Radhicka S Saxena: The stunning design of the coffee booth will draw you in, and once inside, you will be enthralled by other remarkable features of this cubicle. This is an eco friendly coffee kiosk that does not stay stationed at one place and its showy and avante garde design will surely lure in customers. The space inside is well planned, airy and bright, thanks to the long carved out windows. Evobean coffee kiosk Picture Gallery Evobean coffee kiosk The reclaimed materials were pervasive to expose the green influence behind the design. The structure is quite robust. The columns installed in the booth add to its look tremendously and also provide functional significance. The thickset columns and beams can easily bear the vertical load of the structure. The thinner columns and beams aid in managing the lateral load, which comes into play when the kiosk is being towed. All columns are linked with the roof to make the facade look trim and neat. The space inside has been planned out carefully. There is enough room for all necessary equipment despite the compact size. You can fit in a cashier counter along with large as well as small tanks and sinks. Full barista equipment like espresso machine, coffee brewer, grinder, blender, fridge and ice machine will also be accommodated inside. As the space was limited, interiors had to be chalked out cleverly to manage work flow. In fact, the space has been planned to make the employees feel relaxed and refreshed all the time. In addition, the kiosk boasts several green credentials. Recycled panels and translucent corrugated skylights have been fitted on the roof and reclaimed materials have been used for its construction, giving it a green tag. Via: Dave Eaton

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Evobean coffee kiosk adopts minimalist design for sustainability

Radhicka S Saxena: The compact prefab house designed by East Lake Builders, has a floor space of 280 square feet, and yet one will not have to compromise on any living comforts when residing in it. The scrupulous and simplistic design of the house accommodates all necessary rooms you require for a basic living. It has a modest box shape with a flat rooftop. Dubbed as the Dwell Kit, you can easily install this prefab home at any place. Dwell Kit Picture Gallery Dwell Kit It is solar powered with an estimated yearly heating and cooling cost of $104. The exterior, made from earthy wood, has a soft finish. Four sizable glass doors have been fitted on the front and such doors provide entry into the different rooms as well. A living room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom have been packed into the limited space available. A small space for an office has been etched out in the bedroom, while the bath area slotted in here is also quite spacious. The flooring is bright and all basic amenities have been provided in the abode. The house has an eco friendly design plan and is powered by renewable solar energy. The annual cost of heating and cooling the house is roughly $104. Rick and Tony Mills at East Lake Builders are committed to the cause of building custom homes that are built from natural materials using local craftsmanship. Set it up as a holiday abode on a plot of land you purchased away from the hustle and bustle of the city or else you can also lay it out in your backyard as a guest accommodation. Like all other prefab homes, this one can be shipped to any desired destination. The house can then be assembled on site by a handyman or if you have the nerve you can try putting together the edifice on your own. Via: East Lake Builders

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Dwell Kit prefab home by East Lake Builders

Jaspreet Kaur Walia: Riding a bicycle is pollution free and keeps the environment clean and green. A lot of innovations in terms of bicycle designing have been made in the past and designers just don’t seem to run out of ideas that will give you a more eco friendly ride. Jazzing up with numerous bike designs is a Spanish architect turned designer named Jose Hurtado, who is credited for crafting the Twist Bike. It has an unconventional shape, which pushes people into a state of awe. Swiveling Cycles Picture Gallery Swiveling Cycles Jose Hurtado’s Twist Bike Concept is Uniquely Reversible. Twist Bike has an intuitive design and an unusual frame. The most amazing feature of the bike is its reversible nature. The seat and handle of Twist can turn around, which reverses the bicycle in no time. The wheels are hub less and the single arm of the design keeps the wheel on two points. The bike can further be driven by two people at the same time. It can be swapped into a tandem bike as the hub less wheels will act as a point of attachment for the second frame. Twist Bike comes smothered in minimalism and will let you change direction without turning the bicycle. It will help likeminded people connect and also allow them to display their love for the environment, all at the same time. The design is truly amazing and its easy transformation to a tandem bike is worth applauding. Via: Trendhunter

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Twist Bike: A reversible bike with an unusual frame

