Gizmag: ecoGizmo

Harvesting energy from vehicle air flow using piezoelectrics

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:03:23 -0600

Previously, we’ve looked at technology to generate electricity from roads embedded with piezoelectric crystals that produce electricity when squeezed. Now a group of researchers is looking to shift the technology from the road to the vehicles themselves and use piezoelectrics placed on the vehicles to convert their kinetic energy into electricity...

Tags: Electricity, Energy, Kinetic energy, motion, Power, Vehicle, Vehicles

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Using aerospace principles to ride a wave of limitless energy

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:45:26 -0600

The ocean is a potentially vast source of electric power, yet wave-energy systems are rare as they generally offer limited efficiency, must withstand battering storms, and need to be tethered to the sea floor. But by applying the principles that keep airplanes aloft, a team of aerospace engineers is creating a new wave energy system that is durable, extremely efficient, and can be placed anywhere on the ocean, regardless of depth. ..

Tags: Energy, motion, Power, turbine, Water, Wave

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Simpler, cheaper, biodegradable plastic without using fossil fuels

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:32:59 -0600

In recent years, polylactic acid (PLA) has attracted attention as a replacement for petroleum-based plastics. It is made from corn-starch, or other starch-rich substances like maize, sugar or wheat, and is biodegradable – reverting in less than 60 days in ideal conditions. PLA is already used as a material for compost bags, food packaging, and disposable tableware, and also for a number of biomedical applications, such as sutures, stents, dialysis media and drug delivery devices. Although its price has been falling, PLA is still more expensive than most petroleum-derived commodity plastics, but now a team of researchers has succeeded in simplifying the production of PLA and making the process much cheaper, meaning we could soon see PLA used in a much wider variety of applications...

Tags: alternative, Biomass, environment, Environmental, Polymer

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Harnessing waste heat to produce electricity

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:13:32 -0600

That heat emanating from your computer as you sit reading this article amounts to nothing more than wasted energy. And your computer is not alone. More than half of the energy consumed worldwide is wasted, most of it in the form of excess heat. But new research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) indicates it might be possible to harvest much of the wasted heat produced by everything from computer processors to car engines and electric powerplants, and convert it into usable electricity. This kind of waste-energy harvesting might lead to mobile phones with double the talk time, laptop computers that can operate twice as long before needing to be plugged in to mains power, or energy plants that produce more electricity for a given amount of fuel...

Tags: Conversion, Efficiency, Electrical, Electricity, Energy, MIT, Power, Research, Thermal, Waste

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The solar-powered school on stilts

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:19:14 -0600

It's almost as good as going to school in a treehouse. The recently opened Elleray Preparatory School in the Lake District National Park has three class pods standing on stilts connected by a center platform made from recycled materials, such as plastic milk bottles and wood shavings. Nestled amongst the trees, the complex is built to have a low environmental impact and therefore makes excellent use of solar power, rainwater collection, and has an energy-efficient heat pump...

Tags: Australia, Efficiency, Energy, School, Solar, Treehouse

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High-tech origami: Je Sung Park's recyclable paper laptop concept

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:00:24 -0600

In a world where concern for the environment is high on the agenda, it was only a matter of time before the laptop got a green makeover. Outstripping even the Bamboo notebook in eco-friendly credentials, designer Je Sung Park has pushed the concept to its limit and opened our eyes to the laptop of the future: a recyclable paper design...

Tags: Computers, Design, Eco-friendly, Environmental, Laptop, Notebook, Recycled, Waste

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Shelf car sunshade generates solar power

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:58:05 -0600

As the motoring world moves ever-closer to the welcome infiltration of electrically-powered cars, one thing holding them back is the availability of charging stations to “refuel” the vehicles which so far have an average range of around 120 miles between charges. The Shelf, a concept by Chinese designer Leon Zhu, takes advantage of the sun’s solar energy and collects enough of the stuff on a hot day to power the car’s air conditioner, tail lights and other electronic equipment, therefore extending the life of the car’s onboard batteries. What’s more, the solar panel protects your vehicle’s expensive duco from long exposure to the sun. Just don’t try to extend the solar panel while you’re driving...

Tags: Power, Solar, Sunshade

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Green Wavelength unveils bumblebee inspired wind turbine

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:40:04 -0600

Gizmag's pages are filled with clever examples of biomimicry, and why not, evolution is after all the biggest, oldest and most successful design house we know of. Today's lesson is being given by insects like bumblebees, hummingbirds, and dragonflies, whose efficient wing flapping capabilities are being harnessed by Californian start-up Green Wavelength in an effort to produce more efficient wind turbines. ..

