Ishan Sidhu: Solar power is one of the greenest sources of energy. We have seen solar powered gadgets, cars, houses etc. but this concept by Matteo Straforini is a solar powered info point where you can get information about a city. It is an urban design to make easy and ergonomic consulting. The solar panels are installed on the sail of the structure and it can rotate, following the sun’s inclination completing a rotation of 180°, just like a sunflower. A touch screen on the dashboard allows the user to access the menu, which contains different categories for browsing. Urban landscape Picture Gallery Urban landscape It can rotate following the sun rays inclinations to optimize the energy produced. The unique shape of the info point and its astounding ability to follow the motion of the sun are added advantages. Firstly, its ability to rotate will increase the energy efficiency of the photovoltaic panels as they will receive the sun rays throughout the day at correct inclinations. Secondly, the user and touch screen will always be under shade due to its unique shape. Since this info station is completely self sufficient it can be installed in any part of the city where it can regularly juice up using sunlight. Via: Matteostraforini

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Urban Landscape: A solar powered info station

Garima Goel: For those who want to reduce their ecological footprint and do their bit for the Mother Nature with every single step they take, what could be better than a pair of eco friendly shoes? Many companies in the market are now dealing in a range of stylish eco friendly footwear to make sure that the buyers do not sacrifice on comfort or style, while opting for green shoes. Taking into consideration the number of shoes made and worn throughout the world every year, you can well imagine the impact your choice will have on reducing carbon footprint.

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Eco friendly shoes for those who want a greener footprint

Radhicka S Saxena: Improper management of waste has been a huge concern lately. Adequate disposal and treatment of waste, so that it does not harm the environment in any way, is very important. Waste thrown out of our homes can be easily put to good use. Urban architecture of the future should take into account all waste management challenges and seek to provide a sustainable solution. One such viable project is coming up at Providence, Rhode Island. Into the Trenches Picture Gallery Into the Trenches It has been designed by Can Vu Bui. A ditch, which goes 80 feet deep, would be constructed in the city. Water out flowing from the city would then be amassed there. The accumulated water will be treated and then directed back into the river through an all new low lying canyon that will be built in the city. The space will also be a center for waste management. Today, most of the waste from Rhode Island is dumped into landfills and they will get saturated in the coming few decades. Thus, a waste management facility is really needed keeping the future in mind. Moreover, the boundary slopes of the structure will be used as a public recreation zone. Anaerobic digestors, fitted into the structure, will convert solid waste into energy. This energy will be utilized to power up the facility as well as the public space. The whole layout is planned beautifully; it looks nothing like a recycling plant. The structure has a modern built and a refreshing setting. Via: Canvubui

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Turning a ditch into as sustainable public space

Abdul Vahid V: Designer Omer Sagiv’s futuristic Solar Powered Vehicle (SPV) is an ideal vehicle for long rides in deserts or other open lands. The SPV is a typical solar vehicle design. The aluminum structure mounts plenty of flexible thin film modules, which can generate much energy for long rides. In form, the SPV almost resembles Nuon solar car, developed by Delft University. SPV Concept by Omer Sagiv Picture Gallery SPV Concept by Omer Sagiv SPV Concept by Omer Sagiv The solar vehicle features a shaft in the middle, which acts as an integrated cooling system as well. The shaft rocks an aerodynamic form and the entire design of the vehicle complies with it, helping it move faster in open areas. The entire surface of SPV seems to be covered with thin film solar modules to harvest maximum solar energy even on the move. The SPV comes with not only a solar option to charge. There is also an option to charge the electric car from home power outlets. Being a plus, extra energy can be collected from sunlight on the move. The SPV enjoys an attractive look and, of course, thanks to its aluminum body, it is glossier. Sagiv has surfaced this solar powered vehicle design as an eco friendly option for riding. In future, some manufactures may bring it into reality. Construction of the vehicle may not be much expensive, however. Designers have come with many bizarre concepts for green cars these days. Eco friendly vehicles are gaining reputation among customers also, since the world witnessed energy crisis and also saw fuel price mount up. Indeed, solar energy is one of key sources for power in electric vehicles. Via: Tuvie

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Solar Powered Vehicle for a green ride in deserts

Sonia Renthlei: Many innovative creations are yet to see the light of day despite being practical and forward thinking. Funding is one major issue, curbing their designs. Luckily, there are organizations and foundations that seek to give creative people a platform where ideas can be generated and, hopefully, come to life. We recently stumbled onto a handy concept entered as part of the James Dyson Foundation Award. Presented as Austria’s entry, it is called Open Privy and envisions a waterless toilet system that is easy to use and eco friendly. Open Privy- the top soil lodge Picture Gallery Open Privy- the top soil lodge Open Privy- the top soil lodge Most toilets are designed for use indoors and require a lot of water to flush. This can be a problem if you live in areas where water is scarce. The waterless toilet is based on the Bukashi method of composting. Open Privy can be installed in the outdoors or in the bathroom. If it’s placed in the open, rainwater can be collected and allowed to filter down to a downpipe. Bent metal and willow sticks have been woven to cover the toilet and guard against weathering. A hinge that connects the toilet’s inlay, seat, downpipe and cover masks the smell, letting air circulate freely. Open Privy serves as a good method of composting and enhances the top soil effectively to act as a natural fertilizer. Users can choose to either throw away the excrement collected or reuse it in the composting process. Ideal for use in places where water isn’t in abundance, Open Privy is also a solution to those disadvantaged areas that cannot afford to build water-guzzling toilets. The toilet has been built such that it can be dismantled which serves as the perfect solution for rehabilitation centers in times of natural and man-made disasters. Easily maintained and hygienic, we‘re hoping that Open Privy will soon be mass produced. Via: JamesDysonAward

