Engadget RSS Feed http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2013 AOL Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ <![CDATA[Apple, other thin laptop makers pass latest round of EPEAT tests after summer mini-drama]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/13/apple-other-thin-laptop-makers-pass-latest-round-of-epeat-tests/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/13/apple-other-thin-laptop-makers-pass-latest-round-of-epeat-tests/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/13/apple-other-thin-laptop-makers-pass-latest-round-of-epeat-tests/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments MacBook Air 13-inch front view with grass wallpaper

Apple gave eco-friendly computer fans a brief jolt this July after it backed out of EPEAT certification, only to restore most devices just days later. While we can't say we're completely shocked at the follow-up, EPEAT has confirmed that at least one "ultra-thin" laptop from Apple has just cleared the verification process. The as yet unnamed system is more likely to be a Mac that had already earned the recycling-friendly rating in the past, such as the MacBook Air, rather than a sudden turnaround for the MacBook Pro with Retina Display. The look wasn't exclusively devoted to the Mac side, though -- EPEAT cleared Apple's computer as part of a wider test that also greenlit extra-thin portables from Lenovo, Samsung and Toshiba. We've reached out to get a more definitive list, but the approvals should ease the minds of those worried that ever-slimmer laptops are forcing us to give up our green efforts.

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]]> appleeco-friendlyenvironmentepeatgreen technologyGreenTechnologylaptoplaptopslenovomacbookmacbook airMacbookAirnotebooknotebooksratingrecyclingsamsungtoshibaverification Sat, 13 Oct 2012 08:15:00 -0400 21|20349193 <![CDATA[Reported new DARPA chief brings true geek, dash of green tech controversy]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/11/new-darpa-chief/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/11/new-darpa-chief/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/11/new-darpa-chief/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Reported new DARPA chief brings true geek, dash of green controversy

Running DARPA has always demanded a certain amount of tech-savviness -- it created what ultimately became the internet, after all -- but it may get an extra coat of green paint with a new leader. The agency has reportedly taken on Arati Prabhakar as its new director, and Wired notes that she has a lot more than just the agency itself under her belt. Along with going so far as to found DARPA's Microelectronics Technology Office, she ran the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and eventually signed on with Interval Research the venture capital firm that backed the solar power company Solyndra as well as numerous other green tech projects. That last decision has drawn a fair share of flak: Solyndra got about $500 million of public funding and still went under. With that in mind, an anonymous senior military staffer claims that Prabhakar wasn't involved in the questionable government loan and went through "extensive vetting," so it's doubtful that the funding will cast the same shadow over her DARPA technology investments as it did for the outgoing director, Regina Dugan. Even so, there will no doubt be a close watch over Prabhakar if the appointment is made public, both for those who want to keep her honest as well as for the potentially huge amount of insight into clean energy and general technology that she can wield.

[Image credit: SRI]

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]]> arati prabhakarAratiPrabhakarclean energyclean powerCleanEnergyCleanPowercontroversydarpadefence research and development organisationDefenceResearchAndDevelopmentOrganisationfundinggreengreen energygreen powergreen technologyGreenEnergyGreenPowerGreenTechnologyinvestmentmicroelectronics technology officeMicroelectronicsTechnologyOfficenational institute of standards and technologyNationalInstituteOfStandardsAndTechnologynistprabhakarsciencesolarsolar powerSolarPowersolyndra Wed, 11 Jul 2012 06:48:00 -0400 21|20275561 <![CDATA[Amazon becomes the latest retailer to sell the trendy Nest Learning Thermostat]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/07/amazon-selling-nest-learning-thermostat/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/07/amazon-selling-nest-learning-thermostat/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/07/amazon-selling-nest-learning-thermostat/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Amazon becomes the latest retailer to sell the trendy Nest Learning Thermostat

Frankly, we all knew it was only a matter of time before the renowned online retailer, Amazon, would start offering the trendiest thermostat known to man. Joining the likes of Apple, Lowe's and, naturally, Nest's official site, Amazon is the latest shop to welcome the famed Learning Thermostat onto its shelves, with availability expected as soon as tomorrow (June 8th). As for pricing, that won't be changing much, which means you'll still have to shell out $249 -- though, you could see it hit your doorstep sooner without paying extra if you have one of those fancy Prime accounts. In any case, folks looking to grab one of these notorious Nest thermos can do so from either of the source links below.

