GadgetMETER - Meet The Coolest Trends » Green Technology

Philadelphia Apple Store Grand Opening on Walnut Street Friday, July 30

Quang Ly — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:05:48 +0000

After years of rumors, Apple will finally open an Apple Store in Philadelphia on Walnut Street! I walk by here almost every day. It’s amazing how Apple can keep its store openings and product releases so secret.

Apple will hold the grand opening celebration for Apple Store Walnut Street in Philadelphia on Friday, July 30, 2010 at 5pm ED

Address: Apple Store Walnut Street
1607 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103

The Apple Store Walnut Street is the best place to learn about all the latest products from Apple, including the new iPhone 4 featuring FaceTime, which makes the dream of video calling a reality, and Apple’s stunning new Retina display, the highest resolution display ever built into a phone. Customers can experience Apple’s entire product line hands-on including the magical new iPad that lets users browse the web, read and send email, enjoy and share photos, watch videos, listen to music, play games, read ebooks and much more. Visitors to the store can also try the updated MacBook and MacBook Pro with the NVIDIA processor for up to 80 percent faster graphics, and the incredibly popular iPod touch with access to more than 225,000 apps offered on the revolutionary App Store.

Every Apple Retail Store offers a range of free services designed to help customers get the most out of their Apple products, including face-to-face support and advice at the Genius Bar, hands-on workshops and special programs for kids. Customers who buy a Mac®at the Apple Retail Store or Apple’s Online Store can also join the popular One to One program. For just $99, owners of a new Mac get Personal Setup to customize their computer and transfer files from their old Mac or PC, plus a year of Personal Training sessions and Personal Project support on a wide range of topics, from getting started on a Mac to advancing their digital photography or moviemaking skills.

UPDATE BY JAY: Here are some more pictures I took when the family and I stopped by after dinner on Friday night. As you can see, quite the mad press!

And the requisite panoramic view!

Beautiful wind powered lighting

Sarah — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 12:40:35 +0000

Sometimes I fantasize about living off the grid (how I’ll ever get by without my laptop really is a fantasy if you ask me)… but the dream is always shattered when I start thinking about practical things, like light. Where will my light come from after dark, because I’m not buying a year supply of candles or kerosene. Leave it up to the fine folks at Inhabitat.com to come up with the perfect answer.

Bamboo Flow Lights from Igendesign.

The bamboo flow lights are a self-sustaining public lighting solution that is based on the principle of vertical wind power plants. Not only are they beautiful but they can catch the wind from any directions. In addition it is made entirely from bamboo (an abundant, sustainable and renewable resource) and recyclable electronic components (LEDs, wires and dynamo).
Initially designed for the coastal areas in Columbia, where they can’t get connected to the grid, this design is about to be tested in several other places. So keep your eyes open as these could be popping up in a city near you.

Via Inhabitat.com

Corky, the sustainable kinetic mouse

Sarah — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 13:13:25 +0000

These days every small thing I can do to eliminate waste is of interest to me. One of the few things that really get on my nerves are batteries. Rechargeable are great, but they are still toxic. And E-waste is getting to be a bigger and bigger problem. So when I saw Adele Peters’ Corky mouse I got pretty excited.

It’s one of 18 finalists in this year’s Greener Gadgets Design Competition. The mouse uses kinetic energy to power it and is also made from 100% recycled plastic components and recycled and biodegradable cork. The Corky mouse uses piezoelectricity to generate energy every time you click, use the scroll wheel, or even move it around.

Plans for the mouse include regional sourcing and assembly, product take-back and recycling, and disassembly data will be easily accessible for recycling centers. So this mouse seems all around to be a more sustainable option. And cork feels nice, doesn’t it? Much nicer than plastic any day.

Go vote for it at Greener Gadgets Design Competition!

Via Inhabitat.com

Cool Screenshot – Happy New Year and Resolution!

Quang Ly — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:41:40 +0000

Captured at 1/1 11:11

Happy New Year to everyone from the folks at GadgetMETER. GadgetMETER is now officially 1 year old and I am proud of what we’ve accomplished in that time.

One of my New Years resolution consists of simplifying my online and offline lifestyle.

Get rid of junk in my house I haven’t used in years
Eat less or no meat.
Reduced the number of RSS subscriptions.
Deactivated my Facebook account. (I’ll talk more about this later).
Discovered http://mnmlist.com and http://minimalmac.com. These are two great websites if you feel you are too distracted with todays bombardment of information.
Run a 10k
Enrolled at UPenn for Graduate School.
De clutter my MacBook desktop and menu bar

Now, if you are wondering how this screenshot is appropriate for this post. Well, I just happen to look at my iPhone at exactly 1/1 11:11pm so I quickly captured it. The background is a picture of Monica Belluci on my jail broken iPhone. Pretty cool huh? It must be a sign because I see it as a way to reset our tech lifestyle and look back at what’s really important: family, friend (true friends, not the persons you don’t know on your Facebook), health, and the environment. Today, we have way too many distractions in our life that really clouds our judgetment on what’s really important. Let’s take time to get rid of online and offline baggage and welcome the New Year!

So I propose this New Years Challenge for you.

Go take a walk.
Meet with a friend for coffee.
Enough with Twitter already. It’s really just for celebrities!
Delete contacts on Facebook you don’t ever engage with. Heck, deactivate your Facebook account like I did!
Delete LinkedIn. Who really uses this anyway?
Stop texting while having lunch or dinner with someone. Enjoy the moment.
Volunteer at a community center or shelter.
Donate to a charity: time, money, clothes, food. It can be anything.
Read a long form book.
Go camping or hiking.
Call up a friend. No texting!

12 Things Xmas list, fin

Sarah — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:38:54 +0000

OK, my final post about Xmas gifts. These last two both have to do with time, and would be excellent gifts for anyone, regardless of weather they are into “being green”, like me, or not.

First, the Citizen “Eco-Drive” Solar Powered Watch.

This super stylish watch has a solar panel background that keeps the watch running for months at a time. It’s $131 with a quality name to back it up. I know they say this is a man’s watch, but it could be unisex, easy.

Via Inhabitat’s Green Gift Guide

Finally the Water Powered Clock by Green Stamp.

About $16 these clocks run off water, not batteries. So instead of tossing and buying batteries every year, just fill up the can.
I like the green one, btw.

Via Coolest Gadgets

12 things x-mas list, part 4

Sarah — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:00:50 +0000

This is post of unreasonable things that I know I will never get but just want to fantasize about having…

First, the Brammo Enertia Electric Motorcycle

So first things first, it’s 100% electric. All its components can be recycled, including the batteries. It has a range of about 42 miles and can reach up to 65mph. And the batteries can be charged in about 4 hours, with 2,000 recharges possible.
For more on the specifications, check the Brammo website.

An interesting point on this bike is that the production requires less than 10% of the material resources needed for an average car, and it is manufactured in the US so the transportation costs in getting it delivered are minimal.

