Switched http://www.switched.com Switched http://www.switched.com/media/feedlogo.gif Switched http://www.switched.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Solar Blimp Concept Could Bring Power to Disaster Areas]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/16/solarial-solar-blimp-concept-could-aid-in-disaster-relief-terri/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/16/solarial-solar-blimp-concept-could-aid-in-disaster-relief-terri/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/16/solarial-solar-blimp-concept-could-aid-in-disaster-relief-terri/#commentsFiled under:


Getting power to disaster-affected areas is always a tough task, but Andrew Leinonen's undergrad industrial design thesis (and recent first place entry in the 2008 ACIDO Rocket Show) might be able to solve the problem in an efficient and clever way. Dubbed Solarial, the idea is to use small unmanned airships made out of materials embedded with CIGS solar cells to autonomously deliver clean power to disaster sites by deploying anchored "power boxes" that have 12 total 120V outlets and 2 240V sockets. Obviously this is just a concept, but it's a clever one -- let's hope someone with the cash to make it happen finds out about it. [Source: Pull the Sky Down]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Fri, 16 May 2008 11:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Constellation Light Puts LED Twist on Chandelier]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/15/constellation-light-puts-led-twist-on-chandelier/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/15/constellation-light-puts-led-twist-on-chandelier/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/15/constellation-light-puts-led-twist-on-chandelier/#commentsFiled under:


Though not quite as elegant as the Neues Licht, the Constellation Light is still way more practical. Designed by Kenzan Tsutakawa-Chinn and showcased at the recent BKLYN Designs expo, the LED chandelier is crafted from clusters of 3-millimeter LEDs (364 in total on the tips of 91 copper tubes). Notably, it's creator is currently seeking UL approval for the device and hopes to get it on the market in short order, but there's been no mention yet of just how costly it could one day be. [Source: Studio 1000 via Inhabitat]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Thu, 15 May 2008 14:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Superpowerful Small Wind Turbines Light Up the Night]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/14/superpowerful-small-wind-turbines-light-up-the-night/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/14/superpowerful-small-wind-turbines-light-up-the-night/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/14/superpowerful-small-wind-turbines-light-up-the-night/#commentsFiled under:


We've seem some impressive wind power tech, but a new breed of small, high-power wind turbines could potentially bring efficient wind power home. Developed by an inventor named Doug Selsam, the new turbines have rotors just 14-18 inches in diameter, but can produce 200 watts in a 20MPH wind, and much more than that at higher wind speeds. The trick is using high-strength carbon-fiber materials that allow several rotors to be hooked up as one -- in strong winds a thirteen-rotor system can produce enough juice to blow out a bank of car headlights "like flashbulbs." That's pretty impressive -- especially since the system is light and balanced enough to be held up with one hand. No word on when or how we might see these hit the public, but we can see some pretty sweet applications -- laptops in the park, anyone? [Source: Speaker Factory]

[Thanks, Yocheved]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Wed, 14 May 2008 15:11:00 EST<![CDATA[British Government Releases 200 Reports of UFO 'Sightings']]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/14/little-green-men-in-the-u-k/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/14/little-green-men-in-the-u-k/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/14/little-green-men-in-the-u-k/#commentsFiled under:

Drawing of a supposed flying saucer sighting in the United Kingdon.

Flying saucers? Alien encounters? It may sound cliché to seriously consider visits from little green men descending from saucer-shaped spacecraft, but the British government is releasing first-person accounts from people who have claimed to see unidentified flying objects.

Among these encounters are indeed alleged visits from space dudes in green.

A spokesman for the National Archives says the government is releasing the documents in response to several Freedom of Information Act requests. About 200 files will be made available to the public during the next four years as part of an effort by the Ministry of Defence to show it is "open and transparent."

Among the first files released there are accounts of alleged sightings over the River Thames, reports by patrons at a pub who saw lights in the sky near Gatwick Airport (what were they drinking, we want to know), and even a sighting by two U.S. Air Force policemen who claimed to see unusual lights near a Royal Air Force location.

Perhaps the best of the batch is an account by a 78-year-old man who says he met an alien in 1983. After spending some time on board a UFO he was asked questions by the alleged aliens. In the end, they told him to disembark with a somewhat condescending statement: "You are too old and too infirm for our purpose."

The lesson here? If you're hoping for a more successful alien encounter, perhaps it's time to start your fitness regimen now.

Want to learn more? Go to the U.K. National Archives site. [Source: BBC News]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alienbreaking newsBreakingNewsEnglandgovernmentsecretsUFOWed, 14 May 2008 13:44:00 EST<![CDATA[E-Fuel's Micro Fueler Creates Ethanol from Sugar in Your Backyard]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/11/e-fuels-micro-fueler-creates-ethanol-from-sugar-in-your-backyar/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/11/e-fuels-micro-fueler-creates-ethanol-from-sugar-in-your-backyar/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/11/e-fuels-micro-fueler-creates-ethanol-from-sugar-in-your-backyar/#commentsFiled under:


Far from being the first at-home biofuel kit we've seen, E-Fuel is hoping to target consumers with a hankering for fueling up their vehicle with homegrown goodness. The Micro Fueler claims to be the first backyard Ethanol brewer made specifically for use at one's abode, and according to the outfit's CEO, the premise behind it is quite simple. By mixing water, sugar and yeast, individuals can receive E100 Ethanol in a matter of hours. More specifically, it's noted that a gallon of fuel can be derived from ten gallons of sugar, and while that may not sound like the most efficient conversion rate in the world, the company is quick to point out that costs can be lowered via federal, state and local credits along with carbon trading coupons. Those eager to start fueling up before they even leave the house can order one now for $9,995, though we're told not to expect shipments until Q4. [Source: Popular Mechanics]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ethanolSun, 11 May 2008 10:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Volkswagen to Produce Ultra-Efficient Car in 2010, Gets 235MPG]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/10/volkswagen-to-produce-1-liter-car-in-2010-should-get-over-200mp/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/10/volkswagen-to-produce-1-liter-car-in-2010-should-get-over-200mp/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/10/volkswagen-to-produce-1-liter-car-in-2010-should-get-over-200mp/#commentsFiled under:


Although you can definitely pre-order an Aptera if you're okay with space-aged design, Volkswagen is hoping to provide another option for those looking for ridiculous MPG and a little bit of normalcy in construction. Okay, so maybe the 1-Liter isn't exactly standard fare -- with its plastic / magnesium shell and all-glass roof -- but at least it packs four whole wheels and an iconic VW badge, right?