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]]> amazonamazon.comconnected homeConnectedHomeEnergyEnergy savingEnergySavinggreen techgreen technologyGreenTechGreenTechnologyhouseholdlearning thermostatLearningThermostatminipostnestNest LabsNest Learning ThermostatNestLabsNestLearningThermostattony fadellTonyFadell Thu, 07 Jun 2012 18:49:00 -0400 21|20254086 <![CDATA[Apple Store now selling Nest Thermostat: automated toastiness to cost $250]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/30/nest-thermostat-pricing-apple-store/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/30/nest-thermostat-pricing-apple-store/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/30/nest-thermostat-pricing-apple-store/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Apple Store now selling Nest Thermostat: automated toastiness to cost $250

Apple liked it so much, it's decided to let the Nest Thermostat share shelf-space in its bricks-and-mortar stores and online. Following rumors that Tony Fadell's latest project would appear at his former employer's store, it's now been confirmed with an online listing. Following some brief downtime on the Cupertino corp's retail site, the unit is set to retail for $250. Aside from sharing some design DNA, the thermostat unit can also be controlled from iPhones, iPads, iPods and Macs -- we presume that Android functionality is still there. Those that like their summers extra comfortable can hit the store link below.

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]]> appleApple iPodapple storeAppleIpodAppleStoreconnected homeConnectedHomegreengreen techgreen technologyGreenTechGreenTechnologyhands-onheatheatinghouseholdiPodMatt RogersMattRogersnestNest LabsNest Learning Thermostatnest thermostatNestLabsNestLearningThermostatNestThermostatretailstorethermostattony fadellTonyFadell Wed, 30 May 2012 06:29:00 -0400 21|20247436 <![CDATA[Researchers use virus's rogue traits to create electricity from motion]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/15/researchers-use-viruss-rogue-traits-to-create-electricity-from/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/15/researchers-use-viruss-rogue-traits-to-create-electricity-from/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/15/researchers-use-viruss-rogue-traits-to-create-electricity-from/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments berkeley-labs-piezoelectrics-from-virus

Viruses are the swarming bullies of biology, but it turns out their alarming self-replication could one day power your iPod. We've seen them in batteries before, but researchers at Berkeley Labs have now coated electrodes with modified M13 bacteriophage, a harmless bacteria-eating virus, to create the first ever organic piezoelectric material -- which can convert force to electricity. The team explained that such a substance would be non-toxic, organize naturally into thin layers and self-regenerate, giving it a possible advantage over chemical options. In theory, by attaching a thin film of it to your shoes, power could be generated when walking, lending volts to the myriad electronics we pack around nowadays. To see a finger-powered video demo of our frequent-enemies making themselves useful for a change, stroll on past the break.

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]]> bacteriophagebacteriophagesBerkeleyBerkeley LabsBerkeleyLabsBioElectricbioelectric technologyBioelectricTechnologyelectricityenergyforcegreengreen technologyGreenTechnologypiezopiezoelectricpowerpower generationPowerGenerationrenewable energyRenewableEnergyvirus Tue, 15 May 2012 17:41:00 -0400 21|20238115 <![CDATA[USC develops printable liquid solar cells for flexible, low-cost panels]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/27/usc-develops-printable-liquid-solar-cells-for-flexible-low-cost/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/27/usc-develops-printable-liquid-solar-cells-for-flexible-low-cost/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/27/usc-develops-printable-liquid-solar-cells-for-flexible-low-cost/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments USC develops printable liquid solar cells for flexible, low-cost panels

Solar cells are becoming more viable sources of energy -- and as they become more efficient, they're only getting smaller and cheaper to produce. Liquid nanocrystal cells are traditionally inefficient at converting sunlight into electricity, but by adding a synthetic ligand to help transmit currents, researchers at USC have improved their effectiveness. The advantage of these liquid solar cells? They're cheaper than single-crystal silicon wafer solutions, and they're also a shockingly minuscule four nanometers in size, meaning more than 250 billion could fit on the head of a pin. Moreover, they can be printed onto surfaces -- even plastic -- without melting. Ultimately, the goal of this research is to pave the way for ultra-flexible solar panels. However, the scientists are still experimenting with materials for constructing the nanocrystals, since the semiconductor cadmium selenide they've used thus far is too toxic for commercial use.

