Rubbee TurnsRegular Bicycles into Electric Vehicles
by: Eco Geek Latest, 2013-07-25 08:35:59 UTC

Joining other developments in electric bike technology, a compact electric drive called Rubbee electrifies most regular bicycles in less than a minute. Cyclists looking for the occasional extra boost on the road can clamp the electric drive just below the seat (fitting tubes ranging from 22-35 mm), where its polyurethane cast friction wheel meets the bike’s back tire. A throttle, installed on the handlebars, stays on the bike with or without the drive. Pedaling is optional once Rubbee is switched on; its wheel turns the back tire, allowing the cyclist to travel for 15 miles and reach a top speed of 15 miles per hour without needing to pedal.

Its integrated battery pack ensures easy travel on level terrain or at an incline, and can be charged every day for 5 years without loosing range. Its integrated suppression system, enabled by a removable fixation pin, keeps a constant force on the tire. Rubbee can stay on the bike without touching the back tire with the pin put in place, useful for when Rubbee’s out of juice or when a cyclist would rather travel by pedal power alone.

The London-based company, currently seeking funds via Kickstarter, states that Rubbee gets its name for the way the friction wheel rubs the bicycle tire without significant wear. It weighs 14 lbs, which could take some getting used to for those keeping Rubbee installed while it's turned off, but only takes 2 hours to fully recharge, and includes an LED tail light for more visible travel at night. While it costs £699 (roughly $1073), for those who can afford it, a drive like this would give cyclists some help up those hills.

via: EarthTechling

image via Rubbee Ltd

Spanish designers transform recycled pallets into a rustic kitchen
by: Gizmag Emerging Technology Magazine, 2013-07-22 03:08:54 UTC

Spanish designers Alessandra Samson and Paco Serinelli from Anatomica Design have come up with a novel way to transform old wooden pallets into a rustic eco-kitchen. .. Continue Reading Spanish designers transform recycled pallets into a rustic kitchen

Section: Around The Home

Tags: DIY, Kitchen, Recycled, Wood

Related Articles:

• Designer offers instructions for DIY shipping pallet furniture
• Pop-Up Office re-invents the workplace with reclaimed pallets
• AME-LOT student housing is made entirely out of recycled pallets
• Everything AND the kitchen sink
• Forget the ice cream truck, this one makes wood fired pizzas!
• Oven that thinks it's a Refrigerator

Compleat Foodbag rethinks the traditional lunch box
by: Gizmag Emerging Technology Magazine, 2013-07-23 05:10:16 UTC

Norwegian company Unikia is looking to update the plain old lunch bag with its Compleat FoodBag, a reusable lunch box that keeps food fresh and protected in transit and rolls up compactly when the meal is over. .. Continue Reading Compleat Foodbag rethinks the traditional lunch box

Section: Good Thinking

Tags: Bags, Environmentally-friendly, Food, silicone

Related Articles:

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• Thai resort features tree pod dining
• Microwave-packing EatWave vending machine delivers cold food and hot

Summer in China
by: Behance Featured Projects, 2013-07-23 13:30:01 UTC

The 24 Solar Terms

Nature’s Fortune: The Case for Investing in Nature
by: Triple Pundit: People, Planet, Profit, 2013-07-16 09:06:00 UTC

In Nature’s Fortune, Mark R. Tercek, president and CEO of The Nature Conservancy, makes an impassioned case that business and environmental interests can and must align for everyone’s long-term benefit.

The post Nature’s Fortune: The Case for Investing in Nature appeared first on Triple Pundit: People, Planet, Profit.

Volvo’s Solar Panel Puts The Sexy In Station Wagon
by: fast company, 2013-07-23 19:30:00 UTC

The Italian launch of the Volvo V-60 Plug-in Hybrid called for something more visually exciting and unexpected than, well, the car. (It’s a station wagon, after all.) So the automaker turned to architecture to turn heads. The "Pure-Tension" pop-up pavilion put the sexy in--or at least around--station wagon.

Conceived by L.A.-based Synthesis Design + Architecture (Synthesis-DNA), the design was the winner of the Switch to Volvo competition, which solicited proposals from international architects and designers to create a stylish pop-up for the Italian introduction. The jury was dazzled by Pure-Tension, impressed by its compelling form as well as its daring-yet-practical reinvention of the solar panel--which will be used to power the car.

Read Full Story

100% Electric Cars Are Now Outselling Plug-in Hybrids in the US
by: Inhabitat , 2013-07-23 17:00:04 UTC

Photo via Shutterstock

Range anxiety isn’t holding back the electric car. Sales figures are in for the first half of 2013, and they show that 100% electric cars, buoyed by the Tesla Model S and Nissan Leaf, are outselling their plug-in hybrid counterparts in the US. It’s the first time that electric car sales have even come close to catching up with any kind of car with a gas engine, and it challenges the assumption that recharging time and range anxiety are preventing people from buying electric cars.

Read the rest of 100% Electric Cars Are Now Outselling Plug-in Hybrids in the US

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rubbee turns regular bicycles into electric-powered ones
by: Designboom - Weblog, 2013-07-23 15:04:26 UTC

the electric drive module has been designed to accommodate a range of bicycle sizes.

The post rubbee turns regular bicycles into electric-powered ones appeared first on designboom.

Wind Energy Produces Water, Halves Cost
by: Environmental Leader, 2013-07-23 12:15:01 UTC
US companies Associated Wind Developers and Water Management Group have developed a technology that they say can provide low-cost freshwater. Wind4Water partners wind turbines with water desalination plants to create a pre-engineered, modular facility that the companies say can be deployed around the world to address the global water shortage. The first project has been [...]

Nourishmat: Growing Your Own Food Just Got Super Easy
by: design milk, 2013-07-22 15:00:36 UTC

Do you love the idea of growing your own vegetables and herbs but are slightly intimidated by the idea? Well, I do and I am. Luckily things just got a whole lot less daunting thanks to Earth Starter and their incredibly easy method to getting your garden growing. The Nourishmat takes all the guesswork out of gardening by being an all-in-one, labeled system that you simply roll out, pop the seedballs in and get started.

See how it works:

The mat is sectioned out as to what plant goes where. The pre-cut holes are there so that you know exactly where to place the pre-planted seedballs. It even has a built-in irrigation system so you’ll never overwater again!

Nourishmat comes with 19 plant varieties in the form of 82 seed balls so you’ll have plenty of veggies. The easy to follow directions even come printed right on the mat so even the most garden-challeged person can get things going.

The mat is only 4′ x 6′ in size so it’s perfect for people with limited space, and limited time, of course.

Is your green thumb intrigued? Jump in on the action and secure your very own on Kickstarter.

They also have a 2′ x 6′ Herbmat that has room for 8 herb varieties with 32 seedballs included.