Imagine a computer slightly bigger than an Altoids box that only costs $25. These tiny computer has been developed for kids to make it easy for them to learn how to program using Linux. The computer hooks up to a TV and a keyboard, plays Blu-Ray discs, and runs Fedora, Debian and ArchLinux. Hopefully kids will play around with programing like they used to in the 80’s and 90’s.
Technology for a greener future
Archive for the ‘energy efficient’ Category
UK’s easyJet will be the first airline to test electric taxiing system
Safran and Honeywell have designed an electric green taxiing system or EGTS that allows jets to taxi on the ground without having to use their engines. Instead the planes would use electric motors attached to each wheel and run by the plane’s auxiliary power unit. The electrical system should provide better maneuvering control to pilots when docking at a gate and should save four percent of energy costs.
Better Place gets its Israeli battery swap system up and running
Better Place has one of the more unique ways of dealing with exhausted electric car batteries. While it does offer charging stations which take quite a while to charge your battery, it also offers the option of simply switching it out. A 100 car fleet of electric vehicles will now begin testing the infrastructure which stretches across Israel.
Will algae or seaweed solve our fuel problems
Earlier this week Joule Unlimited secured $70 million in funding. The company happens to have algae facilities that turn carbon dioxide and sunlight into biodiesel and ethanol. Meanwhile Bio Architecture Lab was able to get seaweed to create chemicals and biofuels. Both processes use patented organisms to create the biofuel.
California’s new efficiency standards would do away with battery charger vampire draw
The California Energy Commission has created new standards for battery chargers that would go into effect in February of 2013. The new chargers would contain technology that would shut the charger off once a gadget was fully charged, reducing wasted energy. That wasted energy is sometimes referred to as vampire draw.
Tata Motors will present a new vaporware car at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show
Many automakers unveil concept cars at the various auto shows around the world and every now and then they actually make it into production. Mostly they showcase new technology and design ideas. Tata Motors will be showcasing the eMO at this years Detroit Auto Show in the Michelin Challenge Design. Unlike many concept cars, Tata has basically said that this car won’t ever see a production line but the company has built a nice little imaginary retail experience around the car.
Congress stops enforcement of new light bulb standards hurting American manufacturers
You have to love it. Congress in all of its wisdom decided to postpone the enforcement of the new 100 W light bulb standards until next September. The legislation was passed in 2007 and signed into law by President George W. Bush. American light bulb manufacturers supported the legislation and have spent millions on new equipment to produce light bulbs that will meet the new standards. Congresses ban on enforcement opens the door for inferior foreign light bulbs to make a huge killing over the next nine months.
Parisian architects propose an algae-green loop for Marina City in Chicago
Parisian firm Influx Studio is proposing a radical retrofit of the Marina City towers in Chicago. The renovation of the buildings would result in a variety of green innovations and architectural features that would result in renewable energy, vertical agriculture and cleaner air.
Researchers develop solar beads to heat your home
Researchers in India have developed a new type of bead from paraffin and stearic acid. It absorbs heat from the sun during the day and then releases the heat at night. The new beads should work well in climates like the United States Southwestern states.
Give light this Christmas with Nokero
Nokero makes a number of affordable solar products that would make great gifts for people on your Christmas list. The company also gives you a way to give light as a gift to those in need.