2008-08-31

Solar Power Textile

Embedding solar cells in textile is a fascinating technological challenge with promising prospects like solar power from clothes, curtains, bags, shelters and more.

Solar Textiles


Clipped from: Solar Textiles: Coming Soon (We Hope) to Clothing Near You : TreeHugger



We think the piezoelectric backpack is a pretty cool concept for generating your own electricity just by walking around, not to mention various other solar bags, but a new development stands to revolutionize the way that we interact with solar power in our everyday lives: solar textiles.

Solar Power Clothing


Clipped from: Smart designed Solar power Clothing - Solar-Tie, University, Carolina, Textile, Apparel, Management, Department, Technology, Digital, Besides - talk2myShirt

talk2myShirt

A a team at North Carolina State University came up with a brilliant idea how to make use of digital textile printing to incorporate unusual components into a design by printing fabric that matches the pattern of the component.

As an example of how digital textile printing can be used to make the solar panels invisible is the solar jacket and the solar tie.


Clipped from: JTATM - North Carolina State University



APPLICATION OF DIGITAL TEXTILE PRINTING TECHNOLOGY TO INTEGRATE PHOTOVOLTAIC THIN FILM CELLS INTO WEARABLES


[...]
The solar panels were attached using ‘liquid stitch’ adhesive, which eliminated the concern of accounting for a fastener in the design of the digitally printed pattern. The dot of solder used to connect the circuitry to the solar panels was a close color match to the connection bus adhered to the solar panels and was not visually distracting.
[...]
The tie was tested by a user for performance in a typical business environment. The trial consisted of wear during five business days and storage in a closet. During the trials, there were no safety infringements with respect to electrical shock. A visual inspection of the insulated wire revealed no degradation of the insulation after the trials. The wires maintained their ability to conduct electricity without resistance.

Solar Textile


Clipped from: Research — SOEL



Research

Solar energy and energy efficiency


Clipped from: Solar textile — SOEL

Solar textile

We're developing processes to make fiber solar cells that can be woven into textile. [...]




We're developing processes to make fiber solar cells that can be woven into textile.

Textile Based Solar Cells


Clipped from: Toward textile-based solar cells: SPIE Newsroom: SPIE.org

A fiber-based organic photovoltaic may form the building block of cost- effective, energy-harvesting textiles.





The large yellow square represents an area of land that would need to be covered with 10% efficient solar cells to satisfy the national energy demand. In comparison, the arrow points to a small red square whose relative area represents the worldwide area of solar cells currently manufactured and installed. The area of the fabrics image represents the total square meters of textiles imported to the United States. The bottom right image shows the fiber-based organic solar cell, photographed near a penny for size comparison.

Clipped from: Max Shtein — Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan
Max Shtein Assistant Professor

Current Nanomaterials Research Projects

[...]
Fiber-Based Organic Solar Cells
[...]

Related:

Solar Textiles: Coming Soon (We Hope) to Clothing Near You : TreeHugger
Smart designed Solar power Clothing - Solar-Tie, University, Carolina, Textile, Apparel, Management, Department, Technology, Digital, Besides - talk2myShirt
JTATM - North Carolina State University
SOEL
Peter Peumans — SOEL
Research — SOEL
Solar textile — SOEL
Toward textile-based solar cells: SPIE Newsroom: SPIE.org
Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan — Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan
Max Shtein — Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan
Projects — Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan

2008-08-30

Tidal Power a Clean Energy Resource

Tidal power, a form of hydropower that converts the energy of tides into useful forms of power provides a clean energy resource with a great potential for future electricity generation. An introduction and highlights of some projects.

Introduction


Clipped from: Tidal power - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tidal power, sometimes called tidal energy, is a form of hydropower that converts the energy of tides into electricity or other useful forms of power.

