Eco Factor: Zero-emission aircraft harnesses human-power for a green flight.
The Korean Air Force Academy has announced the development of a pedal-powered aircraft, which uses human power to get off the ground. Dubbed the Sky Runner, the 40kg airplane has a wingspan of 30 meters and is a propeller craft that is to be pedaled during take-off and flight.
Eco Factor: Zero-emission car powered by batteries.
BMW has revealed its second electric car after the Mini E. The all-electric sedan, dubbed the ActiveE, features a large 200 liter trunk space. The ActiveE can be recharged in just three hours via a conventional 240V wall socket, after which it is good for a range of 100 miles.
Eco Factor: Solar panels on curtain walls of buildings can generate renewable energy.
Massachusetts-based Konarka has launched a pilot project that will integrate the company’s Power Plastic solar panels into non-load bearing exterior walls of the building to generate renewable energy. The company is testing the technology in an office building owned by Arch Aluminum & Glass Co.
Eco Factor: Zero-emission electric car harvests solar energy.
The Philippine Solar Car Society Inc. has launched the country’s second solar-powered car. Dubbed Sikat, the solar car is a successor to the Sinag, RP’s first solar-powered car that was developed for the 2007 World Solar Car Challenge in Australia.
Eco Factor: Sustainable pavilion for Shanghai Expo 2010 will be covered in natural stone.
Designed by Haim Dotan Architects, the Israeli pavilion at Shanghai Expo 2010 will have a unique design that looks like two clasped hands. The pavilion will be divided into three areas – the hall of light, the hall of innovations and the Whispering Garden.
Eco Factor: Low-emission yacht harnesses solar energy for power.
The IKKAR by designer Julien Anglade, a student at Strate College, is a low-emission futuristic yacht concept that has been designed to bridge the gap between man and sea. The innovative concept yacht features a simple yet elegant design that can change its shape according to the location for the comfort of the passengers.
Eco Factor: New enzyme allows plants to thrive in dry and high CO2 conditions.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego have discovered plant enzymes that can allow plants to save water while consuming more CO2 from the atmosphere. The enzyme causes the plants to react to CO2 and change how they use their pores. By modifying the enzyme, these researchers believe they can come up with species that are more CO2 and drought-tolerant for which crops could be developed.
Eco Factor: Energy-efficient refrigerator concept.
Of the total amount of energy that a normal house consumes, a major fraction goes into appliances such as refrigerators that remain connected throughout the day. The Shift Refrigerator by industrial designer Yong-jin Kim allows homeowners to save energy by simply preventing the outflow of cool air.
Eco Factor: Zero-emission compact car powered by batteries.
Swiss automobile and concept powerhouse Rinspeed has announced that the company will be showcasing a compact city car, dubbed the UC?, at the Geneva Motor Show. The compact vehicle is just 2.5m in length and is intended to help avoid gridlock in inner cities.
Eco Factor: Concept motorcycle designed to run on hydrogen fuel cell.
The 1766 Motorcycle is the work of industrial designer Gustav Segerstéen, which has been designed to offer a completely green and silent ride. The concept motorcycle gets powered by an onboard hydrogen fuel cell, where hydrogen can be refilled by popping up the fuel cap.
Eco Factor: Prototype solar-powered bus stop for Future City exhibition at the Copenhagen UN Climate Change Conference.
Within the framework of the Copenhagen UN Climate Change Conference which is taking place this month, with the purpose of establishing a new global climate agreement, the Climate Summit for Mayors has organized the exhibition – “Future City”, a space in which the 12 pioneering sustainability cities present proposals which have already been implemented in their metropolitan areas to combat climate change.
Eco Factor: Ohgishima Solar Power Plant to be powered by Kyocera’s solar modules.
Kyocera Corporation has announced that the company will provide about solar modules capable of generating about 13MW of renewable power for the Ohgishima Solar Power Plant Mega Solar System, one of Japan’s largest solar installation planned by Tokyo Electric Power Company.
Eco Factor: Sustainable pavilion designed to harness renewable energy for illumination.
Designed by Buchner Bründler Architects, the Swiss Pavilion for Shanghai Expo 2010 will feature woven metal netting with 11,000 independent solar cells, which are attached in random fashion to illuminate a set of LED lights creating an interactive light-play on the façade of the structure.
Eco Factor: Ecofriendly phones made from recycled plastic.
As a part of company’s GreenHeart effort, Sony Ericsson has launched two new cellphones that boast ecofriendly credentials. The two cellphones, dubbed the Elm and the Hazel, are made from recycled plastic and eliminate the use of toxic materials.
Eco Factor: Energy saving plug emits pesky noises to save energy.
The need to save every milliwatt of electricity has made industrial designers think of products that make sure that no gadgets or appliances are kept connected to the socket if they’re not being used. Designers Lai You Cheng, Liu Kai Ping and Liu Chen Guang believe that their annoying Ace Plug can help do just that.
Eco Factor: Concept electric vehicle designed to run on solar energy.
The Arbo Moving Capsule concept by designer Jeongche Yoon is an all-electric car for clean streets of the future. The concept vehicle, with a stunning exterior is as extraordinary on the inside too. The all-electric zero-emission car can be powered by an onboard photovoltaic array and via a conventional 220V wall socket as well.
Eco Factor: Renewable energy powered electric vehicle charging station.
New York-based Beautiful Earth Group has unveiled a solar-powered electric vehicle charging station in Red Hook, Brooklyn. The first-of-its-kind charging station in New York is fed entirely by a 235W photovoltaic system.
Eco Factor: Zero-emission concept yacht gets powered by renewable sources of energy.
The Leviathan concept yacht is the work of industrial designer Adam Valmassoi, who believes that the sun and wind have the potential to green your next cruise. The ecofriendly self-sufficient yacht runs on two electric jet pump engines, which are powered by wind turbines and solar panels on board the yacht.
Eco Factor: Sustainable tower harvests solar and wind energy for power.
SOM has unveiled the design for the Digital Media City Landmark Tower, which when completed in 2014, will be the tallest tower in East Asia. The 640m tall tower is designed to be constructed in Seoul, Korea and be self-sufficient in terms of energy.
Eco Factor: Sustainable architecture designed to be powered by renewable energy.
Children in Hørsholm, north of Copenhagen, will soon have the greenest childcare center in Denmark. The center, which is due to be completed by November 2010, will be energy-efficient and generate more energy that what it actually consumes using renewable sources of energy.