Author: Chris

The ‘Urban Wheelchair’ designed by Ben Thorpe, a UK –based designer, promises to change same conventional look of wheelchairs. This brilliant piece of design is equipped with hubless wheels fixed with a tight ball-bearing which increase the efficiency of this device. Apart from this, the ‘Urban Wheelchair’ also provides a lifting mechanism which can help the users lead a more normal life. It is equipped with two 12v lithium ion batteries, of which one is used to power the wheel chair while the other is used to facilitate the lifting mechanism.

It is built with Titanium which provides a light, yet strong frame. This innovation, which has a better efficiency than conventional, electrically operated wheelchairs, could also be a great help to the physically challenged.

[thedesignblog]

Sony has recently designed a range of LCDs that support 3D video. Among these is the “LX 900” series which is equipped with a camera at the lower part of the display unit to detect if anyone is watching the TV and if not then the TV is turned off. Sony had implemented this concept before in its ‘Bravia Eco HDTV’ series with the help of infrared sensors. However, using the infrared sensors the TV could only detect the proximity of objects from the screen. By using cameras instead of infrared sensors, the device can detect faces and also details such as their direction to calculate if they are watching the TV. It operates in three modes: the ‘energy saving mode’ switches off the TV when it cannot recognize any face watching the TV; the ‘standard mode’ darkens the screen when no face is recognized and; the ‘ viewing oriented mode’ turns off the TV after no face is recognized after a preset interval of time.

Apart from this the TV also offers warning to children if they are too close to the TV and it alters its image settings according to the location of the viewer. This effort from Sony can help usher in a new era of energy saving televisions.

[techon]

The Japanese Space agency has recently unveiled IKAROS (Interplanetary Kite-craft Accelerated By Radiation of the Sun). This spacecraft is supposed to be the world’s first solar powered sail spacecraft. It is actually a solar sail which uses thin film of solar cells as well as photon propulsion for energy generation. The square shaped sail spacecraft has a diagonal distance of 20 m. It will navigate its course in space with the help of this ultra thin membrane. However, the most interesting thing about this project is that it will let interested people record their names and messages on a DVD which will be loaded into the IKAROS and sent to revolve around Venus.

The IKAROS is scheduled to be launched on the 18th of May together with the Venus Climate Orbiter AKATSUKI using launch vehicle H-IIA. The IKAROS is surely an energy efficient way to study the stars and planets.
[bionicbong]
[wfie]

El piloto alemán de Red Bull, Sebastian Vettel ha conseguido la primera pole de la temporada, en una calificación extraña ya que entre el primero y el cuarto hay mas de un segundo de diferencia. El Red Bull de Vettel voló sobre Sakhir consiguiendo una vuelta perfecta y ganado la partida a los dos F10 de Ferrari que acabaron segundo, Felipe Massa, y tercero, Fernando Alonso.

Ferrari fue la única escudería que se acercó a Vettel en la Q3, en la que se vio que Ferrari y Red Bull parten con ventaja y que también deja una realidad que a muchos no os gustará, Michael Schumacher no ha podido con Rosberg en todo el fin de semana.

Lo único destacable de toda la clasificación ocurrió en la Q3. En una Q1, de las más previsible que se recuerdan, siete pilotos se quedan fuera y seis ya están adjudicados desde el incio, Hispania Racing Team, Virgin Racing y Lotus Racing están condenados a no pasar la Q1. El único interés se centró en quién era el siguiente piloto en quedarse fuera que debía salir de Renault, Sauber y Toro Rosso. Esta calamidad fue para el piloto español Jaime Alguersuari.
(more…)

Loblaw, Canada’s largest supermarket chain has decided to opt for solar energy for its stores. It has decided to have solar panels installed on the roofs of four of its stores as a pilot project with an ultimate aim of installing such solar panels in more than 100 of its stores in Ontario. This move, though taken by Loblaw due a major economic reason (the feed-in-tariffs for solar power are very low) could really be a great help to the environment. A large amount of electricity would be saved in the summer alone when the air conditioning requirements go up.

