green tech stories

Spinning solar cells boost electricity generation by a factor of 20

Monday, October 1, 2012 - 1:27pm

Solar cells work best when you leave them out in the sun all day. In order to leave them out in the sun all day, however, you have to leave them out in the sun all day, and most electronics will fry themselves when exposed to concentrated heat like that. Solution? Spin them right 'round, baby, and boost your juice by 20 times.

Countertop gadget eats your leftovers to feed your plants

Eileen Marable

Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - 8:36am

The Re-Feed device could easily pass for a concept coffee maker, except what it makes is plant food: it liquefies your leftovers and pumps it directly into your flowerpots, all while sitting on your countertop.

Some beautiful, efficient solar spheres we'll never use

Travis Andrews

Sunday, September 23, 2012 - 8:25am

The idea of a beautiful solar panel probably seems like a bit of a stretch, unless you dig rectangular, mirrored panels. But German architect André Broessel saw a way to make solar panels (well, really, solar-gathering shapes) beautiful while also making them more efficient. He made them into enormous spheres.

Portable power desk lets you take your computing off the grid

Adario Strange

Thursday, September 20, 2012 - 11:34am

For those of us who use technology as an essential part of our daily working lives, the notion of going "off the grid" can seem as scary as it is impractical. But a new portable desk offers a solution that could literally let you fire up your laptop from the top of Mt. Everest.

Shower/washing machine mashup cleans you and your clothes

Eileen Marable

Tuesday, September 18, 2012 - 12:36pm

This mashup up of appliances — half shower, half washing machine — could be a tough one to move in the showroom at the local Sears. The idea behind the Washit is to save water by collecting the water used when you shower and then use it to wash your clothes.

The NFL gets competitive over solar stadiums, going green

Eileen Marable

Thursday, September 6, 2012 - 2:37pm

It seems the NFL can't keep the competition limited to the field, as various iconic stadiums have added solar and renewable energy installations as others rush to get on board. Renewable energy upgrades could power everything from decorative stadium lighting, general stadium power needs and even electric vehicle charging stations.

Solar oven design makes salt water drinkable

Eileen Marable

Wednesday, September 5, 2012 - 12:43pm

As designer Gabriele Diamanti discovered during his travels through developing countries, fresh water is hard to come by. This inspired him to create a solution that could use local materials, was easy to use and utilized what resource these locations often have in abundance — lots of sunshine.

Eton Boost Turbine charger: the perfect desert island accessory

Stewart Wolpin

Monday, September 3, 2012 - 1:33pm

Berlin, Germany — If Tom Hanks really had crashed on that deserted island, the odds are really good that many of those FedEx boxes would have contained some gadgets. But those found gadgets would have been as useless as Wilson without this handy Eton Boost Turbine Charger.

Good idea: leftover food could soon be upcycled into plastic

Eileen Marable

Thursday, August 23, 2012 - 11:29am

It's hard to believe anyone throws away a pastry or excess coffee — that's extra body fuel you're wasting, buddy! With big food chains it happens all the time. In Hong Kong, the fact that Starbucks has about 5,000 extra tons of stale food and coffee grounds per year prompted the company to explore bio-refining.

Island nation to be first habited place to go fully solar

Eileen Marable

Monday, August 6, 2012 - 7:30am

Tokelau, a small island nation, is officially becoming the first habited place on Earth to completely rely upon solar for its energy needs. Tokelau is a tiny group of coral islands that have up to now used diesel fuel for the daily needs of its roughly 1,400 residents. Within the next few weeks, the nation will make the historic switch to solar.

DVICE

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green tech stories

Spinning solar cells boost electricity generation by a factor of 20

Countertop gadget eats your leftovers to feed your plants

Some beautiful, efficient solar spheres we'll never use

Portable power desk lets you take your computing off the grid

Shower/washing machine mashup cleans you and your clothes

The NFL gets competitive over solar stadiums, going green

Solar oven design makes salt water drinkable

Eton Boost Turbine charger: the perfect desert island accessory

Good idea: leftover food could soon be upcycled into plastic

Island nation to be first habited place to go fully solar

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