Jaspreet Kaur Walia: What looks like an equipment straight out of a chemistry lab is the Dreamtime Alarm Clock designed by Vera Wiedermann. The alarm clock has a beautiful appearance and will stir you awake from a dreamy state pleasantly. If you get annoyed by the beeping sound of a tradition alarm clock, then the meaningful design by Vera will leave you impressed. Dreamcatcher Alarm Clock Picture Gallery Dreamcatcher Alarm Clock Dreamcatcher Alarm Clock Uses Water To Tell Time. Dreamtime Alarm Clock come wrapped in simplicity and is not powered by batteries, but water. The eco friendly clock consists of a container and a bowl, which form the backbone of the design. A user has to fill the glass bowl with water, depending on the time they want the alarm to go off. The alarm clock is filled according to the number of hours someone wants to sleep. Water keeps dripping from the bowl to the container as time passes. The design also comprises of a hammer, which is released when the bowl gets empty. The releasing of the hammer gives birth to a loud yet pleasing sound, which will wake you from deep slumber. One will also be relieved from the constant ticking of the clock, which can be annoying at times. The passing of time is purely mechanical and won’t disturb you while sleeping. Dreamtime Alarm Clock is definitely a great substitute for traditional timepieces. The clock will hang from the ceiling and make sure you start your day with a pleasant note. Dreamtime – alarm clock from Vera Wiedermann on Vimeo . Dreamcatcher Alarm Clock Dreamcatcher Alarm Clock Uses Water To Tell Time. Via: Psfk

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Dreamtime Alarm Clock tells time using water

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

Dattatreya Mandal: As we know it In the present era, the renewable energy realm has a share of about 19 percent in worldwide electricity generation. Now, for the uninitiated, this may seem to be a paltry figure, but if we go by statistical expansion, the ongoing phase is certainly propitious for sustainable output. As a matter of fact, total power capacity from renewable sources momentously exceeded the world capacity of nuclear power for the first time in 2011. In this regard, the major progression was actually witnessed in the case of wind power, with a whopping increment from 6.1 GW in 1996 to more than 200 GW by 2011. Low-cost wind turbine Need for change While, wind power market penetration is expected to reach over 8 percent of worldwide electricity usage by 2018, the predicament lies with the quality of technology, rather than quantity. The intrinsic mechanism of major wind power oriented installations still entail the utilization of conventional wind turbines. Now, these behemoth constructs do have a slew of problems ranging from practicality to spatial attributes. The disadvantages include comparative high costs, requirement of larger areas and even their susceptibility to natural effects like lightning and storms. Moreover, bigger turbines are known to cause significantly higher levels of sound pollution (striking almost 50-60 decibels on an average). What’s next In such circumstances, the relatively nascent ‘green technology’ oriented industry should look forth to adopt a more flexible, low cost yet efficient approach to wind power generation. The solution should not only encompass improving statistical figures, but also provide a collective foundation of sustainable power, to reach to the masses (both locally and commercially). Fortunately, there have been some adroit conceptions conceived by a few ingenious designers to cater to this cumulative scope, albeit with an ardent essence of practicality. 1. Motorwind a micro-wind turbine technology Motorwind What’s new When we talk about the fruits of conventional wind energy, the sustainable impact is actually felt less in the urban sector. In answer to this, scientists at Hong Kong University and Lucien Gambarota of Motorwave Ltd. have contrived the ‘Motorwind’. Envisaged as micro-wind turbines, the design comprises of light weighted and compact rotors (at only 25 cm diameter) that are arranged in an array. To be ‘hanged’ like wet clothes, the flexible $150 system is touted to generate credible amount of power, with wind speeds even as low as 2 meters/second. What difference will it make We did mention its suitable application in the urban scope, where wind speeds does have the tendency to decrease . For the device, testing has shown a credible output of around 131 kWh/yr for average wind speed of 5km/hr. Moreover, the overall cost can also get subsidized once the technology has strengthened its commercial appeal; thus making it a viable yet sustainable option for more number of consumers. 2. Low-Cost Wind Turbine Built in Guatemala Low-Cost Wind Turbine Guatemala What’s new Simplicity is the name of the game in this practical wind turbine contrived by one David Fisher. The mechanism entails an efficient yet uncomplicated design that is based on curved blades and a vertical axis. But more importantly, the material used for the construction seems to be a low cost plastic component, complimented by a modest electromagnetic generator. What difference will it make The effortless mechanism righteously alludes to the trend of green technological progression within the scope of vernacular and local constraints. With this kind of ’simplistic’ yet low cast advancement, clean wind power can certainly make its foray into the energy eco system of developing countries. 3. Student develops low-cost wind turbine from recycled materials Low-cost wind turbine What’s new Finally, a design that looks forth to solve our labor related problems, product design student Max Robson has ingeniously devised his low-cost version of an efficient wind turbine. Created entirely form recycled scrap, the relatively compact prototype (with 1.8m width) can generate up to 11.3 watts of power, which is good enough for a lighting fixture for at least 63 hours. What difference will it make According to our young designer, the total cost for building his vernacular project just came around $37. And that is not even the best part; because Robson sees the meager cost going conveniently further down, when the design is replicated in developing countries. Moreover, the uncomplicated mechanism of the conception will allow unskilled workers to build it from locally available materials, and that too within a day. 4. Wind Belt Wind Belt What’s new Real conscientious innovation is always fueled by limited budget, not infinite resources. At least that is what 28 year old California based inventor Shawn Frayne has proved by his fascinating micro-turbine design, called as the Wind Belt. Touted to be 10 to 30 times more efficient than any comparable micro-turbine, the main component of the contraption includes a taut membrane fitted with a pair of magnets, which oscillate between metal coils. What difference will it make The designer thinks his conception can aptly pose as the alternative yet sustainable solution for petroleum oriented products, such as kerosene lamps. The clean harnessed power can be used for small scale LED fixtures and radios. As a matter of fact, Frayne has also thought of a symbiotic economic system, where the proceeds from Wind Belt’s applications in industrialized countries would help in funding other green technology oriented systems in developing countries.