Also, they just dropped the price from $11,995 to $7,995. And since it is 100% electric you can also qualify for a government rebate so the final cost will be $7,195.
I love it. It looks great and is perfect for my needs. Of the three items in this post, this is the most accessible.
Check out your local Best Buy to test drive one (weird, I know, but whatevs).

Via Inhabitat Green Holiday Gift Guide

Going a little deeper into fantasy land we have the BMW Vision, a diesel plug-in hybrid that gets 63 mpg.

It can go up to 31 miles on electric only, perfect for commuters, and has a total range of 431 miles on 6.6 gallons of diesel.
Unfortunately this is a concept car and only prototypes have been produced. But this is a beautiful car. I mean, it’s gorgeous, actually. I love it. And I bet it’s a dream to drive. Too bad I’ll never get to. Sigh!

Via dvice.com

And finally, the show stopper. A car so beautiful and so futuristic looking as to inspire me to think of it as a hovercraft with wheels, the e-Wolf e2 all electric car.

Inspired most notably by Lamborghini and Ferrari, this all electric sports car should be going into production in 2011. Yes, that’s right. They are actually making this one!
So, specs?
0-60mph in under 4 seconds.
Top speed of 155 mph.
Possible range of 187 miles per charge (getting very near the Tesla range of 200 miles).

Maybe someday I’ll be able to race this thing along the pyrenees mountains and pretend that I’m a Bond girl, being chased by supervillians that want to destroy the world for their own financial gains and my mission is to stop them by using super gadgets, kung fu, and killer sports cars.
Ok, probably not, but a girl can dream, can’t she?

via Boing Boing gadgets

12 things x-mas list, part 3

Sarah — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:00:45 +0000

I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this before, but I am a bit of a type A personality. I like things to be organized. But sometimes I get lazy about it so whenever I find something that aids in my quest to have an organized life I get super excited.
One of the things I don’t have very organized currently is my recycling station. It currently consists of one bin and one empty plastic kitty litter box (which itself is getting recycled).
I’d much rather have this:

The Mode Premium All-in-one Home Recycling center with mechanical compactor.
I believe there is a model without the can crusher. I almost never have aluminum cans to crush so I don’t need that. But the sleek design and separate compartments for different recyclables would be a smart addition to my apartment, and would look much much better than the makeshift bins I’m currently using (and take up less space).
And I like that you can get recyclable bin liners for it as well (for an extra $6.49).
The only question is if it is really worh the $250 price tag from Amazon.com.
It seems kinda pricey for the capacity to be honest. If it was $100 less I probably wouldn’t hesitate.

via Inhabitat Green Gift Guide

12 Things X-mas list, part deux

Sarah — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 13:00:08 +0000

Part 2 of my “12 Things That Would Be Really Cool To Have For Christmas” list relates to items found on the Inhabitat Green Gift Buyers guide.

First, the Macally ECOFAN Bamboo Laptop Stand with Fan from Amazon.com ($36.69).

I’m on my laptop a good portion of every day and yes, it does get hot, even with the Lap Desk I currently use. Not only is the bamboo laptop stand stylish, but it has a built in fan to keep my laptop cool.
Strangely the Pro version, which features three height adjustable levels, is actually cheaper. But I still haven’t found one I can comfortably put on my lap (my preferred modus operandi).

Keeping in the sustainable and stylish spirit of bamboo, next is the VerseAudio iPhone Bamboo Hard Case.

$39.99 from Vers Audio. It’s beautiful, practical, sustainable, and not too expensive. Except that I’d also have to get an iPhone for x-mas (hint hint). Excellent dual gift, imo.

Finally, if I do get said iPhone for x-mas, well then it would only make sense to get the first Apple-licensed iPhone solar charger to go along with it.

The Surge for iPhone, $70 from SolarArcadia. Two hours of direct solar exposure provides 30 minutes of talk time on a 3G network, or 60 minutes of talk time on a 2G network.
It also includes a USB port so you can charge or sync with your computer without taking it out of the case.
My preferred color is green, btw.

House Plant Air Purifier

Sarah — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:38:54 +0000

I’ve heard that the air inside our homes can be up to 5 to 10 times more noxious than the air on your average street corner. This would be due to the plethora of chemicals used in common household items (from your carpet to your cleaning products). I’ve not done any real research on this myself but what I do know is that when I have a few healthy house plants around my apartment just feels nicer and I seem to get more work done (more oxygen to the brain maybe??? Dunno).

Well some smart guys at le olde Harvard University named Mathieu Lehanneur and David Edwards have designed a new air purifier that harnesses the natural processes of plants to make your air more, well, pure.

It’s called the ANDREA. It houses an actual plant of your choosing and uses the plants natural processes to clean the surrounding air. Air comes through the vents in the top and is funneled through the leaves and roots of the plant. Particles are absorbed and converted and the clean oxygen is fanned out the vent in the back. Simple, yes?
Also, it looks cool. Like something that belongs on a space station.

What I’m not so clear on is how exactly this is better than just having some house plants. Especially at the $200 price tag. I mean, I got my house plants for free from a neighbor that was moving out and didn’t want to take his ficus along.
Also, it seems like it would attract a lot of dust. So just another thing in the house that needs to be cleaned regularly.
So yes, this is pretty cool, but I probably won’t be investing in one.

Via Popular Science Gadgets

Solar UFO

Sarah — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:30:05 +0000

I came across these interesting little guys a few weeks ago. Solar powered water purifiers being used in Osaka Japan to keep the canals clean, as well as the moat around Osaka castle.
Trust me, they need it.

These Solar UFOs have been built by Tokyo-based engineering group NTT Facilities. They pump fresh oxygen into the water and spray clean water out of a nozzle at the top of the craft. They can purify 2400 gallons of water each day.
And at night they are lit up with LEDs. Some people may think they’re an eyesore, but they are way better than brown smelly polluted water.

Via Dvice.com

New sources of plastic

Sarah — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:30:22 +0000

One of the things we (consumers) take for granted is how much plastic we use. We all know plastic is made from oil (at least I hope we all know that). So I was curious to know what people were doing to figure out what to do when there is no more oil, or at least when it’s so scarce that making plastics out of it becomes no longer an option.
In an attempt to be green I’ve been trying to eliminate a lot of plastics. I don’t buy water in plastic bottles. I got a Klean Kanteen and fill it up from a filter. I use glass jugs and a metal ice cube tray. I have reusable grocery bags and don’t put produce in plastic bags. But this all adds up to a very minimal savings in plastic use. Realistically there is no way to get away from plastic in this day and age.

Inhabitat.com recently had a few pieces on new plastic technology that I hope will really take off.

First, plastic made from plant glucose. Scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have discovered a way to convert glucose from plant cellulose into something called HMF (5-hydroxymethylfurfural), a basic building block for fuel and other petroleum-based chemicals. And they’ve done it in a way that doesn’t create unwanted byproducts.

