Smithsonian Institution Starts 3D Scanning its Entire Collection

Last year, the Smithsonian was one of the first American institutions to jump on the 3D printing bandwagon when they scanned and printed a Thomas Jefferson statue from Monitcello . The world-famous museum will now embrace the technology even further by embarking upon a quest to scan its entire collection. From bones to sculptures, the museum will digitally preserve its vast collection of over 14 million items for future generations. Read the rest of Smithsonian Institution Starts 3D Scanning its Entire Collection Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: 3D Scanned smithsonian collection , 3d scanning , digital archiving , eco design , green design , smithsonian , sustainable design        

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Smithsonian Institution Starts 3D Scanning its Entire Collection

Cheaper EV Charging System Can Charge Electric Cars 4 Times Faster

Charging time and cost are two of the biggest obstacles facing electric vehicle battery technology today. Fortunately, researchers at the Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden just developed an integrated motor drive and battery charger that can shorten charging time from eight hours to two while reducing overall cost by $2,000. Read the rest of Cheaper EV Charging System Can Charge Electric Cars 4 Times Faster Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: chalmers university of technology , cost , electric vehicle , ev , fossil fuel , integrated charger , saeid haghbin , Sweden , time , volvo ab        

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Cheaper EV Charging System Can Charge Electric Cars 4 Times Faster

Inside Microsoft’s living, breathing building

When Microsoft couldn't find the technology it needed to make its buildings smart and efficient, it built its own.

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Inside Microsoft’s living, breathing building

Has sustainability become a risky business?

A new report shows corporate sustainability is moving from eco-efficiency to risk reduction and mitigation.

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Has sustainability become a risky business?

SUPRAPOWER: European Union Developing Next-Gen Superconductor Wind Turbines

Today’s wind turbines are big and heavy, which makes them costly to build and maintain – especially when they are installed offshore. To make turbines more efficient, the European Union just launched SUPRAPOWER , a four-year project led by Tecnalia in Spain that includes nine other industry and science partners across Europe. The initiative is researching superconductor technology to develop a next-gen wind turbine that could cut manufacturing costs by 30%. Read the rest of SUPRAPOWER: European Union Developing Next-Gen Superconductor Wind Turbines Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: cost of wind turbine manufacturing , Cryogenic Engineering Division , Karlsruhe Institute of Technology , offshore wind turbine scalability , reducing wind turbine manufacturing cost by 30% , superconductor scale generator for wind power , SUPRAPOWER , Tecnalia , Tecnalia Technological Corporation , wind turbines        

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SUPRAPOWER: European Union Developing Next-Gen Superconductor Wind Turbines

Marc Krusin’s Bee Hive Lamps are Made from Recyclable Re-board

Lightweight yet exceptionally strong, these Bee Hive Lamps are a series of luminaries inspired in the busy insects’ homes. Created by London-based designer Marc Krusin for Alpac Srl , they’ve been constructed by layering Re-board , a patented, recycled, rigid paperboard manufactured in Sweden. And despite having a hard shell, Krusin’s Bee Hive Lamps give off a warm and inviting glow. Recycled, compostable and brilliant, we originally spotted this sweet lamp hanging at Milan Design Week . + Marc Krusin Photos by Alessia Civettini for Inhabitat Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: green lighting , green materials , lamp , Marc Krusin , Milan Design Week , Milan Furniture Fair , Re-board , recycled cardboard , recycling / compost        

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Marc Krusin’s Bee Hive Lamps are Made from Recyclable Re-board

LucidiPevere’s Wicker Raphia Chair Blends Traditional Materials With Modern Design

Casamania just unveiled its new metal and wicker Raphia chair, which strikes a balance between modern design and traditional craftsmanship. Designed by Politecnico di Milano industrial design graduates Paolo Lucidi and Luca Pevere ( LucidiPevere ), Raphia breathes new life into the Italian tradition of natural reed craftsmanship, which has all but disappeared. The design combines industrial metal and traditional wicker, and it’s available in red, azure, black and white. + LucidiPevere + Casamania Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: “green furniture” , “natural materials” , “sustainable furniture” , Casamania , green design , green interiors , LucidiPevere , raphia chair , sustainable design , sustainable products , wicker chair        

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LucidiPevere’s Wicker Raphia Chair Blends Traditional Materials With Modern Design

Hybrid Energy Harvester Uses Both Sunlight and Vibrations to Generate Electricity

Why just harness  light or vibration individually when you can use both to create electricity? Making sure to fully exploit both sun and sound simultaneously, researchers from  Sungkyunkwan University and Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology in South Korea have engineered a novel new device standing only 300nm tall. Publishing their work in the most recent issue of Nanotechnology , the team explained how their hybrid harvester could take advantage of the separate sources of energy to produce a single, constant output of electricity. Read the rest of Hybrid Energy Harvester Uses Both Sunlight and Vibrations to Generate Electricity Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: dae-yeong lee , Electricity , hybrid harvester , Light , nanotechnology , piezoelectric generator , power , samsung advanced institute of technology , silicon nanopillars , south korea , Sungkyunkwan University , vibration        

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Hybrid Energy Harvester Uses Both Sunlight and Vibrations to Generate Electricity

DIY: Learn How Make Your Own Aloe Vera Toothpaste

Looking for an all-natural toothpaste for those pearly whites? If you question what chemicals could be lurking in those brand name toothpastes, here’s an easy DIY project that wil yield refreshing, non-toxic aloe vera toothpaste gel . All you need is four ingredients: aloe vera gel (it’s best if you get it straight from the plant), baking soda, vegetable glycerin and fresh mint. In just five minutes you’ll have a soothing, antibacterial toothpaste that’s good for you and your teeth. Head over to Inhabitots for the complete instructions! READ MORE > Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: aloe vera , aloe vera toothpaste , DIY , DIY toothpaste , homemade toothpaste , how to make toothpaste , how-to , Inhabitots , natural dental care , natural toothpaste        

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DIY: Learn How Make Your Own Aloe Vera Toothpaste

Bowerbirds Members Record New Album in Self-Built Green Music Studio

Members of the indie band  Bowerbirds  have been trying their hand at sustainable design with this fantastic self-built studio project. Since 2007, Beth Tacular and Phil Moore have been constructing their very own cabin and music studio, using only  salvaged materials and running it on solar power. The band recently found success raising money on Kickstarter,  and they are well on their way to minting a new album within the green construction. Read the rest of Bowerbirds Members Record New Album in Self-Built Green Music Studio Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: bowerbirds , cabin recording studio , green architecture , kickstarter , reused materials , salvaged materials , sustainable design        

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Bowerbirds Members Record New Album in Self-Built Green Music Studio

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