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]]> cellsEnergyenergy efficiencyenergy efficientEnergyEfficiencyEnergyEfficientgreengreen techgreen technologyGreenTechGreenTechnologyliquid solar cellsliquid solar powerLiquidSolarCellsLiquidSolarPowernanocrystalnanocrystalsresearchresearcherssciencesolarsolar cellssolar powerSolarCellsSolarPowerUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversityOfSouthernCaliforniauscUSC researchUscResearch Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:21:00 -0400 21|20225727 <![CDATA[Samsung gets tired of neighbors watching its Transparent Smart Window, installs blinds]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/15/Samsung-OLED-Transparent-Smart-window-CES-update/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/15/Samsung-OLED-Transparent-Smart-window-CES-update/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/15/Samsung-OLED-Transparent-Smart-window-CES-update/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Sammy's transparent OLED displays may not be the freshest piece of tech at CES, but its still pretty dang awesome. We first saw Samsung's 46-inch 1920 x 1080 digitally augmented window back in March, but dropped by its CES booth for a second look. Although the touchscreen window still teases to fulfill our fevered sci-fi dreams, not much has changed -- it's still clear, it's still loaded with widgets, and it's still not anywhere near being installed in your home. Samsung told us this was still a concept device, although they did mention that the technology could be scaled down for use in military visors and heads up displays. Hit the break to see a video demo of a few new apps, including a rather slick set of digital blinds.

Joe Pollicino contributed to this report.

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]]> CESCes 2012Ces2012displayeco friendlyeco-friendlyEcoFriendlyfuturegreengreen techgreen technologyGreenTechGreenTechnologyHDlcdmonitoroledsammysamsungtranslucentTransparentransparenttransparent displaytransparent lcdtransparent oledTransparentDisplayTransparentLcdTransparentOled Sun, 15 Jan 2012 09:44:00 -0500 21|20147900 <![CDATA[Allure Energy EverSense energy management system hands-on]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/08/allure-energy-eversense-energy-management-system-hands-on/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/08/allure-energy-eversense-energy-management-system-hands-on/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/08/allure-energy-eversense-energy-management-system-hands-on/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Allure Energy announced its EverSense energy management system (read: a fancy thermostat) back in December, but we were just on hand for its official unveiling here at CES. EverSense serves both as a thermostat and media playing device (yes, those are speakers you see on either side of the screen). It comes running a custom OS that works in conjunction with the Allure iOS app to control the HVAC systems in your home. The thermostat has proximity controls that work with your iPhone's GPS to turn on or off your A/C depending upon how close you are to your house. That way, the temperature's always just right when you pull into your driveway, but you don't have the increased utility bills that normally come with maintaining a steady temperature all day.

EverSense's media streaming works using a wireless technology akin to DLNA to pull tunes from your handset -- when we prodded Allure's reps for more info, all they'd tell us is that it's "proprietary" tech. We got to see the device and the companion app, but couldn't do a full demo of their capabilities as custom software still has some bugs and isn't quite ready for prime time. The good news is, there's plenty of time for Allure to fix it: EverSense is scheduled for a Q2 release, when it can be yours for $349.

Gallery: Allure Energy EverSense at CES 2012


Zach Lutz contributed to this report.

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]]> allure energyAllureEnergycesces 2012Ces2012ecoeco friendlyEcoFriendlyenergy savingEnergySavingeversensegreengreen technologyGreenTechnologyhvacthermostat Sun, 08 Jan 2012 20:26:00 -0500 21|20143394 <![CDATA[Onyx develops 330-watt 'plug-n-play' solar panel with built-in AC outlet]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/05/onyx-develops-330-watt-plug-n-play-solar-panel-with-built-in-a/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/05/onyx-develops-330-watt-plug-n-play-solar-panel-with-built-in-a/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/05/onyx-develops-330-watt-plug-n-play-solar-panel-with-built-in-a/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Onyx's new 330-watt solar panel isn't the first to offer a "plug-n-play" solution for getting power to your gadgets, but it may be the first to include a standard US power outlet, and enough output to juice up a computer, light or any other appliance (within reason) through its built-in micro inverter. "You can literally point the panel at the sun and plug an extension cord directly into the panel for immediate power," according to the Onyx PR, which you'll find in full just past the break.

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]]> electricelectricitygreengreen techgreen technologyGreenTechGreenTechnologyminipostonyxonyx OSPP330-1onyx OSPP330-2onyx poweronyx solarOnyxOspp330-1OnyxOspp330-2OnyxPowerOnyxSolarOSPP330-1OSPP330-2powersolarsolar panelsolar powerSolarPanelSolarPowersun Thu, 05 Jan 2012 09:25:00 -0500 21|20139617 <![CDATA[iPod fathers unveil their next project, the Nest Learning Thermostat (hands-on)]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/25/ipod-fathers-unveil-their-next-project-the-nest-learning-thermo/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/25/ipod-fathers-unveil-their-next-project-the-nest-learning-thermo/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/25/ipod-fathers-unveil-their-next-project-the-nest-learning-thermo/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Over the summer, we got word that a couple of unnamed ex-Apple engineers were getting ready to unveil an unnamed product, under the guise of an unnamed startup. As it turns out, that startup was Nest Labs, and those Apple alums were none other than Tony Fadell, longtime SVP of Apple's iPod division, and lead engineer Matt Rogers. And yes, the product they had to share makes fine use of a click wheel.

