Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The Electree: finally, a bonsai tree that uses solar power to charge your gadgets]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/19/the-electree-finally-a-bonsai-tree-that-uses-solar-power-to-ch/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/19/the-electree-finally-a-bonsai-tree-that-uses-solar-power-to-ch/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/19/the-electree-finally-a-bonsai-tree-that-uses-solar-power-to-ch/#comments
So you're tres green chic with your solar-charging jacket, and that Ralph Lauren backpack keeps your gadgets energized even off the coast of Martha's Vineyard. But what about stylish photovoltaics for your home, dear earth-friendly aesthete? We humbly submit the Electree, by French designer Vivian Muller. Shaped like a bonsai tree, each of its 27 leaves is a solar panel that helps charge a 13,500mAh battery. A concealed USB connector and A/C outlet will feed your gadgets while minimizing unsightly wires, and rotatable branches let you customize the look. Muller's looking for 400 presales to make the Electree a reality: for early birds, the price is €269 (about $370). If this sounds like the sort of thing you'd put on your windowsill, hit the source link to commence with the purchasing.

Continue reading The Electree: finally, a bonsai tree that uses solar power to charge your gadgets

The Electree: finally, a bonsai tree that uses solar power to charge your gadgets originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artawesomedesigneco-friendlyElectreehouseholdlamplightlightingpre orderpre salePreOrderPreSalesolarsolar powersolar poweredSolarPowerSolarPoweredtreeVivian MullerVivianMullerMon, 19 Sep 2011 09:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Inhabitat's Week in Green: space pod hotel, Lego LED lamps and the world's largest solar-powered boat]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/21/inhabitats-week-in-green-space-pod-hotel-lego-led-lamps-and-t/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/21/inhabitats-week-in-green-space-pod-hotel-lego-led-lamps-and-t/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/21/inhabitats-week-in-green-space-pod-hotel-lego-led-lamps-and-t/#commentsEach 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.

Incredible green architecture projects lifted off to the stars and charted the seas this week as Inhabitat showcased a solar-powered space pod hotel that could launch in 2016 and PayPal founder Peter Thiel invested $1.25 million to create a chain of floating micro-countries. Meanwhile, Apple unveiled new images of its spaceship-shaped headquarters and its Grand Central Terminal store, and OPEN Architecture floated plans to transform a Zeppelin hangar into a green-roofed extreme sports center. Living green building projects also got a boost as Mexico unveiled plans to develop the world's largest urban park and an incredible crop of grass-covered cubicles sprung up in downtown Denver.

It was also an epic week for electric vehicles as Germany's "Schluckspecht" car set a world record for driving over 1,000 miles on a single charge, Lightning Motorcycles broke the 200 MPH electric bike speed record, and Stanford unveiled what could very well be the fastest solar car ever built. We also watched the world's largest solar-powered boat arrive in Hong Kong as it continues its trip around the world, while Google Street View began mapping the Amazon using cameras set on canoes and trikes. Solar Roadways also received a $750,000 grant to develop a large-scale installation and Zero2Infinity proposed a cheaper way to travel to space via an immense helium-filled balloon.

In other news, the past week was charged with renewable energy developments as a 13-year-old kid harnessed the Fibonacci sequence to make a solar power breakthrough and researchers developed an energy-harvesting LCD screen that could one day power our gadgets. We also learned that deep-sea mussels can convert hydrogen into energy, we were shocked to see another shiny slick of oil turn up near a BP well in the Gulf of Mexico, and we saw Australia outfit its soldiers with photovoltaic systems. Finally, on the home front we brought you a set of fun LEGO LED lamps perfect for illuminating any room, and we shared five tips for greening your finances.

Inhabitat's Week in Green: space pod hotel, Lego LED lamps and the world's largest solar-powered boat originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 21 Aug 2011 20:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boatcarInhabitatInhabitats week in greenInhabitatsWeekInGreenlampledlegendsolarsolar powersolar poweredsolar-poweredSolarPowerSolarPoweredweek in greenWeekInGreenSun, 21 Aug 2011 20:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Inhabitat's Week in Green: transparent airplanes, photovoltaic subdivisions and a wind-powered yacht]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/19/inhabitats-week-in-green-transparent-airplanes-photovoltaic-s/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/19/inhabitats-week-in-green-transparent-airplanes-photovoltaic-s/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/19/inhabitats-week-in-green-transparent-airplanes-photovoltaic-s/#comments Green transportation soared through the skies this week as Inhabitat reported on Airbus' plans for a transparent airplane, and we showcased a crazy working hover bike capable of flying up to 10,000 feet. We were also excited to see China begin to roll out high-speed rail across Asia and we spotted several out-of-this world Frankenstein vehicles -- a Mercedes-Benz bus train in Bolivia and a wind-powered yacht that doubles as an airplane.

