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Inhabitat's Week in Green: 300 passenger bus, babyloid robot and a jellyfish-esque LED chandelier
Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green. Sustainable transportation broke new boundaries by land and sea this week as Inhabitat reported that China launched the first 300 passenger bus and the world's largest solar ship closed in on completing its first trip around the globe. We also saw Drayson unveil a turbocharged 850 horsepower all-electric supercar while Mercedes announced plans to bring its B-Class E-Cell electric Vehicle to the US next year. Speaking of hot upcoming cars, this week we brought you a video showcasing 5 of the most exciting eco cars from the 2012 Detroit Auto Show and we shared 7 new hybrid and electric vehicles that you'll be able to purchase this year.The world of renewable energy also heated up this week as scientists hatched a plan to harness volcano power by pouring millions of gallons of water into a dormant crater and President Obama rejected TransCanada's plans for the Keystone Xl pipeline. Meanwhile Philips unveiled a transparent solar-powered OLED car sunroof that charges during the day and lights up at night, and we took a look inside Switzerland's Berghotel Muottas - the first hotel in the Alps that generates more energy than it consumes. Clean energy technology also dived into the deep blue sea as Ireland's massive SeaGen tidal turbine received environmental approval, researchers found a way to turn seaweed into biofuel using a human stomach microbe, and a Nobel laureate developed the world's cheapest and most effective CO2 sponge.In other news, this week we brought you the most freshest new green gadgets - from a tree trunk turntable that plays wood rings like records to a stunning jellyfish-esque LED chandelier and a cuddly Babyloid robot designed to comfort senior citizens. We also showcased the world's smallest greeting card (300 micro-meters wide!), a massive 300 lb stormtrooper cake, and five educational and arty apps for creative kids. Finally, we rounded up the hottest news in eco fashion - including the world's largest garment made from golden spider silk and an awesome set of bow ties made from recycled LEGO bricks.
1.2-megawatt underwater turbine project delayed
Apparently, Marine Current Turbines is having quite the time trying to install what would be "the world's largest tidal power project," as the installation that was slated to begin Monday will now be lucky to see completion this year. Dubbed SeaGen, the project will reportedly utilize "twin underwater turbines to generate 1.2-megawatts of electricity off the coast of Northern Ireland," which are said to "look and work very much like wind powered [alternatives]." Notably, the company even mentioned that the devices spin "too slowly to affect marine life," and just in case you're concerned about its future plans, it "intends to eventually build farms of turbines consisting of 10 to 20 pairs each." [Via TechMeme]