But if you thought they'd be cooking up a next-gen music player, you'd be wrong. Instead, the pair have been designing a thermostat, of all things, dubbed the Nest. In addition to being the most stylish model ever to grace a dining room wall, it promises the kind of intelligence we've come to expect in other household appliances -- just not thermostats, per se. It'll go on sale next month for $249 in places like Best Buy, but we managed to snag an early sneak peek. Find some photos below and when you're done, join us past the break where we'll explain how it works.

Gallery: Nest Learning Thermostat

Gallery: Nest Learning Thermostat hands-on

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]]> Apple iPodAppleIpodconnected homeConnectedHomegreengreen techgreen technologyGreenTechGreenTechnologyhands-onheatheatingiPodMatt RogersMattRogersNestNest LabsNest Learning ThermostatNestLabsNestLearningThermostattemperaturetemperaturesthermostatthermostatstony fadellTonyFadell Tue, 25 Oct 2011 09:36:00 -0400 21|20089709 <![CDATA[Report: data centers accounted for just 1 to 1.5 percent of electricity use last year, Google claims less than 1 percent of that]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/02/report-data-centers-accounted-for-just-1-to-1-5-percent-of-elec/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/02/report-data-centers-accounted-for-just-1-to-1-5-percent-of-elec/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/02/report-data-centers-accounted-for-just-1-to-1-5-percent-of-elec/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments You'd think, watching companies like Apple break ground on sprawling data centers, that the number of servers powering our untethered lives was on the rise. In a different decade, you might have been right. But not this one. According to a study prepared at the request of The New York Times, the number of servers in use has declined "significantly" since 2005. That's mostly because of the financial crisis of 2008, says lead researcher Jonathan G. Koomey of Stanford University, but we also can't discount the effect of more efficient technologies. What's more, he says, servers worldwide consume less energy than you might have guessed: they accounted for somewhere between 1 and 1.5 percent of global electricity use in 2010. And while Google, the king of cloud computing, has been cagey about revealing just how many servers house its treasure trove of data, the company said that of that 1 to 1.5 percent, it accounted for less than 1 percent -- meaning, just a hundredth of a percent of all the electricity consumed last year. All told, data centers' energy consumption has risen 56 percent since 2005 -- a far cry from the EPAs 2007 prediction that this figure would double by 2010, with annual costs ballooning to $7.4 billion. Then again, this slower-than-expected growth could well be temporary. Though Koomey can't specify to what extent the financial crisis and technological advancements are to blame, he insists, broadly speaking, that we're primarily seeing fallout from the economic slowdown -- a stay of execution, of sorts, for those of us rooting for energy conservation.

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]]> Appledata centerdata centersDataCenterDataCentersefficiencyefficientelectricityenergyenergy consumptionenergy efficiencyenergy efficientenergy useEnergyConsumptionEnergyEfficiencyEnergyEfficientEnergyUseEPAGooglegreengreen techgreen technologyGreenTechGreenTechnologyJonathan G. KoomeyJonathan KoomeyJonathanG.KoomeyJonathanKoomeyNew York TimesNewYorkTimesNYTimespowerpower consumptionPowerConsumptionserverserversStanfordStanford UniversityStanfordUniversity Tue, 02 Aug 2011 16:06:00 -0400 21|20006989 <![CDATA[AT&T becomes the first telco to use energy-efficient Bloom Box servers, will power 11 sites in California]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/12/atandt-becomes-the-first-telco-to-use-energy-efficient-bloom-box/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/12/atandt-becomes-the-first-telco-to-use-energy-efficient-bloom-box/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/12/atandt-becomes-the-first-telco-to-use-energy-efficient-bloom-box/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
Remember Bloom Energy servers, those low-cost, energy-efficient fuel cells born out of a scrapped NASA project? The company made a splashy debut last year, starting with a spot on 60 Minutes and a long list of early-adopting corporate heavyweights like FedEx, Walmart, Google, Coca-Cola, Staples, and eBay. Since then, we haven't heard much from the company, but today she's back -- AT&T says it will be the first telco to use these refrigerator-sized servers to power its operations. For now, the company's planning on using the technology to run 11 sites in California, a move AT&T says will cut its carbon dioxide emissions in half and virtually eliminate SOx, NOx, and other smog-forming particles. All told, its servers should produce 62 million kWh of power annually -- once all of these servers are fully up and running sometime in the middle of next year, that is. We say good on AT&T, though we'll really be stoked when these things start lighting up more average Joe homes.

