TED: Taylor Wilson: My radical plan for small nuclear fission reactors - Taylor Wilson (2013)
by: TEDTalks (video), 2013-04-30 15:01:22 UTC
Taylor Wilson was 14 when he built a nuclear fusion reactor in his parents' garage. Now 19, he returns to the TED stage to present a new take on an old topic: fission. Wilson, who has won backing to create a company to realize his vision, explains why he's so excited about his innovative design for small modular fission reactors -- and why it could be the next big step in solving the global energy crisis.

Goedzak ("good bag") designs a new approach to reuse
by: TreeHugger Design, 2013-04-30 08:00:00 UTC
Dutch design firm Waarmakers proposes a new take on an old trick, and gets us pondering the best options for stuff we no longer use.

Ecooking Vertical Kitchen by Massimo Facchinetti
by: mocoloco, 2013-04-29 15:59:54 UTC

Sustainable cooking with a tiny footprint appears in the form of feature-packed Ecooking Vertical Kitchen by Massimo Facchinetti, a columnar stack of appliances and furnishings: fridge, dishwasher, oven, induction oven, sink, seating for six, even an espresso machine and mini-wall garden for herbs.

Tom Donhou's 100MPH Singlespeed Bicycle, Plus More Than You Ever Cared to Know about Human-Powered Vehicles (in a Single Archive)
by: Core77, 2013-04-29 14:00:00 UTC

Images by Oli Woodman, IHPVA & Fred Rompelberg

Earlier this week, we picked up on Sam Pearce's Loopwheel, which was unveiled at last month's Bespoked Bristol show (generally regarded as UK's response to NAHBS), for which Pearce is currently seeking fundingvia Kickstarter. Tom Donhou's booth was another standout from the third edition of the show—thoroughly documented in a photo gallery on Bike Radar—specifically, his head-turning fixed-gear, built expressly for speed.

Photo by Oli Woodman

Indeed, Donhou is stepping up to the plate, so to speak, in an attempt to break 100 mph on a relatively standard diamond-frame bicycle. The disc that vaguely resembles a chrome pizza is, in fact, a 104-tooth chainring—roughly twice the size of the standard 53T big ring on most cranksets—custom fabricated by Royce. (Assuming the cog is somewhere in the 12–15ish range, Donhou's contraption is geared at an astronomical 200+ gear-inches; for reference, Wikipedia notes that "a gearing in gear inches the same as a person's height in inches is a comfortable gear for riding on the flat." In other words, the obscene gearing would be comfortable from someone no less than 16’8”.)

Image via the Telegraph

Donhou admits that he was somewhat chagrined by early press that misrepresented his machine as a contender for a world record, he set the record straight in Road.cc

I'm really into land speed record stuff, in the 60s when the guys were battling it out down on the salt flats almost doubling the speed limits in a couple of years, I love all that stuff. I know a bit about cars but I could never afford to take a car over there...

So I built this with the intention to feel it out, I don't know how fast it can go, that's my best guess as to what I can do. I built the bike how I thought it should look. No wind tunnels involved, it's all grassroots, it's done in that spirit of those guys in the 60s testing jet engines in their sheds. It's that spirit. We'll see if we can stay on it if we get up to 100mph. We've tested it up to 60mph.

Photo by Oli Woodman

Donhou is confident that he can break triple digits, though he acknowledges that the effort is something of an ad hoc endeavor: although my fellow cycling enthusiasts know that Columbus MAX tubes are among the best available, Donhou has been booking a decommissioned airstrip as weather allows; a modified Ford Zephyr serves as the pacecar. As he told the Telegraph, "What started as just a bit of fun started to get a lot more serious pretty quick and now we're gunning for 100mph. It's just been really DIY, there's not been a load of money put into this."

The dropped bars are also pretty intense, though these have been de rigueur for pursuit/TT bikes for decades. Photo by Oli Woodman

(more...)