Next, scientists at Genomatica Inc have developed strains of bacteria that are able to produce plastic without the use of oil or natural gas. The process uses little more than sugar and water to produce butanediol (BDO), which can be manufactured into everything from plastics and fibers to pharmaceuticals. And the best part is that they estimate that the energy-efficient process will cost less than the current hydrocarbon process within a YEAR!

Finally, and this is a little different than the above since the following process is about recycling plastic, not making it (but I wanted to figure out how to get all the plastic articles into one post!)… A company in DC called Environ claims it can turn plastic into an oil-like fuel for just $10/barrel and it can be blended with other components and used as either gasoline or diesel. What’s significant about this is that the company has come up with a process that results in a net GAIN of energy (82% of all material that goes in is transformed into fuel). Previous attempts at turning plastic into fuel have resulted in a net loss of energy.

Green auto trends…

Sarah — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:30:03 +0000

GadgetMETER is all about trends. Technological trends. Well everything right now is trending towards green. Energy, architecture, automobiles. My friends in architecture say everything is going green. There is no debate about it. The future is green.
And that is the message that the Frankfurt Auto Show is sending now too (not surprisingly the American presence at the show was minimal, sadly).
I’ll admit, I’m not super into cars. I don’t even own one (anymore). But I’m hyper-aware of the impact cars have directly and indirectly on my own life and everyone else’s life as well. So I was super excited to see such green innovation in the cars at the show.
Here are a few of my favorites:

Audi’s R8-based all-electric sports car boasts four electric motors — two on each axle — and a lithium-ion battery pack mounted behind the two-seat cabin for gravity and load distribution. It has an estimated combined-cycle driving range of 154 miles (248 km).
Currently just a concept but will hopefully be one of the ones that actually gets put into production.

The VW L1 turbodiesel hybrid claims 170 mpg or a 100 km on a little more than one liter (hence the name). It reportedly has rear-view TV cameras instead of mirrors, and a small 800cc engine that gets up to 99 mph (160 km/h) and 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in 14.3 seconds. It weighs only 840 lbs (380 kg) with a streamlined body that may offer the most aerodynamic and be the “most fuel-efficient automobile in the world.”
I love this one. I admit, I’m a V-dub fan.

And finally, the Roadster from Tesla. The first in production all electric sports car. I’ve fantasized about owning one of these since I heard about them a few years ago. This is the only all electric car at the show that is currently in production and it makes me break out in sweats every time I see it it’s so hot.

I’d be proud to own and drive any of these. Maybe, someday, I will.

Via Inhabitat and CNET

Glow in the dark bicycle

Sarah — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:30:29 +0000

I’ve been caught out after dark on my bike with no safety lights more times than I care to admit. Sometimes I just forget to bring them, sometimes I’m out later than anticipated. But if I had a bike that glowed like the new Teague Pulse, well, it might not be such a big deal.

It even has left and right turn signals built into the handlebars.
The bike’s turn signal operates like a motorcycle’s, with a kill switch on the left handle, illuminating LED turn lights on both the handlebar ends, and a taillight mounted on the seat tube.

The only downside, for me at least, is that it’s a fixed gear bike. Can’t ride around South Austin’s hilly terrain with no gears. But if they could put the glowy frame on my Marin Hybrid, well, that would be, like, totally awesome.
So far I haven’t found out how the frame glows, but it does look like, for now anyway, that this is still a concept bike.
If they make it with gears then I’m totally in.

Via Popular Science

Flow Kitchen shoots for no waste

Sarah — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:30:37 +0000

The flow kitchen is a concept designed to be a sustainable system where drying dishes helps water plants and composting food waste helps to fertilize them. It was designed by Oregon-based Studio Gorm, which has quite a few other interesting items I recommend checking out.

Drying dishes hanging from a vertical storage rack drip onto herbs and edible plants, which are grown in carefully positioned containers below. A double-walled terracotta container acts as a refrigerator, keeping the inside cool as water evaporates through the outer wall, while food scraps are broken down by worms in a composter and the resulting fertilizer is used in the herb boxes to grow more food.

This particular design may not be suitable for most indoor home kitchens, but it’s a good start. And it’s perfect for an outdoor kitchen, much like the one at Punta Mona, a sustainable living retreat I stayed at in Costa Rica several years ago.

Not too many people have outdoor kitchens though, so I can only hope that the Flow Kitchen is used as inspiration to create similar, more practical sustainable indoor flow kitchens that could realistically be built into just about any home.
I already know someone here in Austin who is using their kitchen runoff to water their outdoor garden. All you need to do is use biodegradable soaps and pipe the water where you want it to go (i.e. to the garden), and viola, no more wasting water and you have healthy green plants.

Via Inhabitat.com

Coolest bike EVER

Jay — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:00:32 +0000

The YikeBike is a concept. But this is the coolest bike I’ve ever seen.

Yes, you may look like a tool while sitting on it.

But check out the video of how you ride it.

Too fun for words.

via Coolest Gadgets

Solar bags by Noon Solar

Sarah — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:05:44 +0000

I almost hate to interrupt the steady stream of Google/AT&T/Apple related topics that have been dominating GadgetMeter these last few weeks (kudos to you, Quang Ly, for fighting the good fight!) but sometimes a break is a good thing.
I’m heading out of the realm of “Serious Corporate Land” into “Eco Friendly Accessories World”.
So, I’m the kind of person that rides my bike most places. I’m also the kind of person who is rarely without my phone and ipod (I’m too scared to take my laptop on my bike because I know the minute I do something bad will happen). Anyway, the other day I was busy texting while laying out by Barton Springs Pool and my phone battery died! If only I had one of THESE:

I could have charged it up right then and there!
These new bags by Noon Solar integrate flexible solar panels into their design. They have several styles of both messenger bags and purses and they are made from either German leather or organic hemp or cotton.
The solar power is stored in a lithium-ion battery pack, weighing about 4oz, found inside the bag. Because the solar power is stored inside a battery pack, cell phones and iPods can be charged day or night.

From their website: Noon Solar bags are made from biodegradable materials so that the bags can skip the landfill and go directly into your backyard without hurting the earth. The bags are safe and non-toxic, and most of the materials will actually nourish the earth if buried. The other materials such as the solar panel and hardware can be removed and recycled or reused.

And after reading their design philosophy I’m about ready to drop the several hundred dollars required to purchase one of their bags.
This is a company whose products AND philosophy I am ready to support. And that in and of itself is a rare thing these days.

VIa Inhabitat.com

Inhabitat.com

Sarah — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:34:32 +0000

Last week I discovered inhabitat.com while researching the floating apartment complex and it has quickly become one of my favorite sites. It indulges in two of the things I am most passionate about: sustainable living and innovative design.
I want to share three of my favorite things that I have so far discovered and that are accessible to the average consumer, not just a mere curiosity or cool concept.

The first are the stackable fridge units. They remind me a bit of my Tetris playing youth.