According to Motor Authority, the automaker will be producing said vehicle and pushing it to market as early as 2010, and while the minuscule engine will only take you to 75MPH, it will still seat two people -- one in front of the other, though -- and get around 235MPG. No word on a price or any of that good stuff, but we're hearing that they'll only be produced in "limited numbers" whenever they're launched. [Source: Motor Authority via EcoGeek, thanks Yossi]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>volkswagenSat, 10 May 2008 17:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Charge Up Batteries By Pedaling Away Under Your Desk]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/09/charge-up-batteries-by-pedaling-away-under-your-desk/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/09/charge-up-batteries-by-pedaling-away-under-your-desk/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/09/charge-up-batteries-by-pedaling-away-under-your-desk/#commentsFiled under:

Pedal Your Gadgets to Full BatteriesLooking for a really alternative way to power your gadgets? Here's a an innovative and totally renewable option out of China that lets your legs do the charging. Called "ENERGIZED by YOU," the roughly $140 gadget is a simple pedal-powered generator tied to a small, removable battery. Pedal away and you'll charge the battery up. Then, you can remove the gadget from the pedal base, plug in your gadgets, and let them pull some juice.

It also has a little LED flashlight built-in that (if we're reading the Google-translated page correctly) gives a whopping 72-hours of light per charge. Impressive -- if you don't mind carrying around a giant, brick-shaped flashlight. [Source: BoingBoing]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteriesbreaking newsBreakingNewspowerrechargeableFri, 09 May 2008 11:20:00 EST<![CDATA[More Details Emerge on the Three-Wheeled Triac Electric Car]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/08/more-details-about-the-triac-highway-capable-three-wheel-electri/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/08/more-details-about-the-triac-highway-capable-three-wheel-electri/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/08/more-details-about-the-triac-highway-capable-three-wheel-electri/#commentsFiled under: ,


We can't help but find Green Vehicles' Triac three-wheeled highway-capable electric car anything but stupidly adorable, and it looks like it's even better than we hoped. Our friends over at Autoblog Green scored some more info on the buggy, and found that the top speed it actually 80mph, and that range is just about 100 miles on a full charge, down from 120 miles as originally estimated. The Triac will also roll with a five-speed transmission, and charge from either a 120V or 240V power source.

On top of all that, Green Vehicles is apparently working on a truck called the Buckshot based on the same motor, but with a three-speed transmission that will enable it to be a "true work truck." Sure, sure -- but when can we have a Triac? Seriously, we want to hug it. [Source: Autoblog Green]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Thu, 08 May 2008 20:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Top Solar-Powered Emergency Gadgets]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/05/top-solar-powered-emergency-gadgets/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/05/top-solar-powered-emergency-gadgets/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/05/top-solar-powered-emergency-gadgets/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Are you ready for an emergency? Have you got your "go" bag packed with all the items you need for a few days after a disaster, natural or otherwise?

We're not all doom and gloom here at Switched, but we do like being prepared, so when we saw a great round-up of emergency products that generate their own power, we couldn't resist a closer look. The folks at Unplggd have put together a list of top-notch solar powered gadgets that could keep you going when you're on the, um, go.

Here are some of our favorites from the list:

The Crank It Up! Dynamo Solar Radio has both a hand crank (old fashioned style) and solar power, so you can tune in to news when you need it, even without batteries or a power outlet.

Ignore the contradiction in the name of the Solar Flashlight, which drinks up power during the day so you can use the device to light your way at night. It also has a compass.

We were also intrigued by Innergy Power's Emergency Solar Power Kit, which stores power so you can plug in a cell phone, laptop or other device. [Source: Unplggd]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>newsmainportablesolarsurvival techSurvivalTechMon, 05 May 2008 16:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Xerox Shows Off 'Erasable Paper']]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/05/xerox-shows-off-erasable-paper-hopes-to-make-it-available-nex/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/05/xerox-shows-off-erasable-paper-hopes-to-make-it-available-nex/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/05/xerox-shows-off-erasable-paper-hopes-to-make-it-available-nex/#commentsFiled under:

The folks at Xerox has been working on their "erasable paper" idea for some time now, but it looks like they've been making some real progress as of late, with them now even going so far as to say that they hope to have an actual product available sometime next year. The paper itself, however, appears to still use the same basic technology they've been working on all along -- namely, a coating of photosensitive chemicals that turn white when hit by ultraviolet light or react to product text when scanned specific wavelength of light. The text can then be erased on command by feeding it through a special printer, or left to disappear on its own over a period of 24 hours.

On the downside, the paper is apparently useless if it's been folded or wrinkled, or written on with a pen. No word on an expected price for the paper or printer just yet, unfortunateyl, but Xerox seems to be betting that the savings in paper (and consequential environmental benefits) will be enough to offset whatever premium they'll likely cost.

