Considering the big move of getting all of our cars to be electric, I guess it was only a matter of time before our planes went electric too. NASA has recently sponsored a CAFE Green Flight Challenge, and this Elektra One is the PC-Aero entry. The plane is a single-seater aircraft, and it completed its main flight of 500 meters high and then quickly landing, all on batteries. On its second flight, the Elektra One stayed in the air for about half and hour. Yeah, that doesn’t seem long in today’s world of flying, and 3 hours of flight time for a speed of 160 kph doesn’t seem that long either. Aren’t we saying that about electric-powered vehicles a few years ago? In other words, we probably have a long way to go before our jumbo-jets will be completely green-powered. I am seeing an image from the future of a plane that “plugs-in” while the passengers are unboarding and boarding. The future also looks quieter for electric planes, which means that the...
It’s no surprise that we are involved in an energy crisis, the reasons why are being debated worldwide, and I guess everyone has an opinion, but that being said, it’s a problem nonetheless. In order to make a contribution to the energy issue, scientists are developing a new high tech weapon in the race to become self sufficient, the leaf. Yes, you read it correctly. Allow me to explain… In order to create artificial photosynthesis scientists have built a mechanical version of the leaf. Using the leaf, water and sunlight to strip H2 out of H2O they can make hydrogen fuel, all by using only the materials that make up solar cells. Using a silk screen and solar paint they make a white film on a glass slide and die it in order to capture the energy from sunlight and then to produce cheap electricity. “A practical artificial leaf has been one of the Holy Grails of science for decades,” said Daniel Nocera, Ph.D., who led the research team. “We believe we have done...
Here is another world’s first, this time around it is a form of transportation that might just have you switch from four wheels to a two-wheeler. We’re talking about the Shadow Ebike, a wireless power-assist electric bicycle that is touted to be the first of its kind in the world. Definitely a whole lot more different from a standard pedal-powered bike, it goes one up on the rest of the electric bicycles in the market by looking dapper. Just how much more aesthetically pleasing is it, you ask? For starters, you won’t have any of those ugly electrical wiring hanging outside the frame, since this unsightly mess has been done away, chalking another victory for the world of electric bicycles. Toronto-based Daymak Inc. is the brains behind this vehicle, and it has integrated ISM 2.4 GHz wireless thanks to frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology in order to prevent interference. It is interesting to note that the Shadow lacks brake or gear cables, and even better is...
It has been a while since I reported on a futuristic concept of a city or building, but I like this particular one by Vincent Callebaut. This utopian eco village, or Callebaut’s Coral Reef, is an artificial pier resting on seismic piles in the Caribbean Sea. I believe that the vision of this is to create new housing projects for people of Haiti that have been left devastated by the earthquake. Of course, that is pretty high price housing, and who knows who is going to fund this. Still, the housing is modular and each family is to have a plot of land to grow their individual food. See what else my Source’s Source says about it after the jump. A canyon flows between two rows of housing and is filled with a tropical ecosystem for the local fauna and the flora. Aquaculture farms and grey water recycling plants filter and process the water before sending it into the sea. The entire complex is carbon neutral and powered via a number of different renewable energy sources. Power...
Now here’s a device that ought to be a gift to those who have family members that love singing in the shower, although they would never have made it past the audition stage of American Idol. We’re looking at the Water Powered Shower Radio, and as the name suggests, you need not burden your monthly power bill with this, and the other advantage would be to have its audio content drown out the voice of the one singing. This is one radio that’s going to make waves in bathrooms across the country, and will ship only at the end of March for £34.95. Now, if only someone could figure out a similar principle and have vehicles run on water instead of gas. Using the Water Powered Shower Radio is a snap, and installation does not require a rocket science degree. All you need to do is fit the radio in line with your shower hose, where water that flows through will power the H2O micro turbine that in turn drives a generator which produces energy. Share ...
Sonelis Technologies has introduced the nature-inspired Lumileaf solar LED desk lamp for your home (or office, wherever you’re inclined), which might just change the way you view appliances. The Lumileaf will feature a 1.25W leaf-shaped solar panel that comes in an elegant brushed aluminum body, boasting an integrated 1800mA NiMH battery that makes sure the six 1.2W high-brightness energy efficient LED will be able to deliver ample light for just about any situation. Specially designed to be used in both outdoor and indoor settings, the body has another advantage to help it survive outdoors – it is water resistant, which of course, doesn’t mean you can dunk this into a bathtub and expect it to function normally. We suppose light rain as well as the occasional splash of water wouldn’t hurt, especially when you have kids running around the yard with Super Soakers in hand. Other features include an ambient sensor that automatically controls the LED’s operation,...
The Eton Scorpion wears many hats. Do you want to listen to a radio? Check. How about having a portable USB charger for your power hungry devices? Check. Hmmm, feeling thirsty and have yet to master the art of opening beer bottles with your teeth? Check. The Eton Scorpion is all of the above and more, where £49.99 will net you a built-in torch as well so that you will be one of the better equipped people whenever you head out to the hills for a short camping trip, the only thing it doesn’t do is pack a flamethrower to fend hungry bears off. Of course, to provide such energy, it will have to receive ‘nourishment’ from elsewhere, and does so thanks to a fold-out turbine handle – assuming you don’t want to let it bake under the sun with its integral solar panel. A sturdy aluminium carabiner completes the description of this wonder device – letting you gain a boost of confidence the next time you tackle Mother Nature. Share ...