Eco Green Gadgets
The green revolution is in full swing. The more ways one person can live greener, the more he or she gives back to the planet. Even he gadget obsessed can find ways to be a little greener. A range of eco-friendly gadgets can be found in specialty electronics stores, direct from manufacturers, in earth-friendly boutiques, and in online marketplaces.This list of gadgets will have you rethinking efficiency and living greener without giving up amazing technology.
Windows of the future - transparent solar panel
These panels developed by Michigan State University are a revolution in the solar panels world. As they are transparent, they can be used in countless daily objects -windows, mobile-phone screens, computer screens... Imagine all the potential this breakthrough has for harnessing solar energy.
"A little organic molecule is capable of absorbing ultraviolet and infrared light spectra which are then led to the edge of the material in order to be transformed into electricity." Moreover, this alternative is cheaper than other forms of solar power, so these panels could cost less.
A seaweed light bulb?
Designer Mike Thompson has created the interesting light bulb 'Latro', which is powered by carbon dioxide, water and natural light. This bulb is lit through a simple process of seaweed photosynthesis, producing electricity.
Seaweeds generate a small amount of electric current when they do photosynthesis, and this is enough for the light bulb to be lit. It only needs to receive sunlight in daytime and our breath to provide it with the necessary CO2. You have to breathe through the nozzle it has at the top to send CO2 into it and a valve lets out the oxygen it generates. Another valve enables us to add the necessary water.
Air-cleaning cars
This invention by the Spaniard Eusebio Moro has been able to draw attention from American and Mexican companies as well from other Latin American countries; eco-Motion is a car system which helps to clean the air.
This device is set up at the bottom of the car and helps to purify the air without further expenses. It is a system through which the polluted air is collected at the front part of the vehicle and this goes through different pipes responsible for its purification. The air can thus be expelled again free of pollutants. "It could purify a nearly 1,500-cubic-metre/hour volume."
Solar roadways
This idea consists of replacing asphalt with solar panels. These high-density glass panels could light roadways at night by LED lights through the solar power stored, heat it up in cases of snow or ice, and it could even generate enough power to charge electric cars.
According to their creators, Idaho's engineers Scott Brusaw and Julie Brusaw, the initial investment would be recovered because it could cover US supply three times over.
Smart tiles
Many private companies have now developed and set up this form of generating electricity thanks to pedestrian circulation. In Europe's biggest shopping centre, in London, 20 of these tiles have been laid, designed to get energy from the 40 million pedestrians that will go around the area.
These tiles will be able to cover half of the shopping centre's outside lighting. This is just one of those instances in which kinetic energy is used to generate electricity through tiles, which are also designed to reduce the carbon footprint to the minimum (their flooring is made of tyre recycled rubber and nearly 80% of their components can be recycled).
The Water Pebble
The water pebble is the ideal gadget to raise awareness of how much water you are actually using. All you have to do is put it near the plug of your shower and it will measure how much water goes down the drain. It memorizes how much water you use the first time, and then gradually attempts to make you use less water by flashing a light that signals you to stop.
Eco button
The eco button is a computer power saving device that reduces your PC power usage. All you have to do is press the button when you step away from your computer and the eco button shifts your computer into its power-saving mode.
Water Powered Clock
Does your house have tap water? Great, that means it also has an alarm clock. For just $25 you can purchase this water powered alarm clock that lasts 12 weeks with just one refill. The best part? You never have to reset the time because the clock remembers it for you
Wizard for Alkaline Battery's
You generally cannot recharge alkaline batteries without them leaking chemicals and possibly exploding. Well, with the Battery Wizard that's old news. This machine reconditions the batteries to make full use of their chemicals and extend their life by 10 times