Flow2 Kitchen Has Evaporative Cooling, Composting And Fresh Herbs
by: TreeHugger Design, 2011-01-21 20:19:38 UTC
Flow2 from Flow 2 on Vimeo.
A while back we admired the
Flow2 kitchen design by
Studio Gorm; it was a "living kitchen where nature and technology are integrated in a symbiotic relationship, processes flow into one another in a natural cycle, efficiently utilizing energy, waste, water and other natural resources."
Now I learn from Leo at
@zen_habits about this video, showing it in action. Nicely don...
Read the full story on TreeHugger
Nanostructured Magnets Could Replace Rare Earth Magnets
by: TreeHugger Science, 2011-01-20 19:00:49 UTC
Science to the Rescue
Rare earth elements, which are used to make all kinds of things, including wind turbines and hybrid/electric cars, have been in the news quite a bit lately. First China announced that it would
reduce exports (after cutting Japan's supply after a diplomatic spat), which probably helped speed up the
re-opening of a rare earths mine in California and Toyota's
Read the full story on TreeHugger
Ajiro concept velomobile is grown naturally on bamboo plants
by: Ecofriend, 2011-01-19 11:13:22 UTC
Jolly:
Eco Factor: Concept velomobile is grown using arborsculpture.
The Ajiro is the brainchild of designer Alexander Vittouris and has been designed as an urban personal mobility system that is grown naturally rather than being created in a manufacturing plant. The designer aims to grow the skeletal frame of this velomobile on bamboo plants using the technique of arborsculpture.
Using bamboo and its rapid growth rate, coupled with the structural integrity of bamboo, the vehicle becomes ideal for the formation of a unique urban personal mobility. Conventionally, the modification of wooden and bamboo materials is done post harvesting, by using energy intensive methods such as heat bending. However, in this proposal the skeletal structure of the vehicle is grown on the plant, using the energy derived from the plant’s natural processes.
The velomobile concept also helps in keeping the air clean as it derives all energy required for propulsion using human power. While the rear wheels of the vehicle act as the steering mechanism, the front wheels provide power input. The designer states that the Ajiro concept is all about rethinking the approach to both design and ecological sustainability of the products that are created, as similar approaches are required for a greener world.
Via: Design Awards
Future Perfect: Space-based solar power
by: Ecofriend, 2011-01-20 08:49:21 UTC
Indowaves:
What’s happening right now?
The world is in dire need of alternative source of energy. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the high carbon dioxide emissions are major contributing factor of global warming. The message on the wall is very clear - Let’s end the dependence on fossil fuels for our transportation system and other purposes. Mercifully, the emergence of Space solar power has provided us a ray of hope. Space solar power can solve our energy and greenhouse gas emissions problems. Not just help, not just take a step in the right direction, but solve.
The lovers of alternative source of energy would be happy to know that scientists across the globe are trying their level best to make Space solar power a commonplace terms in days to come. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Osaka University are working together to develop a device that could convert sunlight into laser light with four times the efficiency of any previous attempt.
Trends:
The idea to make use of space-based solar power was first brought to light in the late 1960’s by Peter Glaser, a technologist at Arthur D. Little in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Into the 1970s and 1980s, the challenges of Space Solar Power (SSP) were reviewed numerous times, NASA, the Department of Energy, other government, industry and private groups have given the concept the once-over. The path-breaking happening comes in form of approval of first space-based solar project by California. California’s biggest energy utility PG&E has announced that they would purchase 200MW of solar power that will be beamed from space by 2016. Adding a new chapter, Japan plans a $21 billion space-based solar farm for 1GW of power known as Mitsubishi’s PowerSat. PowerSat hopes to combine several recent developments, most of which serve to cut down on the weight of what’s put into orbit by making use of CIGS-based cells - Copper, Indium, Gallium and Selenium - on a titanium or aluminum substrate.
Interestingly, a project that envisages joint role of India and United States has also come in existence. It envisages the establishment of solar collectors in geostationary orbit to collect solar radiation throughout the year with the help of energy laden microwaves would then be transmitted to ground based collectors.
The concept:
Space-based solar power (SBSP), which is commonly known as space solar power (SSP) is a system for the collection of solar power in space, for use on Earth. It differs from the traditional methods of solar energy in a sense that solar panels involved in the collection of energy would now reside on a satellite in orbit, often referred to as a solar power satellite (SPS), rather than on Earth’s surface. The solar power systems collect sunlight in space and then convert the same into laser light, which is them transmitted to Earth and used for electricity.
The collection of the Sun’s energy in space keeps it above the various obstructions which reduce efficiency or capacities of Earth surface solar power collection. While there are a few problems associated with the concept, the upgrading and extension of existing solar panel technologies would end such problems. The emergence of microwave beams for wireless power transmission kills our worries in this regard. It’s also high time to develop a system that reduces the use of electricity transmission lines.