There are a number of reasons why these are awesome.
First, you can buy just the space you need. Perfect for college dorms or single people living in efficiencies (Japan, I’m looking at you… mostly).
Second, If you have roommates you can separate your stuff more easily and hopefully avoid the inevitable who-ate-what arguments.
Third, these fridges also conserve energy. Instead of opening one giant fridge and letting all the cold air out, you only open one section, letting a little cold air out at a time.
Finally, each unit can be set to it’s own temperature. So chill your wine in one fridge and keep your fruits and veggies in another fridge that maybe isn’t quite so cold. The back of my current fridge gets so cold that if I’m not paying attention, the 4 eggs in the back of the package will freeze. Ever try scrambling frozen eggs? The texture isn’t quite there, you know?

via Inhabitat.com

Next on my list are the cassette tape lamps.

I wish I had thought of this before I dumped all my cassette tapes (this was years ago before I was conscious enough to try and do something else with them).
These lamps are very cool and would be even cooler with my collection of New Wave and Punk Rock tapes. Sadly those tapes are gone but I can still order one made with someone else’s recycled tapes. But if YOU have any tapes you can send them in and have a lamp made just for you! The light patterns on the walls are particularly gorgeous, especially when there is a stack of them.

Via Inhabitat.com

Last but not least are the pieces of living furniture. There are several designs, some for indoor, some for outdoor.

This particular one doesn’t seem super comfy, but it certainly looks cool.

However, my favorite is the lawn chair.

It’s a chair landscaped into your lawn. As soon as I get a lawn, I’m making one of these (or several, probably). I may even make a table to go with it, all overgrown with grass. Then I’ll invite over Alice and the Mad Hatter (aka: Johnny Depp) and we’ll have the trippiest tea party there ever was!

Via Inhabitat.com

Floating apartment complex

Sarah — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:00:57 +0000

I’ve finally discovered where I would live if money and language were no object!
It’s called The Citadel, and it’s going to be somewhere in the Netherlands (Surely Dutch isn’t that hard to learn).

The Citadel is the world’s first floating apartment complex, designed by architect Koen Olthius of Waterstudio. And it will use 25% less energy than than a conventional building on land by using unique water cooling techniques.
The project will be built on a polder, a recessed area below sea level where flood waters settle from heavy rains.
There will be 60 luxury apartments in the complex, a car park, a floating road to access it, boat docks and greenhouses.
Apparently this is just the beginning of the proposed development. If all goes well there are to be several more buildings to surround this one.

Via The Guardian UK and Inhabit

Check out an interview with architect Koen Olthius.

No related posts.

Solar plane prototype

Sarah — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:04:13 +0000

Last month the prototype of a new solar-powered aircraft was unveiled at a Swiss airfield by it’s future pilots and promoters Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg.

It’s called the Solar Impulse HB-SIA and is designed to fly both day and night without the need for fuel. It should begin test flights by the end of the year.
There have been two other notable solar planes designed and tested in the last decade, Qinetiq’s Zephyr and NASA’s Helios.

The former is specifically an unmanned aircraft and the latter unfortunately went down in the Pacific after a structural failure.

The goal of the Solar Impulse is the prove the business viability and profitability of renewable energy.
“If an aircraft is able to fly day and night without fuel, propelled solely by solar energy, let no one come and claim that is impossible to do the same thing for motor vehicles, heating and air conditioning systems ,and computers,” Piccard said.

After this year’s test flight, a night flight is scheduled for 2010 to test the plane’s ability to stay in the air for 36 hours without the need for fuel.
In 2012 the team plans to fly the next generation Solar Impulse around the world in a 5 leg trip over six days.

I have to say I’m very impressed and excited about these tests. Hopefully we’ll be seeing more solar energy integrated into aeronautics in the near future since the emissions from airplanes is a major source of carbon in the atmosphere.

Via CNET.com

New solar roof tiles

Sarah — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:03:59 +0000

Living in Austin I tend to see more than your average amount of solar panels. Not only do we get a lot of sunshine here (and I mean A LOT), but people here are really into getting their energy in an ecologically friendly way. I know solar energy isn’t quite there yet (by “there” I mean “sustainable” and “affordable” to the average person), but I try to pay attention to the advances so one day, when I’ve finally achieved the “dream” of home ownership, I’ll have a good idea of how to make my own house close to the ideal zero carbon foot print.
And the other day I found this:

A company called SRS Energy has partnered with US Tile, a leading manufacturer of Spanish, slate and shake roof tiles, to design solar panels with the exact shapes of their clay counterparts.
The idea is that more people will likely integrate solar paneling into their roofs if it is more aesthetically appealing. Good idea. Solar panels are kinda fugly, not that it ever bothered ME any. I’m more of a “greater good” kinda person.
But builders and designers obviously take aesthetics into consideration (especially when people are spending the kind of money you would have to spend on a house like the one in this photo) and I think this is an excellent practical solution. And I have to say I think it looks pretty damn good. Hopefully we don’t all have to own million dollar homes in order to get solar tiles. But I guess they have to start somewhere.

The US Tile’s Solé Power Tile system will begin to be installed in homes this November by contractors that have taken the company’s Solé certification class.
The current incarnation of these tiles are said to be able to convert 8-10% of the sun’s energy into electricity. That’s a little behind the 20% that traditional solar panels are capable of, unfortunately, but a representative from SRS energy claims the overall efficiency of the system makes up for the difference. I hope that is true.

I yearn for the day that photovotaic cells can outproduce the amount of energy it takes to make and ship them, and do it at an affordable price in a reasonable amount of time. Hopefully this initiative will help achieve that goal. It’s definitely a step.

Via CNET.com

Solar camping!

Sarah — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:00:28 +0000

How often do you go camping just to find yourself messing with inadequate battery or gas powered lamps? Or the inability to charge your cell phone (I know I know, you camp to get AWAY from people, but sometimes you just need your phone)?
Well I found a few green (or semi-green at least) camping solutions while prowling the internet the other day… all of them having to do with solar powered tents!
First the Woods Solar Powered EZ-Tent:

The tent itself is OK (though materials still consist of PVC which is less than desirable when trying to go green). Essentially there is a solar panel that powers the set of internal integrated LED lights. The solar energy can also be used to charge batteries. It takes 4-6 hours of direct light (or 6-8 hours of indirect) to yield 2-4 hours tent light. The tent comes in 4 and 6 person versions and run $180 to $220 respectively.
via: treehugger.com

Second is the much cooler Recharge Pod built by Orange in the UK and created for last years Glastonbury Music festival.

The tent has 500-watt solar panels and a 500-watt wind turbine to generate electricity so patrons can charge their phones while at the festival. Great idea, but would be cool to make a personal use production model.
via: engadget.com

Finally, the coolest of the three by far, and the one I’m just salivating to get my hands on even though it is still in concept mode…

Again created by Orange, this time in conjunction with Kaleidoscope, and unveiled at this years Glastonbury Music Festival, this solar tent not only looks comfortable and functional, it has really been taken to the next level. It uses the new flexible photovoltaics that have recently been developed and will be covered in semi-photovoltaic fabric woven with both coated solar threads and conventional threads to form a solar shell that could be adjusted to get the most sun throughout the day. The Solar enegery would be channeled into four main power uses: heating, lighting, communications and recharging.

