10 magnetic vehicle concepts for a comfy ride
by: The Design blog, 2011-09-03 05:21:13 UTC
Samantha Goodwin:

Magnetic vehicles are the solution to many current automotive problems. They demand no fuel and are extremely eco friendly. Leading automobile companies like Audi and Chevrolet are rapidly joining this endeavor to make this world pollution free and a safer place to live. There are different designs of magnetic powered vehicles to make your ride comfy.

Here are some best picked vehicle concepts with unique designs:

1. Magnetic MAG vehicle concept by Matúš Procháczka

This eco friendly vehicle, designed by Slovakian designer Matúš Procháczka, makes for a very comfortable ride. Along with its ability to use magnetic power, Procháczka has very sensibly integrated an electric engine into it is as well. While the electric traction is born by the back tires, the upward magnetic force makes the cars 50 percent lighter. The spring like feel along with its noiseless and clean features make this car a good buy.

2. Nicholas futuristic concept vehicle

Traffic is a huge concern these days and driving through traffic can be very stressful especially when you are in a hurry. This vehicle based on the two-wheeler concept, skillfully designed by Nicholas Holland is an ideal solution for commuting problems in such areas. The vehicle uses the front wheel as the key driving component. It utilizes the strong magnetic field produced by the giant loop passing through the front wheel.

3. Induction powered taxi

Designed by Philip Siebourg, this vehicle works on the concept similar to a train. It runs on a rail system that creates a magnetic field for it. The direction of the vehicle is controlled by the interaction between the magnet in the vehicle and the rail system. The most striking feature of this taxi is that it is automatic and does not require a driver. Its light weight makes it even more efficient.

4. Nissan iV electric vehicle

For all sports car lovers, the Nissan iV electric vehicle is a dream come true. As Nissan too takes a shot at future automotive solutions, their version comes in the form of the ingenious and practical vehicle. Not only does it look good, the performance of the car is excellent as well. Nissan has used photovoltaic material for its cabins that weigh much lesser than glass. This four-seater vehicle also comes with a solar panel and bio-battery.

5. Yog concept vehicle

Rightfully named the Yog, this futuristic vehicle has been designed by Indian designer Arun Thomas. It uses lightning for commutation. The vehicle produces artificial thunderstorms that are converted into lightning and used by the car. This vehicle is steered with a skid steer mechanism. It uses air and magnetic repulsion power to define its shape.

6. Futuristic Audi RM car

Audi has earned a very respectable name for itself in the automobile industry. When its comes to the brand, one expects nothing less than extreme comfort, style, high performance and class. Keeping that in mind, designer Halil Buzcuoglu has come up with a car concept named Audi RM and is said to be inspired from the Audi RSQ. This vehicle is designed especially for people who travel between cities a lot. The car can seat three people and is very environmentally friendly. It uses electric power and can also be recharged.

7. Enigma Car Concept

As the whole world looks to the future, designer Paul Howse has come up with a futuristic automobile concept and named it Enigma. This sleek looking vehicle is sure to grab a lot of attention. The bronze color used gives it a very classy and unique look. The car runs on bio-electric technology and can even use solar energy if the energy level drops.

8. 2011 Chevrolet Corvette z06x track car concept

The Chevrolet Corvette z06x track car concept is Chevrolet’s version of future automotive solutions. The vehicle draws its inspiration from the Corvette Z06 1LZ. It has carbon-ceramic brakes and magnetic ride controls.

9. Next generation electric vehicle5

Truly futuristic, the Next generation electric vehicle5 is anything and everything you look for in a car. The vehicle has all the features that make it very eco friendly. It runs on batteries and has a unique wheel system that makes riding it very interesting. For the convenience and comfort of its riders, the car is integrated with four magnetic systems.