The advantages:
It’s needless to point out that space solar power enjoys huge advantage over energy produced by fossils and etc. Unlike oil, gas, ethanol, and coal plants, space solar power does not emit greenhouse gases. It kills our dependence upon increasingly scarce fresh water resources and there is no need to worry about hazardous waste, which one notices in case of nuclear power. It also expand employment opportunities in solving the difficult problems of energy security and climate change by using proper use of aerospace expertise.
The impact:
Definitely the emergency of space based solar power in our near future will have a positive impact on the environment as it has many advantages and also power can be exported to virtually any place in the world, and its energy can be converted for local needs.The difficult problems of energy security and climate change would now be a distant dream. Above all, the plan won’t pollute the ecosystem. The problems related with greenhouse effect and the global warming are not going to scare us. This method, which considerably uses less land area than terrestrially based solar power systems, enjoys many significant environmental advantages. It provide large quantities of energy to each and every person on Earth with very little environmental impact. In other words, it’s an answer to our energy needs. I think it’s now time to bid adieu to oil dependence and carbon footprints.
Natura by Héctor Serrano for La Mediterranea
by: Dezeen, 2011-01-20 17:18:13 UTC
London designer Héctor Serrano presents a series of lamps and vases combining glass and cork at Maison&Objet in Paris this week. (more…)
Perfect Cup of Tea
by: Yanko Design, 2011-01-20 09:27:30 UTC
Special Teatime is a braille embossed thermos to aid the visually impaired in making the perfect cup of tea. The fancy art of brewing different kinds of blends is made easier with the help of a special infuser compartment that dips the teabag into the water and lifts it at the right timed interval. Here’s to a refershing cup of tea. Cheers!
Special Teatime is a 2010 Red Dot Concept Award winning entry.
Designer: Halim Lee
----------
Yanko Design
Timeless Designs - Explore wonderful concepts from around the world!
Yanko Design Store - We are about more than just concepts. See what's hot at the YD Store!
Hydrogen & Wind Powered Zeppelin Could Revolutionize Airship Transportation
by: Inhabitat , 2011-01-19 18:46:29 UTC
Read the rest of Hydrogen & Wind Powered Zeppelin Could Revolutionize Airship Transportationhttp://www.inhabitat.com/wp-admin/ohttp://www.inhabitat.com/wp-admin/options-general.php?page=better_feedptions-general.php?page=better_feed
Permalink |
Add to
del.icio.us |
digg
Post tags: "wind power", Aeromodeller II, airship, green architecture, Green Building, green design, green transportation, hydrogen, hydrogen power, hydrogen powered, Lieven Standaert, Zeppelin, zero emission transport, zero emission vehicle
ByProducts Transforms Waste Wood Offcuts Into Flat Pack Furniture
by: Inhabitat , 2011-01-19 22:39:03 UTC
Looking for a simple seating alternative that’s eco-friendly and won’t take up a lot of space? Then check out ByProducts’ eco-conscious, clever, and compact tables and stools, which are made from discarded wood cutoffs. Constructed from baltic birch, each chair and table capitalizes on the shapes of the offcuts that they were sourced from. The simplified process also removes the need for additional machining, and the joining system allows for each piece to be quickly assembled, disassembled and flat packed away. UK-based designers Eujin Pei and Yingying Seow aim to extend their range of ByProducts by working with other manufacturers who use different materials for their future pieces.
+ Eujin Pei
Permalink |
Add to
del.icio.us |
digg
Post tags: "green furniture", ByProducts seating, flat pack furniture, green chairs, green seating, recycled seating, recycled wood chairs, sustainable wood chairs, waste wood furniture, waste wood seating
Tupperware Lamps Will Make Your Friends Mint Green with Envy
by: Inhabitat , 2011-01-19 21:30:59 UTC
Remember those old-school Tupperware molds that people used to make Jello in? Well Etsy seller BootsNGus has taken these nostalgic items and transformed them into retro pendant lamps. They’re the perfect kitchen accessory to make your friends mint green with envy, and they even come with an energy-efficient bulb included.
+ Tupperware Lamp
Permalink |
Add to
del.icio.us |
digg
Post tags: eco lamp, etsy, green desing, green lamp, green lighting, green products, mod lamp, Recycled Materials, sustainable design, tupper ware lamp, tupperware lamp, vintage tupperware
Top 6 Wind Powered Gadgets That Don’t Blow
by: Inhabitat , 2011-01-20 00:23:39 UTC
Wind has been used since ancient times to provide free, green power (think of sailboats and windmills), and that old-school tech has not been lost on us in the year 2011. From personal chargers that harness moving air to power up your devices to action-packed toys that get the kick they need from mini wind turbines, check out our top 6 picks for wind powered gadgets that don’t blow!
Permalink |
Add to
del.icio.us |
digg
Post tags: "wind power", "wind turbine", eolic, Firewinder, green design, green gadgets, green products, greenbird, hymini, Top 6 Wind Powered Gadgets, Urwerk UR-202, wind energy, Wind Powered Remote Control Car, wind powered watch
Comments by our Users
Be the first to write a comment for this item.