InhabitatsWeekInGreen
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Inhabitat's Week in Green: robot cars, solar winds and the DeLorean EV
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. In case you missed it yesterday, the big green tech news of the week rolled in last night with the announcement of Google's top-secret robot car project, which has been deploying and testing self-driving robot cars on the streets of California over the past several months! (Engadget covered it here). It's also been a big week in general for green transportation announcements, as several supercharged electric vehicles hit the streets last week: the Delorean EV took us back to the future and SiGNa Chemistry unveiled an electric bike that runs on water. Finally, from the realm of tomorrow we brought you the future of moving house: strapping your home to an enormous balloon and lifting off for the skies. This week solar power also lit up the newswires as President Obama announced plans to deck out the White House with photovoltaics this coming spring and scientists proclaimed that interstellar solar winds could provide 100 billion times the Earth's energy needs. We were also wowed by a dog park powered by poo in Cambridge, and we can't wait to get our hands on this new copper-covered Nokia phone that recharges its battery using body heat. Speaking of eco gadgetry, we also showcased a set of gorgeous wooden wristwatches, and the world's first iPhone 4 cover made of plants. Green lighting was also a hot topic this week as scientists created a new type of glowing nano LED and we spotted an array of luminous lamps made from salt at the London Design Festival. We also learned how a wireless router scored a date for one lucky Inhabitat writer, and how Inhabitat editor Jill's solar-powered backpack has been a real conversation starter. See, green gadgets can help you make friends and influence people!
Inhabitat's Week in Green: speed demon saws, emergency bras, and the pedal-powered monorail
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. This week China blazed a trail for green transportation as their newest train smashed the world record for high-speed rail travel. We also showcased a cutting edge vehicle powered by six circular saws and saw Google invest 1 million dollars in Shweeb's bicycle powered monorail - we can't wait to give it a spin! We also saw big things brewing for alternative energy as wave power lit up the US energy grid for the first time and Stanford scientists unveiled a new type of nanotech solar cells that can produce ten times more electricity than standard PV's yet are thinner than a wavelength of light. Adobe also kept step with the latest in energy tech by upgrading its campus with a dozen Bloom Box fuel cells, and Volvo unveiled plans to create a new type of car body that doubles as a battery! In other news, this week we spotted a great crop of green gadgets including an "emergency bra" that doubles as a gas mask, a flexible new type of electronic skin, and a stunning collection of recycled speaker art, fit to mount on your wall. We also rounded up our five favorite eco gadgets for guys and we ooh'd and aww'd at these incredibly detailed scooters made out of paper!
Inhabitat's Week in Green: Honeycomb skyscrapers, solar funnels, and the Karma PHEV supercar
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. High tech architecture took the spotlight this week as Aedas unveiled a set of photovoltaic crystalline honeycomb skyscrapers for Abu Dhabi and San Francisco unfurled plans for a sail-shaped solar stadium for the America's Cup yacht race. We also took an exclusive look inside a high-tech solar home that actually produces more energy than it consumes, and spotted a new technology that can transform any home's electrical wiring into an information-transmitting antenna. We also showcased some of the world's most efficient vehicles as the winners of the $10 million Automotive X-Prize were announced, and we were excited to hear that the first factory-built Fisker Karma supercar will be rolling up to the Paris Auto Show next month. Finally, we peek inside Jay Leno's envy-inducing green garage in this week's episode of Green Overdrive. In other news, MIT made waves on the renewable energy front as they revealed a new "solar funnel" technology that could increase the efficiency of photovoltaic cells 100 times. We also took a first look at Eddy GT's new streamlined city-friendly wind turbine, and we saw Tesla batteries jump-start residential solar systems by storing excess energy.
Inhabitat's Week in Green: solar robots that fly, CO2 fabric dye, and the dark silicon that boosts battery life
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. Solar power blazed a trail this week as we took a look at several hot new technologies, starting with SkyFuel's SkyTrough, which is being billed as the world's most efficient solar collector. We also saw solar energy take to the skies as designers unveiled plans for a fleet of high-flying solar robots, and we were surprised to learn that common household dyes could significantly increase the efficiency of photovoltaic panels by optimizing their color absorption spectrum. Speaking of dye, from the realm of wearable tech we also brought you a breakthrough new technique for dying fabric that saves water by utilizing fluid CO2. We also saw a prototype for a wired "safe cuddling" suit for kids that wards off improper touching by sounding an alarm, and if you're a fan of high-tech footwear, check out these tricked-out kicks that do double duty as Wii controllers. This week also saw a tremendous green boost for bits and bytes as the University of Leicester switched on its hyper-efficient ALICE supercomputer, which is ten times more powerful than its predecessor and stands to reduce yearly CO2 emissions by 800 tons. Meanwhile, researchers at UC San Diego revealed work on a new mobile phone chip that harnesses "dark silicon" to boost smartphone battery life by a factor of eleven. We also showcased several efficient autos as Southern California rolled out a fleet of all electric buses that can recharge in 10 minutes flat, and the hyper-miling Avion car embarked on a trip from Canada to Mexico with just 14 gallons of gas. And if you'll be doing some traveling of your own back to school this fall, you wont want to miss this chance to pick up an awesome solar-powered Sakku satchel. Finally, with Labor Day on its way why not upgrade your BBQ with an adorable altoids tin mini grill - it's curiously awesome!