One of the unique features includes a wireless charging pouch. Instead of plugging in, you would drop your phone or other portable device into a pouch inside the tent. A coil in the pouch would carry an electric current that generates a magnetic field to produce a charge which would then serve to power the device’s battery.

Some of the captured solar energy could also be channeled toward radiant floor heating as well. This is exciting news! I can’t tell you how many times I wake up freezing in the middle of the night while camping, no matter how good my sleeping bag is.

But the most innovative part is the “Glo-cation” technology. When you are trying to find your tent you can send an SMS message or use an RFID tag. Basically press a button and your tent lights up in response, like using your wireless remote to find your car in a parking lot by listening for the horn.

The concept tent also has the ability to broadcast a Wi-Fi signal, though whether or not it acts as a router or just a booster is unclear.
If this ever goes into production (and I hope it will) it will be on my must have list for Burning Man.

via CNET

Chocolate Powered Race Car

Sarah — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:30:41 +0000

Another advance has been made in the world of sustainable technology. This time it has to do with race cars. Researchers at the University of Warwick recently unveiled the “WorldFirst Formula 3 racing car”.

Dr Kerry Kirwan from the research team:
“Components made from plants form the mainstay of the car’s make up, including a race specification steering wheel derived from carrots and other root vegetables, a flax fibre and soybean oil foam racing seat, a woven flax fibre bib, plant oil based lubricants and a biodiesel engine configured to run on fuel derived from waste chocolate and vegetable oil. It also incorporates a radiator coated in a ground-breaking emission destroying catalyst.”
In fact the car meets all the Formula 3 racing standards except for it’s biodiesel engine. For some reason Formula 3 cars can’t use biodiesel, but I suspect that rule will have to be changed in the near future. I can think of few things more wasteful of fuel than car racing. And apparently in the current environment the viability of motor racing is being questioned.

This technology may likely save it. Apparently the WorldFirst car is capable of competing with the current Forumula 3 cars.

Dr Steve Maggs from the research team:  “As original equipment manufacturers focus on decreasing engine emissions, to meet future CO2, the WorldFirst project proves that if you are going to wholeheartedly embrace the ‘green is great’ ethos you have to broaden your vision and have a strategy that stretches throughout the chain from the raw materials to the final disposal of the car. The project clearly demonstrates that automotive environmentalism can and should be about the whole package.”

Here’s hoping this is the first step in realizing a greener motor racing future.

via Warwick News and Events
See the video on iTunes here

The Tech Waste problem

Sarah — Thu, 28 May 2009 08:30:39 +0000

I was recently unpacking my plethora of boxes that have been in storage for the last year. About four of them contained nothing but empty CD jewel cases. Since I have no idea where I can possibly store them these days I decided to do a bit of research to see how I could ecologically dispose of them. After all I don’t want 30 lbs of plastic ending up in the already massive Great Pacific Garbage Patch that has been developing in the pacific for the last several decades.

To my dismay I found no place locally that could (or would?) recycle these things, not even in my very ecologically aware city.
What I did find was GreenDisk.

GreenDisk allows you to ship your tech waste to them and they will not only destroy sensitive data (as on CDs, DVDs, and hard drives) but will dispose of your tech waste in an ecologically friendly way (i.e. recycling).
You do have to pay them, but the fee is nominal. For up to 20 lbs of waste (including disks, DVDs, jewel cases, printer cartridges, cables, iPods, digital cameras, cell phones, etc) it is only $6.95 plus shipping. Since mine was all media the shipping of a 28 lb box was about $13 using the US Postal Service.
So $20 total and my conscience is clear.
For amounts over 30 lbs they have a different pricing system as well as special rates for large tech wasters (e.g. companies). They also take all forms of computers and computer related items like scanners and printers.
So yeah, if you can’t find local places to recycle your tech waste (because local is always better if you can get it), then please, for the love of all that’s green, go to these guys:-)

Contech Electronics Scarecrow Motion-Activated Sprinkler

Quang Ly — Wed, 27 May 2009 07:30:22 +0000

My parents now have a beautiful flower garden. At our old house, we had a problem with moles and badgers eating all the fruits of their labor. I never understood how scarecrows worked for farmers since they are pretty static. When was the last time you were frighten by a scarecrow that wasn’t in the Dark Knight?

Contech Electronics Scarecrow Motion-Activated Sprinkler In Action

The Contech Electronics Scarecrow Motion-Activated Sprinkler immediately shoots startling burst of water when it detects intruders coming onto your lawn. The noise and movement of the Scarecrow scares away animals which then are conditioned to avoid your yard in the future.

Contech Electronics Scarecrow Motion-Activated Sprinkler

The Scarecrow is really easy to setup and does not require any special tools. Just install a standard 9-volt battery, connect the sprinkler to your water hose and pusht he 17-inch stake into the ground. You can also adjust the sprinkler arc to cover the area you want to protect.

What’s also great is that you can keep animals off your lawn without harsh chemicals that pollute the environment. This is even safe for neighbor’s kids who like to test their boundaries. It is safe and environmentally-friendly.

Contech Electronics CRO101 Scarecrow Motion-Activated Sprinkler

Recycle your stuff with iRecycle

Jay — Sat, 23 May 2009 15:21:41 +0000

You never know what you’re going to find when you browse the iTunes App Store. Since my partner is an ecoblogger, I like to keep an eye out for earth-friendly stuff for her to write about. Well lo and behold, I found iRecycle (link to iTunes store) by a company called Earth911.com.

This handy dandy little app lets you enter what it is you’re trying to recycle and a location. By default it uses your GPS-determined location unless you enter something else.

It then gives you a list of the closest places that will accept your item. Pick a place to get a phone number, link to their web site (if available), an address, what they’ll accept, and where the site is near.

The great thing about this app is that its information can be centrally updated so you don’t have to rely on the local phone books. They also categorize each drop-off site for you, saving you the hassle of trying to get to a recycling center only to find out they won’t take what you dragged over. Eco-friendly and convenient. What more could you ask for?

Clear sink trap makes plumbing easy

Jay — Sat, 23 May 2009 02:27:56 +0000

I hate plumbing. I’ve had more than my fair share of things falling into the sink, never to be seen again (or found after a hefty service fee to the local extortionist known as the plumber). So when I saw this, I had to have it.

This is the PermaFlow self-cleaning drain. It’s a replacement for your sink’s P-trap (the part that keeps your sewer stuffs from coming back up into your sink). This baby is genius.

First of all, it’s clear so you can SEE where the damn clog is. Almost everything that gets caught in the pipes is caught at the p-trap cause of the bend.

