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TrickleStar PC Standby Power Saver

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, PC / Laptop, Peripherals, USB,

TrickleStar’s PC Standby Power Saver connects to your computer with a standard USB connection and reduces the amount of standby energy. When you turn your PC on, it will also switch on your peripherals, then when you turn off, it does the same for all connected. The device is simple to install and can be connected directly or to an existing powerstrip. The power saver comes with rear mounting holes and has a 1 year warranty included. Price will be announced at a later date.

DIY Solar Powered Jack-O-Lantern

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Smart Home, Misc. Tech,

Solar Pumpkin Go green this Halloween with a DIY Solar Powered Jack-O-Lantern. Aside from the pumpkin, you will need a carving knife, a Sharpie to design a face, and a solar-powered garden light. You can get all the instructions to make your own and remember to go really green by munching the roasted seeds, baking a pie and tossing the pumpkin on your compost pile. Make has lots of other ideas to spice up your Halloween, including a mag with 40+ projects.

Neuton Battery Powered Lawnmower

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smart Home, Misc. Tech,

Neuton has released the CE 6.2 Mower. The energy conscious company’s product has a removable, rechargeable battery that will run about an hour on an 8 hr. charge. The cost of recharging is only about a dime, a price that puts a gallon of gas to shame. The lawnmower cuts a 19-inch path with 360 watt-hours of energy. At the end of the summer, fold up its handlebars and stow it in a closet or under a table. The CE 6.2 comes with a collection bag, a side discharge chute, a mulching plug, a battery charger, and safety key. The price is $449.00 for a tool that should pay for itself in about a season.

SwissCopter AG Runs on Perosin

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Science, Transportation,

We guess that it is not only blondes who are having more fun these days. The SwissCopter AG runs on Perosin, a mixture of 50% hydrogen peroxide and additives. While H2-O2 has been used before in the 30’s for fuel, the mixture contained 20% more and was highly explosive. The Swiss company claims their vehicle is inexpensive, low maintenance, and can also run on kerosene and bio-ethanol. They say that the copter already has plenty of pre-orders and should be out by 2010.

Earthday Network Footprint Calculator

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Internet, Science,

Want to find out what effect your life is having on the planet? Take the Earthday Network’s Footprint Calculator Quiz. The short test asks questions about your energy usage in and outside your home, then suggests ways you can cut back. We were told that it would take 4 planet Earths to provide enough resources for us. Excuse us while we put up our tepee and begin to grow our own in the back yard.

Tamiya Loopwing Wind Power Generator Set

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, Science, Toys, Transportation,

Wind Power Set Get your kids thinking about alternate energy sources with the Tamiya Loopwing Wind Power Generator Set. The windmill has a loop-wing design with low-friction connectors that needs very little breeze to run. A rechargeable vehicle is included that, after a 5 to 10 minute charge, can run for 1 to 2 minutes. The set has a double gear for light wind and triple for strong, and the base can also be used as a handle. Pre-order for $67.00, which sounds expensive until you realize no fuel costs are involved.

Researchers Chart Swimmers with Flow Measurement

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, Science,

We don’t suppose we are telling any big secrets here by divulging that researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute developed a technique last year that uses stop motion video to help the Olympic swim teams. Professor Timothy Wei and team’s Digital Particle Image Velocimetry video-based flow measurement helps trainers analyze how much energy is exerted by a swimmer and how their body affects the water. Whew. Check out the video to see how it’s done.

Topia HUVO Electric Vehicle

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Design, Transportation,

HUVO Smaller than the Smart Car, but probably more dangerous in high traffic areas, is Topia’s HUVO, a prototype single-seated electric vehicle. Weighing only about 330 lbs., the vehicle has a body frame of high-tensile steel plate, doors and back of aluminum alloy, a roof of CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic,) and a windshield of polycarbonate. The interior and wheel covers are made with ABS resin. We are thinking that you had better get lots of insurance with the HUVO, as running into a tree or a stiff wind would probably total the mini-car.

MIT Makes Inexpensive Solar Dish

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Editorial, Misc. Tech, Science,

MIT Solar Dish A team of MIT students has successfully tested a prototype solar dish by lighting a plank of wood on fire. The system is a 12 ft. wide mirrored dish made of thin, inexpensive aluminum tubing and strips of mirror. It concentrates sun rays by a factor of 1,000, enough heat to melt a steel bar. Because water in the tubing turns to steam, the team is hoping that could revolutionize energy production as we know it. We think it’s great and would certainly opt for solar panels over building more nuclear power plants, as was recently suggested by a certain presidential contender.

Fuji Electric Solar-Powered Vending Machine

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Misc. Tech,

Fuji Vending Machine While we are on the subject of vending machines, the recent Vendex Japan displayed Fuji Electric’s prototype of a solar-powered machine. It is comprised of panels to supply energy to cool and heat beverages, while the mossy cover not only improves insulation, it will add a touch of green to overly grey cities. Coca-Cola is also working with Fuji to make a 100% hydro fluorocarbon-free machine that will appear this July at the G8 summit in Hokkaido.

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