Story of the Week-Two Wolves’ Strategy

Posted by Green Patents

Remember the discussion between the Cherokee Indian grandfather and the grandson?One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.He said, “My son, the battle is between two “wolves” inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.” The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf wins?”The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”This week, let’s remember to choose the wolf before feeding it.

via patsnap blog

Piston-Powered Airplanes More Fuel Efficient (But Is That Enough?)

Posted by Green Patents

Written by Philip Proefrock on 17/09/10

A recent article from Low-Tech Magazine brings up the interesting note that only the most recent jet planes are as fuel-efficient as propeller planes. Many people believe that jets are very efficient, but, “on a per passenger mile basis, the most efficient modern aircraft, the Airbus A380, has just managed to match that which was achieved by the piston engined Lockheed Constellation series in the 1950′s.” Unfortunately, passenger-mile fuel efficiency isn’t the sole metric that airlines have to consider. Fuel cost is certainly a big chunk of the operating budget for a passenger plane, but so is the cost of crew wages and benefits. Jets travel faster, better utilizing the working hours available for each flight crew. Piston aircraft may be more fuel efficient, but there are other things that jets do better. Piston aircraft cannot operate at the higher altitudes that jets can reach. The Constellation’s ceiling was 24,000 feet (7,315 meters), while contemporary jets can reach an altitude of about 40,000 feet (12,192 meters). Flying at higher altitudes allows jet aircraft to avoid weather systems that would delay or halt aircraft operating at lower altitudes. None of this means that we are in favor of retaining the status quo. While jets can fly higher, they also release their exhaust higher in the atmosphere, which is likely more damaging than exhaust released at ground level. The environmental costs of any form of air travel are not fully incorporated into the costs to consumers. Both technologies should continue to be developed, and we’ve also seen hybridpropeller-turbines, which are intriguing, too. via ecogeek

Toyota to Introduce Six New Hybrids in Next Two Years

Posted by Green Patents

Written by Megan Treacy on 14/09/10

The Prius has been a great success for Toyota, especially in Japan, but the carmaker is feeling pressure to stay on top as competitors release all-electrics (namely the Nissan LEAF). Trying to keep its share of the hybrid and electric market, Toyota has announced that they will be producing six new hybrid models by the end of 2012. Two will be under the Lexus brand and the other four will be Toyota models.The six new hybrids will all be first-generation models, not next-generation versions of existing hybrid models. Some models will also have a gasoline-engine counterpart. In addition to the six hybrid models, Toyota is revealing an all-electric RAV4 at the L.A. Auto Show this November through its partnership with Tesla. Toyota is also working on releasing two other iterations of the Prius in the next two years - a plug-in version and a minivan. via ecogeek

Story of the Week: ‘Twenty Dollars’ strategy

Posted by Green Patents

Remember the story of Tom chasing Jerry, who owed him $20?

One day, Tom was walking with his mentor Bob when they saw Jerry. Tom started shouting and Jerry started to run away. Tom’s reaction was to chase after Jerry, but Bob held him back and asked: ‘What are you doing?’ Tom replied, ‘Jerry borrowed $20 from me and he refuses to return it. I am going to chase him and get my money back.’

Bob asked, ‘Do you like Jerry?’

Tom said, ‘Absolutely not!’

‘Do you want Jerry in your life?’

‘No, absolutely not!’

‘In that case, $20 is a cheap price to keep Jerry running away from you.’

This week, let’s remember to use Twenty Dollar strategy to keep ‘Jerrys’ out of our lives.

From http://blog.patsnap.com/?p=515

Story of the week: Turn Your Weakness into Strength

Posted by Green Patents

Remember the story of the 10-year-old boy who decided to learn judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm?

Even after many months of training, he had only been taught one move. However, the boy kept his faith and soon he entered his first tournament.

To his surprise, he won every match with his one move and won the tournament.

On the way home, the boy summoned the courage to ask his master, ‘How did I win the tournament with only one move?’

‘You won for two reasons: first, you’ve mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm.’

This week, let’s remember that acceptance and action can convert our weaknesses into strengths.

via patsnap blog

Port of Long Beach Retrofitting Old Tugboats

Posted by Green Patents

Written by Megan Treacy on 02/09/10

After debuting the world’s first hybrid tugboat in 2009, the Port of Long Beach is partnering again with Foss Maritime Company to retrofit an existing tugboat with hybrid technology.

The ship called the Campbell Foss is a conventional dolphin tugboat assisting ships in the San Pedro Bay. It will be fitted with motor generators, batteries and control systems by Foss at one of their shipyards. The retrofit should cut 1,340 tons of CO2 emissions and save 100,000 gallons of fuel per year. Foss and the Port plan to introduce more hybrid tugs over the coming years and see more retrofits in the future.