Second, the dial allows you to clear obstructions in the trap with a simple turn. No more calling Mr. Roto-extortionist-Rooter to spend five minutes clearing a trap that had a particularly big wad of hair in it – you can just dial that mass down the pipes yourself.

And because you can see and clear obstructions easily and quickly, you don’t have to buy drain-cleaning chemicals that are incredibly bad for the environment.

Saves money, saves the planet, and makes life easier. What more could you ask for?

via core77

Kindle For Textbooks

Sarah — Tue, 05 May 2009 23:02:32 +0000

Most people I know, when I mention the new Kindle, are like “yeah, that’s cool but whatever.” I suspect that is because they don’t read nearly as much as I do. Seriously, I’m running out of space for my ever growing book collection and can’t wait to get a Kindle of my own.

Kindle 2: Amazon's New Wireless Reading Device

This fall Amazon is going to be testing a new version of it’s Kindle on 6 university campuses. No word on how much digital textbooks could potentially cost, but if I were a student I’d be jumping up and down with glee for the simple fact that I wouldn’t be toting around 50 pounds of books in my ratty punk rock Jansport anymore.

Some have commented that this would take a bite out of the thriving used book market. It’s been about 8 years since I sold my last text book. I bought it for $150 and sold it for $5. If the digital versions are cheaper than the paper ones (which logically they should be), I think most people would give up the hassle of text book selling. And the trees… could somebody please think about the trees!?!?

Kindle 2: Amazon’s New Wireless Reading Device (Latest Generation)

Via WSJ Kindle For Textbooks

EnviroBank Pays You For Recycling

Quang Ly — Tue, 05 May 2009 13:30:05 +0000

EnviroBank Pays You For Recycling

I love the process of recycling. I love how it helps reuse our Earth’s limited resources and saves landfill from unecessary waste. Now, what I also love is getting paid to recycle thanks to EnviroBank.

You simply drop your recycles in the vending machine and it gives you cash back for your nice gestures to Mother Nature. They are now called reverse vending machines and take aluminum cans, PET, HDPE, PVC recyclable materials. Envirobank also takes brown, clear, and green glass. They can hold up to 3,000 containers.

Currently, it is only in Australia as a trial run but we expect to to catch on rather quickly. Heck, why not have them right next to typical vending machines.

Via Coolest Gadgets

Black and Decker TLD100 Energy Series Thermal Leak Detector

Quang Ly — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:39:41 +0000

The Black & Decker’s Thermal Leak Detector helps you find energy leaks in your home like in window edges an doors. Once you find the leak, you can seal it up saving you up to 20% off heating and cooling energy costs giving you your return on investment.

Black and Decker TLD100 Energy Series Thermal Leak Detector

You simply shine the light on your wall and set the reference temperature. When you move the light around your house, the light will change to red or blue indicating a hot or cold leak when the temperature deviates from the reference.

Black and Decker TLD100 Energy Series Thermal Leak Detector

It is definitely worth the investment.

Product Details

Uses infrared sensors to measure surface temperatures
Helps homeowners track down power-draining drafts
Sold with a 5 step guide to fixing basic energy leaks comes with the thermal leak detector, offering guidance on everything from caulking to weatherproofing windows and doors
Plugging leaks can save up to 20-Percent on heating and cooling costs!
2 Year warranty

Via Gadget Grid

Hot Pot Portable Solar Cooker

Quang Ly — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:55:15 +0000

Hot Pot Portable Solar Cooker

One of the things I love about the warm season is spending time outdoors like hiking. With the Hot Pot Portable Solar Cooker you can achieve cooking temperatures for stew or baked goods within just an hour in the full sun. The oven can reach temperatures up to 350-400 degrees and comes with a 5.3 quart enameled steel pot utilizing the solar power of the Sun.

What’s also great is that when you purchase a Hot Pot, you also help subsidize the distribution of this device in developing countries to reduce deforestation and respiratory disease caused by traditional cooking methods.

Hot Pot Simple Solar Cooker with 5.3 quart Enameled Steel Pot

Product Features

Can reach temperatures up to 350-400 degrees
Comes with a 5.3 quart enameled steel pot
The aluminum reflector sides fold down for easy storage
Low-cost, high-performance solar oven
15½” x 15½” x 10½”; ship weight is 19 lbs.

Via Gadget Grid

Solar Insect Zappers

Quang Ly — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:13:05 +0000

Solar Insect Zapper

I am excited about the Summer coming soon. What I am not looking forward to are the pesky mosquitoes always hanging around my lights.

Now there is an easy way to zap them without dampening my electric bill. Mosquitoes, meet the Solar Insect Zapper.

It comes with four solar insect lights that stake into the ground on your yard and harvests the sun’s energy to efficiently deliver 100 varieties of flying insects to their maker.

The UV bulb turns on automatically at dusk and attracts mosquitoes, flies, and other insects and instantly eliminates them with a 300-volt electric charge for up to eight hours on full charge.

The Solar Insect Zapper has a grate surrounding it protecting children and pets. It is made from 100% stainless steel and resists the sun and rain.

It can also easily switch to accent lights with a touch of a button

Solar Insect Zapper $99.95

EcoDrain Reduce Water Heater Use by 40%

Quang Ly — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 17:25:31 +0000

EcoDrain

We are tapping all sorts of alternative energy resources as we move towards a Greener environment. Taking a warm shower feels wonderful. But making use of that warm waste water is now applicable. Meet the EcoDrain.

The EcoDrain captures the heat from the water drain and transfers it to cold incoming water. This simple heat exchange can save water heater usage by 40%.

EcoDrain Diagram

The EcoDrain is designed by Chief Engineer Marc Hoffman. There are challenges in getting building codes to approve this. We suspect eventually, new homes will integrate this. Older homes will probably not be cost effective enough unless there is a less intrusive way to install.

Via Inhabitat

The ASUS U6V-B1-Bamboo EcoBook Laptop

Quang Ly — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:52:24 +0000

The ASUS U6V-B1-Bamboo EcoBook Laptop

This EcoBook was launched by Asus Korea built with bamboo. We do love the way it looks and it provides a feeling of Zen. Bamboo is an environmentally friendly plant that grows rather quickly and is very strong but flexible as well.

Specifications

powered by a Intel® Core™2 Duo T9400 (2.53 GHz)
4096MB (2048×2) of RAM
NVIDIA® GeForce® 9300M GS with 256MB of dedicated graphics memory
320GB (4200rpm)+TPM HDD
DVD Super Multi or Blu-ray drive
12.1″ WXGA (1280×800, Colour-Shine, LED backlight)
Intel® WiFi Link 5100 (AGN)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium

ASUS U6V-B1-Bamboo 12.1-Inch Laptop (2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T9400 Processor, 256 MB VRAM, 320 GB Hard Drive, Vista Business)

Via Gadget Grid

Flower Power comes to solar energy

Jay — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:13:23 +0000

Those Stanford kids – they’re so smart you just wanna beat them. Well add two more to the whuppin’ pile. For those of you who’ve longed for solar power to improve your green cred but lacked the cash necessary to make that dream real, Capra J’neva and Emilie Fetscher have a product for you.