Though this idea still has a few snags such as dealing with the solar panels getting covered with snow, if implemented properly could be a very feasible yet green alternative to electricity generated by conventional means.
[treehugger]

Cornell University’s Textile and Nanotech Lab which had teamed up with two Italian labs have devised a way by which they can make cotton threads conduct electricity along with maintaining the lightness and flexibility of cotton. Although this has been achieved before, it was at the cost of the fabric losing its natural feel. In this method, natural cotton fibers are coated with a combination of semiconductor polymers and nanoparticles in a coating less than 100 nanometres thick which helps to retain the flexibility of cotton. Using this fabric a dress has been made which can charge a mobile device or an MP3 player using a USB port by using solar energy.

This technology has various other applications such as making t-shirts which can analyze the heart rate of a person and pillowcases that can monitor brainwaves. This method of coating cotton fibers provides a new hope for wearable technology.
[cnet]

For those who don’t know, currently used plastics are developed from petroleum products and are very difficult to recycle. However, IBM’s researchers co operated by some Stanford University scientists recently made a groundbreaking discovery. This discovery could help to make plastics that are plant based rather than petroleum based, thus making them more environment friendly. And that’s not all. This discovery could help to make plastics that are recyclable more than once. This would apply to all kinds of plastics ranging from the type used in car parts to the type used to make soda bottles.

Although more research is to be done in this area, this eco friendly method of making plastic has the potential to rid the world of its plastic problems.
[gizmodo]

The ‘Pixel’ building, which is so named due to its façade which looks like a pixelated surface, is a rare example of aesthetic as well as scientific brilliance. This four storey building designed by Studio 505 Architects is to be located in Australia and is supposed to cost around $6 million. The building is supposed to be carbon neutral in the sense that all the carbon emitted, not only while constructing the building but also while producing the parts required to build it is going to be compensated for by the photovoltaic array on the roof. Apart from making the construction of the building carbon free, the building will also have devices such as an ozone-free heat pump chiller, grass roof covering, and reed-bed system which will help filter impure water and also provide shade on the windows.

Along with being visually striking, the building is designed so as to maximize air circulation and hence minimize the use of energy for temperature regulation. This building is a glimpse of the future of all upcoming buildings which according to the present environmental scenario will have to become self-sustaining.
[inhabitat]

Orlando de Urrutia has developed the Eco-Cybernetic city, a self sufficient architectural marvel which can make use of solar, water and wind energy to generate usable energy. This 150 storey structure consists of two buildings. It has ‘aerogenerators’ mounted between the two buildings, which use the wind flowing between the two buildings to generate electricity. The building also has a built-in mechanism for rainwater harvesting. Apart from this, the exterior of the building is covered with photovoltaic arrays which will be used to harness solar energy. However, the most unusual and innovative part of the building is the bio-climatic panels. These panels can be used to grow vegetation on the surface of the building which helps to purify the air surrounding the building along with providing it with a unique visual appeal.

This design, though it is not yet realized, should serve as a role model for future designs of buildings if we are to sustain ecological balance on the planet.

[infoniac]

Sheng-cheh, a student from Taiwan, has invented a life jacket which may greatly reduce the risk involved in sea travelling. Though normal life jackets keep a person afloat, a major cause of death at sea is due to the hypothermia caused by the water. However, Sheng-cheh’s invention LIFEON consists of chlorophyll solar cells which get charged within 10 second after coming in contact with water and can heat up the life saver to human body temperature and can maintain it up to 72 hours. Apart from this, it also has a GPS system and compartments that can hold food and water.

The National Taiwan University of Science and Technology is currently looking for companies to mass produce this brilliant, award –winning environment-friendly invention.
[earthtimes]

It is a known fact that if we can emulate the process of photosynthesis carried out by plants to convert solar energy into sugars, all our energy problems can be solved. Prof. Nathan Nelson and his research team at the Tel Aviv University’s Department of Biochemistry are a step closer to achieving this goal. According to Professor Nelson, plants have an evolved nano-machinery to generate energy from the sun with the help of a PhotoSystem I complex. Professor Nelson and his research team have managed to extract this complex from pea leaves. By placing this complex on a gold plated surface, the team managed to produce about 10V of electric energy.