[Source: Scotsman via The Inquirer, image courtesy of Xerox / Greig Reekie]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewsxeroxMon, 05 May 2008 15:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Conceptual Artificial Plant Enables You to Practice Before Slaying Flora]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/03/conceptual-artificial-plant-enables-you-to-practice-before-slayi/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/03/conceptual-artificial-plant-enables-you-to-practice-before-slayi/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/03/conceptual-artificial-plant-enables-you-to-practice-before-slayi/#commentsFiled under:


C'mon, we know there are a few of you out there who couldn't keep a potted plant alive if a botanist was holding your hand, but there's hope for you all yet. At least, there is if QianJun Gao's masterpiece ever makes it past the drawing board. This eloquently dubbed Practice Plant features a trio of "flowers" that display barometric readings and turn colors depending on status, and the surrounding leaves will droop to signify their need for attention. Thankfully, even the brownest of thumbs could always restart this puppy and try again, and with enough trial runs, maybe one day those hanging baskets wouldn't sway out of your way as you waltz by. [Source: Gao Design via YankoDesign]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Sat, 03 May 2008 18:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Mazda Sends 4,703 New Cars to the Scrap Heap]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/30/mazda-sends-4-703-new-cars-to-the-scrap-heap/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/30/mazda-sends-4-703-new-cars-to-the-scrap-heap/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/30/mazda-sends-4-703-new-cars-to-the-scrap-heap/#commentsFiled under: ,

Two summers ago, a cargo freighter, the Cougar Ace, was en-route to Vancouver, British Columbia. Its cargo was a fleet of cars from Japan, mostly from Mazda, which had 4,703 autos on-board destined for Canadian and American dealerships. While exchanging ballast water in the open ocean, the cargo ship tilted badly to the side and had to be abandoned. It was later up-righted and the cars saved (most weren't even wet), but despite this save, Mazda has decided to scrap every last one of the shiny, new autos.

Mazda decided it couldn't determine what could have gone wrong with the autos after being held at an angle for so long, and with the potential future lawsuits it foresaw should any of these cars ever fail, the auto manufacturer went the conservative (though extremely wasteful) route of sending them to the dump.

The tale of the Cougar Ace was told in 'Wired' magazine, including the heroic rescue of the ship by a crew of modern-day (legal) pirates who boarded and righted the ship. The pirates lost one of their team in the process, Marty Johnson, who slipped down the heavily inclined ship and suffered a fatal head injury. The story is a fascinating read and, apparently, is set to become a movie in the not too distant future. [Source: The Wall Street Journal, via BoingBoing]
Read | Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewscougar aceCougarAcemazdascrapweirdWed, 30 Apr 2008 17:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Bill Gates Uses 10,000 Times the Energy of the Average American]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/29/bill-gates-uses-10-000-the-energy-of-the-average-american/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/29/bill-gates-uses-10-000-the-energy-of-the-average-american/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/29/bill-gates-uses-10-000-the-energy-of-the-average-american/#commentsFiled under: ,




Some Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) students have begun to track the carbon footprint of different lifestyles in different nations. As you may have guessed, Americans don't fare too well. Apparently, even the most power conscious yankees use at least twice the energy of the average person around the world. There is a oft-cited statistic that says if the entire globe used power like we do, we'd need five Earths to compensate for it. MIT Professor of Mechanical Engineering Timothy Gutowski says, "Regardless of income, there is a certain floor below which the individual carbon footprint of a person in the U.S. will not drop."

Because carbon footprint impact tends to rise with income, it may come as no surprise that the worst carbon criminals are the super-rich -- Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey are specifically named. Perhaps more remarkable, however, are the numbers: the MIT folks estimated Bill Gates' impact at 10,000 times the national average.

Bill, dude, easy on the AC, okay? We know it's hot. [Source: TG Daily]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bill gatesBillGatesbreaking newsBreakingNewsTue, 29 Apr 2008 10:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Electric Cars From Norway Coming to a City Near You]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/29/electric-cars-from-norway-coming-to-a-city-near-you/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/29/electric-cars-from-norway-coming-to-a-city-near-you/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/29/electric-cars-from-norway-coming-to-a-city-near-you/#commentsFiled under: ,




Think Global an electric car company based in Norway, announced last week that it will ship 50,000 of its electric cars to the U.S. The new Think vehicles are plug-in electrics that look like a cross between a Smart Car and a VW Cabriolet. The electric cars are shorter than the Smart car, but taller. In addition to the convertible pictured above, Think Global will release a two seater coup model.

The cars top out around 65 miles-per-hour and get about 110 miles to the charge, which is perfect for getting around the city, but good luck taking them on a roadtrip. The Think will set you back something like $17,000 in the U.S. and, curiously, the batteries will be leased separately for about $100 or $200 each, and may even include wireless and insurance. This is significantly less than other electric cars out there, like the Tesla, which costs more than $100,000, and will hopefully bring the electric car within reach for the average man/woman.

Think Global was launched in Oslo in 1991 and bought by Ford in 1999. Ford stopped leasing the cars in 2003, when California stopped requiring auto makers to produce zero-emissions vehicles. Now, Think is owned by Inspire, and its tech savvy investors hooked up with Google in 2006 to figure out what it means to be a 21st-century car company. The result is expected to hit the road by the end of the year, so pretty soon you can start spending all your gas money on your hefty electric bill. [Source: ValleyWag]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewselectric carsElectricCarsTue, 29 Apr 2008 07:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Triac: The Highway-Capable, Three-Wheeled Electric Car Available Now?]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/28/triac-the-highway-capable-three-wheeled-electric-car-available/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/28/triac-the-highway-capable-three-wheeled-electric-car-available/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/28/triac-the-highway-capable-three-wheeled-electric-car-available/#commentsFiled under:

Green Vehicles Triac
Our siblings over at AutoblogGreen discovered a little video hinting that a new three-wheeled, 70MPH electric car called the Triac is available... now. While we wait for the Aptera to hit the road, it seems Green Vehicles went ahead and made the Triac, tested it, and got it all sorts of market-ready. For those who don't know, the Triac is highway capable and will go 120 miles before needing a recharge. Video after the break.

Continue reading Triac: The Highway-Capable, Three-Wheeled Electric Car Available Now?

