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Solar

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AERO GIZMO

First glimpse of solar-powered plane draws big crowd

By Michael Mulcahy

03:41 July 3, 2009 PDT

The Solar Impulse 100% solar-powered aircraft was unveiled near Zurich on June 26th.
 (Pho...

After six long years of planning, talking and hard work, the world has finally had its first look at the 100% solar-powered Solar Impulse HB-SIA. This remarkable feat of engineering, with the wingspan of a Boeing 747 but only the weight of an average family car, has over 12,000 solar cells powering four electric motors with a maximum power of 10HP. The aircraft prototype is expected to take its first flights before the end of the year. Read More

RESEARCH WATCH

Converting light into energy with ‘artificial leaf’ one step closer

By Michael Mulcahy

22:15 July 1, 2009 PDT

Science imitating Nature: researchers at Leiden University are a step closer to producing ...

As an efficient, natural means of capturing solar energy, photosynthesis is hard to beat. But it’s also proving extremely difficult to duplicate. That’s why researchers at Leiden University in the Netherlands are very excited at having built a light-harvesting antenna using the chlorophyll of the alga Spirulina: they’re now halfway towards the artificial leaf. Read More

RESEARCH WATCH

Light sensor breakthrough could enhance solar cells and digital cameras

By Alan Brandon

02:06 June 30, 2009 PDT

The sensitivity of digital cameras like this CCD will be improved by the generation of mul...

A new type of light sensor that acts like a pixel in a digital camera has been created by researchers at the University of Toronto. Scientists believe the sensor, which takes advantage of a phenomenon called multi-exciton generation (MEG), could lead to substantial advancements in the performance of a variety of electronic devices including digital cameras. Read More

ECOGIZMO

ZPO tower Dubai - stunning and sustainable

By Jeff Salton

19:37 June 29, 2009 PDT

Za'abeel Park Observation (ZPO) Tower

From the land of opulence – Dubai - comes another amazing feat of architecture and engineering to add to the emirate’s extravagant skyline. The spiraling tubular design for the Za'abeel Park Observation (ZPO) Tower incorporates roof gardens, extensive solar paneling and geothermal cooling and ventilation in an organically inspired structure topped by three observation deck "petals". Read More

WEARABLE ELECTRONICS

Solar powered LED Cap brims with light

By Darren Quick

23:58 June 24, 2009 PDT

The Solar Light Cap won't let you get caught in the dark

New Zealand-based company 2C is selling a range of solar powered LED caps that charge up during the day to provide light at night. All the energy gathering, light-emitting technology is located in the semi-flexible pre-bent beak of the caps including the solar panel and the NiMH battery used to store it. Read More

ECOGIZMO

Future festival goers in for solar tenting treat

By Paul Ridden

18:21 June 24, 2009 PDT

Using SMS text messages the Concept Tent glows to notify inhabitants of its location

The future of music festival tenting has arrived. Well, not actually arrived as such. Let me start again. The concept of music festival tenting for the future has arrived. Following on from the foot pump powered mobile phone charger announced earlier this month, telecommunications giant Orange is using its regular slot at the UK's most talked about music festival to announce its vision of ultra-comfortable camping for lovers of all things live and musical... and solar power is just the beginning. Read More

URBAN TRANSPORT

SOHH: Solar human hybrid transport for the whole family (and the dog)

By Paul Ridden

02:36 June 19, 2009 PDT

Room for all the family, including the dog

If the words "human hybrid" conjure terrifying images of Christian Bale battling it out against Skynet and a league of Terminators then the Solar Human Hybrid Project (SOHH for short) might come as a bit of light relief. It's a one of a kind, great-looking 4-wheeler where the power comes courtesy of the harmonization of solar energy and a good old-fashioned lower body workout. There's an iPod dock, a GPS navigation system, a cargo area and even a platform especially for the dog. It's definitely a worthy contender for the crown of coolest green transportation around. Oh, and it's also a school project. Read More

RESEARCH WATCH

Astronomers discover new way to search for life elsewhere

By Darren Quick

22:27 June 17, 2009 PDT

Artist’s concept of sunlight glowing through Earth's atmosphere
 Pic Credit:Gabriel ...