Those petals are solar panels. They’re designed to be attached to gutters or balconies or just hang out outside your window. They come in different sizes and can be chained together to increase output. They generate DC power, which is then turned into AC power by an inverter. That AC power can be plugged directly into the electrical grid.

The company those two bright (ha ha, I made a pun!) guys created is called Veranda Solar and they received 100,000 euros to make those petals a reality. They’re hoping to price them at around $600 per unit.

via

Zodiaq Quartz Surfacing

halo — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 12:06:37 +0000

Zodiaq Quartz Surfacing - Terra Collection

Thinking of taking advantage of low pricing in the remodeling market? Want to remodel your kitchen or bath, but aren’t sure how to do it in a “green” way? A good place to start is with Dupont’s Zodiaq Quartz Terra Collection Surfacing. This countertop material is made from 93% natural quartz and with at least 50% pre-consumer recycled glass.

Zodiaq surfacing is low maintenance, extremely durable, and easily maintained. When properly cleaned it does not promote the growth of mold, mildew, or bacteria. Zodiaq is non-porous, which means it does not require resealing or rewaxing, and is scratch and heat resistant.

Use Zodiaq in a variety of places: Kitchens, baths, tables, backsplashes, window sills, tubs and showers.

Prices range from $50 – $125 a squre-foot installed and comes with a 10-year limited warranty.

Solar Rechargeable Batteries

Quang Ly — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:43:20 +0000

Solar Rechargeable Batteries

What do these SunCat batteries and Superman have in common? They both recharge their power from the sun. They are designed by inventor Knut Karlsen who had the ingenious idea to have batteries that charge themselves in the sun.

Via Gadget Grid

IKEA Lights Up the Night For Less

Nichole — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 12:30:12 +0000

Sure, it’s still March and the snow’s barely started to melt in some places, but you’re probably already thinking about spring cleaning. And once your brain gets started down that road, it’s easy to start anticipating balmy summer days. If you just can’t wait to get a start on your warm-weather decorating, IKEA’s introduced a line of solar-powered lighting options to prettify your patio or garden. The SOLIG series includes stake light chains (left, $19.99), uplight chains ($14.99), hanging lamps ($19.99) and lighting posts ($9.99). All SOLIG solar-powered products come with auto mode and an on-off switch. Even the SOLIG battery-operated lighting is greener than most; it uses LED technology, which is more energy-efficient and longer-lasting that traditional lighting.

Greenciles – 100% Recycled Pencils

halo — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 10:45:51 +0000

Greenciles - 100% Recycled Pencils

More and more scientific evidence is proving that conventional wood pencils are doing more harm to the environment than good. For a conventional pencil to become a reality, trees must be cut down, the wood harvested, then mixed and fired with clay powders. What a process for something as simple as a pencil!

Greenciles are revolutionary! They are made from 100% recycled paper. No wood or raw materials are used in the process of these environmentally friendly pencils. Paper from stationary, newsprint, or any other paper source is cleaned, reused, and wrapped around a graphite core.

These “green” pencils are standard no. 2 and completely recyclable; even the shavings can be recycled. Try doing that with an ordinary pencil. To finish them off, they are topped with a synthetic eraser for optimal erasing abilities.

Greenciles are available now at greenciles.com for just $29.99/10 boxes. That’s a total of 100 pencils!

Via Great Green Gadgets

The Biodegradable Grass Phone

halo — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 18:35:02 +0000

The Biodegradable Grass Phone

Two Year Life-Cycle

Too often the life of a cell phone is tied to the two-year contract provided by phone providers. When two years are up, the once innovative, phone is discarded for a newer, sleeker model.

Je-Hyun Kim’s grass phone concept carefully considers the life-cycle of a typical phone today. Made of grass and hay, this phone is made to recycle itself. Designed only to last the duration of it’s operative life-cycle, this biodegradable phone clumps apart for easy recycling. Once the grassy overlay has dissolved, the screen, keys, and other electronic parts can easily be recycled or integrated into a new phone. Hay may no longer be just for horses!

via Inhabitat

Power Hog – Green Energy Piggy Bank

halo — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 10:10:48 +0000

Power Hog - Green Energy Piggy Bank

This green piggy bank, dubbed the Power Hog, is designed to teach children about the cost of energy and conservation. The tail plugs into an electrical outlet, while any electronic device, such as a tv or computer, can be plugged into the pig’s nose. When children want to use this device, they deposit coins into the bank for 30 minutes of electricity.

The money sign on the side of the bank turns green when electricity is flowing and flashes red when it is running low.

The Power Hog is made of recycled materials and is marketed towards parents who wish to teach there children there is a cost for electricity. It’s also a creative way for parents to limit a child’s video game time. So let the fun, and the savings, begin.

via Greener Gadgets

A Real Solar Powered Flashlight

Quang Ly — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 12:17:24 +0000

Solar Powered Hybrid Flashlight

I never thought I would see this. I always thought it was one of those childhood jokes like screen doors on a submarine. Meet the Solar Hybrid Flashlight that is charged by solar panels with a built-in battery. The flashlight can be charged by the sun or indoor lighting. A 8 our charge can last 12 hours of use. The battery’s lifetime lasts over 3 years. It’s also waterproof up to 80 feet! Very nice build indeed.

HYBRID SOLAR POWERED FLASHLIGHT WITH EMERGENCY BATTERY BACKUP BLACK

Via Gadget Grid

Sunforce 80001 Solar Pest Repeller

Quang Ly — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:40:26 +0000

Sunforce 80001 Solar Pest Repeller

Spring and Summer is coming but so are the annoying pests that are causing problems in your soil. Meet the Sunforce 80001 Solar Pest Repeller. This gadget is earth friendly and won’t cause any pollution like other chemical treatments that find their way in our water. Better yet, it is solar powered and won’t add anything to your monthly electrical bill. Sunforce 80001 Solar Pest Repeller helps get rid of moles and other rodents through sonic vibrations that annoy the pests.

Product Features

Solar pest repeller keeps voles, gophers, or other rodents from invading your lawn or garden
Repels over a 6000 square foot range by emitting an intermittent combination of sound and vibration
Works day and night and runs on long-life Ni-Cad solar charged rechargeable batteries (included)
Safe for kids and pets
Made of durable ABS plastic and corrosion-proof aluminum

This would be a wonderful gift for your mom or dad that likes to garden. We used to have an issue with several moles in our old house years ago. I wish we had this at the time.

Sunforce 80001 Solar Pest Repeller

ParaJet SkyCar – Do you ever want to fly one of these?

Quang Ly — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 13:57:20 +0000

This is followup to our previous post on the ParaJet SkyCar. We now have a video. This is quite amazing and I’m really excited and passionate about this. The footage is one of the first flights of the Parajet Skycar. It also featues interview with the pilot Neil Laughton and creater Giles Cardozo.