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What’s Next: Low cost wind turbines for the developing world

Dattatreya Mandal: Whenever we examine futuristic automobile designs, we tend to come across pretty yet ambiguous settings for the conceptions, created by none other than the ‘imaginative’ designer himself. In this regard, the 2046 Parsonal Commuter isn’t much different from the slew of other highfalutin vehicular concepts. Conceived by Japanese industrial designer Daisuke Iguchi, this conceptualization is set in the 2046 version of Paris, where the city has become an urban complex with an efficient public transit system. 2046 Parsonal Commuter in Oaris Picture Gallery 2046 Parsonal Commuter in Oaris The line of light for an automatic driving is set up on the road. In this fictional scope, the Parsonal Commuter has been envisaged as a compact, low emission electric vehicle that will cater to an expansive car sharing program, across the whole urban ambit. ‘Parsonal’ is a portmanteau of Paris and personal and has been aptly used. From the visual perspective, the design alludes to an organic demeanor fused with minimalist attributes. Structurally, the vehicle will be built along a compressed chassis, tailor made for one or two passengers ,thus, basically entailing two models. The bantam bearing of the (900 kg) craft in turn will be conducive to efficient maneuvering in cramped conditions of the city. Coming to the core functionality, we did mention its usage as a definitive component of a futuristic car sharing program. As a matter fact, the vehicle will be infused with an automatic driving mechanism that would follow a line of light, projected along the main transit roads of Paris. The clear cut navigation route and an emergency manual control will be available to the passengers within the car, for their optimized convenience and safety. Moreover, the designer has also thought of a fashion oriented commercial scheme, where the passenger can showcase his/her patronizing of apparels or even company logos, thus effectively turning the car into an advertising object. Finally, come to the sustainable scope, the organic propensity of the low emission electric car will be translated to its energy efficiency. Other related ‘green’ attributes will include an electro-chromatic dimmable window, which in turn would cut on the overall expended power. Via: MichelinChallengeDesign

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2046 Parsonal Commuter: Futuristic vehicle concept for personalized public transportation

Jaspreet Kaur Walia: All lot of emphasis is being laid to come up with products that rank high on the sustainability graph. A lot of useful material is dumped in junkyards where it keeps piling up, without anyone trying to make good use of it. Patrick Drake’s love for the environment made him come up with a brilliant design, which gives recycling an all new meaning. The designer has crafted a shelf, which has been made from old skateboards. Pure skateboard shelf Picture Gallery Pure skateboard shelf Pure skateboard shelf by Patrick drake Christened the Pure Skateboard Shelf, it has been made of nothing but skateboards and its parts. The designer had a passion to collect these parts from many years and Patrick made sure he exploited them well. He made good use of the shape of a skateboard, natural holes that existed in the design and all the hardware that came tagged with the product. This meant that additional cutting, drilling, use of hardware or brackets took a backseat while designing the Pure Skateboard Shelf. The design is pretty interesting and eye-catching. It is simple and can be used to stack books, magazines and display decorative items like photo frames and ceramic pots. A complete skateboard has been swapped into a bottom shelf and the wheels have not been removed. But, don’t worry! The shelf won’t roll as the wheels have been tightened to make sure they don’t move at all. The base is further stabled as the tails vertical boards used in the design give it additional support. The two vertical boards are made to rest completely on the base shelf using trucks in the skateboard design, which makes sure the Pure Skateboard Shelf doesn’t fall backward or forward. The trucks have been turned in an irregular manner towards the outside of the design. Such a presentation makes these trucks function as a book ends, making sure the books don’t fall down. Pure Skateboard Shelf is totally eco-friendly and is a great way to use those old skateboards lying around the house. Via: Patrick-drake