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Electric Dress Generates Power Whenever You Wiggle Your Hips]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/28/piezing-dress-generates-power-attracts-nerds-as-wearer-moves/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/28/piezing-dress-generates-power-attracts-nerds-as-wearer-moves/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/28/piezing-dress-generates-power-attracts-nerds-as-wearer-moves/#commentsFiled under:


Solar-powered dresses are so two years ago. These days, dames in the know are all about that piezoelectric material, evidenced by the incredibly flashy Piezing. Dreamed up and designed by Amanda Parkes, this piece of garb is all set to steal the show at the 2ndSkin expo in San Francisco, and according to CNET, it features electricity-generating fabrics around the joints of the elbows and hips. When the wearer walks, bends or gets downright nasty on the dance floor, the mechanical stress conjures up energy which is stored as voltage in a built-in battery where it can presumably be used later for charging your favorite handheld gizmo. Sure gets our electrons flowing.

[Via textually, image courtesy of James Patten]
Read - 2ndSkin expo
Read - CNET article on Piezing
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewsfashionsmart clothingSmartClothingMon, 28 Apr 2008 15:55:00 EST<![CDATA[GPS Nav to Provide Quicker, More Efficient Oceanic Flights]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/25/gps-nav-to-provide-quicker-more-efficient-oceanic-flights/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/25/gps-nav-to-provide-quicker-more-efficient-oceanic-flights/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/25/gps-nav-to-provide-quicker-more-efficient-oceanic-flights/#commentsFiled under:

GPS Nav to Provide Quicker, More Efficient Oceanic Flights

When people get a new GPS system for their auto, a favorite distraction is to use the thing to see if it can find quicker ways to get from A to B, even if they already know how to get there. It seems Airbus has had the same idea, using GPS to enable its airliners to find more efficient routes over the oceans, but not in the way you might expect.

Jets are typically assigned a set path and altitude that they must maintain when crossing the ocean since there's no radar out there to help avoid mid-air collisions. Because of this, the jets aren't able to change altitude or path while en-route to take advantage of favorable winds or the like, which is why Airbus is implementing a GPS-based system that doesn't require radar: Each jet broadcast its current location, which is tabulated on the GPS system and enables others to modify their routes to take advantage of those currents without having to worry about collisions.

This should cutting down travel times and could potentially save 374-pounds of fuel for each trans-Atlantic flight. Roughly 700 jets make the trip daily, meaning a massive fuel savings overall and a drastically reduced impact on the environment, something we're happy to point out on this week of Earth Day and all the eco-awareness that it brings. [Source: Wired]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airbusairplanebreaking newsBreakingNewsgpstravelFri, 25 Apr 2008 07:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Earth-Friendly Tech Tips]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/22/environment-what-can-i-do/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/22/environment-what-can-i-do/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/22/environment-what-can-i-do/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Environment: What can I do?
So you gave your buddy a high-five when 'An Inconvenient Truth' won some Oscars -- that's a good start. Too bad some of your favorite gadgets -- not to mention the TV you used to watch the Academy Awards -- use up a boatload of energy, even when you think they're turned off. That said, some technologies can actually help you save energy and use fewer natural resources. The convenient truth is that taking proactive steps towards living a greener life is easier than you think. Here are just a few.

Upgrade Your Lightbulbs

Don't be scared off by the high sticker prices of GE's fancy compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs). CFLs use up to 75 percent less energy than incandescents (25 percent less than halogen), last up to 10 times longer and cost between 50 and 80 percent less to use. Only candlelight is cheaper -- but that's a fire truck on your front lawn waiting to happen.
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Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsclimateenergyenvironmentfeaturesgreenrecycletopTue, 22 Apr 2008 13:04:00 EST<![CDATA[How To Recycle Your Dead Gadgets]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/22/how-to-recycle-your-dead-gadgets/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/22/how-to-recycle-your-dead-gadgets/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/22/how-to-recycle-your-dead-gadgets/#commentsFiled under: , ,

How to Recycle Dead Gadgets
Grandmas get Boca Raton, but most gadgets aren't fortunate enough to live out their last days in the sun. According to the EPA, those electronics that don't rest in peace (or pieces) at the bottom of a drawer end up cramped in a landfill with the other 4.6 million tons of electronic waste that are dumped each year. Fortunately, there's a home for most any device to expire with dignity.


Computers

How to Recycle Dead Gadgets Most of the major computer manufacturers offer a recycling program for their own systems -- as well as their competitor's systems -- through their Web sites. At ComputerTakeBack.com, you can see each plan spelled out alongside any sweet trade-in incentives that manufacturers, and even some retailers, are offering. Just be sure to thoroughly erase the data on your hard drive, though.
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Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuresTue, 22 Apr 2008 12:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Bendable E-Paper Shown Off in Japan]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/17/bendable-e-paper-shown-off-in-japan/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/17/bendable-e-paper-shown-off-in-japan/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/17/bendable-e-paper-shown-off-in-japan/#commentsFiled under:


E-Ink, the company that manufactures Sony's e-book reader, was in Japan this week showing off its new e-paper technology, which it hopes people will use to replace regular paper.

The new, flexible, low-power display technology will allow consumers to not only read digital books and news papers, but also take digital notes, subsequently reducing our reliance on increasingly expensive paper. So far we can't say we're convinced of the practicality of digital paper, but if it can reduce the level of deforestation, especially in developing nations like China and India, then we're all for it. [Source: Reuters]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e-inke-paperelectronic paperElectronicPaperThu, 17 Apr 2008 17:22:00 EST<![CDATA[High School Students Build 2,843 MPG Car]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/15/high-school-students-build-2-843-mpg-car/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/15/high-school-students-build-2-843-mpg-car/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/15/high-school-students-build-2-843-mpg-car/#commentsFiled under: ,

Eco-Marathon Winner's Car Nets 2,843 MPG

Thought you were saving the environment by hitting 55 MPG in your Prius on your way in to work? Think again. A team of students from Mater Dei High School in Evansville, Indiana have laid the eco-smack down -- They developed a car that managed a whopping 2,843 miles-per-gallon in an eco-marathon competition sponsored by Shell. The event, consisting only of high school teams, saw submissions ranging from traditional gasoline-powered to somewhat more exotic fuels like solar and fuel cells.

