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.

Just about everyone knows that tossing light bulbs, especially CFLs, and batteries into the trash is a no-no.  Batteries and light bulbs have dangerous elements that need to be disposed of properly.  Throwing burned out CFL light bulbs in the trash can break them releasing dangerous mercury vapors that can damage you and your pets.  ReVend Recycling has come up with an easy way to dispose of all of that hazardous waste while giving you a little something in return.

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.

Using bamboo charcoal rather than forest wood in Africa has the potential to provide an excellent source of heat, economic opportunities, all while saving African forests.  Charcoal is used for both heat and cooking in large areas of Africa and is seen as a major factor in the decimation of forests and the desertification of parts of the continent.

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.

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.

But wait it does so much more!  This device almost belongs in an infomercial.  It might actually take an infomercial to explain how it works and everything it does. 

Researchers at Northwestern University have been improving lithium ion batteries.  So far they have come up with vast improvements on the anode side.  Next they plan to tackle the cathode.

Harold Kung, professor of chemical and biological engineering in the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science, led the research which is published in Advanced Energy Materials.  The paper outlines their two major changes to battery technology.

Gordon Murray who has designed conventional and electric sports cars, has designed an electric commuter car that won the RAC Brighton to London Future Car Challenge 2011.

Most electric vehicles (EVs) that have made it to market use rather standard interiors.  They usually seat two or four generally side by side.  Nissan’s Pivo 3 seats three with the middle driver’s seat slightly forward of the other two with the steering wheel in the middle of the car.  This car is one of several candidates considered for future production.