10. Apache Concept Car

What may look like a car wreck at first is actually Apache’s new Apache FM1 concept vehicle. Do not be fooled by its look, this car dares to be bizarre yet turn heads. The car is a perfect amalgamation of performance and style. Said to be inspired from the helicopter, this vehicle has been designed by Senni Med.

DesignBuildBluff: Sustainable Student Work
by: TreeHugger Design, 2011-09-01 17:09:17 UTC
Images credit designbuiltBLUFF I was happy to see DesignBuildBLUFF get exposure in Inhabitat and Archdaily recently; TreeHugger gave them a Best of Green Award this year for Best Student W... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Cardboard Turns Back Into Wood In Domingos Totora's Amazing Furniture And Sculpture
by: TreeHugger Design, 2011-09-01 15:11:12 UTC
Photos: DomingosTotora.com.br. Brazilian designer Domingos Totora is the author of these mesmerizing pieces of furniture produced with recycled cardboard that is turned into a wooden-like material through a sustainable process.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Composting Toilets: Whose Is the Fairest of Them All?
by: TreeHugger Design, 2011-09-02 13:40:00 UTC
Despite prejudices, many of us know that composting toilets are often a remarkably pleasant place to do your business. From portable composting toilets for festivals, complete with potted plants and reading materials, to the affordable Lovable Loo that even makes pooping in a bucket look surprisingly sophisticated. Permaculture Magazine has already noted that compos... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Green Lessons From Mid-Century Modern Houses
by: TreeHugger Design, 2011-09-02 16:55:22 UTC
Alissa Walker's creative commons homage to Julius Shulman I do go on about the green lessons we can learn from old buildings, but usually talk about those designed before the thermostat age. Greg Lavardera tweets about a post listing 10 Forgotten Lessons of Mid-Century Modern Design from the blog of Seattle architectsRead the full story on TreeHugger

Whey Protein Transformed into Sustainable Food Packaging
by: Eco Geek Latest, 2011-09-01 18:14:52 UTC

Whey protein, a milk protein that is a byproduct of cheese production, is often used in protein bars and shakes, but scientists in Barcelona have discovered that it can also be made into a more sustainable plastic for food packaging.

The WheyLayer project was funded by the European Commission to find an alternative to petroleum sources in food packaging.  Through this project, research company IRIS found that whey protein could replace synthetic petroleum-based polymers.  The whey protein plastic has similar oxygen-blocking properties to traditional food packaging, but it's cheaper to make and, even better, more easily recyclable.

Traditional plastic packaging is hard to recycle because the petroleum-based polymers are almost impossible to separate for individual recycling, but with the whey protein plastic, the whey can be removed with enzymes so that the remaining film can be recycled or reused in new packaging.

This process also keeps the 40 percent of whey protein discarded by European cheese factories out of landfills.

via Earth911

 

Green Architecture: 5 most eco friendly buildings in the world
by: Ecofriend, 2011-09-01 10:05:28 UTC
A Dutta:

The current buzzword is “green” and building and designing greener and environment-friendly buildings is what architects are striving for. What with hopping on the green train becoming an essential part of every serious environmental policy! Be it ethanol fireplaces or hybrid cars, the use of fossil fuels is fast becoming history. The carbon neutral world we are looking at is not possible with just ‘living green’ but it seriously demands ‘living in green’ as well.

Let’s have a look at five existing buildings planned and built with an of a more ecofriendly living.

1. Bank of America, New York

Deemed one of the greenest buildings in the world today, the 54 storey skyscraper is designed to let in natural daylight in abundance and houses Bank of America’s global corporate and investment banking businesses. It uses solar panels to harness solar energy. The rainwater collected is reused and the raw materials that went into the construction of the building were burrowed from renewable and recycled sources from the New York area.This one really sets the standards high for green architecture and sustainable commercial construction.