Natural Dye Textiles from Grain
by: design milk, 2013-04-30 16:00:02 UTC

Grain has partnered with Guatemalan natural dye co-ops for a new textiles collection that will launch in New York at ICFF in May 2013. Although they’ve been working in Guatemala now for many years, the Grain duo of Chelsea Green and James Minola decided to rethink all their textile projects solely using unbleached or naturally dyed hand spun Guatemalan cotton.

After many experiments and learning, the collection features arious dyeing and weaving techniques, such as ikat and drop loop stitch created in collaboration with local Guatemalan artisans as well as artisans from Antigua. The new items include woven throw pillows, Turkish-style hand and bath towels, and cotton necklaces.

Jaspé Pillow (available in two sizes)

Laguna Pillow (available in two sizes)

Antigua Band Bath Towel

Antigua Stripe Bath Towel

Chi-Chi Natural Dye Necklaces

Unless otherwise noted, all photos courtesy of Grain.

Wimbledon up cycling Event Encourages Residents to Be More Eco-Friendly
by: Ecofriend, 2013-04-30 12:50:31 UTC

Upcycling Wimbledon is organised by the Transition Town Wimbledon (TTW) on the 20^th of April, 2013 at the hall of St Mark’s Church. This event also includes an Upcycling fair along with the Festival of Green ideas. The Upcycling event is an initiative to encourage the residents’ to become greener and environment loving, more eco-friendly. Organised by people how love nature and respect them, the ideas and the intention of this event is noble and pure. The great part about this event is that it is free of cost, it does not have an entry charge, while at the same time, and it is open for all, adults and children which makes quite a family affair.

  

What is Upcycling?

Upcycling is the procedure of altering ingredients in their original form to a new invention to utilise worn-out resources and generate less leftovers. For this initiative of Upcycling the organisers and head of the group are planning to work with more other volunteers and nature lovers interested in the cause. Since the initiative is so noble, the organisers and the head of the event feel that this is great way to salute those people who are never credited for their efforts save Mother Nature and this is a good time to award those unacknowledged stars. Their role cannot be undermined as far as saving the ecosystem is concerned, thus this event offers the best platform for this cause. The event is said to fun and people are really enjoying things as this what they are passionate about. Going green is the agenda and promoting no waste policy is the main agenda.

Inclusions of the Event

The Upcycling event is going to have a host of activities that include workshops on recipe ideas to use leftover food and kitchen wastes, activities that teach mending and sewing, advise on tips for growing food, clothes making from unwelcome fabrics and clothes, making cushion, quilts and other sorts of clothes form waste clothing, advise on how to look for free of cost utility items and also where to sell off and give away good to needy people in need of the same goods. They are also going to give advice on composting methods and ingredients. Your kids too will be thoroughly entertained as there are workshops for children where they are to be taught on how to make craft items form plant waste and material scraps.

Festival of Greens Included

This festival of greens is another event within the same event where sustainability prospects are to be offered.  This event is going to include craft workshops, recycling workshops, energy saving and tips workshops and expert speakers, craft groups with experience, and vegetable growing workshops. This also is open to all and is free of cost.

Thus, the event is for nature lovers. It is a great way to make your children and yourself get to know about the latest in the sustainability issues and practices used and being innovated continuously. It will be a fun day, an event with a great scope for entertainment for all. There will be enough to eat, learn, make merry with and enjoy with. Meet the experts and meet the people passionate about the cause, make likeminded friends and make a difference to all, you, your neighbours as well as Mother Nature while saving the planet! Spend the day at event to know how a small group of locals are putting their green ideas in place for greener ideas. Do take your children with you and open their young nurturing minds to a greener and better world.

cibicworkshop: bonzai OLED lamp for blackbody
by: Designboom - Weblog, 2013-04-28 11:55:04 UTC

made from hand-blown italian glass, the lamp uses OLED technology as its light source - combining sustainable production methods and artisan craftsmanship.

The post cibicworkshop: bonzai OLED lamp for blackbody appeared first on designboom.

