Abdul Vahid V: Italian firms Med Computer and Biomood have created biodegradable cases for Apple iPhone, the iNature. It was demonstrated at CES 2012 in Las Vegas. The iNature cases will decompose about 90 percent in soil in 180 days after you throw away them. They are made from a native Italian bio-plastic, called the Apinat. The material is ideal to protect your iPhone from falls, scratches and shocks, as it fits well around your handset. iNature Bio-Degradable Outfits The iNature case can withstand harsh climate and won’t wear out even in heat, humidity or other still conditions. However, what makes it even more amazing are its biodegradable features. Like most iPhone cases, iNature won’t make any stress on ecology as it easily rots. The world today is in need of exactly this technology, which helps avert polluting the environment. The iNature case was one among the devices that grabbed the CES Innovations 2012 Design and Engineering Awards. Along with iNature, the Italian firms unveiled an iNature BioRolly, which is also a biodegradable technology accessory. The BioRolly is meant to wrap up cables and chords to shun away annoying tangling. The iNature iPhone case comes in three models with various tints. The case is priced at $19.9 and you can grab it from the product web site. The product will fit well around all recent models including iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and 4S. Get an iNature case for your iPhone and save the earth from more plastic and hard garbage. Via: GreenPacks

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Italian firms bring you iNature: A biodegradable iPhone case

Christina Pinto: Oil spills have a devastating impact on marine life. We just have to look at the pictures of the aftereffects of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico to understand the horrible reality. The collapse of the Deepwater Horizon oil well released 4.9 million barrels of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. The oil consumed everything in its path, taking over the peaceful ecosystem with its poisons and causing all kinds of environmental problems. Magnetic soap Picture Gallery Magnetic soap Magnetic soap: New tool for oil spill clean-up. To take control of the situation, around 3 million liters of dispersants, including industrial soaps called surfactants were introduced into the Deepwater Horizon oil well. These chemicals not only seeped into the oil, but traveled further than the spill. They only began to break down six months later. A more sustainable and safe solution is needed, seeing as how we can expect more of these oil spills in the future. Scientists have developed the world’s first magnetic soap for the expressed purpose of cleaning up oil spills. The soap is composed of iron rich salts dissolved in water, bromide ions and chloride. These ions form a magnetic core within the soap particles and can be controlled by magnetic fields when applied to water. Currently, the project is in the theory stage; however scientists imagine a future detergent can be produced from this hypothesis, which will lead to the safe cleanup of oil spills and other sensitive environments. The hypothesis simply calls for the use of magnets to lift up the harmful substances without too much disturbance to the natural environment. Julian Eastoe, the head of the research, said that the possibility of magnetic soaps could be used to recreate the same phenomenon in more commercially viable liquids, whose range of applications could include water treatment and industrial cleaning products. The new technique has undergone limited testing by researchers. The soap was inserted beneath a less dense organic solution within a test tube. Under the effect of a magnetic force, the soap was levitated to the surface. Scientists at the University of Bristol and the Institut Laue Langevin will proceed with more research and work out methods to develop soaps that can be controlled by light, changes in pH, carbon dioxide, temperature or pressure. Via: Mnn

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Magnetic soap could offer safer cleanup

The Retail Industry Leaders Association takes a look at the environmental practices of major chains to compile the first industrywide report on sustainability trends.

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Retail Group’s First Sustainability Report Puts Green Lens on Industry

General Motors' Chevy brand has created a green label bearing environmental data for its cars, starting with the Chevy Sonic.  

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GM to Launch Industry’s First Eco-Label for Cars

Event organizers can now report on sustainability issues like impacts on communities, natural environments, and local and global economies, a move that aims to speed adoption of green meetings, and will impact the 2012 Olympics in London.

