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

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

Heather Peters won a suit in small claims court against Honda, claiming the company misled her through fraudulent advertising into buying a Civic Hybrid. Originally posted at The Car Tech blog

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Judge rules Honda overstated hybrid fuel economy

Sonia Renthlei: Green car concepts are ruling the roost these days with many individuals presenting their own visions of what an ideal eco friendly vehicle should look like. There’s a lot to be taken into consideration when dreaming up a truly green vehicle. You would have to factor in green energy, zero emissions and cost of production in terms of resources used. The result should be a car that’s reliable, cost-effective and low maintenance. Morphex Picture Gallery Morphex Skin -nickel-titanium (NiTi)-Shape memory alloy . A certain Romanian designer named lulian Vornicu has caught our interest with his unique car concept that can survive even in Arctic temperatures. Called Morphex, the concept vehicle was entered into the Alaska Motors Competition and though it didn’t bag any honors, it’s well worth mentioning. Morphex is a beast of a car. Powerful looking, its body is made from shape memory alloy, an alloy that recalls its shape. In the event of scratches or grazes to the vehicle, the alloy will get back to its original shape when heated. This saves customers a lot of money on trips to workshop as they don’t need to go for paint jobs unless the damage is extensive. Shedding the need for a windshield, Morphex instead relies on a Sonar Pulsar that can scan the environment and project what it sees into a holographic image. Since conventional windshields can be fragile in Arctic temperatures, the Sonar Pulsar takes over. Also it has a large cargo hold of 500 liters and can seat three people. Morphex will run on two engines and hydrogen fuel cells manufactured by Ballard Power Systems. Incidentally, hydrogen fuel cells are increasingly being seen as an alternative to lithium ion batteries as hydrogen is found in abundance unlike lithium. However, Vornicu has also incorporated 10 lithium ion batteries to boost the capability of Morphex. What’s unique is that the batteries won’t need to be recharged from a conventional power source as they get their energy from friction produced by the air and the NiTi skin. Wheels with caterpillar like tracks, filled with ferrofluid controlled by a magnetic skeleton, reduces friction which saves energy and enables the vehicle to run faster. If you’re wondering just how powerful the Morphex is, then you must know that it can hit an impressive top speed of 300 mph. This is made possible by the 1,400 hp it produces and a max rpm of 8,000. Pretty cool for something that needs to cross over vast stretches of snowy and icy terrain. lulian Vornicu’s skill isn’t limited to automobiles and he’s also come up with cool ideas for interior home designing plans for development projects like Palas Iasi for Romania’s mixed use development market. Via: Forge

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Vornicu’s Morphex is an Arctic beast to contend with

Dattatreya Mandal: When we come across modernistic conceptualizations, the majority of the designs tend to flaunt their somewhat presumptuous and even vainglorious bearing. But if we talk about ‘down to earth’ practicality, it is the simplistic, credible conceptions that really matter in the massive commercial scheme of things. Well, the Yamaha Hecta is one among such very few facile contrivances that marries the high points of sustainability and innovation. Hecta Picture Gallery Hecta RCA Final Personal Project. Conceived by designer James Harness, the Hecta has been envisaged as a simple fusion of a human powered bicycle, or rather a tricycle, and an electric vehicle. Coming to the visual essence, the conspicuous front section of the craft insinuates a heavily built chassis with curvaceous lines. In stark contrast, the rear part of the vehicle embodies a minimalist approach with a simple bicycle form and pedals. As for the structural mechanism, this is where the designer effortlessly demonstrates his deft expertise. The bulky front component is covered by a stylized blue lexan top surface, which is fully removable. This structural ‘draping’ conceals a uniquely voluminous cargo space defined by light weight carbon fiber bearing. The hefty section is also supported by two hubless wheels, infused with sturdy electric motors and disk brake cooling. Coming to the rear part, the simplistic single wheel frame encloses a fully integrated battery pack, along a with SRAM I-motion 9 hub gear system. As for maneuvering, the Hecta will pose as a hybrid ‘green’ vehicle with dual driving mechanism. This means the driver can use it as a conventional bicycle powered by pedaling, while the electrical circuitry can alternatively provide for an automatic yet low emission form of transportation. And since we are talking about the intrinsic driving experience, the whole facet is improved upon by an advanced system of integrated computer with RFID sensor and GPS navigation capability, embedded along the front handles. So, at the end of the day, the Hecta certainly thrives to epitomize that novel essence of simplicity, intelligence and most importantly sustainability. Via: JHarness