**Footage Courtesy of Mentorn Media and Height and Hazard for Channel 4′s Daredevil series.**

www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7qg3lNsxmQ

Comment below if you want to give the SkyCar a try.

Recompute – Sustainably-Designed Cardboard Computer

halo — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 14:45:46 +0000

Recompute - Sustainably-Designed CardboardComputer

Say hello to the computer of the future! This is the Recompute, a sustainably-designed desktop computer. The Recompute is made of corrugated cardboard while most modern computers are made mostly of plastic and metals.

There are three major electronic components to the Recompute:

hard drive
power supply
motherboard with processor and memory.

Recompute - Sustainably-Designed Cardboard Computer

The Recompute is designed for users to take advantage of old hardware components. You can use your old monitors, keyboards, mice, and other hardware from your old computer by connecting them to one of eight USB ports.

And the Reconstitute is totally green! This computer is completely recyclable and renewable. It’s made to be disassembled without the use of tools, which makes it easy to recycle each electronic part separately. With green technology on the rise, this could be the future of computers around the world.

Via Inhabitat

Solar Powered Toothbrush

halo — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:55:33 +0000

Solar Powered Toothbrush - Soladey-JX3

Tired of spending your hard earned money on toothpaste? Imagine never having to buy a tube of toothpaste again. With the Soladey-JX3 solar powered toothbush, your dream may soon become a reality. The Soladey-JX3 is a Japanese prototype toothbrush that cleans, sanitizes, and fights plague on your teeth without the use of toothpaste. But how can that be possible you ask? It contains a solar panel at the base of the handle which transmits electrons through a titanium rod that sits at the brush tip underneath the bristles. The bristles combine with the moisture of your mouth which creates a chemical reaction that breaks down plague without using toothpaste.

This toothbrush is not quite a reality as it is still being tested. Dr. kunio Komiyama, of Japan, found that the Soladey-JX3 completely eliminates the two kinds of bacteria that cause plague in the mouth. A similar toothbrush was invented in 15 years ago in Japan, but did not contain the solar panel at the base of the toothbrush. The newer model is twice as powerful as the first model and only needs as much solar power as a calculator uses. And without the use of toothpaste, no toothpaste tubes will be thrown away and end up crowding our landfills.

Not quite grass between the toes but still…

Jay — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 20:44:34 +0000

I’ve become an eco-gadget nut. This is something I’d put in my bathroom (assuming one day I can actually afford to rip the thing down to the ground and rebuild it).

The moss grows in a medium that provides support for both it and you. The water dripping off you keeps it moisturized. Moss can survive the dark dankness that is your bathroom. And every shower you take would be a little reminder that the water you use comes from somewhere, and that even “waste” water is useful to something living somewhere.

It’s not available yet – it’s just an idea in someone’s head (check out the creator’s page at coroflot) but this is the sort of thing that SHOULD be made real. Versus, oh things like Windows Mobile 6, which should never have been created in the first place.

Generate Water from Air Using Solar Energy

Quang Ly — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 11:12:59 +0000

Ersa Water From Air Using Solar Energy

I must say this is one of the most amazing scientific break-throughs. Ersa generates water from the air using Solar Energy (30W solar module). This has so much implications especially for third world countries where clean water is hard to find. Scale it even bigger and we may never have famine again! Ersa also generates enough power to charge your cellphone and GPS devices. How perfect is that? We’ll keep you updated as soon as we hear more.

The Wovel

Nichole — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:07:16 +0000

The Wovel is deceptively simple. Sure, it may just look like a wheeled snow shovel (hence the name), but it’s a pretty ingenious contraption. The Wovel basically operates like a seesaw, using your own weight to lift the snow without putting extra strain on your body. No more breaking your back to clear your sidewalks in the winter, plus you get done in a third of the time. (You can see short movies of the Wovel in action, as well as the physics of how the Wovel operates, here.)

Maybe you’re wondering, Why not just use a snow blower? In addition to being ergonomic and heart-healthy, the Wovel eliminates both gas-powered emissions and noise pollution. It also eliminates the risk of finger injury or amputation, which happens more than you’d think when people try to clear a jammed snow blower.

The Wovel is regularly $119.95, now on sale for $77.97. You might want to get yourself one before the next snow storm hits.

The ChumAlong Solar Panel – Follows the Sun

Quang Ly — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 03:58:05 +0000

Chumalong Solar Panel

The ChumAlong Solar Panel is coming at a great time. As the weather is clearing up and sun is now shining, solar energy can be put to good renewable use. The Solar ChumAlong is not just any ordinary solar panel. It has features from the most advanced (and expensive) power stations but can also be suitable for your around the house gadgets. The neat feature the Solar ChumAlong has is the ability to follow the Sun as it moves along during the day. This is a great feature since you don’t have to move it every hour or so to attract the solar energy. This is 50% more efficient than stationary solar devices.

However, this advanced feature does add to the cost. This is due to the Micro-controller Technology that is required for automated positioning by using a gear axis shaft and optical sensors. The cost doesn’t stop there. You will also need to get extra 12vdc batteries since it doesn’t come with them at another 30 USD. On another the downside, it is a relatively weak solar panel generating 5 W only. The ChumAlong Solar Panel runs about 400 USD as a lightweight portable solar panel.

Solar ChumAlong has only one very strong feature to differentiate it from the other solar panels. Just like a sunflower, ChumAlong follows the sun as it moves along during the day. How important that is? Well, in a perfectly sunny day it can produce up to 50 percents more power than it would gather in static. Overall solar tracking system produces plus 30 percents to average figures. Making this possible made ChumAlong this expensive. Positioning requires a special Micro-controller Technology, worm gear axis shaft and optical sensors. And there we are, 400 USD for a portable solar panel. It is also easy to adjust and light to carry, but it has some drawbacks also. Solar ChumAlong is capable of producing 5 W only. And probably the worst thing is that the device doesn’t come with a battery which you will obviously need, hence add at least another 30 USD for 12vdc battery expenses.

It may still be a few more years until solar panels become more affordable for the average consumer and produce industrial strength power. However, if you have the money and REALLY love the sun and a gadget geek, this maybe for you.

Via Gadget Reviews

USBCell Rechargeable Battery

Quang Ly — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 13:43:02 +0000

This USB recharble battery falls into one of those “Why Didn’t I Think of That Category”. This is a rechargeable battery without need of a recharger. Instead, you simply plug it into your USB port and in a few hours, you have renewed power. Don’t you just love simple ideas like this?

USBCell Rechargeable Battery

You can plug the USB Rechargble Battery into any standard USB interface on your computer, laptop, or USB hub.

Product Features

Easy Charge from any USB Port – 90% recharged in 5 hours
NiMH 1.2v 1300mah AA battery
Easy recharge on the go, at home or in the office
Can be recharged hundreds of times – saving you money and helping reduce waste
Charges in : 5 hours

USBCELL AA Rechargable Battery – 2 Cell Pack – MXAA02

Via ThinkGeek