Inhabitat's Week in Green: wind power, shoe power, and the world's largest laser
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 showcased several smart new technologies that harness clean green energy from unexpected (and undeniably awesome) sources. Volcanoes may be the bane of air travel as of late, but Indonesia has hatched a plan to harness their geothermal might to produce 4,000 megawatts of power. Meanwhile The Netherlands is turning the tide on hydroelectric power by upgrading their dikes with energy generating underwater turbines.
In other news, harnessing energy from stars may seem like an out-of-this-world proposition, but that's precisely what scientists are attempting to achieve as they fire up the world's largest laser in an attempt to grasp the holy grail of energy: nuclear fusion. And speaking of out-of-this-world developments, this week Japan announced plans to launch its solar "Ikaros" spacecraft, which will sail through the stars using rays of light.
While keeping stride with these developments we also looked at several innovative technologies that stand to shape the future of consumer tech. Looking to put some punch in your step? Then try these energy generating piezoelectric shoes on for size. We also brought an eye-opening new night vision technology to light that is so thin, lightweight, and cheap that it can integrated directly into eyeglasses, car windows, and cell phone cameras. Even our canine friends are getting high-tech upgrades -- check out this geo-tagging rescue dog jacket that can be used by people in peril to transmit emergency messages.
Finally, this weekend marks the start of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, which we're celebrating by showcasing the top six futuristic pavilions that harness high-tech green building strategies. But if you only check out one, make it the amazing interactive Dream Cube, which is made from recycled CD cases and features a stunning LED-laden facade that changes color with a wave of the hand.
In other news, harnessing energy from stars may seem like an out-of-this-world proposition, but that's precisely what scientists are attempting to achieve as they fire up the world's largest laser in an attempt to grasp the holy grail of energy: nuclear fusion. And speaking of out-of-this-world developments, this week Japan announced plans to launch its solar "Ikaros" spacecraft, which will sail through the stars using rays of light.
While keeping stride with these developments we also looked at several innovative technologies that stand to shape the future of consumer tech. Looking to put some punch in your step? Then try these energy generating piezoelectric shoes on for size. We also brought an eye-opening new night vision technology to light that is so thin, lightweight, and cheap that it can integrated directly into eyeglasses, car windows, and cell phone cameras. Even our canine friends are getting high-tech upgrades -- check out this geo-tagging rescue dog jacket that can be used by people in peril to transmit emergency messages.
Finally, this weekend marks the start of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, which we're celebrating by showcasing the top six futuristic pavilions that harness high-tech green building strategies. But if you only check out one, make it the amazing interactive Dream Cube, which is made from recycled CD cases and features a stunning LED-laden facade that changes color with a wave of the hand.
I can drive my Nissan Leaf to the place in the picture!
@Stevenk
Hey engadget.. How about creating an engadget green so I don't have to read this all this green crap. And yes, I know I can skip over it but it's annoying..
@Stevenk
Why not "sail" a Pterosail to work?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzII7QU5Ac4
@dickweed An Engadget green would be awesome!
I'm Inhabitat, and getting rid of ecological pathogens was my idea!
It's a shame we'll already all be dead from global warming by the time wind gives us any kind of real majority power generation...
@calrouge
You're already killing me, calrouge... KILLING ME WITH PESSIMISM!
@Wiizer
Whatever gets me through the days.
If we don't die from LHC's black hole ,we are surely going to perish from this laser that is suppose to make artificial "stars". Can anybody say supernova or red dwarf!
@JT2319
supernova or red dwarf!
@7egend Hardy har har
@JT2319
Anyone notice that in the same week we have scientists making Doc Oc arms and talking about Tritium based nuclear fusion?
Does anyone see where this is going?
who gives a crap about the environment?!! 2012 is coming!! 2012!!!!
@IvanP91
Olympics!
If a disaster strikes that offshore wind farm, wind would spill everywhere.
@semblance
oh the humanity!!
@semblance
That is some seriously funny stuff you both just wrote there.
I'm seeing stick figure theatre, with crackly old Hindenburg vocals and giant turbine prop parts flying down in slow mo
@semblance
Anyone else see this making an excellent XKCD comic?
Simply put: "Why can't we do this?"
@IvanP91, chill bud we're all gonna go sooner or later.
"wind power"
"next"
"shoe power"
"next"
"the world's largest laser"
"go on...."
@Pryomancer
+1, I did the same thing
if we harness nuclear fusion's power.we will never have to use gas again....please work
@snowrid3r
Yes! Nuclear power in my car! Oh wait.. Nope. So still need gas for that. If you think batteries and electric cars will do it, well, I have a bridge I'll sell you. (just take a look at the materials used in high tech batteries and tell me that they are "greener" and more available then gasoline..)
Can't we just focus on Arc Reactor technology? (and Iron Man suitcase suits) XD
What about burning oil in the Gulf? That's green, right?
NIF has potential, but I see a Tokamak based design (ie. ITER) better capable of being turned into a power plant.
Count Dooku will be pleased.
@onlymyrailgun
Nevermind. It's a different type of solar sail. Bah!