nendo: bamboo steel table for han gallery
by: Designboom - Weblog, 2012-05-22 14:15:00 UTC

taiwanese bamboo basket weaving techniques are translated into a stainless steel version of the craft, where thin slices of the metal are joined and woven into a furniture piece. 

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Better Place Opens Battery Swap Network
by: Environmental Leader, 2012-05-22 14:39:57 UTC
Better Place, the electric vehicle venture started by entrepreneur Shai Agassi, has opened its first publicly available battery switching stations, where drivers can swap out a discharged pack for a fully charged one in less time than it takes to fill up a conventional car with gasoline. The four Better Place battery stations are in central [...]

Enclosed Rooftop Wind Turbines from Australia
by: Eco Geek Latest, 2012-05-15 15:10:27 UTC

A new, small-scale wind turbine suitable for rooftop use is under development in Australia. The Windpod looks more like a cylindrical, vertical-axis wind turbine, than a 'pinwheel' horizontal-axis turbine, but is deployed on its side.

The Windpod G1 has a diameter of 450mm and a length of 2200mm (about 18 inches by 86.5 inches) and can produce up to 1 kilowatt of power. However, the cut-in wind speed seems to be around 4 meters/second (about 9 mph), and full power is not reached until a wind speed of 12.5 meters/second (nearly 28 mph). Locations with strongly directional prevailing winds would be suitable for this system, but with the high wind speeds necessary, it's unlikely this approach will replace other types of wind turbines.

We've seen other rooftop turbines that aim to use the slope of a residential roof as a wing to help drive more air through the turbine and increase its power output. The Windpod is also proposed for installation at the ridge of a sloped roof or at the roof or corner edge of a larger building, where increased wind effects are strongest. Unlike some other roof-edge turbines we've seen, the Windpod seems particularly well suited for this kind of application, although it's a fairly limited and specialized use.

Installed cost for the Windpod in Australia is estimated to be AU$7,000-7,500/kW (At current rates, the US and Australian dollar are almost on par with one another).

via: Treehugger

Beignet is a saucer shaped bathtub cum Jacuzzi that closes shut when not in use
by: The Design blog, 2012-05-22 12:14:16 UTC
Radhicka S Saxena:

Spiritual Mode was really thinking of far flung galaxies when it manufactured this saucer shaped bathtub called Beignet. The utilitarian piece has a smooth and fluid design that looks classy and clean-cut. The pair of space shuttle like steel encroachments at the sides are actually the faucets. You can take a dip or enjoy the downpour of a spray in here. Yup, the handy piece also has a shower facility. Also, you can unwind on a chilly day in the comforting hot tub or kick back with an icy drink during the summers.

Living up to the image of a flying saucer, this tub even has a lid that closes shut after use. This is one heck of a dandy add-on as it appends yet another useful feature to the savvy washbowl. Now, you can easily install the tub in open living spaces and forget about filth or grime flying into it. So, if you have a stylish open air pool or a sauna on a terrace, then this suave tub will fit right into the setting. Also, the washbowl won’t look a tad bit awkward in the open because it’s much more than a bathtub. Apart from a dip and shower, you can also enjoy a muggy Jacuzzi in here.

Also, you won’t think twice before inviting your sweetheart in with you. The thoughtful placement of the bubblers with a gap between successive circular bands ensures that two people can rest inside easily. The only hitch is that the tub has no sides and is also not designed to work with shower curtains. But, if you can tolerate a few splashes of water here and there and can get used to round basin styled tanks, then there is nothing that should bother you.

Via: Dornob/ Trendhunter

Pecha Kucha at Clerkenwell Design Week on Thursday 24 May
by: Dezeen, 2012-05-21 15:39:16 UTC

Clerkenwell Design Week 2012: Dezeen are media partners for the London series of Pecha Kucha talks, and the next one takes place on Thursday 24 May at Clerkenwell Design Week with speakers including architect Nigel Coates, architecture publisher Peter Murray and designer Benjamin Hubert.  (more…)

LAVA Designs Green Climate Fund Headquarters, Bonn
by: Sustainable Design News, 2012-05-21 12:18:56 UTC
The Federal Republic of Germany has selected the proposal of Laboratory for Visionary Architecture (LAVA) for the Green Climate Fund Headquarters, Bonn. LAVA's proposal for the headquarters is an 'ecological model project' and demonstrates their motto: 'green is the new black.'

The new building will feature innovative climate protection solutions like; facades that are are articulated according to building orientation, surfaces that integrate various regenerative energy production methods, and photo-voltaics & bioreactors that demonstrate the application of latest technologies.



Commission 'passive' on waste, Ecodesign enforcement (News)
by: Euractive, 2012-05-21 05:49:27 UTC

The European Commission needs to take the implementation of recycling and Ecodesign laws more seriously, said green campaigner and waste policy expert Stéphane Arditi.

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Gasoline-powered diesel-like engine could boost fuel economy by 50 percent
by: Gizmag Emerging Technology Magazine, 2012-05-21 03:53:02 UTC

With both gasoline and diesel engines having their own particular advantages and disadvantages, automotive component manufacturer Delphi is looking for a best-of-both-worlds solution with a gasoline-powered engine that uses diesel engine-like technology for increased fuel efficiency. According to MIT’s Technology Review, such an engine has the potential to increase the fuel economy of gasoline-powered cars by 50 percent and give hybrid vehicles a run for their money in the fuel economy stakes... Continue Reading Gasoline-powered diesel-like engine could boost fuel economy by 50 percent

Section: Automotive

Tags: Automotive, Diesel, Engine Technologies, Fuel efficiency, Gasoline, MIT

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Doughnut-shaped Pulpop MP3 speaker made from recycled pulp
by: Gizmag Emerging Technology Magazine, 2012-05-21 00:54:11 UTC

Unfortunately, when it comes to sharing digital music with friends, there aren't too many eco-friendly portable speaker options available for the discerning green consumer. When such things do make an appearance, they tend to be acoustic docks made from materials like bamboo (think iBamboo) that simply boost the source audio in a similar way to using an old-fashioned horn speaker, or otherwise get their power from renewable resources (as with the SoliCharger or Rukus, for instance). The Pulpop MP3 speaker designed by Balance Wu and Chin Yang takes a slight diversion from such norms. It's made from recycled paper pulp and uses of vibration speaker technology to amplify the source audio through the surface on which it stands and the hollow space inside the doughnut... Continue Reading Doughnut-shaped Pulpop MP3 speaker made from recycled pulp

Section: Mobile Technology

Tags: Digital music, Eco-friendly, Portable Audio, Speakers

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Model Citizens Creates a Hub for Emerging Green Creatives at NY Design Week
by: Inhabitat , 2012-05-20 17:18:32 UTC

Read the rest of Model Citizens Creates a Hub for Emerging Green Creatives at NY Design Week

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