Inhabitat's Week in Green: hypermiling, electric FedEx, and frog foam

The Week in Green is a new item from our friends at Inhabitat, recapping the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us.

This week Inhabitat explored the high-tech side of green building, showcasing Shigeru Ban's new design for the Pomidou-Metz art museum, and announcing the near-completion of the greenest skyscraper in the world. We also explored green building strategies ranging from super efficient LED lamps.

We also saw several signs that the next generation of efficient vehicles is right around the corner - this week Chevrolet rolled out its first production Volt while Nissan announced the final pricing of its Leaf EV - a remarkably affordable $25,280. Even the hard working vehicles at FedEx are getting some much-needed relief as the company rolls out its first round of electric delivery vans. And if you're concerned about green vehicles going the distance, look no further than this student-built supercar that's able to get 2,487 MPG.

This week biotech also blew our minds as researchers unveiled plant-based molecules that could create more efficient solar cells and a new type of photovoltaic frog foam that's capable of capturing carbon. Finally, sticks and stones may break bones, but scientists have figured out a way to grow new ones -- using liposuctioned human fat.

[geekthree Posted Apr 4th 2010 5:39PM]

Hypermilers ftw.

[Ducman69 Posted Apr 4th 2010 6:07PM]

@geekthree Except the ones in the left lane.

Where is mention of the Aptera? On April 2nd they just received an additional $10 million in funding! If it aint practical and aint 'fordable, it aint gunna make a difference after all. Also often neglected are green motorcycles, which the average Joe can afford as transport to work, can be parked anywhere, and even my factory big heavy VStrom adventure bike gets 55mpg without trying (suck on that "green" 20mpg SUV hybrids). =)

[choufleur47 Posted Apr 4th 2010 8:57PM]

@Ducman69 You are right, here my BMW 650cs does 90mpg....NINETY MPG!! and yet, does the 0-60 1sec faster than a porche for all the adrenaline rush i need.

[joelaf Posted Apr 4th 2010 5:44PM]

2 Highschool teams placed highly. There's hope for us yet.

[tklr08 Posted Apr 4th 2010 6:03PM]

How about an electric car that doesn't look like it is being marketed to women and tweens? The design of these cars make me laugh, if they want to sell an electric car, don't make it look like a joke.

[Brent1700 Posted Apr 4th 2010 8:48PM]

@tklr08 like a tesla?

[scolen2 Posted Apr 4th 2010 6:10PM]

DEAR ENGADGET!!!

I do not enjoy getting my ears blown off by tivo popup adds which audio whenever i move my mouse on teh screen.

THANKS

[Ducman69 Posted Apr 4th 2010 6:25PM]

@scolen2 Firefox + adblock plus + http://www.engadget.com/exclude/iPad/ = win

[CHICHIgetdaYAYO Posted Apr 4th 2010 6:53PM]

WOO HOO..Downtown Houston for the win!!

[Delirium Trigah Posted Apr 4th 2010 8:00PM]

Ok but how is this article related to the Ipad?

[Brent1700 Posted Apr 4th 2010 8:48PM]

@Delirium Trigah umm... I think it's "iPad"....

[uevan Posted Apr 4th 2010 8:08PM]

I thought that was a pic of that new wipeout game.

[Delirium Trigah Posted Apr 4th 2010 8:41PM]

Oh I get it now wipeout for the IPAD.

[Nitesh Posted Apr 4th 2010 9:58PM]

Hypermilling + Toyota's accelerators getting stuck = win?

[OlYeller21 Posted Apr 5th 2010 12:43AM]

I really wish Engadget would have had a little more coverage of Inhabitat instead of 8/10 articles being about the iPad. I know it's exciting but I feel like I'm reading the CNN of Fox News of tech news website.

[OlYeller21 Posted Apr 5th 2010 12:45AM]

@OlYeller21 It's late and my mind isn't working so hot. I meant to say, I wish Engadget would have covered more of these topics as Inhabitat has.