The Port of Long Beach received a $1 million grant from the California Air Resources Board for the retrofit project.

via ecogeek.org

The Kindle and the Environment

Posted by Green Patents

Written by Hank Green on 29/08/10

Here at EcoGeek we’ve been long-time supporters of e-book readers. The publishing industry (including books, newspapers and magazines) is a serious environmental threat with a huge carbon footprint and raw materials that result in the harvesting of some 125 million trees per year.

So we were excited. But as the realities of ebooks set in, and they actually began to explode in popularity (with Amazon.com now selling more Kindle books than hard-covers) we got apprehensive. Would this new trend really be good for the environment? The answer…thankfully, is a resounding “Yes.”

The Kindle device itself, of course, has a carbon footrprint caused by manufacturing and shipping all of its parts around. And it does use electricity (though, really, a very small amount compared with devices like laptops or even some cell phones.) But while I still love real books for a lot of reasons, I’ve got to give it to the Kindle. Authors are getting paid more, consumers are paying less, and (according to a study from The Cleantech Group) as long as the devices replace the purchase of more than 22.5 NEW (not used) books in the lifetime of the device, it will be a positive force for the environment. This seems to be roughly one year’s use of the Kindle. Of course, if you’re replacing newspapers and magazines with your Kindle chances are you’ll go carbon negative faster than that.

But if you’re thinking about getting a Kindle for green reasons, make sure you know you’ll be replacing more than 20 new books on the thing before you upgrade, otherwise you’re not just wasting your money, you’re hurting the environment.

via ecogeek

First New US Solar Thermal Power Plant in 20 Years Approved

Posted by Green Patents

Recently, California has granted approval for a new solar thermal power plant, the first solar thermal power plant to be licensed in US in nearly 20 years. It is expected that commercial operation will start by the third quarter of 2011.

Beacon Solar, the new project, will be an array of solar focusing parabolic troughs spread over a 2,012 acre site in Kern County, California. The approval process required a solution to local residents’ objections to the great amount of water the project would require. The final agreement will have the project use recycled water from a nearby community instead of drawing directly from the local aquifer. The project expects to use nearly 1600 acre feet (1.97 million cubic meters) of water annually.

The state of California has mandated that 20% of its electrical power come from renewables by 2010. While it does not look like that target is going to be met, the approval of several hundred megawatts of solar thermal power will help get the state closer to that goal.

via ecogeek

Special Glass Designed for Birds

Those bird keepers that live in the high-rise buildings tend to glue some pictures on their windows to help their bird not to hit the glass. This is acceptable for dwellings but not for office buildings. Therefore, scientists has developed a new kind of glass that resembles the ordinary glass in appearance, i mean, if identified by naked eyes. But for birds, they can see the patterns on it that can’t be seen by human beings.

Headrest with Reading Light

This pile fabric headrest is equipped with the LED reading light, which can not only relieve fatigue but also be helpful for those who like reading!

The Creative Outdoor Advertising II

Here’s another edition for Creative Outdoor Advertising. Let’s check it out!

This is an advertisement made by a toy company. The kid looks down at the traffic stream, as if the cars were his toys.

The huge LG refrigerator on the street of Spain attempts to impress the passers-by with its huge-capacity.

How poor are those sparrows! They don’t even realize the sharpness of the razor！

It’s the street advertising made by Google. The arrow on the floor indicates that this street can be found on Google map, which makes people can’t help trying to find it on Google map.

This is an painting ad.: a painter is doing the painting work. Can you distinguish where he has painted from the sky?

Peugeot Introduces World’s First Diesel Hybrid

Written by Megan Treacy on 25/08/10

Green car enthusiasts rejoice! At last a car has been unveiled that marries the fuel efficiency of a diesel and the lower emissions of a hybrid. As we predicted, Peugeot has beat other automakers to the punch and has introduced the world’s first production diesel-hybrid vehicle.

The Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4 is outfitted with a 163bhp 2.0-liter turbo diesel unit that powers the front wheels and an electric motor powered by NiMH batteries that drives the rear axle with a total system output of 200 horsepower. As is standard with hybrids and EVs, the car also features regenerative braking.

The car achieves impressive fuel efficiency with a rating of 61.9 MPG. Performance-wise, the car has a max speed of 130 mph and can hit 62 mph in 8.8 seconds.

The car can be driven in front-drive only, rear-drive only or all-wheel drive modes and the car also offers four different operating modes: Auto mode, where the change between diesel engine and electric motor is handled by the car’s electronics, ZEV mode, where the car uses the electric motor only for a maximum of 2.8 miles, 4WD mode has both power trains operating together, and Sport mode puts power ahead of efficiency.

The 3008 Hybrid4 should hit car lots in Europe early next year.

via ecogeek

What’s this? II

What's this?

Have any idea?

er... it's something we use for our personal hygiene....

hah, bingo!! It's a camera-shaped soap!!

What's this?

What's this???

A: Fridge Magnet!!!

Creative Furniture

Following are some creative furniture, hope to bring you a breeze in this hot summer. Here we go!