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Global Reporting Initiative Publishes New Guidelines for Green Events

Sonia Renthlei: The gap between mankind and nature is slowly but surely widening. While we have lived off the earth for millennia, it’s safe to say that we have barely given anything back. This is now causing problems as we see ourselves gazing into a future where resources are depleting, land space is scarce and pollution is at an all-time high. Our way of life has distanced us from the natural environment so much so that our understanding and connection to our surroundings is all but broken. Is there anything that can be done to reverse the trend? Maybe, if certain designers and architects have their way. Hybrid Forest Picture Gallery Hybrid Forest The project is conceived as an urban hybrid forestry of multiple elements. 24 Degrees Studio is a firm that seeks to integrate living with the environment, technology and architecture. Its method tries to prove that urban living doesn’t have to necessitate damage to the environment and can be accomplished through sustainable and intelligent designs instead. It hopes to be able to make interaction possible between man and nature which will hopefully see us finally living with nature and not living off it. 24 Degrees Studio has conceived a project called Hybrid Forest wherein structures will aim to use as little land space as possible. Four houses make up the project with all of them occupying a 36mx36m grid each. The space saved in between the houses can then be used for recreational activities. Plenty of glass will be used for construction of the Hybrid Forest to initiate ample natural lighting and scenic views of the natural surroundings. Each of the four units will have its own parking space and garden located in the given block. An elevator will be installed to elevate the car to its allotted space. On the same floor, a private garden will be constructed for inhabitants to plant and grow flora of their choice. The upper floor will have its own private viewing space, free from the eyes of the neighboring units. However, those who do want to interact with people living in the other units can do so via access ways on the rooftops. 24 Degrees Studio’s Hybrid Forest is a refreshing concept from the usual attempts to create green spaces in and around urban landscapes. While those methods help to a certain degree, there is no beating living in an area where your home and nature embrace each other. Healthier and far more peaceful, such concepts can provide people living fast-paced and stressed out lives a cozy and quiet nook to come home to. 24 Degrees Studio’s designs are minimalistic and contemporary, combining simple lines with earthy and muted tones. It also involves itself in interior decorating and what is unique is the architects’ ability to give even small rooms the illusion of spaciousness. Examples of the firm’s works can be viewed at its website. It isn’t known if Hybrid Forest will ever become a reality but such efforts to design homes that blend architecture with nature are always welcome. In this age of concrete and skyscrapers, it’s a pleasant change to come across designs that give the impression of sprawling homes without actually utilizing large amounts of space. Via: 24dStudio

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Hybrid Forest integrates technology, architecture and environment

Aarthi Nair: The PumPing Tap is a simple but innovative concept, where the cord unplugs itself from the socket if it is not used for 10 minutes. This concept is truly an energy saving design, which will be helpful for people who usually forget to unplug their gadgets. This design not only saves the environment but also helps you save loads of money, as a gadget which is plugged in when not in use wastes energy. The innovative concept of PumPing Tap has won it the ‘Red Dot Design Concept award’. PumPing Tap concept Picture Gallery PumPing Tap concept PumPing Tap concept ejects power cords to save energy The PumPing Tap concept is a simple design where the sensors placed in the circuit can detect whether the plug is being actively used, and, if it is not being used, the ring on the outer side of the socket turns from blue to red color. Ten minutes later, if the device is still not being used or switched off, this spring-loaded device literally pops the plug out of the socket. Though the concept won’t be good for every appliance or gadget, it definitely is a great concept for smaller appliances with transformers like iron boxes, televisions, coffee-makers, mobile chargers, music-systems, hair dryers, etc. Via: Gizmag

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The energy saving PumPing Tap concept

