its ‘green’ design.
10. Recycled Plastic Chandelier by Stuart Haygarth
This plastic chandelier designed by Stuart Haygarth is another beautiful design that makes use of old plastic bottles and gives them a new purpose. The bottles have been cut up and pasted together in a very erratic manner to create an abstract shape that functions as a lighting device.
by: The Design blog, 2011-08-23 13:28:14 UTC
Amit Singh:
Liquid BuildingLiquid Building by Mohsen Marizad
Combining innovative design with eco friendly structuring, designer Mohsen Marizad has come up with a Liquid Building that is based on the theme of fluidity. The entire building is a collection of independent units like liquid bubbles. These bubbles are of similar functionality and they float towards one another creating the illusion of a liquid or fluidity from which the entire structure is derived.
The whole idea and the subsequent design is the result of the initiatives taken by the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia. Mohsen Marizad himself is a part of the Emergent Territories course run by the institute with the aim of providing the right environment to motivate and sustain such innovation. Three basic elements, i. e. strict adherence to all the parameters and specifications of the Barcelona building standard, following the parameters and guidelines of the program and compatibility with the environment, serves as the guiding principles for the design of the building.
The design of the building consists of a flower like arrangement, which works on the principle of interaction with intelligent skin system. The main function of the flower arrangement is to provide rainwater collection and structural reinforcements. The intelligent skin system is sensitive to change with the environmental circumstances. The pores or opening in the skin rood are modeled in such a way that they adapt to any kind of seasonal change. The Liquid Building also consists of a central courtyard to make up for the light deficit.
The only failure in implementation was the lack of space to house all the predicted functions, as a result only one third of the functions could be installed. This had a negative impact on the rest of the connectivity. The design solution for the problem was achieved through the effective use of green spaces. These green spaces are placed in such a way that they propel interactivity across levels, structural units and public spaces.
by: The Design blog, 2011-08-24 13:19:10 UTC
Amit Singh:
OODA Taipei city museum of artOODA: New Taipei city museum of art
A Portugal based architectural design organization OODA has received recognition for its groundbreaking proposal on “New Taipei city museum of art international competition.” The whole point behind the initiative is to construct a memorable building for the population of the urban center. The remarkable design which has stunned the people world over will soon be a landmark museum in Taipei, Taiwan. OODA inherently is an organization committed to innovative ideas and projects.
The basic form of the museum consists of two instantly recognizable hyper cubes. From the outset, it looks like a right angled cube, suspended inside a huge contorted volumetric box. What adds wonder and depth to the design is its visitor centric customizations. The building would be designed in such a way that the visitors would have to go under the arched exterior to get into the museum. The entry will be through the centralized elevator core.
The museum consists of numerous galleries situated in a precise order to compliment the shifting interior around the center of art resource. The galleries are designed in such a way that they form a continuous perimeter ramp. The whole array of galleries end up in a sought of upward spiral.
The administrative spaces are present at the highest level, whereas the children’s museum is situated in the below grade. The intersections within the inner form are carved in such a way that those give way to continuous steel elements that are inclined from one corner to another, strengthening and supporting the whole structure. The design is one of its kinds in many ways. The central glass curvature creates room for water storage, integrated solar panels and functional ventilating windows. The museum design also leaves ample space for forestation. Approximately 750 - 1250 different kinds of trees will be planted in the areas right next to the building. The emphasis on green policies is in strict adherence to local rules and regulations.
by: TreeHugger Design, 2011-08-24 10:06:53 UTC Photo: B.Alter
As part of the Museum of London's massive refurbishment, they have begun to install an ambitious green roof on the top of the building. This will be a long-term research and demonstration project, rather than the sexy public spaces that we have seen on other buildings.
By having a number of different habitats, it will show the diversity that green roofs can have. There are plans for wildflower meadows, wetland areas, bluebell wood and planted walls. All using recycled materials from the existing roof.
... Read the full story on TreeHugger
by: TreeHugger Design, 2011-08-24 14:12:36 UTC Image credit DMY
One of the winners of the top award at the International Design Festival Berlin was Endless by Dutch designer Dirk Vander Kooij. He melts down refrigerators for the plastic raw material, extrudes it into a string, and then has a robot "double it back and forth until it forms a seat."... Read the full story on TreeHugger
by: Gizmag Emerging Technology Magazine, 2011-08-23 19:17:38 UTC
Last year we took a look at the EntroSys Motorcycle Air Conditioning system, which is a vest that’s designed to blow cooling air across the torsos of leather-jacket-clad bikers. While the EntroSys needs to be attached to a bike-mounted air conditioning unit, there are doubtless many sweltering people who would appreciate a similar but more mobile garment, that they could wear while walking around or working outside. Well, needless to say, there is one – it’s the Kuchofuku Air-Conditioned Cooling Work Shirt...
Continue Reading Air conditioned shirt has its fans
by: Design 4 Sustainability, 2011-08-29 21:02:22 UTC
Flextrus PaperLite® is a paper based product with unique built in stretching opportunities. Flextrus buys the FibreForm® paper from Billerud and combines ...
by: Design 4 Sustainability, 2011-08-28 07:31:18 UTC
Drip irrigation is today's need because Water - nature's gift to mankind is not unlimited and free forever. World water resources are fast diminishing. ...
by: Design 4 Sustainability, 2011-08-25 08:14:39 UTC
AirRenew™ Gypsum Board is for use in interior walls and ceilings and is specially designed to offer a healthier living and working environment by improving ...
by: Design 4 Sustainability, 2011-08-23 21:24:49 UTC
You like the acceleration of an electric car but you love the design of a car that doesn't come in an electric version or you drive a classic then ...
by: Design 4 Sustainability, 2011-08-20 07:04:53 UTC
The Plumen 001 is the first energy saving light bulb. Not the LED but CFL version of energy efficient, like the tube lighting.
The energy saving ...
by: Design 4 Sustainability, 2011-08-14 12:10:49 UTC
Why are LED lights so popular although the initial investment seems high?
LED lighting can save up to 85 percent of the electricity used by incandescent ...
by: Design 4 Sustainability, 2011-08-11 01:17:46 UTC
By combining all electronic data of water, transportation, energy consumption etcetera one can save energy in spots it is not needed at the moment ...
by: Design 4 Sustainability, 2011-08-11 01:15:11 UTC
A few meters away of the arrival gates at Schiphol Airport you can find a intriguing building, a stack of shipping containers. Concrete, led by frustration ...
by: Design 4 Sustainability, 2011-08-04 03:34:57 UTC
With Mosstile you can make a maintenance free vertical garden in your home. No need to water, give fertilizer, pruning. They don't even need natural ...
Photo: B.Alter
As part of the 
Image credit DMY
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