Although not yet widely used, tidal power has potential for future electricity generation. Tides are more predictable than wind energy and solar power. Historically, tide mills have been used, both in Europe and on the Atlantic coast of the USA. The earliest occurrences date from the Middle Ages, or even from Roman times.

Clipped from: YouTube - TIDAL POWER INTERNATIONAL
TIDAL POWER INTERNATIONAL




Strangford Lough: World’s First Commercial Tidal Turbine


Clipped from: World’s First Commercial Tidal Turbine Installed | EcoGeek world's first commercial tidal turbine

The world's first commercial tidal turbine has been installed in its home in Northern Ireland’s Strangford Lough.


Clipped from: Strangford Lough - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In 2007 Strangford Lough became home to the birth of a new industry as the world's first commercial tidal power station was installed in the narrrows. The 1.2 megawatt underwater tidal electricity generator, part of Northern Ireland's Environment and Renewable Energy Fund scheme, takes advantage of the fast tidal flow in the lough which can be up to 4 m/s. Although the generator is powerful enough to power up to a thousand homes, the turbine has a minimal environmental impact, as it is almost entirely submerged, and the rotors turn slowly enough that they pose no danger to wildlife.

Clipped from: YouTube - CNN Tech : UK : Power From Sea Tides


San Francisco


Clipped from: 40,000 Homes Could Powered By Golden Gate Tidal Turbines »» MetaEfficient Reviews


40,000 Homes Could Powered By Golden Gate Tidal Turbines


Clipped from: San Francisco Sentinel » Blog Archives » SAN FRANCISCO SPRINTS TOWARD TIDAL POWER in race to combat global warming




SAN FRANCISCO SPRINTS TOWARD TIDAL POWER in race to combat global warming


Clipped from: YouTube - High Tide



Edgartown Muskegat Channel project


Clipped from: CapeCodTimes.com - Vineyarders surf tidal-energy wave






Clipped from: Commission supports tidal energy project | www.nantucketindependent.com | The Nantucket Independent Newspaper



Commission supports tidal energy project

Nantucket's Planning & Economic Development Commission voted unanimously last week to support Edgartown's proposed tidal generation project between Muskeget and Martha's Vineyard.


Clipped from: SolarEnurgy.net » Nantucket Island’s Planning and Economic Development Commission supports tidal energy project

Tidal Energy has a huge potential to provide long term, secure, low cost, supply of electricity. Especially for island coastal communities like Nantucket Island, Massachusetts. The local community has been split on it’s support of a wind farm in Nantucket Sound but appears to be very supportive of a Tidal Energy generation system.

The proposed installation would provide around 4.2 times the amount of energy flowing into Nantucket right now…very exciting!


Related:
Tidal power - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tidalenergy.net.au tidal energy systems, renewable energy, sustainable energy, tidal power generation
World’s First Commercial Tidal Turbine Installed | EcoGeek
Strangford Lough - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
40,000 Homes Could Powered By Golden Gate Tidal Turbines »» MetaEfficient Reviews
San Francisco Sentinel » Blog Archives » SAN FRANCISCO SPRINTS TOWARD TIDAL POWER in race to combat global warming
San Francisco to test tides for energy - - MSNBC.com
CapeCodTimes.com - Vineyarders surf tidal-energy wave
Commission supports tidal energy project | www.nantucketindependent.com | The Nantucket Independent Newspaper
SolarEnurgy.net » Nantucket Island’s Planning and Economic Development Commission supports tidal energy project
Edgartown's tale of tidal currents: Muskeget Channel energy farm - Martha's Vineyard Times
A Mega-Dam near Cardiff: Britain Plans World's Biggest Tidal Power Station - International - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News
Marine Current Turbines - News

2008-08-29

Next Generation House

(click image to enlarge)

Next Generation House, designed by Sou Fujimoto Architects, is a 4 x 4 meter cube of solid Japanese cedar blocks assembled like a jigsaw puzzle to create spaces for sitting and lounging.