Although this breakthrough can be of great help to achieve the final goal of converting 100% of the sun’s energy into usable energy, it is still in its conceptual stages and can only be used for small energy requirements.
[energymatters]

Iwatani Corp unveiled the concept for a bike running on a Li-ion battery charged by using a hydrogen fuel cell at the FC Expo. The bike can run for approximately 45km if the 26V, 4Ah battery is completely charged and the hydrogen cartridge is full. The Li-ion battery is charged using a Proton-Exchange Fuel Cell (PEFC) system which can produce around 60W of power. This PEFC system consists of a Hydrogen cartridge, a coupler for connecting the cartridge an adjusting valve to regulate the pressure of hydrogen coming from the cartridge, a PEFC and a blower for sending air to the PEFC. The hydrogen cartridge with an internal capacity of 0.25l of can store around 7g of hydrogen.

These bikes are currently being tested at the Kansai International Airport, where a device called “bomb stocker” is installed to refill the hydrogen cartridges. Although it is a very promising and ‘green’ concept, Iwatani feels that the system is too underpowered to be commercialized as of now.
[techon]

A 1966 Chevrolet Corvair Corsa has been put up for sale on eBay. The unusual thing about this offer is that the car has been converted to run on electric power. According to the information provided by the seller, the car uses a 144V AC 24 conversion kit costing around $10,000 made by Electroauto. Although the exact information is not provided by the seller, according to Electroauto sources, the car can hit a top speed of 90mph and can cover approximately 50 miles (depending on the driving conditions) on a single charge of its 18V lead acid battery which is mounted as low as possible for good balance.

With less than a day remaining in the auction, the current bids have already reached $10,900. This sure is a very good way to make transportation more environment-friendly and reduce carbon emissions.
[autoblog]

Sin duda modificar joyas de la tecnología como un Ferrari 430 puede resultar complicado, ya que la perfección conseguida por sus ingenieros es dificimente superable. Aún así el preparador japonés Premier 4509, ha creado un paquete de edición limitada para mejorar el exterior del F430.

El paquete, del cuál se crearán sólo 300 unidades, consiste de un parachoques delantero y trasero, faldones laterales, un nuevo alerón trasero y un nuevo colín para el escape. Además de la carrocería Premier 4509 ofrece unas llantas de 19 pulgadas para la parte delantera y de 20 para la parte trasera.

Vía | GT Spirit

John Carnett, a ‘Popular Science’ photographer and inventor has literally taken all terrain driving to a new a new level by integrating a jet-turbine engine into a regular Polaris RZR all-terrain vehicle donated by Polaris. Although obtaining the jet engine was a big problem, Carnett managed to secure an engine used in a power generator for a military base in 1960. Though, you might expect this setup to achieve an otherwise unattainable speed, its top speed is almost the same as that of a regular RZR fitted with a stock engine. However, the difference is that, with the jet engine it can achieve this speed in seconds and continue on it without any problem. To build the Whirl(that is what this project is called), Carnett required 10 months of efforts and more than $15,000. However the end result was something to be cherished. The jet-turbine engine is mated with a gear reduction box which changes its output of 8000 RPM to an effective of 3650 RPM.

Since the turbine requires 24V to jump start, Carnett has connected two 12 volt batteries and placed them under the driver’s seat. Though an all terrain vehicle providing an efficiency of seven miles per gallon isn’t something for the environment, it sure is ‘Christmas coming early’ for an adventure lover.

[popsci]

Varias semanas atrás os informamos que se rumoreaba que Ferrari preparaba una nueva versión de su 599 GTO para rescatar así una denominación la de GTO que no se usa desde 1984.