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Pure Skateboard Shelf: A green design created using skateboard parts

Balakrishnan Ramachandran: Toyota unveiled its next generation of plug-in hybrid cars at the Detroit Auto Show this month with the NS4 concept car. Toyota announced that NS4 represents its future thinking in respect of electric cars and will be a family distinct from the path-breaking Prius range. The first NS4 cars could be lunched as early as 2013. Vision of the Future 2015 Picture Gallery Vision of the Future 2015 TOYOTA SHOWS FUTURE DESIGN DIRECTION FOR EV’S The medium size model on display features a heavily curved body with a high roof, hardtop style design, which is a departure from the trend towards the more severe and low slung looks of other makes of concept cars seen recently. The shape conveys the visual impression of a car larger and heavier than the Prius. Very few technical details were revealed, but the NS4 is expected to be fitted with a 73 kW/ 142 Nm petrol engine coupled with 60 kW/ 207 Nm electric motors. The fuel efficiency is expected to be around 2.2 liter/100 km and the hybrid would only emit 49 grams of CO2 per kilometer of driving. The NS4 will be fitted with an improved version of the Toyota Synergy Drive system that is expected to be lighter, to give the NS4 improved fuel economy and faster acceleration compared to the Prius. The Lithium-Ion battery capacity continues to be small at 5.2 kWH which means that the drive range on electric motors would only be about 20 km, the same as the Prius. The NS4 will differ from the Prius in its human machine interface, with all the car controls being from intuitive touchscreens with the look and feel of a smart phone. The car electronics will have the built-in intelligence to learn from the driver’s preferences and drive habits and make the drive experience more personalized than previous cars. The NS4 also has the next generation safety features with millimeter-wave-radar signals and cameras for lane departure warnings and rear-end collision avoidance. In the event of accident with a pedestrian, the bonnet pops up to reduce injury to the person. The headlight beams are moderated to reduce glare and blind-spot monitors are provided. The NS4 signals that Toyota believes the plug-in hybrid technology will continue to dominate in the near term and all-electric vehicles are still some distance in the future. Via: Psfk

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Toyota bets on plug-in hybrid technology for electric vehicles

