Architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) have designed a 3D-printed pod home that not only looks 100 percent epic, but can function entirely off the grid. The sustainable structure works in conjunction with a companion vehicle, which is also printed using 3D technology. Solar panels buRead more
Architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) have designed a 3D-printed pod home that not only looks 100 percent epic, but can function entirely off the grid. The sustainable structure works in conjunction with a companion vehicle, which is also printed using 3D technology. Solar panels built into the pod’s curved pavilion-stye roof powers it by night, and the vehicle generates its own power too through a hybrid electric system. The two share their power — get this —wirelessly through a closed-loop battery system to ensure you’re not left in the dark when the sun doesn’t peek out behind those clouds.
The pod has been developed with the geniuses at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory as part of the Additive Manufacturing Integrated Energy (AMIE) project. The pod, which is largest of its kind at 11.6m long, 3.7m high and 3.7m wide, has been developed with the aim to illustrate the potential of a clean energy future for a rapidly urbanising world by demonstrating the use of bidirectional wireless energy technology and high performance materials to achieve independence from the power grid at peak-demand times.
As part of its 'Road to Tomorrow' initiative, Missouri's Department of Transportation is joining forces with an Idaho-based startup called Solar Roadways to repave with state-of-the-art solar panels. These specially engineered panels are made of tempered safety glass and are super strong — as they'dRead more
As part of its ‘Road to Tomorrow’ initiative, Missouri’s Department of Transportation is joining forces with an Idaho-based startup called Solar Roadways to repave with state-of-the-art solar panels. These specially engineered panels are made of tempered safety glass and are super strong — as they’d have to be to sustain constant use by heavy vehicles. Apart from the whole ‘harnessing the power of the sun’ bit, the panels also come with LED lighting, which can efficiently replace road lines and signage. Basically, they’re a badass piece of technology.
The installation will no doubt be pricey, but Solar Roadways is prepared for it — the group raised more than $2.2 million through a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo. In addition to these funds, initiative leader Tom Blair received a $100,000 prototype grant from the Federal Highway Administration and two $750,000 research grants from the US Department of Transportation. The other good news is that their modular design allows for easy and cheap repairs by just swapping out broken panels for new ones. They are sustainable, ethical and eco-friendly.
Mapdwell Solar System is an online application that uses high-resolution satellite imagery and weather data to reveal the solar potential of every building rooftop in a given city or suburb. Built on technology developed by the Mapdwell team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the companyRead more
Mapdwell Solar System is an online application that uses high-resolution satellite imagery and weather data to reveal the solar potential of every building rooftop in a given city or suburb.
Built on technology developed by the Mapdwell team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the company have created an online platform which generates detailed 3D solar potential models of entire cities, accounting for everything from building geometries to tree foliage. The tool processes vast datasets and complex 3D data to visualise rooftop solar potential across communities for every hour of every day, based on historical weather data.
End users in the mapped cities and suburbs simply type in their address to access detailed solar potential data for their property, including the estimated costs and benefits of going solar. Users can then custom build a solar installation on the platform, based on how much they want to spend and how much electricity they want to generate. The tool is designed to provide everyone with the facts to support solar adoption, based on a powerful and scalable platform that allows any community to discover their untapped solar resources.
POD is a modular, medium-term housing solution for displaced populations that can be deployed quickly to locations throughout the world. Once delivered, the pre-assembled PODs are easily erected by the inhabitants. Fellow inhabitants, working together to erect their PODs, will help foster a sense ofRead more
POD is a modular, medium-term housing solution for displaced populations that can be deployed quickly to locations throughout the world. Once delivered, the pre-assembled PODs are easily erected by the inhabitants. Fellow inhabitants, working together to erect their PODs, will help foster a sense of community during these often precarious times.
Designed as a series of telescoping square frames, the POD is capable of accommodating a larger area for congregating and a smaller area for sleeping. Inhabitants are protected from the elements by a durable fabric skin which is integrated with the structural metal frame. In order to increase the adaptability and durability of the POD module, structural support footings are utilized to lift the POD off of the ground, minimizing the physical impact on the site while providing greater stability and security in various locations.
The assembled POD modules can then be connected and arranged in different formations creating new communities of a more familiar urbanism for the inhabitants – imparting the individuals with a sense of humanity and dignity that is often treated as an afterthought when dealing with those in displacement crises.