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Open Privy waterless toilet helps add to precious top soil

After surviving — and thriving — in five of the roughest economic years the country has known, there's a lot we should have done differently when we opened the doors of our green packaging company. Here's to helping others repeat the same mistakes.

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The 4 Big Mistakes We Made in Launching Our Green Business

Sonia Renthlei: The world is now taking green living seriously in view of the increased damage being caused to the environment. Manufacturers of consumer products are looking at eco friendly resources for producing goods and are also utilizing what is known as eco packaging to market their products. These packages made from biodegradable materials are replacing plastic and metal rapidly. If every manufacturer joins the bandwagon, we may soon see the world get rid of plastic, leaving the earth cleaner and healthier.

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Eco friendly packaging designed to reduce waste

Jaspreet Kaur Walia: Does your idea of a perfect trip mean getting close to nature that comprises of jungles and coral reefs? If yes, then you surely are an eco adventurer who would embrace the idea of eco tourism like no one else. It is a fast catching trend and there are many who’d like to spend a few days connected with nature. The fragile and protected areas that make eco destinations provide ample opportunities for nature lovers to explore animal and plant species commonly unknown, and this is an added advantage.

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Best eco tourism destinations around the world

Pratima Kalra: The hybrid pedal transportation endeavors to bring in an all new class of transportation for modern commuting. We all are aware about the environmental pressures that are building up as roads are clogging with rapidity, constantly anguishing the scientific world. As an answer to this problem, designer David Bonanni, has came up with a healthy alternative in the form a hybrid tricycle, which comes loaded with both, functionality and aesthetic beauty. Hybrid Pedal Transportation.jpg Picture Gallery Hybrid Pedal Transportation.jpg Hybrid Pedal Transportation.jpg Starting with the physical description of the hybrid transporter, you’d be amazed that the designer has integrated it with the best traits of the three main transporting mediums availed on the road i.e. a car, a bicycle and a scooter. The chassis is designed similar to a car, but with two wheels in the front and only one at the rear. It embodies the lightness of a bicycle, and therefore will not consume huge amounts of energy for running around. Lastly, its dimensions are compact like that of a scooter, which allow you to swivel it around comfortably through congested alleys. Now talking about the technical aspects of the Pedal Transportation, as the name suggests it is a hybrid vehicle that works with a brushless motor, allowing it to advance on the road with the help of pedal assistance. Besides this, it also has a pivoting front, which imparts greater agility to the vehicle and is not a common feature among other similar mediums. Since it is a three wheeler the need for parking tripods too has been eliminated. Once out on the roads, the hybrid pedal transport will impress you with its sporty looks and relaxing ambiance. The addition of green technology makes it worthy of our modern times, when most of us our grappling to assimilate eco friendliness, efficiency and visual harmony. Via: Davidebonannidesign

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Hybrid Pedal Transportation: A smart way for green commuting

Ishan Sidhu: As our conventional sources of energy are about to go extinct, scientists are developing unique and indifferent technologies to meet the global demand of energy. Carl Peart, a Mexican student, entered the ‘Create the Future Design Contest, 2011′, with this unique design to produce clean energy. Named ‘Solar collection and Transfer Satellite’, it uses the system of Electro Mechanical Batteries to store energy, which is collected by the solar panels installed on the satellite. EMBs are simple and have amazing potential to store energy. Solar Energy Collection & Transfer Satellite Picture Gallery Solar Energy Collection & Transfer Satellite The Satellite collects energy through the incorporated solar array. A composite flywheel spins with an electric motor and is comprised within a battery. The flywheel using magnetic force floats in a vacuum chamber and can spin at speeds above 60,000rpm. The chamber is almost friction-less which makes it possible to store energy for a long period of time. The electricity can be used by slowing down the flywheel and using the motor as a generator. Energy is collected by the satellite using parallel connected solar panels. After storing this energy a microwave antenna transfers it to earth where a rectenna converts it back into electricity. The antenna can be repositioned; hence energy can be easily transferred to various locations on the earth, from one position in the orbit. The system features easy access doors and also allows easy replacement of worn batteries. The batteries are placed on a circular plate which rotates. They are mounted in a way which helps nullify gyroscope. Each satellite contains 360 batteries with a capacity to hold about 25 kWh each. In future, this satellite can be used for producing and storing clean energy. It would constantly provide clean energy for meeting the rising global demands. Via: Techbriefs

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Mexican student envisions energy generating satellite