Tags: Biomimicry, Wind turbine

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New solar storage solution could be the key to home-brewed electricity

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:28:57 -0600

Reports of new developments in the area of solar power are an almost daily event here at Gizmag. The main focus of research seems to be on improving the efficiency of solar cells, but others are working at developing an inexpensive method of locally storing the energy generated by solar systems. Because society relies on a continuous energy supply and solar energy is diurnal, storage systems are integral to what some see as an inevitable move towards the era of “personalized solar energy”, in which the focus of electricity production shifts from huge central generating stations to individuals in their own homes and communities...

Tags: Batteries, clean energy, Electricity, Energy, Fuel Cell, Hydrogen, Solar, Storage

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Technosphere: eco-friendly Earth in miniature proposed for Dubai

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:18:26 -0600

It's been a while since we've taken a look at the weird and wonderful canvas that is Dubai's skyline of the future, and this proposal from James Law Cybertecture would slot neatly in among radical designs like the Almeisan Tower and the spiraling ZPO. Shaped like a giant disco ball, the Technosphere is conceived as a self-sustaining model of the Earth in miniature incorporating a range of active and passive systems to meet these goals...

Tags: Alternative Energy, Architecture, Design, Dubai, Environmental

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Stealth wind turbines developed to avoid radar confusion

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:50:47 -0600

Plans for the installation of wind farms the world over are being delayed or abandoned due to objections from the aviation community or air defense interests. The problem is that when it comes to low flying aircraft or wind turbines, conventional radar has a bit of an identity crisis - not being able to tell the difference. Recent tests in the UK of "stealth" turbine technology could provide a solution...

Tags: Aircraft, Aviation, Energy, Invisible, QinetiQ, Raytheon, Research, Stealth, Wind, Wind turbine

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3-D photovoltaic systems go where the sun don’t shine

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:31:45 -0600

The photovoltaic (PV) panels adorning the rooftops of buildings around the world have become a visible sign of the shift towards environmentally friendly solar power. Now researchers have developed a new type of three-dimensional PV system using optical fiber that promises solar generators that are foldable, concealed and mobile, meaning they could be hidden from view and leave rooftops panel-free...

Tags: Electricity, Environmental, fiber, Photovoltaic, Research, Solar, Sunlight

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‘Smart Trash’ cash for recycling concept

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:52:42 -0600

If the benefit to our environment isn’t enough to get some people to recycle, Georgia Tech’s Valerie Thomas has come up with the concept of offering a cash incentive enabled by “Smart Trash”. The concept involves a scanner integrated into a trash receptacle that automatically records what is being disposed of using Universal Product Codes (UPC) or radio frequency identification (RFID) tags attached to the trash. This would not only allow recyclers to better sort the waste but could also provide a cash back channel to consumers recycling goods of value...

Tags: Concept, environment, Environmental, Recyclable, Recycling, Scanner, Waste

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Japanese solar car wins 2009 Global Green Challenge

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:28:31 -0500

Japan's Tokai Challenger solar vehicle has taken victory against a strong international field in the 2009 Global Green Challenge. After covering almost 1860 miles (3000km) in four days across Australia's baking red center, the entry from Japan's Tokai University crossed the finish line at 3.39pm local time. The team's run was nearly flawless, reporting only a single flat tire with just over 100 miles of the course to race and the win breaks a string of four consecutive victories by the Dutch Nuon team, which is currently battling it out for second place against University of Michigan Solar Car Team. ..

Tags: Alternative Energy, Australia, global green challenge, Solar, University of Michigan, world solar challenge

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Award-winning ReNu personal solar-powered storage system

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:51:26 -0500

Solar power is being harnessed and applied in ever more interesting and creative ways, and the ReNu personal power generation and storage system is certainly no exception. The device features a freestanding modular solar panel that, once charged, can be slotted into a number of extensions to make use of the collected energy, including an iPod dock and an LED desk lamp. ..

Tags: Charger, Design, Dock, Energy, iPhone, iPod, Lamp, LED, Solar, Sound, Storage, Sunlight, USB

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Sharp sets highest solar cell efficiency

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:39:05 -0500

The Sharp Corporation has developed a compound solar cell that has achieved a conversion efficiency of 35.8 percent. Developing a new base layer for its triple-junction compound solar cell has improved on Sharp's previous conversion efficiency by almost four percent...

Tags: Conversion, Efficiency, Energy, Research, Sharp, Solar, Technology

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'Hyperspectral Remote Sensor' senses disasters from space

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:59:33 -0500

Combining sophisticated sensors in orbit with sensors on the ground and in the air has led researchers at Tel Aviv University (TAU) to create a “Hyperspectral Remote Sensor” (HRS) that can give advance warnings about water contamination after a forest fire, alert authorities of a pollution spill long before a red flag is raised on Earth, or inform the population where a monsoon will strike. ..

