If cooking shows are any indication, in order to prove yourself as a genius chef, you have to know some basic chemistry: How to make ice cream in a matter of seconds using liquid nitrogen, and transform just about anything into “caviar” with the help of such ingredients as agar-agar. Masters of these techniques (think Wylie Dufresne and Feran Adrià) have been labeled molecular gastronomists, so named because they construct food with the tools (and oftentimes the studied nerdiness) of scientists. For those of us who watch Top Chef wishing we could turn tonight’s dinner into a science experiment, here’s reason to rejoice: There’s a kit with everything you need to make beet foam, balsamic vinegar pearls, and arugula spaghetti.
Molecule-R’s DIY molecular gastronomy set comes with familiar lab equipment (pipettes, silicone tubes, and a syringe), a 50-recipe DVD, as well as packets of food additives, including sodium alginate, xanthan gum, and soy lecithin. (Uh, yum?) So you can emulsify, spherify, and gelify to your stomach’s content, and Molecule-R also sells replacement sachets, to keep you stocked until the next culinary trend takes hold.
In the USA, most windows are probably single- or double-glazed and some builders will use triple-glazed windows for Passive House and other high-performance homes. But in Hanover, Germany, a 12-glazed window prototype by Mariusz Paszkowski and Antoni Kostka was the star of the recent International Passive House Conference, according to Der Standard. Check out these windows with aerogel!
The two scientists, in conjunction with SUPERWINDOWS, showcased INVIS160stack and INVIS160tweed, and both of the prototypes are about 160 mm thick, though they weigh no more than a double- or triple-glazed window unit.
INVIS160stack (above) is an insulated glass unit with two external glass panes that sandwich 10 layers of specially coated film without materially compromising visibility. The inventive window makes it possible to achieve European U-values of 0.15 W/m2K, or the U.S. equivalent of R38 (R = 1/(.15/5.678)).
INVIS160tweed (below) is similar to INVIS160stack except that what’s sandwiched between two glass panes is several layers or sheets inclined at a 45-degree angle (as opposed to parallel to the external panes). This approach makes it possible to achieve European U-values of 0.05 W/m2K, or the U.S. equivalent of R113 (R = 1/(.05/5.678)).
Of course, there’s a lot of work and investment to be done before these are suitable for commercial production, so there’s no pricing or availability yet. But watch this space for window innovation.
With so many freelancers looking for spots in cafes and bars to set up temporary offices, Aberrant Architecture came up with this idea of creating work desks that can double-up as game tables post “office hours”. Designed with London pubs in mind, by day the tables are elegant bureau-style desks, and by night a drawer containing a pub game transforms their unadorned surfaces into spaces ready for some fun-filled socializing and play.
by: Environmental Leader, 2012-05-30 07:28:12 UTC Carpet manufacturer Desso changed its business model in 2008 and started to only design products that are 100 percent biodegradable or can be entirely recycled to provide raw materials for new products – a practice that helped it win the 2012 Guardian Sustainable Business Award for waste and recycling. To date, the company has evaluated almost 90 percent [...]
Zephiro is an elegant cooker hood designed by Emo design for Falmec. Functional yet simple, the hood is equipped with e.Ion technology for filtration. This technology is an ionization system that reduces odor by eliminating organic molecules (bacteria, viruses and allergens) suspended in the air. The main advantage of this system is that it eliminates the use of exhaust tubes or vents for the hood. This not only supports clean architecture, but also enhances the hood with ceiling suspension.
Emo design explains, “Zephiro is equipped with a visual feedback that indicates air quality. The sensor detects impurities and when necessary it switches on the hood purifying the air. The e.Ion system works with controlled bipolar ionisation neutralizing polluting agents in the air and transforming them into water and Co2. The ions influence positively human biochemestry causing improved moods, concentration and other important health advantages.”
Available in: white and black Materials: glass, stainless steel Typology: Cooker Hood Dimensions: L 660 x W 460 x H 335 Producer: Falmec
These amazing perforated pendant lamps are the creation of product designer Etienne Esmenjaud. By using low-impact and easy to handle materials, such as FSC wood and felt, she is able to laser-cut, pierce and assemble the resulting two-dimensional shapes into three-dimensional functional objects that provide plenty of light. Her Bud Lampshades (seen above) are made from six easy to join panels that also fold flat for easy portability.
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A very clever way of making plywood bend: A whole lot of cuts.
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