Eco Factor: Solar and thermoelectric energy generators to be coated in battle dress for on-demand power.
At present, soldiers carry up to 70kg of equipment, out of which about 10% is the weight of the batteries that are required to charge their radios, counter-measure devices and flashlights. Researchers at the University of Glasgow believe that the weight of the backpacks of future soldiers will be considerably lighter, as the number of batteries in there will be reduced.
Eco Factor: Solar-powered home designed for Solar Decathlon competition.
While most of the 20 participants who will be competing in the Solar Decathlon competition to be held early next month are relying on flat solar panels, Penn State University’s Natural Fusion home will make use of cylindrical solar panels that according to the developers will help them generate more power.
Eco Factor: Zero-emission car designed to run on lithium-ion batteries.
First-year students at the University of Sydney have spent the last five months designing and building an all-electric vehicle dubbed ManGo. The hand-built car is designed to be lightweight and features a four-wheel drive with a motor in each wheel, eliminating the need for mechanical brakes.
Eco Factor: Biofuel made from grass clippings and other organic waste.
In Brazil, nine out of ten cars run on sugarcane ethanol and in the US corn-based ethanol is more of a supplement. The rise in the demand of bio-fuel has forced scientists to think of ways to produce fuel which don’t depend on food crops. Scientists at the National Science Foundation think they can produce bio-fuel from leftovers such as grass clipping and other organic waste.
Eco Factor: Hybrid yacht generates solar energy to assist its electric engine.
French luxury brand Hermès and Monaco-based yacht maker Wally have teamed together to create a new company WHY (Wally-Hermès Yachts) and the team is designing a new boat that will offer luxury and sustainability in the same package.
Eco Factor: Fully functional robot made from trash.
While many would believe that the most trash can do is grace your living room if a creative eco-minded artist worked on it, Vu Van Thang, a 19-year-old inventor from Thai Binh province has won one of the five top prizes at the National Creativeness Competition for Children and Youth 2009 for a fully functional robot that has been made from found items.
If NASA, Nostradamus and the ancient Mayans prove correct, the world will end in 2012 and you can officially cross “wall calendar” off your shopping list (along with dog food, deodorant, and other former necessities). To mark time while it’s at its most precious, consider one of these classy calendars that also happen to be eco-friendly. Bonus: If the world keeps on ticking, you can frame the prettiest prints and recycle them as home décor.
Graphique de France’s Lifestyle line of 2010 calendars ($14) features flowers as high art. While a few selections, like “Flowers of Friendship” and “Live Love Laugh,” are a bit cloying, others sing with cultural richness. “Garden,” “Garden Bouquets” and “The Art of Zen Flowers” showcase primo botanical photography. But “ZoZo the Magic Queen,” a fantasy-decoupage tableau, is the freshest of the bunch. Graphique de France uses soy-based inks and papers that are culled from trees harvested from responsibly managed forests.
Sick of Sponge Bob’s deranged grin and Dora the Explorer’s relentless energy? Graphique de France’s The Kid in All of Us calendar ($14) line includes spreads of retro cartoon pals Curious George, Fred Flintstone, old-school Snoopy and even those buoyant mid-century tots Dick & Jane. Twelve months of low-tech lollygagging ahead.
This subtly toned 15″ by 12″ all-business wall calendar ($10.09) is a timely alternative to overly “officey” appointment keepers in boring black and white. Every part of the calendar is made of recycled material, even the wire binding. Tips for more-sustainable living are featured each month, as well as plenty of room for notes.
PlanetSafe’s Erasable/Reversible Wall Calendar/Planner ($25.95) optimistically goes through 2011: that means an extra year free of charge. Made of 100% biodegradable, non-plastic film laminate, the calendar is oversized (38″ by 24″)—the better to outline your end-of-the-world party plans in full detail!
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Eco Factor: Drive-through system powered by solar energy.
LCNB Bank has installed what is being touted to be the world’s first solar-powered drive-through system. Built by E.F. Bavis and Associates Inc, the system is equipped with a solar panel that charges a 12V battery to carry out the operations.
Eco Factor: Energy saving springs made from carbon nanotubes could save energy for a longer period of time without any loss of performance.
Researchers at MIT have suggested that carbon nanotubes, if used as springs could store energy in a more durable and reliable way that any other storage system available on the market today.
Eco Factor: Energy-saving hydroponic indoor planting system.
Hydroponic indoor gardens are great for those who want a touch of green in their homes without adding to the mess with soil. However, most hydroponic indoor gardens aren’t that good when compared to the amount of energy and water they use.
Eco Factor: Tower equipped with algae-filled eco pods to produce bio-fuel.
The demand for fuel and the criticism growing food crops for fuel has faced, architects have started envisioning structure that will be equipped with algae to produce bio-fuel. Emergent Architects recently showcased their concept structure that would generate a little quantity of bio-fuel and today we have Höweler + Yoon Architecture and Squared Design team up for a vertical tower that will do the same.