Inhabitat's Week in Green: of pedal-powered submarines and soda-powered fuel cells
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. This week, California saw a tremendous boost for solar power as the nation's first solar thermal plant in two decades was approved for Kern County. We also saw several incredible new approaches to generating alternative energy as researchers took crucial steps towards tapping the skies for lightning power and scientists unveiled a fuel cell battery that can be powered by soda. And if you can barely contain yourself at the prospect of pop-powered batteries, relax -- a team of scientists is also working on using urine to create low-cost fuel cells. This week we also watched green transportation take a plunge beneath the sea as French engineers unveiled an awesome pedal-powered submarine. Our neighbors to the north also broke news as students at the University of British Columbia embarked upon a record-setting trip across Canada in an electrified VW Beetle and three Canadian schools announced plans to create a car out of cannabis - hopefully it doesn't go up in smoke. Finally, we took a (sobering) look at the havoc that poor public transportation planning can wreak: a massive traffic jam in China that extended for more than 60 miles and 9 days. Speaking of students, here are a few projects to get you energized for the coming school year: a German tank armory was recently transformed into an ultra-modern solar-powered school, and we showcased some of the world's most incredible student-built structures. In other news, we brought you two dispatches from the realm of wearable tech - a new energy-harvesting film that could wire your wardrobe and a line of clothing that lets you send and receive phone calls. Can you hear me now?
Inhabitat's Week in Green: nanotech tea, pollution-sucking stones and the world's most efficient car
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. This week we saw the shattering of a new record as NYC's high-tech One Bryant Park skyscraper achieved LEED Platinum certification, making it the world's greenest office tower. We also turned over a new high-tech paving stone that can absorb airborne pollution and visited a hyper-efficient solar city in Germany that is able to produce four times the amount of energy that it consumes. The world of efficient transportation is also heating up as four electric vehicles blazed a trail through Europe in a race to circle the globe in 80 days. We also watched a team of DeLaSalle students unveil the world's most efficient zero-emissions car and took a look at an incredible electrified Porsche. Finally, sun-powered transportation reached for the stars as NASA unveiled plans to launch its solar NanoSail into space this fall. Nanotechnology is also changing lives here on earth as researchers revealed a nanotech tea bag that can purify a liter of drinking water for less than a penny. And speaking of liquid refreshment, this week we took a plunge in Manhattan's new recycled dumpster swimming pools -- and brought back tons of photos! But summer won't last forever, so if you're gearing up to head back to school next month be sure to check out our top picks for the best solar-powered book bags.
Inhabitat's Week in Green: a US team wins the Solar Decathlon!
Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us. This week Inhabitat reported live from the scene of the Solar Decathlon in Madrid as 17 stunning solar-powered houses competed for the title of the world's most energy-efficient prefabricated house. The winner was just announced this evening and we're thrilled to see that an American team won: Virginia Tech's shape-shifting Lumenhaus. Considering that German teams have won the American Solar Decathlon for three years running now, we're really proud of the Virginia Tech team for their big win! We're also happy to see that several of our favorite solar houses from the show made it to the top ranks, including Germany's elegant IKAROS house, the ultra-efficient Armadillo Box, and Finland's beautiful wooden Luukku house. We also watched sustainable transportation soar to new heights this week as the world's first solar-powered blimp prepares to fly across the English Channel. Not to be outdone, the US Army unveiled plans for an ultra-long range hybrid airship that is capable of flying for three weeks at a time. In other news, renewable energy is heating up around the globe as the EU recently announced that it will import solar energy from the Sahara Desert within 5 years. We also saw a beautiful solar powered flower sprout in Southern California and looked at the worlds first solar-powered soccer ball, which could help the blind play soccer. Finally, we caught wind of an innovative breathing mask that filters CO2 from the air, converts it into energy, and stores it to power a cellphone or portable music player.