The greenhouse made of light bulb

The hollow chair looks fragile, yet unbreakable in fact.

may appears weird, but comfortable to sit in.

house on fire

Lighting shaped shelf makes you shine with the radiance of wisdom. Besides, it’s easy for your search..

Portable Solar Light

Compact in size, this foldable solar light can be easily put into your pocket. On the top of the light, there is a solar panel that can store the solar light in the built-in battery. Besides, the 2 ends of it are equipped with a magnetic tape, which can help you to hang your solar as you like.

Incandescent Light Powered by Marsh Gas

The Park Spark Project aims to set up a collection place for pets’ droppings to eventually generate marsh gas to lighten the incandescent light by processing the droppings, which is quite environmentally friendly both in energy saving and environment protection.

Ipod knife and fork base

Modified from the waste forks and knives, this iphone base well interpret the intimate relationship between itself and the user.

A small question: how many knives do you see from the pic.?

via patsnap. com

Ipod belt

This belt-shaped packet can be used to store your ipod, iphone, and headsets; besides the buttons on the belt can help to connect and control your ipod or iphone.

via: www.patsnap.com

Men’s Tough Solar Digital Sports Watch By Casio

By Anita (EnviroGadget Writer) on August 10th, 2010

Posted by Green Patents

This Solar Digital Sports Watch provides a user with many features usually associated with an expensive watch in a more affordable package. The watch runs from solar energy which helps to free you from worries over battery replacement.

This Solar Digital Sports Watch (WL500-1A) by Casio comprises a tough, water resistant digital watch face attached to a resin band with a traditional buckle fastening. The watch has many useful functions, for example it can be used to set up to 4 daily alarms and has a snooze function on these, it also has a stopwatch function which can record split time. The watch has a built in day and month calendar and an LED light with afterglow technology to allow you to clearly read the time even when its dark.

The Solar Digital Sports Watch is powered through solar energy, which is stored in its rechargeable battery. The quartz movement watch does require regular exposure to sunlight to stay operational. The watch has a battery indicator to alert you to when it requires charging in the sun. The watch offers an affordable digital watch package that helps to make solar watches accessible to all.

via envirogadget

Solio Mag – Solar Powered Charger

By Dan (EnviroGadget Writer)

The Solio Mag is a solar powered hybrid charger by Solio. Designed to maximize efficiency by being both an incredibly powerful charger and a highly versatile one, the Mag is a modern looking charger for use on portable electronics anywhere.

The Solio Mag is made from a magnesium alloy casting which helps make it very durable, helping to protect it from heat and impact. The design allows the three inbuilt solar panels to be positioned to best take advantage of light in an area to charge the devices internal 1800Amh Lithium-Ion battery.

Solio state that the Mag is compatible with over 3200 devices like mobile phones, PDAs, iPhones, iPods, MP3/MP4 players, GPS devices, cameras and many other portable electronic devices. Able to charge from both USB ports and mains sockets as well as from the solar panels the device ensures you are always able to ensure it is fully charged and ready to go when required. The Mag can achieve full charge in around 10 hours from the solar panels. This allows it to charge a standard mobile phone twice, or provide more than 20 hours of charge for an MP3 player.

via envirogadget

Hyundai Aiming for 50 MPG Fleet Average by 2025

Written by Megan Treacy on 06/08/10

We talk a lot about electric cars, but gains in gasoline fuel efficiency are just as important right now as advancing vehicle battery technology. So it's pretty exciting that Hyundai is aiming for a fleet-wide average fuel economy of at least 50 MPG by 2025. The automaker is already on track to hit the federal fuel economy requirement of a fleet-wide average of 35.5 MPG a year in advance of the 2016 deadline, and they're hoping to keep upping that efficiency far beyond that marker. The car company is planning on achieving this through improvements in powertrains, gasoline direct injection, turbocharging, the addition of hybrids and PHEVs to their fleet and utilizing lighter materials. It's great to see an automaker independently shooting for these types of efficiency gains that we really need to see across the board. via ecogeek

Apple Patents Solar-Powered iPod, iPhone

Posted by Green Patents

Apple Inc. Portable Device

Forget the iPhone 4 that everyone is talking about today, there is a far cooler Apple-related news item to discuss.

Apple has filed a patent for a full range of “media players with integrated touch sensor solar panel surfaces.” Basically, we may soon be seeing solar-powered iPods, iPhones and even iPads.

The neatest feature of this patent that puts it a few steps above your typical solar-cell-covered cell phone is the placement of the solar cells underneath the multi-touch surface. Your iPhone will still look like an iPhone, but it will run on the sun’s energy.

The recent switch from a metal backside on the iPhone to a glass one (see the iPhone 4 details) would allow for an internal double-sided solar panel, as shown in the patent diagrams. This makes it clear that Apple is moving in the direction of integrating solar cells.

The patent shows that the solar cells would charge the rechargeable battery, which will run the media player or the battery can run the media player directly (i.e. you’ll still be able to charge it the old-fashioned way).

For detailed photos of the patent, head over to www.patsnap.com and read their full description.

via ecogeek.org