Eco Factor: Sustainable facilities and state-of-the-art data center to help reduce carbon emissions.
eBay has announced its first greenhouse gas emissions reduction project, which will help the company reduce over 15% emissions by 2012. The target will be achieved through an ongoing commitment to energy efficiency and conservation.
Eco Factor: Concept boat runs on fuel-cell.
DreamBoat concept is a collective work by designer Matthieu Tarrit and his two friends, Alexandre Lecointre and Julien Marie. It’s a 12-meters motor boat propelled by two electric engines connected with turbines hydrojet. The energy is supplied by Fuel-cell conversion; the hydrogen is reacted with oxygen to produce electricity for the 2 electric motors. The boat has been designed to offer the maximum contact with the ocean. Its windows offer a panoramic vision on the waters.
Eco Factor: Concept bike can harness renewable energy in a number of ways.
For many people the biking experience is exhausting, especially when the tough climbs are ahead. Therefore, designer Chen Chun Tung has put forth a wonderful idea in the form of his “Wind Solar Bike” concept. The most interesting feature of this design is that it can harness energy in four ways that will be stored in the battery for your use when you are not able to pedal anymore. Right below the main pipe lays a solar energy plane that can be expanded to gather more solar light. The Spoiler, a combination of solar cell coating and wind power electricity generator, harnesses both solar and wind energy and also produces driving up force along with reducing the weight of the bike.
Eco Factor: Concept car runs on a zero emission 1000 cc electric engine.
Nature is the best thing to derive inspiration from and varieties of creations that can be found in it are incomparable. Taking advantage of this very aspect of nature, designer Mohd Azam Abd Halim has conceived a marvelous concept for Malaysian roads. Much better, the concept is inspired by nature for the sake of nature. It’s a public transportation concept, named “MCET” (Malaysian city eco-transit) that gives looks similar to the woodpecker found in Malaysia.
Eco Factor: Research aims at technology that will produce hydrogen from solar power and produces water instead of carbon emissions.
Materials science and engineering assistant professor Dane Morgan and Ph.D. student Edward (Ted) Holby are putting their efforts to bring solar powered cars that will emit water instead of carbon into reality. Through a model they have successfully shown that if the particle size of fuel cell catalyst is increased then the degradation can be reduced to a considerable amount. This will in return increase the life time of fuel cell. Morgan is researching in PEMFCs (proton exchange membrane fuel cells). The phenomenon is based on the splitting of hydrogen into proton and electron on the one side of the fuel cell. The electrons are used as a source of electricity while remaining components combine with oxygen to form water.
While there still aren’t products out there to make housework less detestable, there are products that make housework more healthy. We’re talking green (non-toxic, biodegradable) cleaners. On the Free To Be You & Me track “Housework” (taking you back to 1972 here), Carol Channing chanted, “Your mommy hates housework,
Your daddy hates housework,
I hate housework too.
And when you grow up, so will you.”
Why use green cleaners? Because chemicals in conventional household cleaners—ammonia, chlorine bleach, aerosols and petroleum distillates—lead to health hazards. Negative effects include headaches, flu-like symptoms and possibly cancer.
Children and pets are vulnerable to chemical toxins because they crawl or lie on the floor and tend to put everything within reach into their mouths. Also, studies show many chemical cleaners can trigger asthma. These are great reasons to go green, even if you don’t have little people or furry friends sharing your living space. Exposure to household chemicals accounts for a significant percentage of Poison Center calls, not to mention that discarded products wind up in our waterways where they threaten fish and wildlife.
The Clorox Green Works line is an easy place to start greening up your cleaners. No specialty shopping trips needed, the price is right (under $10 for a 64 oz. bottle of all purpose cleaner) and reviewers like Good House Keeping give the line a thumbs up. Also widely available: Seventh Generation cleaners. Seventh Generation offers cleaners for every kind of dirt. Need a fresher carpet? The Carpet Spot & Stain Remover uses hydrogen peroxide (the same stuff you use to clean your teeth and disinfect a cut) as the stain removal agent.
While grocery store brand Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day stops shy of a chemical-free claim (“Honestly, this is an impossible claim to make. Water is a chemical, air is a chemical, essential oils are chemicals, and the world as we know it is a configuration of various carbon chains,” says the Web site), the company promises it’s “Aromatherapeutic” cleaners are safe to use in the presence of children, pets and expectant moms. Shop by scent (including basil, lemon verbena and geranium) or task; the dish soap is a sure bet with grease-busting action and runs about $4 for 16 oz.
But do they actually disinfect? There is some discussion around this subject — after all, the whole point of cleaning is to remove the dirt, funk and germy nastiness. But, like good ol’ soap and water versus fancy-shmancy antibacterial soap, a little elbow grease gets the job done. Method is one company that’s worked to meet both environmental standards and clean standards. “Efficacy” tops the company’s “What we’re for” list and, while they don’t offer disinfectant, they do have this to say: “If method ever did an antimicrobial product, then we would make sure that the technology did not encourage microbial resistance, was non-toxic & natural, and we would make sure people knew to only use it in places where there is a clear health benefit from controlling bacteria rather than using it all over the home.” One to try: The daily shower spray which dissolves mildew, hard water stains and lime stains. And (bonus) smells like Ylang-ylang.