It was a momentous week for energy news as well, as Italians voted to end the use of nuclear power, and we took a look inside Germany's Wunderland Kalkar Amusement Park, which is built inside of a decommissioned nuclear plant. Solar power also had its moment in the sun as Enfinity unveiled two gorgeous photovoltaic-laden landscapes in Les Mées, France and Bangladesh announced that one million of the country's homes are powered by photovoltaic panels. We even spotted a new type of flexible generator that could be built into shoes to produce power as you walk.

This week we were also excited to unveil the winners of our Bright Ideas Lighting Design Competition -- the elegant geometric Tetra Pak Lamp, the gorgeous glowing Nourishment Lamp, and the cute cork Pinha Pendant Light. We also launched our new Ask a Tech Geek Series where gadget guru extraordinaire Peter Rojas answers your questions about green technology, and we reported on one Japanese researcher's dubious plan to create an artificial meat substitute from poop. Finally, we shared an awesome steampunk rotary smartphone and a set of fun foldable Paper Punk robots that are perfect for terrorizing your coworkers' cubicles.

Inhabitat's Week in Green: transparent airplanes, photovoltaic subdivisions and a wind-powered yacht originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 19 Jun 2011 21:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airbusairplaneboateco-friendlygreeninhabitatinhabitat week in greenInhabitatWeekInGreenlamplightlightingsolarsolar powersolar poweredSolarPowerSolarPoweredweek in greenWeekInGreenyachtSun, 19 Jun 2011 21:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Solar Pebble lamp doubles as a gadget charger, world changer]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/05/solar-pebble-lamp-doubles-as-a-gadget-charger-world-changer/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/05/solar-pebble-lamp-doubles-as-a-gadget-charger-world-changer/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/05/solar-pebble-lamp-doubles-as-a-gadget-charger-world-changer/#comments It might not change the world, but it won't be for lack of trying. Plus Minus Solar has designed what it's calling the LED Solar Pebble, a multifaceted device that requires just a pinch of sunlight (or maybe gobs of it, actually) in order to generate artificial light. And charge your arsenal of gizmos. It's engineered to be built at a low cost and used in developing nations, but unfortunately there's no confirmation on what exactly it'd charge. 'Course, it's just a concept as of now, so we're guessing a micro-USB and mini-USB socket could be tossed on by whatever manufacturer would be kind enough to get this to a production line. Right, prospective manufacturers?

Gallery: LED Solar Pebble

Solar Pebble lamp doubles as a gadget charger, world changer originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Apr 2010 05:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artchargechargerchargingconceptdesigneco-friendlygreenlamplightlightingpebblePlus Minus SolarPlusMinusSolarsolarsolar pebblesolar powersolar poweredSolarPebbleSolarPowerSolarPoweredyankoyanko designYankoDesignMon, 05 Apr 2010 05:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Solar Vertical Lamp: one more reason to close the blinds]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/21/solar-vertical-lamp-one-more-reason-to-close-the-blinds/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/21/solar-vertical-lamp-one-more-reason-to-close-the-blinds/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/21/solar-vertical-lamp-one-more-reason-to-close-the-blinds/#comments
Could everyone just dole out a round of golf claps for Yoon-Hui Kim and Eun-Kyung Kim? Swell, thanks. These two designers have conjured up something that any second-rate hotelier (we kid... kind of) would love, as the Solar Vertical Lamp provides an eco-friendly (and eye-catching) alternative to those drab lamps from the 1980s. With the blinds open, you'll hardly notice anything unusual, but all the while tiny solar pads are being charged up; when time comes to shut these very blinds, a lighting instrument appears to brighten the otherwise darkened room. Brilliant, right?

[Via Inhabitat]

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Solar Vertical Lamp: one more reason to close the blinds originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Nov 2008 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artblindsdesignlamplightlightingsolarsolar powersolar poweredsolar-powerSolarPowerSolarPoweredFri, 21 Nov 2008 09:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Maria Hamprecht's SW° solar lamp can take it in, dish it out]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/08/maria-hamprechts-sw-solar-lamp-can-take-it-in-dish-it-out/http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/08/maria-hamprechts-sw-solar-lamp-can-take-it-in-dish-it-out/http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/08/maria-hamprechts-sw-solar-lamp-can-take-it-in-dish-it-out/#comments
The concept isn't difficult, the design ain't nothing fancy, and we're sure the "I totally had that idea first" bystanders are numerous, but all the same we've gotta give Maria Hamprecht props for her simplistic SW° Solar Lamp. The cute little bit of furniture sits in a window and soaks up sunlight all day with its solar panels, to be dispersed as electric light at night. No plugs or clunky attachments needed. Unfortunately, there's no indication this lamp is much more than a working prototype at the moment, but hopefully Maria will sell out to The Man before too terribly long and get these things produced, with a $20 Wal-Mart version soon to follow.

[Via Inhabitat]

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Maria Hamprecht's SW° solar lamp can take it in, dish it out originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Feb 2007 03:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lampmaria hamprechtMariaHamprechtsolarsolar lampSolarLampsw solar lampSwSolarLampThu, 08 Feb 2007 03:39:00 EST