The Mater Dei team wasn't the most efficient car out there, with a solar car achieving an equivalent mpg-rating of 2,861.8 (measured by figuring out how much electricity the car uses and then converting that to an equivalent fuel usage), but the teams also scored points for innovation and teamwork, resulting in the Mater Dei's gasoline-powered vehicle netting the $10,000 first prize.

Unfortunately, their contraption is more bicycle than auto, seats just one skinny high school student, and tops out at around 15 mph, so don't expect to see them on your morning commute. However, Mater Dei's final efficiency numbers were far beyond an anticipated 1,693 mpg, which means we're probably nowhere near the end of seeing just what this team can do.

From AutoblogGreen

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Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eco-marathonenvironmentalismmpgPriusTue, 15 Apr 2008 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Light-Emitting Wallpaper]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/15/light-emitting-wallpaper/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/15/light-emitting-wallpaper/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/15/light-emitting-wallpaper/#commentsFiled under:



Question: What's the most subtle, convenient, and generally organic way to light a room? Answer: light-emitting wallpaper.

This is the concept developed by designer Jonas Samson. While details are still a bit light, the wallpaper will be on display at the Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan, Italy -- supposedly, it does away with the need for the whole fixture/bulb rigamaroll that has for so long plagued our light-addicted society.

We likey.



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Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>householdTue, 15 Apr 2008 14:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Finalists In $1.8M Millinnium Technology Prize]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/11/finalists-in-1-8m-millinnium-technology-prize/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/11/finalists-in-1-8m-millinnium-technology-prize/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/11/finalists-in-1-8m-millinnium-technology-prize/#commentsFiled under: ,



While the rest of us sit around trying to keep up with the Kardashians (and keep Dorito crumbs off our sofa), four scientific teams are competing as finalists in the international $1.8 million Millennium Technology Prize from the Technology Academy of Finland.

The inventions include Sir Alec Jeffreys' DNA fingerprinting tech, Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor Robert Langer's biomaterials for human tissue regeneration, along with key advances in both mobile communication and fiber optic networks. In the "winner takes most" competition, the first-place champ will receive $1.2 million, and the three runners up $180,000 each. The results will be announced on June 11.

Previous winners include Tim Berners-Lee, the MIT scientist credited with inventing a little something called the World Wide Web.

Perhaps you've heard of it.

From USA Today



Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>prizesFri, 11 Apr 2008 08:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Major Design Changes Planned for Apple's Laptops]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/08/major-design-changes-planned-for-apples-laptops/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/08/major-design-changes-planned-for-apples-laptops/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/08/major-design-changes-planned-for-apples-laptops/#commentsFiled under: ,



According to AppleInsider, Apple's current MacBook and MacBook Pro designs will significantly change when Apple next refreshes its pro- and consumer-level laptop lines. The Mac news and rumor site reports that the MacBooks will see the biggest changes with eco-friendly aluminum and stainless steel exteriors replacing the current plastic cases.

Apple's Pro laptop line is looking particularly dated. Despite faster Intel chips and hardware improvements over the years, the design of the MacBook Pro has remained largely unchanged since its introduction in 2006. The MacBook Pro was largely modeled after the Aluminum Powerbook G4, Apple's older "pro" laptop that debuted all the way back in 2003. Apple updated the MacBook Pro line earlier this year with improved multi-touch mousepad support and improved hardware features, but again, there were few aesthetic changes.

The MacBook Pro design will be influenced by Apple's current iMac and MacBook Air designs, and AppleInsider says that "the end result... will be a more uniform Mac product matrix in terms of design and material usage, and a MacBook offering that will far outclass its rivals."

Don't miss AppleInsider's handy chart (halfway down the page) visualizing the evolution of Apple's laptop models since the late '90s. While we're definitely excited for a design refresh of Apple's laptop lines, we've all but given up hope that the Mac Pro's five-year-old looks will ever be updated.

from AppleInsider

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Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applebreaking newsbreaking+newsBreakingNewslaptopmacbooktopTue, 08 Apr 2008 12:32:00 EST<![CDATA[The Best Inventions Ever On Display]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/07/the-best-inventions-ever-on-display/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/07/the-best-inventions-ever-on-display/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/07/the-best-inventions-ever-on-display/#commentsFiled under:



The Guardian has a great slide show of images from Geneva, Switzerland, where the 36th International Exhibition of Invention is taking place. It's the world's largest expo devoted to innovation, with more than 700 exhibitors from 45 countries showing off their ideas.

They range from a self-balancing electric unicycle from Slovenia, to a hula-hoop shaped invention for viewing one's head and hair, to a French exercise and therapy device for people with cervical problems (not that cervical). There's an Italian bed-making device, and a Brazilian toilet apparatus that flushes with only three liters of water instead of the standard nine.

Awesome ideas. Now let's see someone put them into production.

From The Guardian

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Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazinginventionswowMon, 07 Apr 2008 11:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Running Shoes That Light The Way With Each Step]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/07/running-shoes-that-light-the-way-with-each-step/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/07/running-shoes-that-light-the-way-with-each-step/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/07/running-shoes-that-light-the-way-with-each-step/#commentsFiled under:

Pioneer self-charging concept running shoe.

Do you run at night? We've found the shoe for you. Down dark alleys and through the murky underbrush (are you sure you really want to run in such places), your way will be lit with this concept shoe from the folks at Pioneer.

With each pavement pounding step, the shoes power up a small battery, which keeps a small light going, letting you see what's before your feet.

