• Category Archives: Other Stuff

    Green Erg generator to charge up cell phones in Africa

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    Undoubtedly, the market is flooded with compact, eco-friendly chargers for gadgets like cell phones and music players. But this form of green charging luxury is only limited to economically advanced countries. Most of the people from under-developed countries are not fortunate to afford this nifty chargers. For such folks, Dr. Cedrick Ngalande has designed the Green Erg generator. Originally intended for the residents of Africa, it is basically a dynamo which is being driven as a result of friction between the ground and the blocks. The small yellowish blocks (these are covered by rubber in the real commercial product) rotate as you pull it. They are designed to rotate even on bumpy run even roads. Based on the simple kinetic energy principle, this device makes the best of the energy that is expended while walking. The Green Erg generator can easily juice up the cell phones and radios as about 2 watts is generated at normal walking pace.

    Posted in Other Stuff on February 25, 2009
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    Urban Space Station project – A mini farm for urban dwellers


    URBAN SPACE STATION Sofia, Madrid 2008 from cesar harada on Vimeo.
    Once again focusing on the need to bring the green nature into the urban set up, we bring to you the Urban Space Station project. Conceived by Natalie Jeremijenko, this portable piece of architecture is primarily intended to improve the quality of air in the surroundings. Make some space for this green project on the roof so that it can filter air, grow food and re-use organic waste for inhabitants. In the quest to improve the health of people around it as well as tidy up our environment, the Urban Space Station is the future of eco-urban architecture. As more and more city-folks seek a bit of greenness from their country-side or village, such a semi-permanent green station is the correct solution for health conscious environment seekers. I mean how else can city dwellers think of munching on a meal cooked out of home-grown veggies…without worrying about pesticides and insecticides.

    Posted in Other Stuff on February 24, 2009
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    Neatly potted Grass brings nature indoors

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    In this urban set up, it’s impossible to own a green patch in our cramped up apartments or offices. But these well designed Grass patches are the best way to flaunt your green thumb without hassles. Aptly designed to green up your den or workplace, these grass squares are shaped out of recycled materials. And this natural piece of terrain doesn’t require any fussy care too. Inspired by Frank loyed Wright’s Fallingwater, it has struck a correct balance in blending architecture and nature without compromising on elegance. The one side cut-open package promises to increase its shelf life too. More images follow……

    Posted in Other Stuff on February 24, 2009
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    Tokyo prepares for a green Olympics 2016

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    Everyone’s suddenly becoming really serious about the environment and global warming, it seems – which is a good thing. Tokyo, one of the contenders along with Chicago, Madrid and Rio de Janeiro, is a top choice to host the 2016 Olympics. Their USP is that they are going to bring a green Olympics with a lot of effort made to save energy and costs. Tokyo has promised a few things like a solar planet, a new stadium made of solar panels on the roof at the sea front with 10,000 seating capacity, electric and hybrid cars on the roads and carbon credits to reduce emissions to offset any pollution caused by the event.

    Posted in Architecture, Other Stuff on February 18, 2009
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    Go Rack – Solar powered light concept based on iron board

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    Now here’s a concept that will work well for residents of the Middle East and West Africa (or whichever is the hottest part of the continent). A designer Abhinav Dapke has come up with a green lighting concept using ideas of an ironing board or a cloth rack. The Go Rack design is such where you place a board just like an ironing board with a cloth on top which actually are solar cells and keep them under the sun. An indicator will tell you how much power has been taken. Then you can fold the board in a way that the cloth side folds in together while the flip-side, of plastic, comes up front and the remaining two aluminum legs are mounted upon a base and energy is conducted. Voila. You have the light stand.

    Posted in Other Stuff on February 17, 2009
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    Shenandoah University goes eco-friendly with Apple MacBooks

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    Students at the Shenandoah University has no reason whatsoever to mess up now. Come fall when all the incoming freshmen, some graduate students and faculty come in, they will each be given an Apple MacBook and an iPod Touch. The university chose the MacBook as it is an eco-friendly option and goes hand in hand with their commitment to the environment. The MacBooks are made with recyclable aluminum, glass enclosures, mercury-free displays, and arsenic-free display glass.

    Posted in Other Stuff on February 17, 2009
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    Green Pieces jigsaw puzzle with wildflower seeds

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    I used to love puzzles, such an interesting game. Now, it’s even better. If you buy a certain kind of puzzle games, in a year’s time you might have a small little garden for yourself. Earth friendly jigsaw puzzles Green Pieces come with a very unique feature. After you are done with the puzzle, if you toss it around the ground, the puzzle pieces will burst with wildflower seeds popping out of them! How cool is that! A game and a garden!

    Posted in Other Stuff on February 17, 2009
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    Winner of the eco-friendly Matt & Nat bag announced

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    Every contest is followed by an announcement of the winner and that’s exactly what I am about to do. Of all the tips that flowed in via comments and mails for the Recycle plastic bottles Contest , the editor picked up Jane as the winner. Though I would like to mention that it has been tough to choose just one winner as all the tips to recycle plastic bottles were noteworthy. Jane’s tips involved using the discarded plastic to preserve out flora and fauna.

    Posted in Other Stuff on February 16, 2009
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    Contest Reminder – Win a $100 special gift by sharing your Valentine’s Day experience

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    Calling out to all the divas and dudes who are just a bit lazy to pen down a few words about their most memorable Valentine’s Day experience. If you have experienced true love then it isn’t a tough task at all….at least to win the Vidafine’s Valentine special bundle. And these days since love is in the air, just think about that love-filled moment and type about it in the comment section of Valentine’s contest on Gizmodiva. Don’t tell me that your love experiences have been so boring that they are not worth sharing it with us? I am sure your Valentine story will earn you this lovely Valentine gift!

    Posted in Other Stuff on February 12, 2009
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    Japan’s resort lures tourists to a tunnel lit with 3 million solar powered lights

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    Japan, the land of rising sun, never fails to lure the rest of the residents of earth for its innovative personality. Be it gadgets, technology, cuisine or spas and resorts, the country triumphs in garnering the world’s attention for all good reasons. The latest focus in on the eco-friendly resort that is located very close to Tokyo. Gotemba’s Toki no Sumika resort shelters a lovely hot water spring, Shizuoka Prefecture. And this winter, it’s the solar power lit tunnel that is grabbing green attention. About 3.2 million light bulbs provide illumination by soaking in the sun’s power. An ideal place to hit during the Valentine season, the eco-friendly light extravaganza will runs from 5pm to 9.30pm till March 8. Are you booking tickets for two to Tokyo?

    Posted in Other Stuff on February 11, 2009
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