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]]> ATTBloom BoxBloom EnergyBloom energy serverBloomBoxBloomEnergyBloomEnergyServerclean energyCleanEnergyenergyenergy-efficientenvironmentalfuel cellfuel cellsFuelCellFuelCellsgreengreen techgreen technologyGreenTechGreenTechnologyserverservers Tue, 12 Jul 2011 12:09:00 -0400 21|19989095 <![CDATA[Google's search for future profit targets the Sun, not just the cloud]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/06/googles-search-for-future-profit-targets-the-sun-not-just-the/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/06/googles-search-for-future-profit-targets-the-sun-not-just-the/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/06/googles-search-for-future-profit-targets-the-sun-not-just-the/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
These humble-looking contraptions were revealed in a Google patent application for a "heliostat control system" that automatically adjusts solar thermal mirrors to their optimal energy-harvesting angle. A camera and computer are housed in the central tower that receives heat from the mirrors, and together they detect when a heliostat is misaligned and then correct it using actuators. Sound like a strange distraction for an Internet company? Google thinks not. It's already invested $168 million in the world's largest solar tower in the Mojave Desert as part of its effort to both reduce its own massive electricity bill and diversify its business. It's also currently hiring three new technical staff to make this happen. Interested?

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]]> electricityenergygooglegreen energygreen technologyGreenEnergyGreenTechnologyheliostatheliostat control systemHeliostatControlSystemrenewable energyrenewable fuelsRenewableEnergyRenewableFuelssolarsolar energysolar powerSolarEnergySolarPower Mon, 06 Jun 2011 09:58:00 -0400 21|19958992 <![CDATA[Mizzou Professor says nantenna solar sheet soaks up 90 percent of the sun's rays, puts sunscreen to shame]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/17/mizzou-professor-says-nantenna-solar-sheet-soaks-up-90-percent-o/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/17/mizzou-professor-says-nantenna-solar-sheet-soaks-up-90-percent-o/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/17/mizzou-professor-says-nantenna-solar-sheet-soaks-up-90-percent-o/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Photovoltaics suffer from gross inefficiency, despite incremental improvements in their power producing capabilities. According to research by a team led by a University of Missouri professor, however, newly developed nantenna-equipped solar sheets can reap more than 90 percent of the sun's bounty -- which is more than double the efficiency of existing solar technologies. Apparently, some "special high-speed electrical circuitry" is the secret sauce behind the solar breakthrough. Of course, the flexible film is currently a flight of fancy and won't be generating juice for the public anytime soon. The professor and his pals still need capital for commercialization, but they believe a product will be ready within five years. Take your time, guys, it's not like global warming's getting worse.

[Image source: Idaho National Laboratory (PDF)]

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]]> ecoeco friendlyeco-friendlyEcoFriendlyefficiencyefficiency recordEfficiencyRecordefficientgreen techgreen technologyGreenTechGreenTechnologyIdaho National LaboratoryIdahoNationalLaboratoryinlresearchsciencesolarsolar cellsolar engergysolar powerSolarCellSolarEngergySolarPoweruniversity of missouriUniversityOfMissouri Tue, 17 May 2011 07:48:00 -0400 21|19942184 <![CDATA[Nanocones make solar cells more efficient, sinister looking]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/01/nanocones-make-solar-cells-more-efficient-sinister-looking/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/01/nanocones-make-solar-cells-more-efficient-sinister-looking/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/01/nanocones-make-solar-cells-more-efficient-sinister-looking/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Going green is de rigeur, so the sun is becoming a much-preferred source of power. However, solar cells' inefficient harvesting of heliacal energies is a major reason they haven't usurped the power of petroleum. Good thing the big brains at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are looking to change that with nanocone-based solar technology. The teeny-tiny cones are made of zinc oxide and create "an intrinsic electric field distribution" to improve electrical charge transport within solar cells. We aren't sure what that means, but we do know the prickly-looking design provides a 3.2 percent light-to-power conversion efficiency that's a substantial improvement over the meager 1.8 percent offered by today's flat photovoltaics made of similar materials. That's 80 percent more efficient, and 100 percent more awesome.