The LifeStraw technology was introduced in 2005 as a personal ‘straw-like’ filter for people in developing countries who don’t have water piped in from municipal sources or other access to safe water and emergency settings following natural disasters when water is contaminated. Its hollow fiber membRead more
The LifeStraw technology was introduced in 2005 as a personal ‘straw-like’ filter for people in developing countries who don’t have water piped in from municipal sources or other access to safe water and emergency settings following natural disasters when water is contaminated. Its hollow fiber membrane technology can filter 4,000 liters of water, allowing direct drinking from streams and lakes.
Since then, the LifeStraw portfolio has evolved to include a Family water purifier, a community purifier for schools and clinics, a refillable bottle, and a collapsible bag for camping, hiking or expeditions.
LifeStraw’s single-stage and two-stage filtration systems achieve a microplastics removal rate of log 5 (99.999%) from contaminated water, while also removing bacteria and chemicals. One LifeStraw product provides up to 8,000 water bottles worth of safe drinking water, reducing the need for single-use plastic bottles that are polluting the world’s oceans.
In 2014, LifeStraw launched the ‘Follow the Liters’ program, under which, a portion of the proceeds of consumer sales for any LifeStraw product worldwide would go towards the purchase of LifeStraw Community purifiers which are distributed to schools in developing countries.
LifeStraw uses a hollow fibre membrane that doesn't require chemicals such as chlorine or iodine. Using high pressure upon sucking through the straw, the water is forced through the narrow fibres, trapping bacteria, protozoa and other contaminants, which are then flushed out by backwashing. It removRead more
LifeStraw uses a hollow fibre membrane that doesn’t require chemicals such as chlorine or iodine. Using high pressure upon sucking through the straw, the water is forced through the narrow fibres, trapping bacteria, protozoa and other contaminants, which are then flushed out by backwashing.
It removes 99.9999% waterborne bacteria (including E.coli), 99.9% of protozoan parasites, and other health issues such as Hepatitis E, Typhoid Fever and Dysentery. Turbidity (muddiness) is also reduced down to 0.2 microns3. A game-changer for those living in poverty, or people traveling in areas where the water supply is polluted.
Not only does tap water taste bad, it can have bad stuff in it, as well. NKD Aqua Pod is a water bottle that filters tap water for bacteria and heavy metals while eliminating chlorine taste and odour and not delivering the unpleasant taste other carbon filters can leave behind. It also imparts waterRead more
Not only does tap water taste bad, it can have bad stuff in it, as well. NKD Aqua Pod is a water bottle that filters tap water for bacteria and heavy metals while eliminating chlorine taste and odour and not delivering the unpleasant taste other carbon filters can leave behind. It also imparts water with natural minerals and electrolytes to improve taste. It’s BPA-free and recyclable.
Procter & Gamble partnered with Terracycle and Suez, the largest waste management company in Europe, to source, develop and put out the first fully recyclable shampoo bottle made from up to 25% beach plastic for the world’s #1 shampoo brand, Head & Shoulders.
Procter & Gamble partnered with Terracycle and Suez, the largest waste management company in Europe, to source, develop and put out the first fully recyclable shampoo bottle made from up to 25% beach plastic for the world’s #1 shampoo brand, Head & Shoulders.
Spice and food flavouring giant McCormick & Company committed to create packaging innovations that reduce packaging weight and overall carbon footprint, among other important environment goals such as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and water reduction. In developing an integrated approach to meeRead more
Spice and food flavouring giant McCormick & Company committed to create packaging innovations that reduce packaging weight and overall carbon footprint, among other important environment goals such as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and water reduction. In developing an integrated approach to meeting these commitments through its 4R framework of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Renew, the company reported progress that includes:
Redesigning its iconic OLD BAY and Black Pepper cans with a fully recyclable PET container, which equated to a 16% reduction in associated carbon emissions;
10% reduction in material for all European glass jars, resulting in reduced weight and associated carbon emissions from production and transport;
Achieving 43% carbon footprint reduction by improving logistics and using fewer trucks for transport at its location in Haddenham, England.
The first-ever fully recyclable PET plastic beverage bottle made partially from plants looks and functions just like traditional PET plastic, but has a lighter footprint on the planet and its scarce resources.
The first-ever fully recyclable PET plastic beverage bottle made partially from plants looks and functions just like traditional PET plastic, but has a lighter footprint on the planet and its scarce resources.