2. Clinton Presidential Library Receives Highest Green Building Rating

The green updates in 2007 deemed the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, Arkansas one of the LEED Platinum winners. The recycling capacities were increased in standards and technology on this one but the most notable green architectural step was using the top roof garden for rainforest harvesting and temperature regulation. Designated as one of the most energy efficient and ecofriendly places to work in the US by the U.S. Green Buildings Council, it is the first federal building to have received an LEED platinum rating which only 29 buildings in the world have achieved.

3. BMW Welt, Munich

Despite not venturing into the green technology with their beautiful cars, this building in Munich points toward a more greener approach. It depends on harnessing solar power as much as possible with the solar panels and the facades. With its signature double cone building, this one proves going green does not mean a compromise on beauty. This hallowed ground for BMW fans is a cool, ecofriendly homage to its cars, motorcycles, and the BMW lifestyle.

4. CH2, Melbourne

Australia is undoubtedly one of the greenest countries today, and CH2 is a shining example of that. CH2 sustainability potential has come into the notice of even the United Nations, because of its numerous innovative features like wind turbines, sewage recycling, thermal mass cooling, and photovoltaic cells, etc. The City of Melbourne was apparently in a crisis of accommodation in 2004. To battle this crisis, Council embarked on an ambitious plan of action to design and build a new building that could accommodate the staff, housed until then in old office buildings and also to lead the way toward a greener environmental approach. Located at 240 Little Collins Street, this building has been designed not only to conserve energy and water but the internal environment of the building has been designed to improve the well being of the occupants as well.

5. Cor, Miami

This one has everything that makes a building greener: photovoltaic cells, solar energy harnessing, shading for natural cooling, wind turbines, you name it! But above all this one is different because of the fact that its architecture is stunning.

Aiming to attract creative and design-oriented businesses, the interior features sleek and comfortable residential areas and spaces with each unit including things like energy Star appliances, bamboo-lined hallways and recycled glass tile flooring. This one’s an authentic green beauty.

Are We Investing Enough in Clean Energy?
by: Environmental Leader, 2011-09-01 15:36:10 UTC
Consider the following recent news from Ernst & Young about investment in cleantech companies this quarter: –U.S. Department of Energy announced loans and guarantees of $32 billion, including over $10 billion for solar projects. –First Solar secured $4.5 billion in loan guarantees. –A group of 11 wealthy U.S. families formed The Cleantech Syndicate to invest [...]

The Green Dashboard
by: Core77, 2011-09-01 17:00:00 UTC

Leaves and vines grow on the Ford Fusion dashboard in proportion to conserved energy.

Phil Patton, the automotive design writer for The New York Times, has a killer piece looking at the design and interfaces for hybrid and electric cars on Design Observer. The driving point of his piece is that these new green dashboards are not only informing the driver on vital statistics like speed and mpg, but have become a marketing platform for new technologies:

They wrap new technology in interfaces that both excite and reassure. They make drivers feel good about themselves. And they use game-like strategies to encourage them to drive more efficiently.

With the help of design firms and interaction designers, hybrid and electric car dashboards are a recent example of thoughtful design shaping human behavior—encouraging drivers to employ green driving habits. Read the full piece where Patton takes a closer look at the dashboards of new green vehicles here at Design Observer.

(more...)

The Current Chameleon Helps Kids Monitor Their Real-Time Energy Usage
by: Inhabitat , 2011-09-01 17:50:41 UTC

It’s hard to get today’s kids pumped up about anything that doesn’t feature a flashing screen or a fun shape. So to shift those young eyes from the latest video game over to the merits of energy consumption, designer Elle Tweedy created the Current Chameleon, a house-shaped device that quantifies a youngster’s energy use by tracking, analyzing and making sense of the data. Using a series of wireless transmitters, the Current Chameleon charts, in real time, the power draw of each electronic device it is affixed. The energy device also features a reward system, paying out points for energy saved and keeping kids engaged.

READ MORE >

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Post tags: clean tech, Energy Consumption, Green Appliances, green products, green technology, home energy monitoring device, Interactive Objects, Modern Kids, sustainable product design kids