Inhabitat's Week in Green: solar houses, geothermal power, and the world's slowest Porsche
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 some of the world's most stunning sun-powered homes as the European Solar Decathlon kicked off Friday in Madrid, Spain. We can't wait to see the winner of this year's competition, which challenged 17 teams from around the world to build the most efficient solar-powered house. Will it be the University of Nottingham's hyper-efficient H.O.U.S.E, Florida's Re:Focus prefab, or one of the other amazing contenders? Speaking of solar power, the field of clean tech had a hot week as Sanyo unveiled the world's most efficient solar module. We also saw solar power energize Africa's largest slum as a photovoltaic television set allowed residents of Kibera, Nairobe to watch the World Cup. Several massive new geothermal projects rounded out our renewable energy news this week as the US Department of Energy unveiled plans to make Nevada the "Saudi Arabia of Geothermal Energy". In other news, two-wheeled transportation took the world by storm as Italy unveiled its first electric motorcycle and Switzerland showcased its Zerotracer Superbike, which is set to circle the globe in 80 days using only renewable energy. And if a peddle-powered ride is more your pace, then you won't want to miss the world's slowest Porsche. If all that exciting transportation news has you overheating, then relax and cool off -- here's a futuristic refrigerator that keeps things cool with bio gel and an underarm clothing patch that eliminates body odor through nanotechnology. And finally, if you're ready to relax and slip into some summer reading, we're giving away an iPad complete with a bamboo DODOcase -- hit the link to enter!
Inhabitat's Week in Green: containment domes, robot fish and lunar bases
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 followed the ongoing saga of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill as we tracked BP's latest attempt to plug the leak with yet another containment dome. We can't help but wonder why BP refuses to use hair mats donated from thousands of businesses to clean up the slick, but we're glad that the nuclear option is off the table for now. We also looked at one inventor's plan to lead sealife to safety using a swarm of remote-controlled fish-like robots! Several exciting advances in sustainable development also took place last week, starting with the announcement of this year's Buckminster Fuller Challenge -- Operation Hope! Led by Allan Savory, the organization has pioneered a new way to transform desert into fertile farmland using a whole systems approach to range management. We also watched as London opened the UK's first desalination plant in a bid to secure a sustainable water source -- they'll need it, as 700,000 people are expected to move to the city by 2021. On this side of the pond, California is on the brink of becoming the first state to ban plastic bags - take that Pacific Gyre! Renewable energy also saw an upswell this week as a recently released report showed that wind could power 35% of the western states without major infrastructure upgrades. Biofuels are also on the rise as a clean burning fuel made from sewage sludge was recently projected to cost just 10¢ a gallon more than petrol. Finally, we followed one Japanese firm's blue-sky plan to shoot for the moon with a massive solar-powered lunar base that beams energy back to the earth. In other news, we watched the worlds of tech and fashion collide as we showcased 7 celebrities who are pushing the envelope with awe-inspiring examples of wearable technology. We were also wowed by this prototype for a futuristic computer bracelet that would blow Dick Tracy's mind. Finally, as our Spring Greening DIY Design Contest comes to a close we'd like to shine the spotlight on two of our favorite designs - check out this pint-sized snack serving robot and this stunning crystalline chandelier made from recycled plastic hangers.
Inhabitat's Week in Green: salad spinners, diapers, and solutions to the Deepwater catastrophe
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 renewable energy received a giant jolt forward as Google unveiled plans to invest $40 million in North Dakota wind farms. Solar power is also having a moment in the sun as MIT unveiled the world's first solar cells printed on paper - we can't wait to see a post-it version that we can stick to our walls! Meanwhile a team of Swiss researchers are harnessing rays of light for an entirely different purpose -- they've figured out a way to create rain clouds by shooting laser beams into the sky. With the Deepwater Horizon oil spill still saturating the sea weeks after the leak sprung, we also looked at an array of innovative solutions for cleaning up the catastrophe. The first step to stemming the spill's damage is predicting its spread, which is why scientists are harnessing advanced virtual reality models to aid in cleanup efforts. We also took a look at the BP's first massive oil containment dome, which the company plans to lower 5,000 feet below the sea to plug up the leak. This week we also looked at several ingenious inventions that find incredible new uses for everyday items. Two students at Rice University have transformed a simple salad spinner into a centrifuge that can save lives by diagnosing diseases, and a Japanese company called Super Faith has invented a machine that can transform used adult diapers into an energy source. Finally, we were dazzled by two high-tech garments that harness LEDs to light up the night. Katy Perry recently took to the red carpet wearing a shimmering gown studded with thousands of blinking rainbow lights, and we were impressed by this LED-laden coat that keeps bicyclists safe when they hit the streets at night.
Inhabitat Earth Day special: how to go off-grid with your gadgets
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. Today is Earth Day, so we're happy to have Inhabitat contributing this How-to guide for us. Earth Day isn't just a time for Birkenstock-clad hippies to preach about living off the land. It's also an opportunity to stop and think about some of the easy ways we can lighten our load on the planet, and disconnect from the tether of the electrical outlet and the office cubicle and enjoy the great outdoors. For gadget lovers, that means going off the grid -- whether with mobile solar, wind, hand crank chargers, or hydroelectric power. Below, take a look at some of our favorite off-the-grid gadgets.
