Eco- Factor: Self sustaining environmentally friendly agro urban settlement

Khataba is a self sustaining agro urban eco-system by Italian designer Marian Colleti planned to house and meet food and energy production and consumption needs of Nile Delta’s growing population. The urban agro environment comprises of agricultural fields laid out in linear and circular morphological patterns interspersed with town centers also called the Agropolis.

This matrix of interconnected and complimented nuclei is designed to have zero carbon foot print. The Agropolis is proposed to use recycled waste products, including sewage, household garbage, energy, etc. whereas the waste water is thought to be utilized for irrigating the nearby fields. The settlements buildings including some of the circular fields would be harnessing solar energy thereby helping meet the energy requirements. To increase solar energy generation the building façade would be layered with pixels and solar arrays provided with dyed glass and fiber optics.

The design promotes sustainable food production and consumption in accordance with ecologically balanced agricultural practices. For eg. The circular shape of the fields helps irrigate large surfaces with very little water thereby saving water. Proximity of production and consumption helps attract the local population, mainly farmers, craftsmen and other skilled workers are thought to be attracted to the Al Jadida Agropolis where products can be traded under a single roof foregoing transportation costs.

The project envisages a layered settlement with a host of facilities for agricultural manufacturing, along with housing, commercial, cultural, educational, and other ancillary services all at one place. This density of construction is expected to allow maximum utilization of surrounding farmland for agricultural purposes. The new agro urban settlement will also be provided with new transportation infrastructure comprising new railway tracks.

Via: Design Boom

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Eco Factor: Sculpture created from trashed cellphones.

The figures associated with cellphones are quite startling for any eco-conscious individual – the total number of cellphone users in the world is about 3.3 billion and more than 1.2 billion cellphones were sold worldwide in 2009. The problem isn’t only about the emissions related to the manufacturing process of cellphones, but it gets worse as hundreds of thousands of cellphones are discarded each day all over the globe.

There aren’t many solutions to the problems associated with this much-loved gadget, other than finding ways to recycle or reuse phones that are trashed. Some eco-conscious artists in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, have collected hundreds of trashed cellphones to create a giant cellphone sculpture as part of the city’s Planet Report Environment & Film Festival. In addition to a gigantic cellphone, the pedestrians are also welcomed by some other artwork made from recycled materials.

Via: Neatorama/11Even

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Eco Factor: Pedal-powered vehicle concept.

Depleting fossil fuel reserves and concerns about emissions has made automakers believe in electric cars that have zero tailpipe emissions. However, with only meager amounts of electricity being generated from renewable sources, the concept of electric cars is also debatable.

In a bid to create a 100 percent zero-emission vehicle, several designers are coming up with unique vehicles that are powered by pedals. Though slow, these vehicles are green to the core. The Human Powered Vehicle by designer Todd Dawson is another similar concept that harvests human energy for propulsion.

The concept can function as both a community car and as a tradesman’s vehicle, thereby becoming highly active in community for both transportation of people and cargo. The concept has been designed in several variants ranging from a four person community vehicle to a single person utility vehicle.

Via: Anno Books

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Eco Factor: Device uses solar energy to purify collected rainwater.

With over a billion people in the world lacking access to safe drinking water, several industrial designers have taken up the task to develop eco-friendly low-cost water purifiers that can be used in rural parts of the world. The AquaRing by designers Yana Tzanov, Elisa Makela, Stephanie Sauve and Olga Losak hopes to quench the thirst of millions by harvesting rainwater.

Rainwater is definitely one of the purest forms of water, however since the air around isn’t quite pure, rainwater too includes pollutants. The AquaRing answers both the problems by first harvesting rainwater and then using the SODIS process (solar water disinfection) to provide potable water. The device can also reduce the number of plastic water bottles that are sent to the landfills each year.

Via: Twenty Nothings

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Eco Factor: Concept bike powered by electric motors.

The AutoVelo electric bike is the brainchild of designer Eric Stoddard of Speed Studio Design, who believes that a seating position similar to a car would make bikes more attractive. The concept is an “Excellence Award Winner” in the 14th annual International Bicycle Design Competition at the 2010 Taipei Cycle Show.