Sonia Renthlei: The problems with current EVs As we all know, our fuel supply is slowly and steadily being exhausted, as our population soars and we continue to depend on the earth’s resources to keep us going. Unfortunately, fuel sources take thousands of years to regenerate which is why we’re struggling to find new ways to feed our demands. As of now, vehicles powered by electricity are trying to replace conventional cars in an attempt to conserve fuel. While this is laudable, there are some problems associated with EVs that prevent them from being truly feasible. Most EVs run on lithium-ion batteries that need to be charged ever so often. This poses a problem for areas where charging stations are scarce or non-existent. Of course, electric vehicles all come with a cable that can be plugged into any household electric outlet of 120 volts. But, the charging process can take a long time, usually up to 10 hours for a full charge and in worse cases, up to 20 hours, depending on the size of the EV’s battery. The maximum distance range of an EV is also significantly slower than conventional fuel-powered cars, increasing anxiety among EV users who have to commute for miles at a time. Hydrogen fuel Lithium shortage Most electronic devices use lithium-ion batteries and this includes EVs. While it’s a pretty abundant material, it needs to be processed as it doesn’t occur naturally in elemental form. Whispers of lithium shortage are already making the rounds, prompting researchers to seek out other sources. In EVs, lithium is required in higher quantities and this requirement is proportional to the size of the battery. Now, if everyone were to switch from fossil fuel-based cars to EVs, supply of lithium could very well diminish, posing another problem for our fuel-starved planet. The process of deriving lithium commercially, too is time-consuming, with two years needed to yield just a ton of the resource. High cost of replacement batteries What makes lithium-ion batteries inefficient is their short lives. Whether you apply them to EVs or other electronic devices that rely on them, they need to be replaced often. However, unlike in gadgets like MP3 players and cellphones, batteries used for EVs are far more expensive. The replacement for a hybrid car battery can cost anywhere between $1,000 to $6,000 depending on the make and year of the car. Customers also need competent dealers to replace it for them, the labor work of which can cost about $900. This isn’t viable in the long run as EV users will rack up a substantial bill, negating the advantages of owning and driving these eco-friendly vehicles. Fuel cells: A cleaner, greener alternative An alternative to batteries that is currently gaining ground is hydrogen fuel cells. This element is found in abundance and can be combined with other elements to power vehicles. Since it doesn’t occur naturally as a gas on earth, hydrogen needs to come into contact with air, the result of which produces electricity, steam and heat. Like lithium-ion-based vehicles, hydrogen-fueled cars produce nil emissions, making them popular with the green brigade. Advantages of hydrogen 1. Hydrogen has the highest energy content This green gas has the highest energy content of any other fuel per unit of weight. As water molecules break down to form HHO or Brown’s Gas, the resultant fuel is much more efficient than conventional gas or diesel. Fuel cell engines propelled by hydrogen run at a much capable rate than internal combustion engines. For a better understanding, 2.2 pounds of hydrogen give almost the same output of energy as a gallon of gas does. 2. Hydrogen is non-polluting Hydrogen as a fuel alternative doesn’t just generate more energy but it is non-polluting as well. The only byproduct you get is water and heat so there is no carbon dioxide produced. 3. Hydrogen is an abundant fuel source Unlike gas and diesel, hydrogen is found in abundance, with an almost inexhaustible supply. This makes it a better alternative to lithium-ion batteries as lithium is limited. Notable trends 1. Mercedes-Benz to debut hydrogen fueled F125! Mercedes Benz F125 Popular automaker, Mercedes, has revealed its hydrogen-powered F125! concept whose design is inspired by the F800. Looks-wise, it’s an awesome vehicle with smooth, flowing lines typical of a Merc production. Gullwing doors lend it a futuristic look that matches its inner workings. Four electric motors crank out 231hp, capable of pushing the machine to top speeds of 137mph. Acceleration time is pretty impressive at 4.9 seconds going from 0-60mph. What is more impressive, however, is its hydrogen consumption: a mere 0.79kg per 100kms. The gas tank is made of carbon fiber with a capacity of holding 700 bars of H2. Additional power is produced from the on-board lithium-ion battery pack of 10kWh, enabling the car to travel 31km before the fuel cell is activated. 2. Toyota FCV-R Toyota FCV-R To be launched in 2015, Toyota has also designed a hydrogen-fueled vehicle called the FCV-R. Still a concept, the FCV-R is a pretty large saloon, equipped with two 10,000psi hydrogen tanks, one under the rear seats and the second under the boot door. The fuel cell has been placed between the front seats while a second battery has been mounted behind the fixed seats at the rear. The company is still trying to bring the cost of the vehicle down before it is launched from the current estimate of 85,000 pounds. 3. Mazda debuts Norwegian-spec RX-8 Hydrogen RE Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE While Mazda’s Norwegian version of the RX-8 Hydrogen RE debuted a few years back, it deserves a mention as it was the company’s first hydrogen-powered vehicle for Norway. Incidentally, the car helped mark the opening of the country’s HyNor project (hydrogen filling stations) to make H2-fueled cars more popular among the masses. The hybrid vehicle has a hydrogen tank with a capacity of storing 2.4kg of H2. Needed improvements 1. High cost Like most alternative fuel sources, processing hydrogen to generate electricity can be expensive. Complex machines and techniques are required which is why the popularity of this abundant resource hasn’t hit its peak. 2. Storage and safety issues H2 may be clean and green but it’s also highly volatile and flammable. While current storage tanks are made keeping in mind chances of leaks and other dangers, they aren’t exactly fool-proof. 3. Still dependent on fossil fuels Energy produced by hydrogen may be high but so is the energy needed to produce this gas. The process of conversion still depends on fossil fuels which makes this ‘clean’ source of energy significantly polluting.

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Why the future of transportation needs better fuel cells not batteries