Rennovia Develops Bio-Based Nylon
by: Environmental Leader, 2013-04-26 14:13:01 UTC
Rennovia says it has developed a process to make a bio-based nylon material that will cost 20 to 25 percent less to produce and halve greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional petroleum-derived chemicals. The company says it has demonstrated production of hexamethylenediamine (HMD) — a key chemical used to make nylon — from renewable feedstocks. [...]

Combine: An Eco-Chic Picnic Set from Bold_a design company
by: design milk, 2013-04-25 14:36:30 UTC

Bold_a design company launched a portable picnic set called Combine, which joins sustainable materials with a new concept for replacing the standard picnic basket.

The reusable table set brings fun and informality to on-the-go dining with its minimal design that basically houses everything you need all in one stackable unit. The kit features two large bowls, a divided bowl, a pot for sauces, along with plates, cups, and coasters for six people. All the components stack vertically and are transported in a heat-molded silicone bag.

Made with an eco-friendly bamboo multilaminate and a moldable composite of bamboo fibers and rice hulls, Combine comes in 11 bright colors for you to choose from.

Ford Chennai plant is the first in the world to use eco-friendly 3-wet paint technology
by: Ecofriend, 2013-04-24 15:06:36 UTC

The Brand

In the world of automotives, Ford has created a deep, spectacular and lasting impression. It has continuously been a buyers’ delight. Many opt for the cars of this brand for the best experience they have along with good times with the vehicles that equip them to maintain velocity at par with the fast life nowadays. Being a subsidiary of the Ford Motor Company, Ford India Private Limited is headquartered at Chengalpattu, Chennai in the southern state of Tamil Nadu.

In the company of something new

Ford Chennai plant is the first in the world to use eco-friendly 3-wet paint technology. Three layers of paints are applied consecutively before the previous layers are cured, and hence the name 3-wet process. Stand alone primer application is eradicated with this process. The primer, the base coat and finally the clear coat are the three layers which need to be applied before the previous layer is dried. What noteworthy here, however, is that no significant interference between the application takes place, leaving the blending fine in all aspects. The look it gives is highly prized for its uniqueness and the touch and feel is exceptionally smooth. Being wholly eco-buddy, it remains always worth preferring for the automobile owners who want it different. And better. In no way, the shades are compromised following this newer and more efficient way and therefore, the buyers don’t have to compromise for the quality. Instead, this that made the features more enhance and the motors more dependable. The cars have retained the age-old quality nurtured by the true Ford way.

Analysis of the figures

The company is reported to being increasing this unique technical capacity by 50 % with the onset of this year. The technology is also being made into use in its 4 plants more in 3 continents. Initially, the solid solvent based process was applied, particularly during 2007 and onwards. However, that was caustic to the environment being highly synthetic chemical based and toxic. In addition, it differed from the newer way as the layers were allowed to get fully dried before layering could be carried out any further. And during this stage, usage of diesel had remained a big challenge. Such paints are highly durable and are capable of passing any test of time and ruggedness with flying colors. In addition to that, they are scratch resistant and hence bring delight to the stakeholders-both sellers and the customers in all possible manners.

The prospective

The outcomes are very much favorable. As a result of implementation of this fresher and better technology, the carbon dioxide emission of the plant has been phenomenally reduced by 21 % which is a large percentage so far as cutting of CO2 emissions are concerned globally with respect to the other industries. Scientists and geologists have cited the possibility of containing the jeopardy of global warming at an exponentially higher pace, should other plants and industries carry out production the same way. They are also very much optimistic with respect of implementation of the painting process which promotes environmental ethics and which has the potential to render the planet much cooler and greener. The step has been highly welcomed and praised globally. Apart from this, the organization is expecting a tremendous rise in preference among the customers who love innovation and freshness who like to stay ahead and high in the high automotive purchase and possession race. The company is also expecting hikes in revenue and the subsequent profits this year. Currently being the 6^th largest in India after Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Tata, Mahindra and Chevrolet, it is estimated that it will be having a better stance in the market with the coming times and with global support for this eco-friendly earnest endeavor of it.