Golf Ball Aerodynamics makes cars go further just like, well… golf balls

Could Golf Ball-like dimples increase car mileage? Apparently YES.

It is well-known that “Dimpled balls fly farther than non-dimpled balls” (wikipedia). Also there’s been some time since I first heard about the hypothesis that similar dimples in aircraft fuselage or cars bodies would make them more energy-efficient. But that was all about this theory. I didn’t see any development that would make it to the mass produced products.

Apparently The Mythbusters, the popular Discovery Channel show, did some work on this one. And the result was one that

Transparent paper could replace plastic in more than one application

Researchers at Kyoto Univ. developed a method to render paper glass-transparent

I have to write this one down. I tried so much to find such information when I was writing the article on replacing plastic and metal with translucent ceramics and somehow I missed it, so for future reference I will write about it right now.

We’re used to seeing paper lamp shades that scatter light in a warm way and there is paper with a high degree of translucency – tracing paper – but did you thought that glass-transparent paper is possible? Thought so. Neither did I. Until I have stumbled over

contemporary beanbag inspiring designs

designer beanbags of today's times are luxury and style anybody would like

I was looking in the past days all over the internet for a green and eco-friendly sofa or lounge but even the greenest options weren’t that green after all. You can have a look at my previous article to see what’s all about. For the easy-readers I’ll just state my conclusion and go on with the article: there doesn’t seem to be a complete green alternative for the very thing that makes sofas comfortable: foam . So where else can you find comfort and style and the

eco-friendly, non-toxic foam-like material needed

An eco-friendly affordable alternative to Latex foam is needed

As you did probably noticed, lately, my interest has been going round the concern on toxic chemicals in our beloved state-of-the-art designer items, be they electronics, furniture, clothes or food. There are many alternatives already for woodworking, construction, electronics, food, clothing but there’s one field of furniture making where there is a lack of alternative and accessible eco-friendly materials. That’s upholstery.

Zero Energy Passive Cooler for a greener world

Evaporative cooler preserves food with zero energy consumption

Winner of the designboom’s green life contest, this project is  (by the author rochus jacob’s words):

” a transfer and optimization of basic technology mainly used in emerging countries to the high-tech kitchen. Food gets preserved by the cooling effect of evaporating water using no electricity. The system is designed to be stackable, can be used as an alternative for a pantry, second fridge or an

Ecovative to focus on SIPs with greensulate core

Greensulate based SIPs

Remember my  previous article on Ecovative’s Greensulate product to replace polystyrene? You can check it to see what greensulate is. I then wrote another article on Structural Insulated Panels, SIPs, and expressed my wish to see greensulate be the insulation part in a SIP. I have just ran into a youtube video on how greensulate is made and at the end of the movie my prayers are answered. Hit the link to see the video.

ECO-FRIENDLY-NANO-TECHNOLOGY will offer the composite materials of tomorrow

(image by Scott Dougherty) Both nano and bio technology products are my bet on saving the planet

Let’s face the truth… we can’t go back to stone age and only use naturally occurring stuff. We can’t just use wood for everything. Or stone. Or glass. Or vegetable oil. Human civilisation needs science more badly than ever to be able to stop going belly-up.

We need (1) to develop non-polluting energy-efficient industrial processes that use solely renewable energy-sources here on earth.

We need  (2) materials that are safe for humans, that don’t leach hazardous chemicals be it contact leaching or off-gassing.

We need (3) to scale these industries efficiently to be able to cover the demand from a growing earth population without damaging the nature.

Replace plastic and metal with natural materials: ceramic translucent pottery

Liz Emtage Ceramics : translucent pottery for warm glowing lights

I am in a constant quest of renewable and green materials to craft different objects around the house but thus far I haven’t been able to imagine a good material for lamp shades. Usual materials are glass (too energy intensive, difficult to work with even in recycled state), plastic (not eco-frienly, petroleum-based product) and metal (energy-intensive, opaque). One could use wood timber or some sort of thick paper for translucency but my interest has been sparked by liz emtage ceramics,

Hydroponics to the max: OmegaGarden Carousel

Ferris Wheel plant growing system is pests-free, space-efficient

We really need to put our brains together to try solving the stringent problem of world hunger. Many of us green souls deny GMOs and try as much as possible to eat organic, but let’s face it we can’t sustain all people of this world on organic foods, at least not by current way of growing crops.

One Good Chair 2009 : some impressions

Bamtak Chair

One Good Chair 2009 is happening as we speak and the finalists are already announced. Every year the designs based on locally sourced, earth-friendly and energy-sparing materials and manufacturing methods are more and more refined. Though many beautiful chairs are presented, some of them seem difficult enough to build or require handcraft skills beyond regular family man in the developing countries.

I got especially fond of the Bamtak Chair designed by Azul Cadenas from Argentina, who tries

organic pendant from Emdelight for low ceilings

LED pendant from Emdelight

Just looking around on the web for some modern lighting for low ceiling rooms, like when there is a dropped ceiling for sound isolation or electrical wiring and air condition ducts, I’ve stubled upon this organic shaped lamp from Emdelight and I think it’s a different kind of led pendant so I thought it is worth nailing the design on my blog .

Bendant transformer Pendant Lamp

MIO’s Bendant chandelier

I like modern chandeliers. I am also keen on flat-pack furniture. What about a modern flat-pack chandelier that can also change shape to suit your light needs by covering/uncovering the bulb at your command? That sounds like the mother of all chandeliers right? If I got you interested cross over and get some pretty pictures of the thing.

solar-powered gadgets, the next big thing in GREEN devices?

Solar Phones

AU (KDDI) Green Road Project and Sharp are going to present in june a Waterproof, Solar Powered Mobile Phone, targeted to the Japanese market.

Check it out in the UPDATED article.

think particleboard of all sorts is toxic? You’re darn right. Than check out X-Board

X-Board green and light substitute for plywood

Ever wondered why the furniture at IKEA was so light and looked so strong? While the vast majority of the other important furniture makers offers massive earth-unfriendly wood furniture or chemicals filled engineered wood, be it MDF, plywood, chipboard or OSB -does Urea-formaldehyde, Phenol-formaldehyde or Melamine-formaldehyde resins ring a bell?No? Than check it on wikipedia. It’ll be an eco-illuminating experience – Xanita are in the game with an eco-friendly

solar-powered gadgets, the next big thing in GREEN devices?

Solar Phones

Finally the big players in the telecom industry try to step up and do something environmentally conscious and , of course, a little image campaign doesn’t hurt. Samsung as yet has the best shot with its Earth Phone that has a real solar-panel on its back and is made of recycled PETs. Seems like proving green is something  Samsung is really considering. What about bio-degradable plastic electronic circuits and cases? Well, for that one I won’t hold my breath just yet. But surely my hopes are high.

Moreover this phone doesn’t contain brominated flame retardants or beryllium and neither does it contain phthalates, all of them very dangerous chemicals you shouldn’t be exposed to.