Brown Bear: It is believed that nature is the best teacher out there. Researchers have been inspired by the the movements of snakes and the teamwork of ants for developing search and rescue robots. To carry forward one such project, the Georgia Tech University has received backing through a grant from the National Science Foundation. The project aims to break down biological systems involving limbless propulsion, into mechanical principles for universal application in robot design. Energy-Efficient Ant-Snake Robots Picture Gallery Energy-Efficient Ant-Snake Robots Energy-Efficient Ant-Snake Robots to the Rescue. Currently, their work is based on a two-pronged approach focusing on the teamwork found among ants and the sliding and slithering movement of the snakes. The scope of the work is extended to reconnaissance and surveillance activities too. The idea is to find an optimal method of propulsion using least amount of energy. Headed by professor David Hu, the research team is focused more on the energy aspect and less on the looks. The body shape and movements of a snake are highly optimized for traversing over all kinds of terrain and surfaces. It can move on slopes and incline over all sorts of jagged surfaces. It can also squeeze into restrictive and tight spaces. Based on these characteristics, snake robots already have an existence, but they consume huge amounts of energy and quickly overheat. The Scalybot 2.0, inspired from the study of more than 20 varieties of snakes, is a ‘two-link’, all-terrain snake. It may not resemble a snake in looks but it definitely optimizes on the movements like one. Utilizing the rectilinear motion of the snakes, it moves its ’scales’ in a wave sequence that helps it to literally pull itself forward. The study of the group dynamics of the fire ant swarms has led to another great idea. None of the fire ants have the ability to swim individually, but they form large swarms and shape themselves into a big ball that easily floats over the surface of water. This has triggered the inspiration to make tiny robots that can navigate the toughest of terrains by assembling autonomously into larger formations. This synergy can be used to overcome obstacles that present themselves as inaccessible for individuals. The crux of the research lies in energy efficiency. The success of such a project will see future development of robots with green jobs. For instance, we could have robots that design and fabricate solar cells, do environmental monitoring and necessary remediation, or even substitute human beings in potentially dangerous work like the maintenance of wind turbines. Studying nature and incorporating her principles and methods will definitely be the next big step in robotics. We need to see as to how well we are able to imitate nature in this endeavor. Via: CleanTechnica

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Robots modeled along ants and snakes for energy efficiency

The bloc's Parliament has voted to collect 45 percent of all electronics for recycling by 2016, but an advocacy group warns that a decision to promote recycling over refurbishment ignores environmental benefits.

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European Union Steps Up WEEE E-Waste Recycling Targets

Sahil Khurana: Svetlana Kozhenov, a freelance designer and a student of architecture, designed a blue print for modern development in Manila, Philippines. His study was an endeavor to revamp the living quarters of a slum area and was part of a course, Architecture in Extreme Environments – Urban Shelter, at the University of Lund in Sweden. He even worked with non governmental organizations in order to obtain the true picture of the problem pervading the slums of Manila. Manila Sustainable Architecture Picture Gallery Manila Sustainable Architecture Manila Sustainable Architecture Svetlana’s design would change the landscape of the Damayang Lagi, a site measuring 1825sqm, and located near the Rodriguez Boulevard, Quezon City, Manila. The plot is currently sheltering over 8200 illegal settlers, almost equivalent to 1643 families. The main reason why this site came under scanner was that river San Juan had been turned into a large dumping bin, and the nearby slum area was deprived of proper amenities including, lack of proper roads, water sewerages, waster management facilities etc. This is where Kozhenov’s innovative design came into the picture. Bearing a simple concept in mind, he wanted to try and rev up the living area of these mess dwellers. His new housing concept would provide shelter to around 5500 inhabitants, further providing them with better living conditions, and other necessary infrastructure. With these plans in place, the San Juan River would be cleaned up and connected via floating parks right onto the bridge across the next side. These parks would be placed on pantaloons and will be constructed from eco friendly materials. The design relies heavily on the climatic, social, economical and ecological factors of Philippines. The foundation will be carved purely from concrete, keeping in mind the moldy grounds. The buildings will be constructed from recycled materials, and will be resistant to all types of natural calamities. The roof will be molded and crafted so as to ensure maximum rainwater harvesting for the dwellers. Overall, a lot of recycled plastic would be used in the making of these residential abodes. With the simple concept in tow and an easy to understand plan, the whole concept should see the day of light soon. If this plan is actioned, a lot of people would shower their blessings on Svetlana for his ingenious housing idea. Via: SvetlanaKozhenov

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The modern concept of Urbanism promises to revolutionise the slums of Philippines