Tags: Disasters, Geography, GPS, Image, Monitoring, Optical, Pollution, Satellite, Sensors, Warning

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Venom introduces world's first carbon neutral alkaline battery

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:07:30 -0500

A new range of batteries from Venom is free of mercury, cadmium and lead, and has been certified carbon neutral by Carbonfund.org. The Eco Alkaline batteries were certified carbon neutral after a detailed product life-cycle assessment of carbon emissions. As part of a carbon neutral project, Venom is supporting the Return to Forest Project which is helping to reforest Nicaragua's Pacific coast. ..

Tags: Alkaline, Batteries, Battery, Carbon neutral, environment, Venom

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Solar Decathlon 2009 results are in, and the winner is...

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 01:23:47 -0500

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Solar Decathlon has wound up in Washington, D.C. with Team Germany taking the top honors, followed by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in second place, and Team California taking out third. As we reported last week the competition to design, build, and operate the most attractive and efficient solar-powered home saw 20 university-led teams from around the world competing in ten contests, ranging from subjective elements such as architecture, market viability, communications, lighting design, and engineering, to technical measurements of how well the homes provided energy for space heating and cooling, hot water, home entertainment, appliances, and net metering...

Tags: Architecture, Competition, Decathlon, House, Photovoltaic, Solar, solar-powered

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Magnetic leaves indicate levels of air pollution

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 02:54:45 -0500

Measuring the level of magnetism of tree leaves could be a powerful tool to monitor the air quality of streets. A new study has shown that leaves along bus routes were up to ten times more magnetic than leaves on quieter streets. The magnetism comes from tiny particles of pollution, such as iron oxides from diesel exhaust, that float through the air and either stick to the leaves, or grow right into them...

Tags: Breath, Health, Pollution, Tree

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Solar e-book reader demo from LG

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:06:04 -0500

E-readers are a welcome alternative to lugging around paper-bound tomes when on holiday, as they can store volumes of reading material in one handy, pocket-sized (well almost) device, and offer users the possibility of hours and hours of uninterrupted reading pleasure. That is, of course, until the battery runs out. LG Display has developed a solar cell capable of extending the battery life of an e-reader, possibly making the anxiety of a blank screen on the last page of that captivating thriller less likely...

Tags: Battery, E-book, E-reader, LG, Solar, Thin, Thin-film

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Solar Decathlon solar house competition heats up

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 02:45:26 -0500

Competition is underway in the Department of Energy’s (DoE) Solar Decathlon, in which 20 teams of college and university students compete to design, build, and operate the most attractive, effective, and energy-efficient solar-powered house. The house designs entered in the competition not only capture heat and light from the sun, but also integrate design features to take advantage of cooling breezes and shading. By combining these proven energy efficient designs with the latest off-the-shelf technology, the teams aim to create homes that reduce utility bills and meet all their energy needs, while providing all the comforts of home. ..

Tags: Competition, Decathlon, Design, House, Photovoltaic, Solar, solar-powered

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France to spend US$2.2 billion on network of electric car charging stations

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 21:15:16 -0500

As France’s car-makers push their plans to increase sales and give motorists more electric and hybrid-powered vehicle choices, the French Government has added its support by announcing it intends to spend €1.5 billion (about US$2.2 billion) on creating a battery-charging network for electric vehicles across the country. Part of its spend will also go towards further encouragement of clean vehicle technology and battery manufacturing. ..

Tags: Battery, Charging, Citroen, Electric, Electric vehicle, France, Hybrid, Peugeot, Renault, Technology, Vehicle

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Global Green Challenge kicks off later this month

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 08:28:55 -0500

This month dozens of competitors will gather in Darwin, Australia, for the start of the Global Green Challenge. This 1860 mile (3000km) showcase of state-of-the-art transport technologies pits environmentally friendly vehicles against the heart of the Outback as they race south towards the finish line in Adelaide. The event has evolved from the famous World Solar Challenge and now includes two classes: one for solar-powered vehicles and an "Eco Challenge" for other types of electric, hybrid and alternative fuel production and experimental vehicles...

Tags: Australia, Automotive, Electric, global green challenge, Solar, solar-powered, world solar challenge, X-Prize

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Research says 'enact policies now' to limit risk of climate catastrophe

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 23:03:38 -0500

Researchers at MIT have continued a study of climate risk and released a new report to show that even moderate carbon-reduction policies can substantially lower the risk of future climate change. It also shows that action is needed quickly if global emissions reductions are to provide a good chance of avoiding a temperature increase of more than 2°C above the pre-industrial level — a widely discussed target. But the researchers determined that failing to take prompt action could result in extreme changes that could become much more difficult, if not impossible, to control...

Tags: Catastrophe, Climate Change, Emissions Control, MIT, Probabilities

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