The concept seems familiar in a way to what the Toyota Prius does, garnering power with each step on the brakes to keep that battery charged (except on this small scale, the mechanism is, of course, tiny).

The other obvious reminder is of those shoes for kids that blink maddeningly with each step (except, of course, those are not self charging).

The LEDs on these feet wheels will keep going for 12 hours, according to what we can parse from the postings.

From Yanko Design.


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Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conceptexercisegym techGymTechlightpioneerrunningshoesports techSportsTechMon, 07 Apr 2008 10:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Boeing's Hydrogen-Powered Airplane Completes Test Flights]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/04/fuel-cell-airplane-completes-test-flights-in-spain/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/04/fuel-cell-airplane-completes-test-flights-in-spain/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/04/fuel-cell-airplane-completes-test-flights-in-spain/#commentsFiled under:

BoeingBoeing's European outpost has achieved a technical feat that, while not expected to revolutionize air travel, at least shows progress in the effort to lower the overall reliance on very pricey (and, you know, scarce) jet fuel.

Boeing Research & Technology Europe, which operates out of Madrid, has been working on the "Fuel Cell Demonstrator Airplane" since 2001. The goal has been to "demonstrate for the first time that a manned airplane can maintain a straight level flight with fuel cells as the only power source."

What does this mean on a practical level for regular folks like us? Not a whole heck of a lot, with most applications likely being for extending the fly time of unmanned aircraft -- although the technology could be applied to regular jets to help power the electrical systems.

Of course, like many scientific endeavors, the ultimate practical use may not yet be realized by the engineers involved. (Wasn't the active ingredient in Viagra originally intended to help people with hypertension? Researchers, of course, quickly realized an interesting side effect there. The same could always happen with fuel cells, no?)

Boeing sent a the piloted, fuel cell-powered aircraft into the air three times during February and March. The two-seat Diamond Aircraft Dimona motor-glider, with a 16.3m (53.5ft) wingspan, was modified with a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, lithium-ion battery hybrid system. Launched from Ocaña air field, near Madrid, Spain, the plane flew straight and level at 3,300 feet on fuel cell power alone for 20 minutes at 60 miles per hour.

From The Register.


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Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airplaneBoeingbreaking+newsengineerflyfuel cellFuelCellgreenhydrogenhydrogen fuel cellHydrogenFuelCellprototypetesttopFri, 04 Apr 2008 15:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Swiss City Heats Public Pool with Computers]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/04/swiss-city-heats-public-pool-with-computers/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/04/swiss-city-heats-public-pool-with-computers/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/04/swiss-city-heats-public-pool-with-computers/#commentsFiled under: ,



One of the byproducts of extreme computing power is heat. The problem is that all of this heat represents wasted energy, and instead of trying to recapture it, we use even more energy to dissipate that heat with air conditioning. But in the city of Uitikon, Switzerland, the local government, GIB Services, and IBM have come up with a rather unique solution.

The IBM-built data center run by GIB has been custom designed to directly transfer heat from the bunker full of refrigerator sized racks of computers and hard drives to a local public swimming pool. GIB is providing the heat for free, but the city did have to cover some of the initial equipment costs.

Its probably not the greenest solution to powering a massive data center, but it is certainly one of the more creative ways to reduce energy waste we've ever heard of.

From Engadget

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Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GIB servicesGibServicesheatIBMpoolswimmingswitzerlanduitikonFri, 04 Apr 2008 14:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Where's My Electric Car? (Switched Podcast)]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/01/wheres-my-electric-car-switched-podcast/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/01/wheres-my-electric-car-switched-podcast/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/01/wheres-my-electric-car-switched-podcast/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The Switched Show Podcast

If high school students can get four-figure mileage figures from a gallon of gas, why do most cars sputter out before the 30-mile mark? PLUS: A pill-sized bulb outshines a street light, a man loses everything to a fake Craigslist ad and a (different) man accidentally kills his wife while installing satellite TV.

Listen Now (mp3)

Be among the first to hear the 'Switched Show' each week. Subscribe for Free with iTunes. (Or subscribe with your own podcast aggregator by using the Switched Show feed.)

Previous Podcasts:
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Yes, 100 MPG Cars Are Coming -- Sometime (Video)]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/03/26/yes-100-mpg-cars-are-coming-sometime/http://www.switched.com/2008/03/26/yes-100-mpg-cars-are-coming-sometime/http://www.switched.com/2008/03/26/yes-100-mpg-cars-are-coming-sometime/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Move over, Prius. Next-generation lithium-ion-based plug-in hybrids and all-electric cars promise three-figure fuel economy and the comforts of a full-sized car... if they can get off the drawing board. We got a closer look at the current crop while walking the floors of this week's New York Auto Show. Take a look!
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking+newselectric carsElectricCarshybridsnew york auto showNewYorkAutoShowtopWed, 26 Mar 2008 12:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Airline Introduces In-Flight Showers]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/03/25/airline-introduces-mile-high-showers/http://www.switched.com/2008/03/25/airline-introduces-mile-high-showers/http://www.switched.com/2008/03/25/airline-introduces-mile-high-showers/#commentsFiled under: ,

Emirates Airlines first class suite

What if it's not enough to have your own private suite (see image above) on your flight from New York to the Middle East? Leave it to Emirates Airlines, out of Dubai, to top its own first-class offering. The airline has announced its new Airbus A380 jets will be the first in commercial use to provide first-class passengers with an in-flight shower. Sounds like a nice, refreshing way to improve that approximately 12 1/2 hour flight, but be ready to shell out nearly $18,000 for the privilege.

The showers will first be introduced on the airline's Dubai to New York City direct route on October 1, but plans are in place to expand the luxury perk across Emirates' entire fleet of 50 A380s.

