The Dragonfly DF1 helicopter might not be as interesting looking as that flying boat we saw a few weeks ago, but with closer examination it’s certainly an impressive technological feat.
Instead of using a conventional motor and fuel system to power the blade, two rockets are fixed to the rotors tips causing it to rotate fast enough for lift. Even cooler is that the rockets have a zero carbon footprint since they’re fueled by 70 percent hydrogen peroxide (H202), which is drawn from a pair of fuel tanks around the pilot’s seat. …Continue reading: The Dragonfly DF1 Helicopter’s Blades Are Powered By Two Small Rockets (video)
Remember Solar Roadways? They’ve finally completed their first USDOT prototype. In addition to providing carbon free energy (aside from the manufacturing process), the Solar Roadway can display traffic info using the built-in LEDs and perhaps even melt snow and ice from its surface.
For now we’ll have to settle with some pics, but they say they’ll have video up sometime later this month.
This is not just a concept, there is a real working prototype. Hard to believe I know, especially considering how forward thinking the HMK 561 bicycle is. Aside from having a set of split set of wheels at either end, this bike of the future uses a special carbon fiber frame to pass electricity to the motors and lights, all the while storing some added juice much like a capacitor. There’s even a regenerative braking system to help maximize the bike’s power in addition to some sort of a counter-turning axel in lieu of gears and chains, whatever that is. It’s not entirely clear if each wheel contains its own motor and how fast it can travel, but since it lacks any peddles we can only hope it doesn’t get pegged for a being a scooter or motorcycle which would require some level of licensing to operate it.
Sometimes the best way to get the kiddies to ‘pick up what your laying down’ is to put that learning into a toy. We’ve already seen the Hydrogen powered RC car, so it’s really no surprise to see a wind power generated one emerge on the market.
The Tamiya Loopwing Wind Generator uses a special “loop wing” design that is said to “secure high efficiency in power generation”. Basically, that means no matter the wind speed this thing can generate some energy. Attach the included car and you can recharge its batteries for up to 2 minutes of run time for each 10 minute charge. For those extra windy days there’s even a second gear that improves power generation. And for those days when there is no wind there is a built-in handle that lets you run with the device in hand. …Continue reading: A Wind Powered Toy Car
Ugh. This thing is lame looking. While Tommy Hilfiger might have been the first designer to boldly display his name on his clothing, this Solar Vest might as well be the last. Perhaps if I’ve been through the desert on a horse with no name this Solar Vest’s visual flair wouldn’t come to mind, but until that happens I can never wear this.
At any rate, the Solar Vest easily makes up for its lack of style with effective charge-a-bility. Using the four very visible solar panels to charge the hefty 8.8Ah battery pack stored in the left hand pocket, you can use the 8 power adapter tips and 7 connectors to charge your gear at 5V, 6V, 9V and 12-20V.
Very versatile indeed. Drop $126 and this beacon of awesome can be all yours. From the masterminds at ChinaVision.
Energy prices are increasing; making household powering difficult to manage without spending a large quantity of money, especially in the current state of the economy.
People are starting to try and understand how they can manage, reduce and easily control their electricity bills. Such interfaces as Google PowerMeter are being challenged by PowerHouse Dynamics’ eMonitor, which allows you to link its interface with your circuit board telling you how much each individual circuit costs. This includes live statistics about how much power you’re consuming and where it’s being spent along with customisable energy saving settings and recommended ways to reduce your carbon footprint. This lets you isolate certain appliances that are being more costly to you than others. You can control outlets and thermostats manually or from applications on the iPhone. The general idea behind the package is to manage your power expenditure wisely and reduce unnecessary power wasting. This saves your money and the environment. Packages cost from $800 onwards.
Although it’s not enough to power to supply an average American’s home, the Backpack Power Plant from Bourne Energy of Malibu, CA might be the off the grid power answer to rurally located villages.
The portable device, which weighs 30lbs and measure about 4 feet long (based on the pic), generates clean and quiet power by utilizing the kinetic energy found in streams that are deeper than 4 feet.
Setting up the Backpack Power Plant requires two trenches to be dug on either side of the stream and an anchor placed in either one. A synthetic rope is then ran between each anchor, which presumambly has a turbine attached to it to harness the kinetic energy located in the flowing stream. In order to yield a reasonable amount of power, or up to 500 watts, the stream must be moving about 7.5 feet per second.
When and if the civilian version of the The Backpack Power Plant comes to market expect it to cost about $3,000.
I think it’s more than fair to say that most solar devices on the market today are “woefully inadequate”. At least that’s the opinion of Solar Components, who is ready to crush the competition this June by launching the Joos Orange, a personal solar device that can produce up to 20 times the energy of any personal solar product.
So what does that mean in terms of gadget charging? One hour of direct sunlight can capture enough power to deliver more than 2.5 hours of talk time to a cell phone. Most solar devices produce 5-10 minutes, tops, after 1 hour of solar exposure. If need be, it can also be charged via USB and has a set of LED status lights to indicate dead battery and power production.
Even better the Joos Orange is waterproof, rugged thanks to its polycarbonate build, and has a replaceable 5400 mAh lithium-ion battery. It measure 5.8 x 8.6 x 0.8-inch and weighs 24oz, so it’s not out of the question if you want to toss it in a bag with your laptop.
So how much you ask? They’re aiming for a retail cost of $100. Not bad in the grand scheme, not bad at all.
Too bad I’ll probably never ride Sanyo’s Eneloop Bike, but that can probably be said for the majority. In any event, the company felt it necessary to update the recently announced bicycle. Now, instead of just capturing power during acceleration and downhill glides, the Eneloop bike will ’sip’, as in slightly nurse, energy while riders bike on the flats to charge its on board battery system.
February 26th, 2010 4:47 AM | by Christen da Costa
Antro’s solar vehicle is far more than meets the eye. Sure it can drive up to 20km per day on solar power alone, but what you can’t see is that the car is modular and according to renders and specs – no actual image were shown – it can be split into two separate smaller vehicles, or conversely combined with another for a six passenger auto. …Continue reading: Antro Solar Vehicle Runs On The Sun’s Rays And Can Be Split In Half
