Carbon nanotubes cuffs could tap waste heat from exhaust pipes for electricity
Eco Factor: Thermocell to generate electricity from waste heat. Apart from developing technology to harvest abundant solar and wind energy, there are a few researchers who are concentrating on waste materials, such as heat, which can be tapped to generate renewable electricity. Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas have come up with a concept that could generate electricity from waste heat coming out of exhaust pipes.
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Carbon nanotubes cuffs could tap waste heat from exhaust pipes for electricity
Wood-eating gribble could provide low-cost biofuel from wood and straw fiber
Eco Factor: Gribble turns abundant wood into biofuel. Researchers at the University of York in Britain have identified the potential of the wood-eating gribble to cheaply convert abundant wood and straw fiber into biofuel.
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Wood-eating gribble could provide low-cost biofuel from wood and straw fiber
KAIST debuts OLEV train for public transportation in Gwacheon City
Eco Factor: Zero-emission transport system based on OLEV technology.
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KAIST debuts OLEV train for public transportation in Gwacheon City
Colorado Approves 30% by 2020 Renewable Energy Standard
Yesterday, Colorado’s state legislature finalized a bill to increase the state’s renewable energy standard to 30 percent by 2020. Colorado was one of the first states to adopt a renewable energy standard at all, committing in 2004 to get 10 percent of their electricity from renewables by 2015 and increasing that to 20 percent by 2020 in 2006. This latest measure puts the state right behind California, who has the highest standard at 33 percent by 2020. The bill also requires utilities to get 3 percent of their electricity from distributed sources like rooftop solar and other smaller wind and solar installations in order to give a boost to local renewable energy and construction companies. That requirement alone will be responsible for 1 GW of clean energy, save 6.8 billion gallons of water and reduce emissions by 30 million tons of CO2 a year.
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Colorado Approves 30% by 2020 Renewable Energy Standard
GO! multifunctional furniture harvests renewable energy
Eco Factor: Renewable energy-harvesting furniture. The brainchild of Indonesian industrial designer Rizki Tarisa, the GO! is a lounge, a workstation and an exercise bike that also generates renewable electricity to power your gadgets, when you pedal the bike to burn all extra fat on your body. The multifunctional furniture has also been made from sustainable materials such as recycled and biodegradable plastics
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GO! multifunctional furniture harvests renewable energy
Nation’s First Net Zero School Coming to Kentucky
Warren County Kentucky is building the first net-zero energy school in the country. Richardsville Elementary School will operate free of the grid by generating its own renewable energy, incorporating smart architectural features and a major emphasis on efficiency. The list of features for this school is mind-boggling. The school will have thin-film PV roof arrays, solar water heating, geothermal HVAC, insulated concrete form walls, a rainwater collection system and energy-efficient lighting. The building is designed to take full advantage of natural light and wind for cooling. The plot of land includes a reclaimed brownfield, preserved woodland, a protected stream and bioswales.
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Nation’s First Net Zero School Coming to Kentucky
Report Says LEDs in Short Supply
A new report from technology research corporation iSuppli warns that we’re facing a global LED shortage in 2010. Hooray! Why am I cheering? Because the reason for this shortage is a huge surge in demand for the energy-efficient lighting in the electronics industry. Yes, it’s bad that the supply is low, but it’s great news that the use of more efficient lighting is becoming more mainstream. The report says that demand for LEDs is expected to rise by double-digit percentages for at least the next three years. In 2009, 63 billion units were consumed out of the 75 billion unit capacity worldwide. The worst-case scenario is a rise in prices for mid-range and high-end computers and HDTVs because of their larger displays
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Report Says LEDs in Short Supply
Road Transportation Is the Greatest Culprit in Global Warming
A new study from NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies has identified on-road transportation as the most significant overall source contributing to global warming. Power generation, while having the greatest total impact, also includes a large number of compounds that increase cloud reflectivity and provide other effects to offset some of the warming they are responsible for.
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Road Transportation Is the Greatest Culprit in Global Warming
How Technology Can Declutter Your Life
Is clutter taking over your life? It doesn’t have to be that way! There are tons of smart ways to use technology to get rid of your clutter . Check out our top tips from storing your photos online to using e-readers to help you take charge of the mess that currently resides on your desk.
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How Technology Can Declutter Your Life
How Technology Can Declutter Your Life
Is clutter taking over your life? It doesn’t have to be that way! There are tons of smart ways to use technology to get rid of your clutter .
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How Technology Can Declutter Your Life