Clipped from: Next Generation House by Sou Fujimoto Architects | CoolBoom

Next Generation House by Sou Fujimoto Architects




The next generation house, designed by Sou Fujimoto Architects, is a small housing module for weekend use located on the edge of a forest overlooking the River Kuma at Kumakura, Japan.


Clipped from: Next generation house

Heavy yet light

Next Generation House is a small housing module for weekend use, located on the edge of a forest overlooking the River Kuma at Kumakura, opposite the temple of Shibatatehime. The client is a timber merchant.



The small pavilion, a 4x4 m cube, is made by assembling solid Japanese cedar blocks kept in place by their own weight and connecting metal cables running through vertical drill holes.



Some of the inside cubes are laid off-centre to create shelves, small living areas and even steps to move from one level to another.



Offsets in the wall cubes also create windows with views of the surrounding countryside. The oblique glass windowpanes are held in place with plastic plugs. The mobile sheets are in transparent acrylic.



Two roof skylights provide extra natural light – an architectural feature over which Fujimoto takes special care. At night, artificial light visible from the outside helps to dematerialise the cube by mixing the warm tones of wood with the amber glow of incandescent bulbs, emphasising the ways in which a structure made up of heavy wooden elements can seem so light and airy.
Related:

Next Generation House by Sou Fujimoto Architects | CoolBoom
Next generation house
Apartment Therapy - Next Generation House
Judit Bellostes : cubo habitado - next generation house , Estudio de arquitectura

2008-08-28

Compressed Air Energy Storage

A New Jersey company announced to develop over the next three years an underground compressed-air storage system for wind turbines and other power sources.

Wind Energy Storage Gets Boost

wind_turbines1.jpg

Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) pumps air underground in places like depleted natural gas wells or salt caverns. The pressured air is then released later to drive a turbine to generate electricity. The system is capable of storing energy for several hours or even days, allowing utilities to deliver electricity during peak hours, when the demand and price for electricity is at its highest.

clipped from www.nytimes.com
New York Times

Air Storage Is Explored for Energy

clipped from www.bloomberg.com
Bloomberg

Wind Power Boosted by Utility, Storage Invention (Update1)
clipped from news.cnet.com

A New Jersey company said on Tuesday it will invest $20 million over three years to develop an underground compressed-air storage system for wind turbines and other power sources, a sign of growing confidence in the technology.

First Generation CAES

AEC CAES Project - The Only Operating CAES Power Plant

Second Generation CAES with Air Injection

Second Generation CAES with Inlet Chilling


blog it

Related:
Wind Energy Storage Gets Boost · Environmental Leader · Green Business, Sustainable Business, and Green Strategy News for Corporate Sustainability Executives
Air Storage Is Explored for Energy - NYTimes.com
Compressed-air storage coming to wind power | Green Tech - CNET News
Bloomberg.com: U.S.
Energy Storage and Power LLC

2008-08-27

Truphone -- Cheap International Mobile Calling via WiFi

About Truphone: a service that allows people to make cheap, or even free calls on their mobile, using the internet (VoIP). There are no roaming charges and the software is fully iPhone compatible

Introduction


Clipped from: YouTube - Save money on iPhone calls (Truphone)




Clipped from: Cheap Calls using VoIP with Truphone - Your Mobile VoIP Provider

Save money on mobile calls


Listed as one of the ten iPhone apps to check out by All Things Digital:

Clipped from: Ten iPhone Programs to Check Out | Walt Mossberg | Mossblog | AllThingsD


TruPhone. This is an Internet phone-calling program that works over the iPhone’s Wi-Fi radio, potentially saving you big money over using the device’s regular cell phone capability, especially when calling internationally. Biggest downside in my initial tests: it sometimes worked and sometimes didn’t.

