If you think solar power is the new high-tech method of generating power, it’s been around for a while.

Back in 1956 General Electric developed a solar powered radio that uses only 4 transitions, 7 solar cells, and weighs only 10 ounces. Did I mention is can last a whopping 8 months in total darkness? This radio will also charge from a 100 watt lightbulb. Is it just me or does this beat almost all of the current solar-power solutions?

Okay, so we have more energy-sucking devices today, but it’s hard not to be amazed by such an elegant device.  Quite impressive. It’s a shame you can’t still buy these, it would be a great addition to emergency kits, providing reliable access to information without having to worry about expired or dead batteries.

via EcoFriendlyInfo

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

So your running late, havn’t eaten breakfast, and you’re incredible jealous at the (usually awkward) way drivers get to eat in their car while you’re off saving the environment on a bicycle. It happens, but it shouldn’t deter you from biking to wherever you have to go.

Well never be jealous of your emissions-emitting friends and their space for breakfast again! Meet the  BikeFast Tray. It’s a tray that snaps onto the front of your bike, giving you convenient space for your breakfast while you’re on your bike.

It has a spot for food, and a cup-holder for your fair-trade coffee. Bike Design mentions the obvious problem here though: wouldn’t wind blow your breakfast away? It would seem likely, and I would agree a shield on some-kind would be a great addition, but this is only a concept anyway.

Still, some great creative thinking went into this design, and something like this would be a pretty cool addition for those time-deprived environmentalists on their way to work. It sure beats one of those girly baskets!

via Bicycle Design

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Toshiba has announced it’s next-generation rechargeable battery, the Super Charge Ion  Battery, or SCiB.

Intended for use in electric vehicles, the SCiB can chage to 90 minutes in a blazing fast 5 minutes! It can handle plenty of recharging as well, losing only about 10% of it’s capacity after 3,000 recharges.  NiMH batteries, by comparison, only last about 500-1000 charges¹.

Toshiba is positioning these batteries for use in electric vehicles, mentioning electric bikes, electric motorcycles, construction machinery, and fork lifts specifically. They do plan to reach electric cars eventually as well.

The extra capacity for these batteries is fantastic, but the fast recharge rate is really the key here. A big concern for electric vehicles is charging time, with a traditional gas-powered car you can simply fuel up in 5 minutes and you’re ready to go. With the SCiB charging in 5 minutes, a stop at an electric “gas” station would be almost the same experience as what we have today, of course, it would be a lot more environmentally friendly!

We should see the SCiB hitting the market next year.

via AutoBlogGreen

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

These 6 backpacks are a bit different than you average backpack; they all contain solar panels!

I have tons on electronic gadgets I like to carry around, but keeping them all charged is a pain. Not only will these bags give you plenty of room for you gadgets, but the sun will charge them. They also all have internal batteries to store unused power, so you can even charge at night.

They range quite a bit in features and in price, and I recommend going for a cheaper one unless you want enough power for something like a laptop. If you do want to compute everywhere though, some of the higher-end bags can be a lifesaver!

Our roundup of the best 6 solar backpacks available after the jump.

Read the rest of this entry »

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!