The showers cost much more than money, though, according to an environmental watchdog group called "Plane Stupid," which cites the enormous carbon footprint for this kind of over-the-top extravagance. The showers will require an extra ton of water to be transported onboard -- the same as having 12 extra passengers come along for the ride -- and will have carbon cost of 48,455 pounds for every flight.

Despite the cost and environmental impact, we'd still prefer a high-end shower as opposed to a flight attendant dousing us with water.

From Crave.


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Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Airbus A380AirbusA380airlinecarbon footprintCarbonFootprintEmirates AirlinesEmiratesAirlinesenvironmentFirst ClassFirstClassflightluxeryplaneshowerUnited Arab EmiratesUnitedArabEmirateswaterTue, 25 Mar 2008 13:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Inventors Create Pill-Sized Bulb That's Brighter Than a Street Lamp]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/03/25/inventors-create-pill-sized-bulb-thats-brighter-than-a-street-l/http://www.switched.com/2008/03/25/inventors-create-pill-sized-bulb-thats-brighter-than-a-street-l/http://www.switched.com/2008/03/25/inventors-create-pill-sized-bulb-thats-brighter-than-a-street-l/#commentsFiled under:


Alternative lighting solutions are all the rage right now. People are finally realizing that a big, clunky incandescent light bulb, which gets so hot it burns your hand, is not a particularly efficient way to illuminate a room. But despite the quick rush to change over to compact fluorescent (CFL), concerns over the potential health impacts and mercury content in CFLs are driving folks to look for other alternatives, and a little bulb the size of a Tic Tac may be the solution.

The bulb, filled with argon gas, pumps out an impressive 140 lumens (the standard way of measuring the efficiency of a bulb) of light per watt. More lumens per watt means that more of the electricity that is pulled in to the bulb is turned into light instead of being wasted as heat.

The current champion in the lighting world, the LED, can pump out 70 lumens per watt. Compact fluorescent blubs clock in at around 50 per watt, while the standard incandescent bulb offers a measly 15. On top of that, one tiny little argon bulb can crank out 35,000 lumens, plenty enough to act as a street lamp.

Is this the future of lighting? That, of course, depends on cost and lifespan.

From CrunchGear

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Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking+newsbulbcflenergyenvironmenttopTue, 25 Mar 2008 10:05:00 EST<![CDATA[High Schoolers Create Car That Gets 1,693 Miles-Per-Gallon]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/03/24/high-schoolers-create-car-that-gets-1-693-miles-per-gallon/http://www.switched.com/2008/03/24/high-schoolers-create-car-that-gets-1-693-miles-per-gallon/http://www.switched.com/2008/03/24/high-schoolers-create-car-that-gets-1-693-miles-per-gallon/#commentsFiled under: ,


Warning: This article may cause serious arousal in environmentally-conscious individuals and/or anyone distraught at the current price of gasoline.

Engineering students from high schools all over Indiana are preparing to enter their automotive creations into an annual mileage competition. The majority of entries achieve fuel economy that most people only fantasize about, with many cars breaking the 1,000 miles-per-gallon (mpg) mark. That's right, 1,000-mpg.

The annual Super Mileage Challenge is hosted by the Indiana Mathematics, Science, Technology and Education Alliance (IMSTEA) and takes place on April 28 at O'Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis. Last year's winner, Mater Dei High School from Evansville, produced a vehicle capable of doing 1,345-mpg. That's not bad, but they weren't satisfied. Mater Dei went back to work and quickly upped their creation's fuel economy to 1,693-mpg.

Please excuse the rest of us while we sob at the wheel of our "economy" cars. 30-mpg now seems so very Hummer-like. Damn you, brilliant teenagers. By damn you, of course, we mean congratulations on your absurd brilliance.


From Newsvine.com


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Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking+newsgreen carsGreenCarstopMon, 24 Mar 2008 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[U.S. Army Developing Tiny, Flying Spy-Bat]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/03/20/army-developing-tiny-spy-bat/http://www.switched.com/2008/03/20/army-developing-tiny-spy-bat/http://www.switched.com/2008/03/20/army-developing-tiny-spy-bat/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Army Developing Tiny Spy-Bat
Sure, Batman is cool, but can he scavenge his environment for energy? Can he recharge his batteries with wind, sunlight, or even vibrations? Didn't think so. Can Batman fly silently through the air for an almost indefinite period of time? Of course not -- he can't even fly.

Okay, so when it comes to tasks like taking out bad guys, Batman still has the edge on "The Bat," a new flying contraption being developed at the Center for Objective Microelectronics and Biomimetic Advanced Technology (COM-BAT) at the University of Michigan (U-M). Still, this six-inch spy-plane has plenty of tricks up its sleeve. The Bat, in addition to scavenging for power, will also come equipped with a bevy of sensors. Stereoscopic cameras and microphones will allow for detailed reconnaissance, while other sensors will detect radiation and airborne poisons.

Currently, the Bat is just a concept, but the U.S. Army has awarded a five year $10 million grant to the College of Engineering at U-M to bring this vision to life. This highly portable and persistent surveillance vehicle will extend soldiers senses and provide a tactical advantage to those in urban environments, where traditional spy-planes are ineffective.

From Engadget

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Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armybatCOM-BATmilitaryreconnaissancespysurveillanceuniversity of michiganUniversityOfMichiganThu, 20 Mar 2008 17:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Tidal Forces to Power 200,000 Homes]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/03/17/tidal-forces-to-power-200-000-homes/http://www.switched.com/2008/03/17/tidal-forces-to-power-200-000-homes/http://www.switched.com/2008/03/17/tidal-forces-to-power-200-000-homes/#commentsFiled under:

Tidal Forces to Power 200,000 Korean Homes

Environmental concerns and the escalating cost of oil worldwide has resulted in huge gains in the various fields of "alternative" energy production. People are proposing to extract power from just about every natural force on the planet, and, while wind has been getting much of the buzz lately, an upcoming installation in South Korea promises to power 200,000 homes from sea currents.