The concept includes an electric motor that propels the rear wheel and a set of pedal that can power the front wheel after the electrical power runs out. The unique seating position brings the rider at eye-level with the rest of the traffic. It’s got a low-stepover frame, making it easy to get in and out of, and a low enough setting to ensure that the rider’s feet can always touch the ground.

Via: YankoDesign/TheDesignBlog

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Eco Factor: Zero-emission concept vehicle powered by electric motors.

Auto designer Rob Thornham believes that cars should be regarded as a pal or a member of the family in order to make sure that waste is minimized. Rob’s has come up with a concept vehicle called Ben, that he believes can be adopted as a family member or as a pal, by giving it even your surname.

The vehicle is smaller than a Fiat 500 and packs space for four adults. The vehicle is propelled by in-wheel electric hub motors that get their juice from a 300V lithium-ion battery. The 30KW electric motors are coupled with in-wheel active shockers to make your green ride more comfortable.

Via: Tuvie

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Eco Factor: Roof tiles incorporating photovoltaic modules.

Recent advancements in photovoltaic technology have been encouraging for manufacturers who are finding possible ways to encourage homeowners to deck out their roofs with solar panels. Tegolasolare thinks that embedding solar panels in traditional looking roof tiles might just solve the purpose. The Italian company has developed red clay tiles that look like traditional terracotta tiles, but here they are incorporated with solar panels.

The panels are neatly concealed within the tiles, which offer a way to combine tradition and modernity. A solar power panel comprising of four modules is installed on the roofing tile with ceramic body mix. The panels are then interconnected to create a real photovoltaic field, which may cover the whole roof and can be as large as required. The company believes that a roof of 40sqm lined with these tiles will be able to produce about 3KW of power.

Via: Gizmodo/Solar Lighting

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Eco Factor: Sustainable research building with passive and active photovoltaic systems.

SHoP Architects has been awarded the first prize for their design of the Botswana Innovation Hub, a 270,000sqf office and research building that will be comprised of state of the art laboratory spaces for technology-drive and knowledge-intensive foreign and local businesses. The complex will feature some of the most advanced sustainable technologies, including the architects’ “energy-blanket” roofscape.

The roofscape will include systems that will combine passive and active systems. Large overhangs will passively shade the building reducing any unnecessary heat gain to reduce energy consumption. Moreover, mechanisms to collect and reuse water and both passive and active photovoltaic systems to harness renewable solar energy will also be included.

Via: ArchDaily

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Eco-Factor: Solar powered football stadium.

South Africa left the world amazed with its hi-tech 2010 Quantum football stadium. While we enjoy the quadrennial gaming splendor, world has already set its eyes on World Cup 2022. Qatar has promised three strikingly wonderful stadiums for the 2022 event in an apparent attempt to bolster its chances for hosting the event. The proposed soccer stadiums intend to import soccer into the green realm by being carbon neutral. Unique in design these stadiums would be powered by solar energy. While Qatar has unveiled its plans to build three entirely new stadiums as well as updating two already existing ones it remains to be seen whether Middle East would get fortunate enough to stage the mega event.

Via: Dvice

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Eco Factor: Zero-emission concept motorcycle powered by electric motors.

The HMK 561 by designer Ralf Kittmann looks more like a trendy bicycle sans pedals, but is actually an ultra-light motorcycle that is designed to run without any emissions. The all-electric concept features a lightweight body made from carbon fiber that has the suspension and bearings integrated directly into it.

The carbon fiber body also acts as an electrical conduct for the bike’s onboard devices and stores the energy for the two electric motors. These motors are located in the front and rear swing arms and transmit energy to the rim directly. The energy storage devices are also recharged by a regenerative braking mechanism.

Via: DesignBoom

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Eco Factor: Nissan expected to roll out next-gen GT-R with a alt-fuel technologies.

Mercedes-Benz and Audi have already announced plans to roll out fully electric versions of the SLS AMG and the R8 respectively to stay in the race of next-gen clean vehicles. Rumors of Nissan adopting a similar trend have been floating since 2009 and the company now has confirmed that some kind of alternative powertrain will be necessary to keep the GT-R relevant and meet future emissions and fuel economy standards.

According to sources the company is considering a straight battery variant, a hybrid or even an unlikely diesel version. While a battery version is certainly possible for the company, a hybrid would be easy to do because of the car’s front engine/transaxle layout.