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]]> ecoeco friendlyeco-friendlyEcoFriendlyefficiencyefficientgreengreen techgreen technologyGreenTechGreenTechnologyoak ridge national laboratoryOakRidgeNationalLaboratoryornlresearchsciencesolarsolar cellsolar powerSolarCellSolarPower Sun, 01 May 2011 05:03:00 -0400 21|19928280 <![CDATA[MIT's genetically modified viruses boost solar-cell efficiency by herding nanotubes]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/27/mits-genetically-modified-viruses-boost-solar-cell-efficiency-b/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/27/mits-genetically-modified-viruses-boost-solar-cell-efficiency-b/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/27/mits-genetically-modified-viruses-boost-solar-cell-efficiency-b/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
The wizards of MIT have done it again. Having checked artificial leaves and Operabots off the to-do list, they've moved on to improving the efficiency of solar cells. Their technique combines a genetically modified version of the M13 virus with carbon nanotubes, which have already been shown to increase efficiency. Unfortunately, some nanotubes enhance solar cell performance, while others inhibit it - and both types tend to clump together, negating their benefits. The modified M13 virus, however, can separate the two types as well as prevent clumping; we've seen similar use of the Tobacco mosaic virus to build better electrodes. Adding virus-built structures to dye-sensitized solar cells increased power conversion efficiency by almost one-third and, with only one additional step in the manufacturing process required, the new approach could be rapidly taken up by existing production facilities. MIT: proving once again that viruses are good for more than just smiting your enemies.

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]]> energyGreenTechGreenTechnologiesGreenTechnologym.i.t.massachusetts institute of technologyMassachusettsInstituteOfTechnologyMITnanorodNanoRodsnanotechnologynanotubenanotubesnanowirenanowiressolarsolar powerSolarPowervirusviruses Wed, 27 Apr 2011 19:17:00 -0400 21|19924548 <![CDATA[Newly discovered properties of light promise better solar batteries, really great tans]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/15/newly-discovered-properties-of-light-promise-better-solar-batter/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/15/newly-discovered-properties-of-light-promise-better-solar-batter/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/15/newly-discovered-properties-of-light-promise-better-solar-batter/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Are you tired of waking up to the same old semiconductor-based solar array? Do you yearn for a change? We know you do and, thanks again to the wonder and mystery of magnetic fields (they're not just for stopping speech anymore), there's a new day dawning. University of Michigan scientists were shooting lasers at glass, as they do, and made a remarkable discovery: light passing through a non-conductive surface like glass generates impressive magnetic effects - up to 100 million times greater than expected. The resulting magnetic force could replace the electric effect exploited by current technology, paving the way for "optical batteries." Though different from the Wysips transparent photovoltaic cell, the technology could have similar applications and may render obsolete those massive solar farms. No need to worry, though -- your stylish solar backpack is as fly as it ever was.

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]]> batterycellclean techCleanTechGreen Lightinggreen technologyGreenLightingGreenTechnologymagnetmagnetismmagnetsopticaloptical batteryOpticalBatterypowerRenewable EnergyRenewableEnergysolarsolar cellsolar cellsSolar PowerSolarCellSolarCellsSolarPoweruniversity of michiganUniversityOfMichigan Fri, 15 Apr 2011 18:11:00 -0400 21|19914513 <![CDATA[Samsung demos transparent LCD using ambient backlight]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/07/samsung-demos-ambient-light-powered-transparent-lcd/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/07/samsung-demos-ambient-light-powered-transparent-lcd/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/07/samsung-demos-ambient-light-powered-transparent-lcd/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Wirelessly-powered TVs are nice, and transparent displays are cool and all, but what about an ambient light-powered transparent LCD? Well, that's nothing short of awesome. Samsung showed off just such a device at CeBIT 2011 last week -- a prototype 46-inch display with 1920 x 1080 resolution and ten-finger touchscreen capability. We aren't sure what kind of black magic Sammy put in this thing, but it's an incredible feat of engineering to make such a large display -- and its accompanying solar cells -- efficient enough to run exclusively off the juice it pulls from surrounding light sources. No word on how the photon-powered LCD compares to existing HD monitors in terms of brightness, refresh rates, or color reproduction, but a muted picture is a small price to pay for cutting the electrical cord forever.

Update: It appears that the source article misunderstood the way this LCD is powered -- there are no solar panels involved here; the ambient light is merely to replace the traditional backlight rather than powering the device.

