A New Jersey Burger King has installed an motion sensitive energy producing panels on the ground near it’s drive thru windows. For more information see www.inhabitat.com/2009/09/08/speed-bumps-harvest-electricity-from-moving-cars/
The Envion company of Washington DC has developed a process where used plastic waste is converted to petroleum. They estimate the cost would be an amazing $10.00 per barrel. For more information see www.inhabitat.com.
A new battery has been developed to replace lithium batteries for things like smart cards, RFID tags, and other low power portable devices. Created by researchers at Uppsala University in Sweden, it is made of pressed mats of intertwined cellulose fibers, which act as an electrode, and a salt solution as the electrolyte. It is a simple salt and paper battery.
The Algaeus car is built to be fueled by algae based gasoline. It is going on a cross-country trip from San Fransisco to New York to introduce the new documentary “Fuel” along with other alternative fuel vehicles, by the Veggie Van Organization and San Diego company Sapphire Energy. It uses a Prius and uses it’s plug in hybrid electric energy as well as the algae fuel to get 150 miles per gallon. Most amazingly, the engine of the car has not been modified.
Sapphire Energy’s algae gasoline is created with algae, sunlight and CO2, that’s it. It can be used for jet fuel, gasoline or diesel, and is clearly the most environmentally friendly fuel made. For more information see www.sapphireenergy.com.
The world is quickly running out of oil. It seems survivable but the implications are far reaching. For more information see http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/Index.html.
I’ve got nothing to say, this link speaks for itself. http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/09/09/nepalese-teen-invents-cheap-solar-panel-using-human-hair/#
Many years ago I read of a proposal to develop a huge island off the coast of Tokyo, but the idea of creating islands to live on is ancient. The Uros tribe of Peru say they existed before the sun, and they have been building their islands of tortura reeds since then. Tortura is like a large cattail. The Uros people also create boats from the reed. For more great pictures and information see http://gosouthamerica.about.com/od/topdestlaketiticaca/ss/FloatingIslands.htm.
Inovative Building
The 2010 World Expo will be in Shanghai, China next year. Currently under construction there is an amazing new building made of recycled CD cases. Check it our at www.inhabitat.com/2009/09/02/shanghai-corporate-pavilion-greens-up-2010-world-expo/.
The Daily Green, a daily newsletter, features a series of articles by The Ultimate Cheapskate, which features ecological and economical things to do. Today’s article shares the many varied uses to eggshells. Please check it out. Some amazing uses for eggshells are given. The link is http://www.thedailygreen.com/living-green/blogs/save-money/reuse-eggshells-460809?src=nl&mag=tdg&list=dgr&kw=ist