SolarBotanic is a company which researches and specializes in an emerging tech dubbed biomimicry -- which seeks to mimic nature, and use nature-inspired methods to solve human problems. SolarBotanic is focusing on energy production, and, to that end, they've developed what they call Energy Harvesting Trees. The
trees aren't "real," (they're just modeled on real ones); these are composed of Nanoleafs, which use
nanotechnology designed to capture the "sun's energy in photovoltaic and thermovoltaic cells, then convert the radiation into electricity." They also have stems and twigs which house nano-piezovoltaic material which act as generators producing electricity from movement or kinetic energy caused by wind or rain. The company has several patents on the technology already, and are currently seeking partners for funding and development. We don't really have any details about what these
fake trees look like -- but Thom Yorke's probably going to write a song about them.
posted February 24th 2009 5:24PM
This is the coolest idea I've ever seen! KUDOS!
ITs a stupid idea.
If I was going to invest money in green tech right now, I'd be planting hydro-turbines in fast moving rivers and hydro bob wave generators along the shore.
Tidal energy is WAY more efficient than solar. And the beauty is, WAVES ARE ALWAYS ROLLING because of gravitational potential energy.
They are considering doing this in my city's Hudson river.
i kinda like this idea aswell
now all they need is a piezoelectric "ground" to put it in so if it falls over it dies producing electricity xD
@ flashpoint
Tidal is possibly more efficient, yes, but still in its infancy. Besides which, what are the long-term impacts of a multi-megawatt tidal power farm mounted in a river or ocean current? Not yet known, for sure, but these things will most definitely alter the flow patterns of these bodies of water, and then on down the chain, other things are consumately affected. Silt depositions move upstream as the slower-moving waters now lose their capacity to carry? Downstream wildlife begins to starve as essential nutrients are dropped farther upstream than they used to be? Churning of the water no longer allows for hot/cold zones in the waterways? The impacts could be minimal, could be major. But not something that will act as a cure-all, that's for certain.
They're doing studies now on altered weather patterns on the down-wind side of wind farms.
Not saying they're not a viable alternative, just not something we ought to jump right into before we understand what the impacts will be. That's why we're in the situation we are now.
Actually ideas like this make me pretty nervous...without knowing what effect this will have on the trees they are molded on, we could be exacerbating one situation what trying to fix another (more energy=lots of trees that can't properly convert CO2)
@01
modeled... not molded... no trees are harmed in the making of this electricity (aside from the ones trying to grow under them) :-P
"We have thousands of such caches. Only a few of us know them all. When we have enough... we shall change the face of Arrakis!"
Wow, I usually like Radiohead but... Was that video a fucking joke?
You... usually... like? Radiohead?
said with an ascending pitch of voice
Haha, tying the post to Fake Plastic Trees was a bit of a stretch, but it was still funny. Also, a lot of Radiohead's videos (and songs) are not very mainstream style, but that's one of the reasons they are so great.
Eh, I was a bigger fan several years ago. Don't really listen to them much now, and compared to most of the stuff I listen to they are quite "mainstream" and quaint.
Shit, you're cool.
That song is from "several years ago". 14 years ago, actually. 1995.
"Fake Plastic Trees" was a big mainstream hit single off of "The Bends", which was Radiohead's big mainstream hit album.
I was referring to Hail to the Thief-era. Didn't like anything they had done before and haven't liked much they've done since.
OK Computer, Kid A... yeah, those albums sucked /sarcasm/
@ Matt G
Thanks for reminding me what an old guy I'm turning into... the other day I had "Pablo Honey" blasting on my home stereo, and a hippy came to the door trying to sell some student-art 'zine. After I declined his pitch, he asked what I was listening to, and I told him Radiohead, and the album title. He said he "hadn't heard that new one yet" (obviously didn't know the old stuff either!)
Great band...they don't seem that old.
SABRAGE is so indie he only listens to bands that haven't even come out yet.
Seriously...does anybody give a fuck how non-"mainstream" the music you listen to is?
The Lorax just turned over in his grave
Ladies and Gentlemen
The £50million tree
I wouldn't imagine they'd be that heavy... it's nanotech, man!
NoNoNo!
How Will We Make Paper?!
Paper? What for man? The only time I actually use paper is when I wipe my arse with it... but even this ancient habit can be overcomed by bidets...
Without Paper Nobody Will Learn How To Write Properly!
why write when you can TYPE !
I Wonder If Typing Like This Annoys People
In All Seriousness, This Seems Like A Good Idea. We're A World That Is Based Off Technology.
h2obdawg-- Sorry If You Don't Like It. (: It's A Habit, I Seem To Type Better And Faster. Seems Weird, But Idk. Lol.
Doing math scratch work on the computer is completely impossible.
$\int_\Omega a\nabla u \nabla v = \int_\Omega fv\ \forall v\in H^1_0(\Omega)$
I'll keep my paper.
What happens in winter though, will they be the only trees with leaves?
What happens when bugs try to eat the leaves on the trees?
Yes apart from all the real trees that don't loose there leaves.
So if you are a multimillionaire, you will be able to buy a Christmas tree that lights itself?
Is there an artifical tree in that picture? Or am I not seeing the trees for the forest?
wow, if this was consumer level priced u could have a powerplant in your yard!
haha... geddit, powerplant
huh. Biomimicry sounds an awful lot like the formal/technical definition of cybernetics (but, obviously not much like the common/pop-culture definition).
Good, I can utilize my front and backyard. Since I hate grass, it's useless beside wasting my water bills on it. With this technology I bet the new gardens are full of solar panels with natural scenery.
Maybe next they can have these devices convert CO2 to Oxygen... In 50 years we'll get rid of the pesky weeds!!
What happens when animals try to interface with it?
Well, at least it'll be funny to see dogs pee on such an expensive device and render it useless.
Damn it! As soon as I started reading that headline I was going to make a Fake Plastic Trees joke! I hate you engadget.
I think this is a mistimed April Fool's gag.
If they ever make these, they should hire Thom Yorke to be their spokesperson!
Thanks Engadget. I really enjoyed seeing that video again.
Radiohead/Thom Yorke is awesome and vegan... yay!
Well this is a first. Awesome.
So, this is how those trees on the Halo rings work...
...and do robots dream of electric sheep?
Haha that's a pretty literal use of biomimicry.
When an artificial tree falls in a forest, does it make a sound ?
it only makes a sound if you pay extra for the speakers.
I prefer real trees, thank you.
1. Plant a tree
2. Wait for it to grow
3. Burn it in a power plant
4. ???
5. PROFIT!
no nanotecnology needed :)