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]]> cebit 2011Cebit2011displayeco friendlyeco-friendlyEcoFriendlyfuturegreengreen techgreen technologyGreenTechGreenTechnologyHDlcdmonitorsamsungsolarsolar powerSolarPowertranslucenttransparenttransparent displaytransparent lcdTransparentDisplayTransparentLcd Mon, 07 Mar 2011 12:14:00 -0500 21|19869975 <![CDATA[China to build ginormous buses that cars can drive under (video)]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/02/china-to-build-ginormous-buses-that-cars-can-drive-under-video/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/02/china-to-build-ginormous-buses-that-cars-can-drive-under-video/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/02/china-to-build-ginormous-buses-that-cars-can-drive-under-video/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Seriously, this is the future that China's envisioning: huge friggin' buses engulfing smaller cars on the road. Despite the silly picture and the eccentric "3D Express Coach" branding, this cunning project by Shenzhen Huashi Future Car-Parking Equipment actually makes sense. The idea is to make use of the space between regular-size cars and bridges, thus saving construction costs as well as minimizing congestion impact by allowing cars to drive underneath these jumbo buses. Fancy hitching a ride? You better start planning your move to Beijing's Mentougou district, which is where Huashi will commence building its first 186km of track at year's end. For now, enjoy the Chinese demo video after the break (translation text at source link).

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]]> 3d express coach3dExpressCoachbeijingbig busBigBusbuschinacoachgreen technologyGreenTechnologyhuashihuge busHugeBusMentougoupublic transportpublic transportationPublicTransportPublicTransportationstraddling busStraddlingBusvideo Mon, 02 Aug 2010 09:13:00 -0400 21|19576720 <![CDATA[Ekokook concept kitchen's mantra: waste not, want not]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/02/ekokook-concept-kitchens-mantra-waste-not-want-not/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/02/ekokook-concept-kitchens-mantra-waste-not-want-not/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/02/ekokook-concept-kitchens-mantra-waste-not-want-not/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
If, like us, you've spent a fair amount of time in a kitchen cooking up a storm, then you're probably aware of one of the major drawbacks of major home-cooking... it generates a ton of waste. That's right -- up to 85 or 90 percent of a family's trash can be generated within the vicinity of the kitchen. Faltazi's concept kitchen should be interesting for just that reason -- Ekokook is designed to generate essentially zero waste. The solid waste -- things like glass -- are ground down using a hand-activated steel ball, and there's also a manual paper shredder which compacts the leftovers into small bricks. Water is stored, filtered, and reused, with waste water being used to water plants. Oh, and there's also an eco-friendly earthworm compactor in a drawer! Does it get any better? Well, there's a video after the break to check out.

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]]> conceptconceptsecoekokookfuturegreengreen techgreen technologyGreenTechGreenTechnologyhouseholdkitchenkitchen of the futureKitchenOfTheFuturethe futureTheFutureyanko Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:14:00 -0500 21|19341538 <![CDATA[SmartSynch intros GridRouter for smart meters and the electric companies that love them]]> http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/smartsynch-intros-gridrouter-for-smart-meters-and-the-electric-c/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/smartsynch-intros-gridrouter-for-smart-meters-and-the-electric-c/ http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/smartsynch-intros-gridrouter-for-smart-meters-and-the-electric-c/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
The last time we heard from SmartSynch it had inked a deal with AT&T to provide communications between its smart energy products and power companies. Now the company's back with a little something called the GridRouter, an IP-based device based that connects appliances, smart grids, and utilities -- no matter which communication protocol is used. The device is built on an open platform since the current grid is a mish-mash (or a hodge-podge, if you will) of proprietary hardware and software, and includes WiMax and Wi-Fi capabilities. Sounds like it just might be the thing for utilities struggling to catch up to the 21st century smarter energy revolution -- and those of you who are really, really into Google's PowerMeter beta. Want to give it a spin? Hit the source link to get in touch with the company. PR after the break.

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]]> energyenergy savingEnergySavingenvironmentgreengreen technologyGreenTechnologygridpower consumptionpower savingPowerConsumptionPowerSavingsmart appliancessmart metersSmartAppliancesSmartMetersSmartSynchutilities Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:24:00 -0500 21|19265540 <![CDATA[Nissan says its new electric car, the Leaf, gets 367 miles per gallon]]> http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/15/nissan-says-its-new-electric-car-the-leaf-gets-367-miles-per-g/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/15/nissan-says-its-new-electric-car-the-leaf-gets-367-miles-per-g/ http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/15/nissan-says-its-new-electric-car-the-leaf-gets-367-miles-per-g/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Nissan's gotten into a bit of a bragging contest on Twitter -- possibly fueled by Chevrolet's recent, shaky claim that the Volt will get 230 miles per gallon. The company is now saying that its new electric car, the Leaf, will get an astonishing 367 miles per gallon... even though it's a 100 percent electric car, and runs on absolutely no fuel. So, isn't that zero miles per gallon? Well, yes and no: all these massive numbers are based on both the Department of Energy and the EPA's calculations for estimating equivalencies in electric cars. Why? Well, it seems that car companies are still giving us -- the prospective buying public -- MPG figures because they think that's what we understand best. Tony Posawatz, vehicle line director for Chevy's Volt recently admitted to the New York Times that the miles per gallon matrix is "probably not the best measure of goodness" for a car that uses no gallons at all, but that it's "what people are accustomed to." We agree -- he's got a point -- but people were also accustomed to the hi-fi, the corded landline, and the steam engine. We assure you: people understand that a car that runs on zero gas (and therefore gets an astonishingly low amount of miles per gallon) is really, really awesome. So the MPG matrix is useless when talking about electric cars -- we'll adjust!