Via: AutoBlogGreen

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Eco Factor: Sustainable tower harness energy and proposes low-impact solution.

Deriving inspiration from the Welwitschia plant, architects Hunter Ruthrauff, Hayley Stewart, and Garrett Van Leeuwen have designed a biomimetic research lab where studies regaeding indigenous plant and animal species will be undertake. Dubbed the “Namib Biomimesis Research Tower”, the research lab behaves as both, an eco-tourism tower and a research center.

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Eco Factor: Zero-emission concept car powered by electricity.

We often see auto designers envisioning all kinds of cars for a future world, where vehicles will be powered by clean electricity. Though most of these concept cars seem too futuristic and depend on technology that hasn’t yet been developed, the Element concept car is a practical car that serves the same purpose.

Conceptualized by designer Liviu Tudoran, the Element concept is powered by electric motors that ensure a zero-emission drive. The car has some very simple shapes and a clean aspect of the interior and exterior. Its compact size, easy access to all functions and a large amount of storage space makes it an ideal vehicle for personal usage in the era of simplicity.

Similar to the exterior, the interior too is kept very simple. All the controls needed for the car to run can be found on the touchscreen OLED display mounted on the dashboard. The electric engines and the batteries are mounted under the seat to evenly distribute weight and stabilize the vehicle.

Via: Liviu Tudoran

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Eco-Factor: Wind energy project fulfills local energy requirements.

Americans are at war against conventional fossil fuel harvesting after the recent BP oil spill and other mining projects across the country which have destroyed their eco-system. In an exemplary move, the Atchison County, Missouri’s new farmer’s city wind power project has shown that in sharp contrast to the destruction caused by fossil fuels, massive renewable energy projects can coexist with farmland. Constructed by Iberdrola Renewables, the wind farm spread across 14,000 acres consists of 73 turbines that produce 146 megawatts of clean power, enough for 33,000 homes. The project is entirely a win-win proposition for the farmers who can continue farming their land while at the same time getting income from the land leased for the project. Interestingly, the project’s carbon footprint takes up only 1% of the land while the project itself provides an economic impetus to the county.

Via: Clean Technica

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Eco Factor: Eco-friendly doorbell powered by solar energy.

Doorbells are necessary but most homeowners don’t like the aesthetics of doorbells available on the market and tend to hide them behind doors or curtains. The Glow is different, not only is this device aesthetically pleasing, but it also allows the user to show their green thumb as the device is powered by solar energy.

Designed by David Barry, the solar-powered wireless doorbell aims to elevate the status of a doorbell to a valued and displayed object with emotional value. When the button on the outdoor unit is pressed, a pattern glows on both units, which indicates to the outside user that the bell is working and indoors it provides an audio and a visual alert to the homeowner.

The volume of the doorbell can be regulated according to different preferences. The floral pattern on the doorbell also subtly disguises the otherwise aesthetically unappealing solar panels. The outdoor unit includes two switches, one to alert the parent and the second to alert the children. Pressing each button results in different and tones emitted by the indoor unit.

Via: Dexigner

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Eco-Factor: e waste finds use in bio-medicine.

Waste from discarded electronic goods is rising dramatically and its disposal in globally acceptable manner is a challenging problem. Researchers at the University of York have explored a use for PVA, a chemical compound found in LCD television sets. Adding significant value to this waste, the researchers have managed to produce a high surface area mesoporous material by heating, then subsequently cooling and dehydrating PVA. The material produced has great potential for human health applications and can be used widely in bio-medicine. It can be useful in tissue scaffolding thereby helping parts of body regenerate in pills and dressings that deliver drugs and hospital cleaning products to prevent infection. The anti microbial properties of the substance also helps destroy infection caused by Escherichia coli and some strains of Staphylococcus aureus.

Via: Gizmag

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Eco Factor: Eco-friendly dress made from recycled VHS tapes.

Designer Scianca has created a shimmering dress as part of a project called Modern Freaks. Since not many people still use VHS tapes for video viewing, recycling the ones that are catching dust in your closet is not that bad an idea. The dress designed by Scianca is one way you can recycle the magnetic memory to gain some attraction.

Via: Gizmodo

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Eco Factor: Sustainable joint use facility with a green roof and radiant flooring.