Truphone on the iPhone

Pricing


Clipped from: Cheap Mobile Phone Calls & Free Internet Calls Using Wi-Fi

The Tru Zone means no more worrying about how much you're being charged to make international calls on your mobile. We've made things clear; calls to countries in the Tru Zone always cost the same flat rate. From wherever you are.

Landlines: 3p/min; Mobiles: 15p/min; SMS: 10p; Truphones: FREE

See all countries in the Tru Zone

Our Outer Zone is comprised of around 30 countries. Calls to any country in the Outer Zone are charged at a single flat rate. From anywhere on the planet.

Landlines: 5p/min; Mobiles: 25p/min; SMS: 10p; Truphones: FREE

See all countries in the Outer Zone


Compatible phones

The iPhone
Clipped from: Cheap calls on your iPhone - Benefits of the Mobile VoIP iPhone Application by Truphone
Other phones
Clipped from: VoIP Equipment: VoIP Mobile Phones & Wi Fi Handsets

It currently works on many of the hugely popular Nokia N-series (eg, N95) and E-series phones (eg, E90), and there are many more handsets coming soon.

Related:

Cheap Calls using VoIP with Truphone - Your Mobile VoIP Provider
Ten iPhone Programs to Check Out | Walt Mossberg | Mossblog | AllThingsD
Truphone - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Welcome to the Truphone media centre

2008-08-26

Teleconferencing with Telepresence




Rather than traveling great distances, in order to have a face-face meeting, it is now possible to teleconference instead. Telepresence brings people in remote locations together with a life-size, high resolution full motion video and high quality surround audio.

Introduction


Clipped from: Telepresence - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Telepresence refers to a set of technologies which allow a person to feel as if they were present, to give the appearance that they were present, or to have an effect, at a location other than their true location.

Telepresence requires that the senses of the user, or users, are provided with such stimuli as to give the feeling of being in that other location. Additionally, the user(s) may be given the ability to affect the remote location. In this case, the user's position, movements, actions, voice, etc. may be sensed, transmitted and duplicated in the remote location to bring about this effect. Therefore information may be travelling in both directions between the user and the remote location.


Clipped from: Telepresence @ InfoComm - A Review with Howard Lichtman's Thoughts and Analysis - Human Productivity Lab

Telepresence @ InfoComm - A Video Review
A review of most of the telepresence offerings at InfoComm.


Glowpoint


Clipped from: Glowpoint | Telepresence Solutions






Clipped from: YouTube - Glowpoint - Telepresence Managed Services

Glowpoint - Telepresence Managed Services

A video overview of telepresence managed service provider Glowpoint. Glowpoint provides managed network, managed services, and a Telepresence Exchange Network (TEN) for a variety of telepresence systems including solutions from Cisco, Digital Video Enterprises, Polycom, Tandberg, and TelePresence Tech among others.


Cisco


Clipped from: TelePresence - Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems, Inc.

Climate Change and Technology Innovation


Clipped from: YouTube - The Next Step in Global Meetings

Cisco TelePresence. For more information on TelePresence at Cisco and the emerging telepresence industry please visit: www.HumanProductivityLab.com the Internet's #1 destination for Telepresence News, Research, Analysis, and Consulting.


Nortel


Clipped from: Nortel: Services: Telepresence Services: Overview

Nortel


Clipped from: YouTube - Nortel Telepresence commercial

Imagine meeting your colleagues in San Francisco, London, Mexico City and Osaka without traveling to any of these locations. You don't have to imagine it, it's here. Telepresence brings people in remote locations together with a life-size, full motion cinematic view along with extraordinary StereoSurroundTM audio with high resolution content.


Related:

Telepresence - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Telepresence Options - Telepresence News and Analysis
Telepresence @ InfoComm - A Review with Howard Lichtman's Thoughts and Analysis - Human Productivity Lab
Glowpoint | Telepresence Solutions
TelePresence - Cisco Systems
Product Portfolio [TelePresence] - Cisco Systems
Nortel: Services: Telepresence Services: Overview