Read - Nissan claims 367 miles per gallon for electric Leaf
Read - The Chevy Volt: mileage numerology

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]]> automobilescarcarschevroletchevrolet voltChevroletVoltchevychevy voltChevyVoltecoelectricelectric carElectricCargreen techgreen technologyGreenTechGreenTechnologyleafnissannissan leafNissanLeaftransportationvolt Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:02:00 -0400 21|19130094 <![CDATA[Nissan shows off latest electric car prototype with battery monitoring system, iPhone app ]]> http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/27/nissan-shows-off-latest-electric-car-prototype-with-battery-moni/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/27/nissan-shows-off-latest-electric-car-prototype-with-battery-moni/ http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/27/nissan-shows-off-latest-electric-car-prototype-with-battery-moni/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments

Nissan's started showing off its latest prototype electric car, based on the Versa. This one will house a 108 horsepower / 206 pound-feet electric motor to drive the front wheels, and a 24 kWh, lithium ion battery pack will be fitted under the floor for storing electricity, with an expected range of 100 miles. To top things of nerd-style, the newest prototype will have a navigation system which will show the current life of the battery, and the mile range its current amount of juice will support, and will boast the ability to download info about nearby charging station locations. And need we say, "there's an app for that?" That's right, Nissan also has a working prototype of an iPhone app making the rounds in Japan which would allow users to communicate with their car remotely and find out the state of the battery's charge. Can this get any cooler?

Read - Nissan shows off new Versa-based electric vehicle protoype
Read - Nissan dials iPhone for car remote control

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]]> carecoecofriendlyecotechecotechnologyelectic vehicleElecticVehicleelectricelectric carElectricCarevgreengreen technologyGreenTechnologylithium ion batteryLithiumIonBatterynissanprototypezero emissionzero emissionsZeroEmissionZeroEmissions Mon, 27 Jul 2009 11:24:00 -0400 21|19110638 <![CDATA[AT&T inks deal to provide smart appliances equal time on the grid]]> http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/atandt-inks-deal-to-provide-smart-appliances-equal-time-on-the-gri/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/atandt-inks-deal-to-provide-smart-appliances-equal-time-on-the-gri/ http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/atandt-inks-deal-to-provide-smart-appliances-equal-time-on-the-gri/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
Up until now, if you had dreams of managing your household energy consumption with some sort of smart appliance, you had to either live in an area where a utility built its own network (Corpus Christi or Burbank, for example) or rely on some proprietary method of getting data from your site to the electric co. It looks like this is about to change, however. AT&T has announced a deal with smart meter manufacturer SmartSynch that will see the carrier provide two-way communications between the your home and the grid, a "first of its kind" agreement that will allow you to get the most out of those Energy Management Enabled Appliances GE has been feverishly developing. Sure, refrigerators that wait until midnight to defrost aren't as exciting as, say, robotic monster trucks -- but this is progress, man. Show a little enthusiasm.

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]]> ATTenergyGEgreen technologyGreenTechnologygridsmart appliancesSmartAppliancesSmartSynch Thu, 19 Mar 2009 10:13:00 -0400 21|1492568 <![CDATA[Dell previews new G-Series monitors]]> http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/08/dell-previews-new-g-series-monitors/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/08/dell-previews-new-g-series-monitors/ http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/08/dell-previews-new-g-series-monitors/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
Hot on the heels of Dell's new XPS Studio laptop release, the company's back with its G-Series LED monitors. We're assuming that the G stands for "green," 'cos they're really working the tree-hugging angle on this one -- pointing out that widescreen LED flat panels consume less than half the power of comparable monitors, and that their designs incorporate "environmentally preferable" materials. Two models are currently available -- the G2210 measures 22-inches, boasting 1680 x 1050 resolution and should fetch $279, while the G2410 24-inch boasts 1920 x 1080 (HD) resolution, with an asking price of $359. Both models are planned for late February.

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]]> cesces 2009Ces2009dellg-seriesgreengreen technologyGreenTechnologyled Thu, 08 Jan 2009 16:17:00 -0500 21|1423580