Hoy, gracias a GT Spirit, podemos mostraros unas fotos espía realizadas justo delante de la fábrica de Maranello. El nuevo 599 GTO, cuyas siglas significan, Gran Turismo Omologato, será el primer GTO fabricado desde el famoso 288 GTO de 1984. Se rumorea que el modelo montará un motor V12 de 6 litros con 700 CV y que alcanzará las 9000 rpm lo que asegura una aceleración brutal.

Gracias al poco peso del modelo, 1690 Kg, con la fibra de carbono como protagonista, y una caja de cambios secuencial heredada de la Fórmula 1, el 599 GTO será capaz de acelerar de 0 a 100 Km/h en 3.5 segundos.

El vehículo será lanzado a finales de 2010, se fabricarán unos 500 coches y su precio rondará los 330.000 euros.

Vía | GT Spirit

The main obstacle in wind energy being used as a sustainable source of energy has been the high space and financial requirements of setting up windmills. However, a concept recently designed, called the ‘Agro E. Sustentable’ might be just be the solution to these problems. The ‘Agro E. Sustentable’ is a portable wind generator. It has a trailer, which acts a storage device for the energy generated as well as a base when the generator is being used. Energy is generated by mounting the blades on a retractable tower. These blades are also foldable. When not in use, the tower, which is divided into four parts, can be retracted into the trailer by means of a chain and pulley mechanism.

Apart from providing portability and increasing efficiency, these windmills are made from large and durable parts which make this concept all the more conceivable.

[tuvie]

Solar energy is increasingly being used to power day to day things. However, a train running on solar energy was too much to think about, up until now. However, an idea initiated under the SolarBullet Campaign aims to make a solar bullet train available between Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona. This zero emission means of travel will drastically reduce the commute from two and a half hours to half an hour. These bullet trains, which will run at approximately 220 miles per hour, would be realized by covering the tracks with huge solar panels taking advantage of the abundance of solar energy in that region.

Let us hope the SolarBullet Campaign gets the huge financial and technical support needed to realize this project which is a step, albeit small, towards decreasing carbon emission.
[autoblog]

Though biofuels are an acceptable alternative to conventional fossil fuels, their production is not commercialized on a large scale due to various problems associated with them such as disposal of the waste generated. Joule Biotechnologies has invented a new concept in making biofuels which provides all the benefits of biofuels without their problems. This method uses “solar walls” which capture photons from the light and provide them to the proprietary micro organisms. These micro organisms are specially modified by the company so that they use the energy available from photosynthesis to make fuels rather than growing themselves. This method uses a technique called ‘helioculture’ which integrates the photons with available CO2 and water. And that’s not all, this technique can even use impure water and it does not generate any waste.

According to William Sims, CEO of Joule Biotechnologies, this technology can be used to produce diesel at an unbelievable cost of $30/bbl. Although many biofuel concepts have promised, not many have delivered. But for the good of the environment, let us hope this one does.
[solarfeeds]

Uno de los coches más espectaculares que actualmente existe en el mercado es el Nissan GT-R. Su versión SpecV, que afortunadamente llegará a Europa, coloca al GT-R a la par de superdeportivos más potentes del mercado. Pero si queréis ver al GT-R en su máxima expresión, el GT-R GT1 es vuestro candidato.

Presentado ayer en París y construido para los equipos de la GT1, Sumo Power GT y Swiss Racing en cooperación con Nissan y NISMO, se espera que el Nissan GT-R GT1 sea la sorpresa de este nuevo campeontao. Los detalles del coche son pocos, pero hay 10 carreras por delante para descubrir de lo que es capaz este prodigio de la ingenieria.

El anterior Nissan GT-R GT1 usó un motor de competición VK56DE, un V-8 de 5.6-Litros y 600 CV y 650 Nm de par motor. Toda esta potencia es traspasada a las ruedas por medio de una caja secuencial de seis velocidades y triple embrague.

Se espera que el nuevo coche tenga una combinación de caja y motor similar, además de una reducción de peso gracias a mejoras en la carrocería, principalmente con la inclusión de piezas de fibra de carbono, unos nuevos discos de freno de cerámica y cristales de policarbonato.

Nissan GT-R GT1

Vía | Recta de Meta