Directly observing planets outside our solar system - called exoplanets - is almost impossible because they are washed out by the glare of the parent star. For this reason astronomers have largely relied on indirect methods that observe the effects of the planets on their parent stars instead of the planets themselves. Such indirect detection methods have helped take the number of exoplanets discovered so far to more than 350, but determining whether signs of life exist on a planet that can’t actually be seen presents a problem. Astronomers from the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias (IAC) have found a solution. Read More

AERO GIZMO

100 percent solar-powered aircraft to be unveiled this month

By Michael Mulcahy

01:09 June 17, 2009 PDT

The Solar Impulse project is approaching reality with a fully assembled prototype set to b...

The lofty ambitions of the Solar Impulse project are approaching reality with a fully assembled prototype set to be unveiled to the public for the first time on June 26th. Entirely powered by the sun, the aircraft designated HB-SIA has a giant wingspan of 61 meters and is covered in almost 12,000 solar cells. Read More

ECOGIZMO

Rural Space designed to give eco-tourism a temporary lift

By Karen Sprey

17:08 June 16, 2009 PDT

The self-sufficient Rural Space is powered by wind and solar energy

With so many heritage-listed sites and national parks in Britain, there are tight restrictions on what can be permanently built and where. Designer Philip Crewe, however, has come up with the idea of Rural Space, a temporary living space powered by wind and solar energy, which helps people get closer to nature, in considerably more comfort than the standard tent or hostel. Read More

MOBILE TECHNOLOGY

Recently on The Mobiler - Nokia E71 review

By Tim Hanlon

23:20 June 15, 2009 PDT

Nokia E71

If you haven't checked out The Mobiler recently you might've missed Samsung's TouchWiz 2.0-powered Jet, the IRS planning to tax employees for their business phones, Nokia working on the ability to charge phones using ambient electromagnetic radiation, Samsung's inexpensive Crest Solar E1107 for emerging markets, and our review of the Nokia E71. Read More

GOOD THINKING

Flexible solar strips shed light on bus waiting times

By Karen Sprey

03:51 June 15, 2009 PDT

The flexible solar strip installed on the curved bus shelter roof
 
 Photo courtesy  of Fa...

Canadian research engineers at McMaster University in Ontario have developed flexible solar cell technology which generates enough power to light bus shelters as well as send internet-based updates of transport schedules. The attraction of the solar strips is that they can be bent to fit the curved roof of the campus’ bus shelters. Read More

ECOGIZMO

Water Building resort is far more than a drop in the ocean

By Jude Garvey

01:47 June 11, 2009 PDT

The eye-catching Water Building resort will use solar and air power to make clean drinking...

Given some of the intriguing and unusual eco-friendly resort concepts we've seen of late, a luxury hotel in the shape of an enormous drop of water that's designed to convert air into drinking water with the assistance of solar power should come as no surprise. Read More

RESEARCH WATCH

Photon-powered nanomotor transforms light directly into motion

By Darren Quick

21:38 June 9, 2009 PDT

Sunlight prompts the newly developed molecular nanomotor to unclasp in this artist’s...

Most solar powered motors require an intermediate step where the light is converted to electricity or heat, usually by a photovoltaic cell, before it can be used to drive the motor. But now a team of University of Florida chemists have developed a new type of “molecular nanomotor” that bypasses this step and transforms light directly into motion – albeit on a very tiny scale. Read More

ECOGIZMO

Dubai's striking O-14 development has solid solar credentials

By Karen Sprey

06:37 June 9, 2009 PDT

Dubai's innovative O-14 office tower has a  perforated concrete shell which acts as its st...

Dubai can lay claim to some of the world’s most outlandish buildings and many are also at the forefront of innovation in eco- and- environmentally friendly design. Joining their ranks is the 0-14 (‘oh-14’), a 22 storey, 300,000 square-foot commercial building perched on a two-storey podium in Dubai’s Business Bay. It's defining feature - a lace-like concrete exoskeleton peppered with more than 1,000 holes - provides both the building’s structure and its facade, delivering shade, light and air, plus stunning views of the Bay and skyline. Read More

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Solaqua draws on the sun to provide safe drinking water

By Karen Sprey

20:04 June 2, 2009 PDT

The Solaqua uses UV and infrared rays from the sun to kill pathogens in contaminated water

While clean, safe water is in short supply in much of Africa, there's no shortage of sun. The Solaqua is a nifty portable device that uses the sun's rays to purify contaminated water. Through innovative use of readily available materials, it carries, disinfects and stores water, providing a safe, environmentally sustainable source of water for rural communities. Read More

ECOGIZMO

New DuPont technology reduces solar costs, increases performance

By Karen Sprey

19:06 June 1, 2009 PDT

The new  DuPont PV5200 and DuPont PV5300 Series photovoltaic encapsulant sheets provide lo...