Pfau Long Architecture has designed a sustainable joint use facility that will provide opportunities for the City College of San Francisco to offer courses jointly with San Francisco State University allowing students to complete both the Associate and Bachelor degrees in teacher education, child development and community health programs.

The new facility, which is currently under construction, will be receiving a LEED Platinum rating by incorporating sustainable elements including natural ventilation, a green roof, radiant flooring, a geothermal central plant, abundant daylight, durable and easy to maintain materials, well-designed shading for west-facing façade and the use of post consumer materials.

Via: Behance/Pfau Long Architecture

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Eco Factor: Zero-emission one-wheeled motorcycle powered by electricity.

Vancouver-based startup Ryno Motors is creating one-wheel motorcycles that are powered by electricity. The motorcycle has a range of about 30 miles and can hit a top speed of 25mph. Powered by LiFePo4 batteries, the motorcycle is expected to cost about $3500.

The motorcycle features high capacity dual DC motors and controller boards, advanced solid-state motion sensors to maintain constant control of balance loop. All the electronic components inside have been sealed to prevent damage due to shocks.

A variety of software has been included to continuously monitor a set of feedback systems to warn the rider or take control of the bike if it exceeds its maximum performance limits. An auto balance system will prevent the rider from exceeding the max-rated speed and tilt angle by automatically interacting with the rider through a cascading set of warnings before temporarily taking control of the bike.

The battery monitoring system will trigger yellow and red warning lights when the battery level registers 25 percent and 5 percent to full charge. Moreover, an auto kill switch has been included that stops wheel rotation if the rider is dislodged from the bike or the bike tilts outside of its normal operating parameters.

After being in the business for more than three years, Ryno Motors has nearly finished its third and final design for the motorcycle that’s worthy of a RoboCop.

Via: Ryno Motors/The Columbian

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Eco Factor: A boat with special weed harvesting electric powered system.

It is excruciating to see our beautiful rivers, ponds and lakes drenched in aquatic waste. Be it oil spill, swamp or weeds, all of them pose immense threat to the environment and water life. All these problems are set to change with Greenboat Scientific’s Weedoo workboats. Tailored specifically to perform a vast range of waterway tasks, this green boat extracts aquatic weeds and other pollutants from water bodies.

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Eco Factor: Car sculpture created from recycled cardboard and hot glue.

Motorsport enthusiast Rob Rubin commissioned artist Chris Gilmour to create a full scale replica of McLaren M88 entirely from recycled cardboard to commemorate Denny Hulme’s historic 1969 Can-Am victory. The result is an eco-friendly replica of one of the most iconic cars that features accurate exterior as well as interior, all of which has been created using only cardboard and glue.

Via: TheDesignBlog/Jalopnik

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Eco Factor: Sculpture created from recycled auto parts.

The movie Transformers inspired several designers to create their own autobot replicas from parts they could easily source. Since the autobots transformed from cars, designer Nikola Nikolov, of Studio Re-Creation, created a similar version that too has been created from car parts. However, unlike the movie this sculpture doesn’t move or transform back into a car.

The gigantic sculpture was created using parts from an old Lada Diva Compact car, which were welded back together. Welded and sculpted, the transformer stands as large as life and looks prepared from any battle.

Via: Dvice/Mocoloco

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Eco Factor: Concept skipping rope recharges batteries with renewable energy.

The E Rope by industrial designer Kyung Guk Lee is just another concept that aims to recharge portable batteries with your energy. The jump rope charger allows the user to place rechargeable batteries inside the rope grip, which then harvests the energy of motion to recharge the batteries inside.

The designer expects that a 20 minute exercise will completely recharge your battery. The system which can store a maximum of four batteries shows the charging process which is marked by colors of LED radiation lights.

Via: YankoDesign

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Eco Factor: Solar modules that are durable and improve light transmittance.

We see the market getting flooded with products that make renewable energy. Joining the league is the a brand new solar module from Symphony Energy. Dubbed the “Solar Module SE6M60 Series”, this line of modules is made of Poly-crystalline silicon solar cells, which are said to have a lifetime of more than 25 years.

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Eco Factor: Eco-friendly Tree House made entirely from wood.

Living in a Tree House has been my biggest childhood fantasy. Nothing in the world can beat a peaceful and comfortable stay in the lap of nature. The shack perched is one name that brings to you more close to you dream. It features more than 250 cabins in various European countries.

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