Sustainable Innovation
Sanyo in Japan has constructed an amazing solar-collecting building that embodies both clean-energy ideals and awesome architectural design strategies. The so-called Solar Ark has over 5,000 active solar panels generating over 500,000 KWh of environmentally friendly energy. Nearly 500 multi-colored lighting units placed between the various solar panels can be activated to create a variety of shapes and letters on the sides of this enormous structure.
How about a glowing light source that lasts for 15 years instead of the typical 15 minutes of a glowstick? GlowPaint‘s newest product does just that and is also non-toxic and inexpensive and doesn’t require a recharge via solar or electrical sources for its entire lifespan. According to the company, “This has potential to save billions in energy costs world-wide. Litroenergy™ surpasses all known available lighting options for cost/durability/reliability and safety.” Their products are expected to be used to replace other forms of safety, emergency and novelty lighting duties normally performed by glow sticks, LEDs and other light sources.
Electric scooters are something we’ve come to expect, just like hybrid cars and electric buses, but what about a solar airplane? Yes, the jokes about cloudy days in the sky will no doubt abound, but the endeavor is entirely serious. From concept to construction, the Solar Impulse has been hailed …
Remember that amazing device from Back to the Future that converted garbage into fuel? Nowadays that isn’t as far-fetched as it once was. Everything from liquor and saltwater to diapers to landfills are being used to generate alternative sources of power that run equipment, vehicles and buildings around the world!
Originally set to expire this week, the One Laptop per Child program has extended the deadline on their compelling two-for-one gift-and-get charitable public sale of laptops until December 31st. This change will allow people more time to make a decision or organize larger group purchases and will also tap into the busy holiday gift-buying market. Larger group purchases of laptops result in a reduced price per laptop, making this a viable option for community and religious organizations as well as schools and other institutions.
If you can’t afford to buy your own tropical island paradise, why not build your own? That is exactly what Richie Sowa did back in 1998, from over a quarter-million plastic bottles. His Spiral Island, destroyed years later by a hurricane, sported a two-story house, solar oven, self-composting toilet and multiple beaches. Better yet, he has started building another one! His ultimate goal? To build the island bigger and bigger and finally float out to sea, traveling the world from the comfort of his own private paradise.
Progress is slow but steady in the auto industry when it comes to producing leaner, greener cars. Some ideas are catching on with the help of viral marketing (what better way to promote a new technology than by handing the wheel to a problogger?). Awards reinforce the industry’s need and put the spotlight on successful example, though costs are still high and some uses of green automotive technology have not been explored.