New encapsulant technology from DuPont promises long-term protection for solar cells, the most sensitive part of photovoltaic modules. The DuPont PV5200 Series and DuPont PV5300 Series encapsulant sheets will also reduce the cost per watt and increase reliability and durability of the modules, allowing manufacturers to deliver better performing, cost-effective solar power. Read More

MOBILE TECHNOLOGY

Sharp releases "industry's thinnest" solar panel for mobile devices

By Paul Best

23:22 May 28, 2009 PDT

Sharp's new LR0GC02 solar module for mobile devices is the industry’s thinnest at 0....

Recently we reported on Japanese cellular provider KDDI releasing a Sharp waterproof, solar-powered cell phone, which we believe has been renamed the SH002. Growing interest in both photovoltaic power as a clean and green source of energy and solar-powered devices has galvanized Sharp to release globally its new LR0GC02 solar module for mobile devices – which it claims is the industry's thinnest. Read More

ECOGIZMO

The race to build the world's biggest solar power plant heats up

By David Greig

17:42 May 25, 2009 PDT

The Solar I concentrating solar plant will have 3,500  parabolic mirrors trapping the sun'...

The race to build the world’s largest solar power plant continues with Arizona Public Service and Starwood Energy Group Global LLC unveiling plans for a 290-megawatt concentrating solar plant in the Harquahala Valley, 75 miles west of Phoenix. As one of the largest solar plants in the world Starwood Solar I will produce enough electricity to power more than 73,000 homes and is scheduled for completion by 2013. Read More

ECOGIZMO

Plans to build Arizona bullet train fired by the sun

By Karen Sprey

16:54 May 25, 2009 PDT

The solar bullet train could make the 116 mile journey from Tucson to Phoenix in just 30 m...

Bullet trains are considered by many to be one of the greener forms of transport, so imagine how environmentally friendly they might be if the sun’s power was harnessed to power them. That’s precisely what Solar Bullet LLC hopes to do with its 220mph solar bullet train, which the company claims can travel from Tucson to Phoenix in just 30 minutes. Read More

ECOGIZMO

Powerbrella: the solar-powered umbrella that recharges the batteries

By Darren Quick

00:46 May 25, 2009 PDT

The Powerbrella does the work of two: it provides shade and solar-generated power

A retractable alfresco umbrella that converts sunlight into electricity to charge laptops, mobile phones, iPods or any other portable device that might be used relaxing or working outdoors is in development following a partnership between Skyshades, a supplier of shade structures, and Konarka Technologies, the developer of Power Plastic. Read More

MOBILE TECHNOLOGY

Sharp first with solar-powered, waterproof mobile phone

By Darren Quick

22:00 May 24, 2009 PDT

The Solar Ketai waterproof, solar-powered mobile phone

Mobile phones and the beach are generally not a great mix, but for anyone looking to stay in touch while soaking up the rays there are a few more details filtering through regarding Sharp’s waterproof, solar-powered phone. Due for a June release in Japan through Japan’s KDDI wireless provider the new phone has finally gained a title, the Solar Ketai (Solar Mobile) and will be released as part of KDDI’s “au” line. Read More

MOBILE TECHNOLOGY

Solar-powered Bluetooth headphones sound like a top idea

By Darren Quick

00:53 May 21, 2009 PDT

The concept Q-SOUND solar-powered Bluetooth headphones

When it comes to wearable devices that harness the power of the sun, it would seem to make sense that the obvious place for solar panels would be the place that generally gets the most sunlight – namely the top of the head. That might not be desirable for items such as backpacks, jackets or sunglasses, but it’s such a perfect fit for headphones that you wonder why no one has thought of it before. Engineering student Shepeleff Stephen has hit on the obvious with his concept for Bluetooth-enabled headphones that incorporate solar panels into the headband. Read More

ECOGIZMO

World's largest Solar Power Tower Plant now on-line

By Paul Evans

18:33 May 1, 2009 PDT

1.291 mirrored heliostats and a 54 story high tower the World's largest solar power tower ...

Made up of more than 1200 mirrored heliostats surrounding a huge 54 story high tower, the world's largest solar power tower plant is now on-line near Seville in Spain. Developed by Spanish engineering company Abengoa, the PS20 plant generates 20 megawatts of electricity, enough to supply 10,000 homes. Concentrating solar thermal technology has been used in desert areas in Spain and the southwest U.S. for decades and is seeing a resurgence as utilities seek to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Read More

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