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Hecta: A ‘green’ user friendly vehicle that fuses bicycle with an electric mechanism

Rahul Gupta: Today’s world, which is deprived of fossil fuels and needs a change from emission-intensive fossil fuels, is definitely in need of a major transformation from gas-guzzling vehicles to cleaner vehicles that are powered by electricity or other forms of alternative energy. However, the lack of charging infrastructure is one reason that is preventing a high-scale adoption of electric cars. Recognizing the need for better EV charging stations, industrial designer Diego Vencato has come up with a concept EV charging station, dubbed the “PS Power Station”. PS power station Picture Gallery PS power station Designing a device to charge electric vehicles. The designer believes that designing such a system means creating an object that changes our relationship with the eco system, bringing in the need to go green. Moreover, an EV charging infrastructure helps increase the adoption of clean electric vehicles, which in turn helps reduce harmful emissions, noise pollution and guarantees a cleaner air, at least on the highways. The “PS Power Station” has been designed to express a positive and eco friendly way to thinking. The product has been inspired by nature, specifically by the plant kingdom, and hence features a tree-like appearance. The system is entirely different from the charging stations we see today as it looks more natural and hence easily blends into the adjoining natural surroundings. We’re not sure if the charging station would be useful in replenishing depleted batteries of all electric vehicles or would it be designed according to the charging requirements of a specific brand EV, but it is definitely a step in the right direction. However, we would also like to see such systems generate electricity by harnessing renewable energy, so that emissions are not only reduced on the highways, but are reduced at every stage. Via: Coroflot

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Nature inspired PS Power Station concept to charge your green car anywhere

Just how much energy does the U.S. military use, what the costs in dollars and the risk to soldiers, and how can they all be reduced? The American Council On Renewable Energy and Advanced Energy Economy are working with the Defense Department to answer those questions.

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What Will It Take to Power the US Military with Green Energy?

Rahul Gupta: We aren’t new to furniture made from vehicles, but each time we come across a new design, our perception takes a new swing, and our eco conscious heart tells us to take it home. This old Vespa scooter converted into a desk brings to life similar emotions. It has been designed by David Giametta who used the frame of the genuine 1968 Vespa Piaggo scooter and mounted a laptop over its handlebars, and placed a few books on its back seat. Recycled Vespa Scooter Desk Picture Gallery Recycled Vespa Scooter Desk Recycled Vespa Scooter Desk The design is lovable and you will surely enjoy sitting on it for playing video games, reading or even completing your pending office work. Due to strict government regulation, it is difficult to keep old classic vehicles on road, therefore, according to the designer it is better to transform and recycle these vehicles into useful items like desk, chairs etc. There are many creative people with different ideas but this one stands apart because it gives the illusion of a real ride while sitting on the old Vespa and doing your work. Ergonomically the design of the stationary scooter may not be too sound, but then a little sacrifice for style and coolness might be worthy. It will be great to have friends over at home, who would not only admire the aesthetic beauty of the desk but might also have some good words in your praise for going green. Via: Walyou

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The Vespa Scooter Desk

Ishan Sidhu: Everyone is making himself a part of the recycling buzz, be it for fun or advertising. Cardboard as we know can be easily recycled and hence is among good sources of eco friendly raw materials. Furniture Industry has already tapped the traits of cardboard and has introduced green furniture, which is both trendy as well as environmentally friendly. Catching on the theme of recycling as a new marketing strategy for its annual sale, IKEA, world’s largest furniture retailer came up with the idea of making furniture with recycled cardboard. The furniture is created by AUGE Headquarters of Milan and is made from flatpack boxes used by IKEA for packing. IKEA Furniture out of its own cardboard Picture Gallery IKEA Furniture out of its own cardboard boxes These are created by noted Milanese agency, AUGE Headquarter. Dubbed as the ‘You Can Get More’ campaign, the furniture showcased includes a bed, a table lamp and a chair. The campaign emphasizes on the concept of quantity and has all the above mentioned items made exclusively from cardboard boxes. By assembling these three furniture pieces, AUGE Headquarters was able to advertise an impressive sale of 40%. This campaign has clearly sent across the message to its customers that packaging material is no waste and can be recycled for making useful things, in this case furniture. Via: Psfk

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IKEA recycles cardboard boxes into furniture