Danone Developing Bio-Based Bottles with Avantium
by: Environmental Leader, 2012-03-30 14:30:54 UTC
Danone, the global food and drinks manufacturer, has partnered with biotech company Avantium to produce bio-based plastic bottles made from renewable material that won’t threaten food resources. Avantium, a spinoff from oil company Royal Dutch Shell, uses a chemical-catalytic technology called YXY to convert carbohydrates from grains, energy crops and other non-food sources, including waste [...]
Test Drive of the VW Electric Golf
by: Eco Geek Latest, 2012-03-29 21:28:32 UTC
While on the west coast for the Volkswagen press tour, I had the chance to drive the company's new electric Golf. The E-Golf is scheduled to be available as part of the 2014 Volkswagen line. At present, there is a pilot fleet of about 20 of these cars that are being driven by VW employees as part of a study examining things such as usage and vehicle charging before the vehicle is ready for general release. The test fleet, including the vehicle that I drove, was built using the 6th generation Golf body, but the production version will use the 7th generation Golf as vehicle platform.
My test drive of the E-Golf was only a couple of miles, since there were a couple dozen journalists who wanted to have a chance for a drive, so it needed to be constrained, but I still got a taste of driving this car similar to many of the other EVs I've driven. I've had the opportunity to drive a number of electric vehicles, though many of those experiences have been on the small, indoor driving track that has been available at the NAIAS in Detroit, and I've been a passenger in a few other demonstration EVs that weren't available for general driving.
The E-Golf has an interesting regenerative braking system that is more interactive - and more like driving a car with a manual transmission - than usual with other EVs I've encountered, which tend to behave like a car with an automatic transmission. When coasting, the E-Golf will begin to regeneratively recharge the batteries. However, the driver can use a pair of paddle switches on the steering wheel to increase the level of regenerative braking the car provides, recapturing progressively more energy back to the batteries and slowing the car more quickly with each step. This would take some getting used to before one became proficient with it, but it brings back a level of engagement to the driving experience that most EVs don't have.
The E-Golf has a 26.5 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery and an estimated range of 93 miles. For the test fleet, VW is also providing an iPhone with special app to enable the owner to "check the battery’s charging status, regulate the car’s internal temperature, gauge how much charging time is left, or even remotely start the charging procedure."
More about the sound made by the E-Golf will be coming shortly.
[Ed. Note: Volkswagen paid for the travel and lodging for my trip to SF where I gathered some of the information for this story.]
image credits: EcoGeek
La Cura by Studio Toogood at MOST
by: Dezeen, 2012-03-30 17:06:49 UTC
London designers Studio Toogood will create a “hospital for the senses” at MOST in Milan next month as an antidote to the hustle and bustle of the furniture fair. (more…)
They're Baaack: Average House Size Shoots Up To Highest Ever As McMansions Return
by: TreeHugger Design, 2012-03-30 18:22:00 UTC
The 1% are the only people who can qualify for a loan, and they like big houses.
Tread Carpet by Martín Azúa, a Rug with a Small Footprint and a lot of Spanish Tradition
by: TreeHugger Design, 2012-03-29 12:57:03 UTC
Martín Azúa's latest rug design is made from esparto soles from the traditional spanish espadrilles. It will be used in Camper's shoe stores.
Provenance Packaging by Jog Design
by: mocoloco, 2012-03-29 21:18:34 UTC
London-based Jog Design recently created packaging for a collection of high-quality homeware products made from recycled, reclaimed and renewable materials called Provenance.
Fantastic gadgets that make fitness fun
by: Crave Green tech, 2012-03-29 18:26:53 UTC
(Credit:
Sarah Tew/CNET)
Spring has sprung and that means summer is right around the corner. If you still haven't worked off those extra winter pounds, it's high time to start before swimsuit and tank top weather cruelly arrives. Luckily, a groundswell of new mobile accessories harness wireless technology, competitive behavior, social media, and other online tools to help couch potatoes catch the exercise bug.
Even if your goal isn't to become the next Ironman Triathlon winner, getting into a regular exercise routine can be a challenge. In today's digitally amped up, always on, yet increasingly sedentary age, simply dropping what you're doing and taking a 15-minute walk is difficult. A slew of new products from sports heavyweights such as Nike to spunky startups like FitBit plan to slyly use this ultraconnected world to spur you into action.
The game becomes the goal
I guess it's no surprise that the gamification craze, collecting badges and touting achievements to taunt Facebook friends and Twitter followers, should hit the personal fitness market too. Kids naturally know exercise and gameplay are two sides of the same coin and that friendly competition can make any sport more fun. Perhaps it's time we adults embrace their inner child. We reviewed these cutting-edge gadgets and love how they strive to make having fun a way to getting fit.
Nike FuelBand
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[Read more]Related Links:The power of Bluetooth 4.0: It'll change your lifeBest Bluetooth accessories right now (roundup)New iPad first tablet with Bluetooth 4.0: Should you care?Dialed In #215: The agony and ecstasy of Mike Daisey (podcast)Path rolls out API, partners with Nike to appeal to runners
Hybrid Solar Tube Panels by Naked Energy
by: Jetson Green, 2012-03-29 06:34:52 UTC
A company called Solyndra pioneered the solar tube but this new invention by UK-based Naked Energy may just take cylindrical solar to a whole new level. Called Virtu, the product includes an integrated photovoltaic cell in a vacuum tube to generate both electricity and warm water at the same time. The setup keeps the PV cool to optimize energy production and maximizes space with a combined PVT solution.
Specifically, “heat is transferred away from the photovoltaic cells with a patented thermosyphon technology that harvests the unwanted heat from the photovoltaic cell to heat up water,” according to The Engineer. The process is expected to generate about 45% more energy over conventional solar PV.
Virtu can be installed anywhere — pitched, curved, or flat roofs or walls — and system owners can prioritize electricity or heat generation, depending on their energy demands.
Naked Energy is on a trade mission in the U.S. right now seeking additional investment capital, so perhaps it won’t be long before a production level product becomes available to residential and commercial consumers. I’ll keep you updated on future progress.
[+] More about PVT Virtu by Naked Energy.
Credits: Naked Energy.
Related Articles on JetsonGreen.com:
- Hybrid Panels Increase Solar Efficiency
- GE Readies New Thin-Film Solar Panels
- Cogenra Mixes Solar PV and Hot Water
Sharing Smart Meter Data
by: Eco Geek Latest, 2012-03-26 17:33:57 UTC
I have a new smart meter on my house, and I'm far from the only one. The number of smart meters installed across the country is growing quickly. Smart meters are digital, rather than analog, equipment to measure the amount of electricity each customer uses. However, smart meters are able to collect more data than just the electricity that has been used, they can also track the amount of electricity used as well as when it was used. Smart meters also are often equipped with wireless two-way communication for easier meter reading, among other uses.
The White House recently announced an agreement with nine "major electricity suppliers" under which consumers will be able to get access to data about their own energy use. In addition to getting the information themselves, this would allow consumers to use third-party applications to track their energy use and "empower consumers to make wiser energy decisions." Congressional representative Ed Markey plans to introduce legislation that would require this information to be available to all consumers.
image: EcoGeek
via: Rep. Markey Press Release
Dezeen Screen: Tom Dixon at The Dock
by: Dezeen, 2012-03-29 17:59:39 UTC
Dezeen Screen: As we prepare for our relocation to Milan for the Salone Internazionale del Mobile in April, we’ve paid a visit to British designer Tom Dixon, instigator of new design epicentre MOST at the Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia. (more…)
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