The plan entails sinking 300 60-foot-high turbines off the coast, deep enough where they won't be able to be struck by ships and in a place where the swelling and reclining tides will spin their blades. Tests are beginning early next year with a single turbine, but it's not expected that the other 299 will be fully up to speed until around 2015.

If all goes well, this could certainly provide an alternative to the controversial plans for putting in wind turbines off the coast of Cape Cod. These turbines would be completely hidden under-water, but we can't help but wonder just what would happen to any fish unlucky enough to get sucked through one ...

From Newsvine and The Telegraph

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Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>TidalTurbineMon, 17 Mar 2008 16:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Wal-Mart's "Green" $199 PC Gets De-Shelved]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/03/11/wal-marts-green-199-pc-gets-de-shelved/http://www.switched.com/2008/03/11/wal-marts-green-199-pc-gets-de-shelved/http://www.switched.com/2008/03/11/wal-marts-green-199-pc-gets-de-shelved/#commentsFiled under: ,

Wal-Mart's

Last year Wal-Mart tried a little "experiment," selling a low-spec desktop computer for the bargain basement price of just $199. The company thought the price would be enough for customers to overlook the dearth of features and performance, and it apparently was enough for the 600-store allotment made to stores to sell out. However, despite this modest success, the company has decided to stop stocking the boxes in stores.

The gPC from Everex (makers of the similarly cheap Cloudbook laptop) was so cheap partly because it did not ship with a copy of Microsoft's Windows operating system, instead relying on the free Linux OS. This made the machines somewhat unfamiliar to novice computer users, most of whom are familiar with Windows or Apple's Mac OS.

Still, if you don't mind Linux and you're in the market for a bargain desktop, you can still get the supposedly improved gPC2 via the Wal-Mart Web site, still for just $199. However, since the specs of this model are exactly the same of the former gPC, we're not sure why the "2" here is warranted.

From Engadget and AOL Money & Finance

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Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EverexgPClinuxWal-MartTue, 11 Mar 2008 16:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Folding Car Can Be Stacked, Stored, and Recharged]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/03/10/mits-foldable-car/http://www.switched.com/2008/03/10/mits-foldable-car/http://www.switched.com/2008/03/10/mits-foldable-car/#commentsFiled under: ,


MIT researchers have created a new stackable car with the aim of unclogging congested streets and drastically cutting emissions. The "City Car," as the researchers have dubbed the new vehicle is more maneuverable and easier to park than traditional cars, because each wheel is packed with a robotic steering system, electric motor and braking controls.

The City Car, half the size of a normal compact car, is more than just a small, electric two-seater, though. Foldable to roughly half its size, the car is designed to be stacked, stored and recharged at central locations throughout a city. Franco Vairani, the car's designer, says, "you would just go and swipe your card and take the first one available and drive away." Researchers see the City Car as part of a shared transit system within urban areas -- it isn't a replacement for full-size cars or public transportation.

As reported by Engadget a couple months ago, MIT is working with GM to build a prototype, and researchers hope to begin manufacturing the City Car within three to four years. We're all for cutting emissions and traffic, but we're also anxious to see if the golf-cart sized City Car fares well in crash tests!

From Engadget and The Boston Globe

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Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carcity carCityCargreenMon, 10 Mar 2008 13:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Researchers Print Solar Panels With Ink-Jets]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/03/06/researchers-print-solar-panels-with-ink-jets/http://www.switched.com/2008/03/06/researchers-print-solar-panels-with-ink-jets/http://www.switched.com/2008/03/06/researchers-print-solar-panels-with-ink-jets/#commentsFiled under:




On Tuesday, Konarka Technologies Inc. announced the first successful demonstration of ink-jet-based solar cell printing. Yes, you read correctly -- the same technology used to print your papers and pictures is being used to make the cells in panels used for solar energy.

The ink-jets used in the new process are more advanced and require more expensive electronic ink, of course, but using them for solar-panel printing will allow scientists to print flexible solar cells without the high costs of current methods (cutting silicon into paper-thin panels and then covering it with conductive materials). Rick Hess, president and CEO of Konarka, calls this "an essential breakthrough in the field for printed solar cells."

If this technology catches on, we can look forward to seeing more solar-paneled products in the future.

From Engadget

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Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>greenprintingsolarThu, 06 Mar 2008 16:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Lifecar Eco-Roadster Gets 150 Miles-Per-Gallon]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/03/05/lifecar-eco-roadster-gets-150-miles-per-gallon/http://www.switched.com/2008/03/05/lifecar-eco-roadster-gets-150-miles-per-gallon/http://www.switched.com/2008/03/05/lifecar-eco-roadster-gets-150-miles-per-gallon/#commentsFiled under: , ,



We've seen a lot of green gadgets and products coming to market lately, but we're pretty impressed with a new car that promises an high speeds and incredible mileage in a sporty, streamlined and eco-friendly design. Partially funded by the UK government, the green Lifecar project hopes to build excitement and support for zero-emissions technology.

Built to be extremely efficient by a consortium of UK auto manufacturers and universities, this sleek concept car runs on hydrogen fuel cells powered by a regenerative braking system (a technology already seen in some hybrid cars such as the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight). In other words, as the driver brakes and the car slows down, the system captures energy -- usually lost in a normal car -- and uses it to recharge the batteries.

Built to be as lightweight as possible, the car lacks a stereo, airbags and other modern amenities, but it does have a top speed of almost 100 miles per hour -- fast for a hydrogen fuel cell car -- and yet still gets over 150 miles per gallon.

Later this month, the concept car will debut at the Geneva Auto Show, where its top speed and acceleration abilities will be tested for the first time in public.

From BBC News and Crave

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Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biofuelcargreenWed, 05 Mar 2008 18:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Intel Launches New 'Atom' Processor For Low-Cost Laptops]]>http://w