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Let’s make this clear; shopping for jeans can be one tough job. Not all pairs look equally flattering on different types of bodies. But trust, the right pair is out there for every shape. Here’s a list of the best eco-friendly denim for every shape.
Hello bootcut; the good lord’s gift to women of all shapes. This organic cotton Loomstate ($161) pair is super body friendly. The jeans should sit at the natural waist and maintain a fitted, not tight, leg. To further elongate the leg, there is a bit of extra length, which covers a heel or boot.
A fuller jean is a great option for a fuller woman. Jeans like these Loomstate organic cotton wide legs ($180) eliminate the too-tight jean effect whereby a leg can look like a sausage stuffed into the denim. A roomier fit means you are never at risk of having sausage legs. Be sure to pair the roomier jeans with a fitted top, and off you go.
Skinny jeans ($72), aka slim fit aka cigarette jeans are still in. However, they are tough to wear if you are of the sexy, curvy body type. If you are set on the skinny jean, make sure to find a pair with some stretch, and that can stay on the hip level. Also, balance a skinny jean, like this organic cotton pair by Element, with a fuller top and please PLEASE make sure they don’t show any crack when you bend down or sit.
The boyfriend jean ($154) is a fabulous, casual pant that says, “hey, I don’t take fashion too seriously.” The boyfriend jean, like these organic cotton Loomstate’s, are often ripped up and sized a bit bigger – as in, for you and your boyfriend to both wear and enjoy – so go ahead and mix them up with a dressier top.
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Eco Factor: First zero emissions boat equipped with hybrid propulsion system.
Green heads of innovation have been scratching their wit, making water crafts to shed the least emissions. And with the Mochi Craft Long Range 23, Ferretti Group’s AYT (Advanced Yacht Technology) in collaboration with Studio Zuccon International Project, have actually achieved the pinnacle. The only boat in the world with RINA “Green Star Clean Energy and Clean Propulsion” certification, the zero emissions boat this, has affirmed itself as one by bagging the “Trophée de l’Innovation 2009“ and “Best Layout 2009” at the prestigious Festival International de la Plaisance.
Eco Factor: Rain-making device being planned by whiz kid at the University of Nairobi.
There aren’t many research scientists in the world who are actually successful in developing systems that play with nature. A 23-year-old whiz kid at the University of Nairobi is attempting to do what others think is just an experiment that will never be successful.
Eco Factor: Green home runs on solar power.
After working for two years on a home that gets powered by solar energy, students at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette have finally unveiled their solar-powered home designed for the Solar Decathlon competition to be held next month.
Eco Factor: Zero-emission DIY ship gets powered by hydrogen fuel cells.
A team of students at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are trying to prove the viability of hydrogen fuel cells by sailing from New York City to Troy on a DIY ship that gets powered by hydrogen fuel cells that were originally designed to power forklifts.
Eco Factor: Solar and wind energy powered streetlight concept.
When it comes to harnessing solar energy, all systems remain dumb during a cloudy day, same happens with wind generators during a clear day when the wind isn’t blowing. Industrial designers Zhou Qian and Tao Ma have tried to bring both these renewable energy generating techniques together in a concept streetlight dubbed Nature Power Light Your Road.
Eco Factor: New premises of China Science and Technology Museum to generate renewable energy using on-site generators.
After serving more than 20 million tourists with the rich scientific heritage of China, the old China Science and Technology Museum closed its doors and was repositioned in a much bigger and greener facility in Beijing.
Buying matchy-matchy bedding sets will one day become as passé as coordinating one’s belt to one’s shoes. For grown-ups, it’s all about handsome neutrals in damn-this-feels-right organic cotton. Concentrate on quality fabric, not overly studied prints you’ll soon grow tired of. That way your decor will remain as sustainable as your sheets.
Not ready to give up a floral vibe? The Organic Cotton Sheet Set from Magnolia Organics Essentials ($46) comes in a bouquet of six shades, including a gorgeous deep periwinkle and a subtle dotted-Swiss heather. Two pillowcases are included in each four-piece set, which boasts a thread count of 300. Great price for the quality and variety.
Combine an au courant shade, a savvy eco fiber, and a royally sumptuous 1000 thread count, and the Bamboo Sheet Set (currently on sale at $99) in sage is fit for a king (or a queen, or a full, etc.). Deep cut and machine-washable, it also comes in ivory and a delicious deep gold.
The simply named Organic Sheet Set ($39.99) is offered in Brown and Blue. They’re unpretentiously presented, which is cool. But these solid, nice-priced, 250-thread-count sheets are being undersold: the colors should be termed Espresso and Slate, super-adaptable neutrals from which to launch a dreamy bedroom decor.
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