How can cities use more green energy?
Architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) have designed a 3D-printed pod home that not only looks 100 percent epic, but can function entirely off the grid. The sustainable structure works in conjunction with a companion vehicle, which is also printed using 3D technology. Solar panels buRead more
Architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) have designed a 3D-printed pod home that not only looks 100 percent epic, but can function entirely off the grid. The sustainable structure works in conjunction with a companion vehicle, which is also printed using 3D technology. Solar panels built into the pod’s curved pavilion-stye roof powers it by night, and the vehicle generates its own power too through a hybrid electric system. The two share their power — get this — wirelessly through a closed-loop battery system to ensure you’re not left in the dark when the sun doesn’t peek out behind those clouds.
The pod has been developed with the geniuses at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory as part of the Additive Manufacturing Integrated Energy (AMIE) project. The pod, which is largest of its kind at 11.6m long, 3.7m high and 3.7m wide, has been developed with the aim to illustrate the potential of a clean energy future for a rapidly urbanising world by demonstrating the use of bidirectional wireless energy technology and high performance materials to achieve independence from the power grid at peak-demand times.
How can cities use more green energy?
As part of its 'Road to Tomorrow' initiative, Missouri's Department of Transportation is joining forces with an Idaho-based startup called Solar Roadways to repave with state-of-the-art solar panels. These specially engineered panels are made of tempered safety glass and are super strong — as they'dRead more
As part of its ‘Road to Tomorrow’ initiative, Missouri’s Department of Transportation is joining forces with an Idaho-based startup called Solar Roadways to repave with state-of-the-art solar panels. These specially engineered panels are made of tempered safety glass and are super strong — as they’d have to be to sustain constant use by heavy vehicles. Apart from the whole ‘harnessing the power of the sun’ bit, the panels also come with LED lighting, which can efficiently replace road lines and signage. Basically, they’re a badass piece of technology.
The installation will no doubt be pricey, but Solar Roadways is prepared for it — the group raised more than $2.2 million through a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo. In addition to these funds, initiative leader Tom Blair received a $100,000 prototype grant from the Federal Highway Administration and two $750,000 research grants from the US Department of Transportation. The other good news is that their modular design allows for easy and cheap repairs by just swapping out broken panels for new ones. They are sustainable, ethical and eco-friendly.
See lessHow can cities use more green energy?
Mapdwell Solar System is an online application that uses high-resolution satellite imagery and weather data to reveal the solar potential of every building rooftop in a given city or suburb. Built on technology developed by the Mapdwell team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the companyRead more
Mapdwell Solar System is an online application that uses high-resolution satellite imagery and weather data to reveal the solar potential of every building rooftop in a given city or suburb.
Built on technology developed by the Mapdwell team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the company have created an online platform which generates detailed 3D solar potential models of entire cities, accounting for everything from building geometries to tree foliage. The tool processes vast datasets and complex 3D data to visualise rooftop solar potential across communities for every hour of every day, based on historical weather data.
End users in the mapped cities and suburbs simply type in their address to access detailed solar potential data for their property, including the estimated costs and benefits of going solar. Users can then custom build a solar installation on the platform, based on how much they want to spend and how much electricity they want to generate. The tool is designed to provide everyone with the facts to support solar adoption, based on a powerful and scalable platform that allows any community to discover their untapped solar resources.
See lessWhat are some sustainable housing solutions for homeless/displaced populations?
POD is a modular, medium-term housing solution for displaced populations that can be deployed quickly to locations throughout the world. Once delivered, the pre-assembled PODs are easily erected by the inhabitants. Fellow inhabitants, working together to erect their PODs, will help foster a sense ofRead more
POD is a modular, medium-term housing solution for displaced populations that can be deployed quickly to locations throughout the world. Once delivered, the pre-assembled PODs are easily erected by the inhabitants. Fellow inhabitants, working together to erect their PODs, will help foster a sense of community during these often precarious times.
Designed as a series of telescoping square frames, the POD is capable of accommodating a larger area for congregating and a smaller area for sleeping. Inhabitants are protected from the elements by a durable fabric skin which is integrated with the structural metal frame. In order to increase the adaptability and durability of the POD module, structural support footings are utilized to lift the POD off of the ground, minimizing the physical impact on the site while providing greater stability and security in various locations.
The assembled POD modules can then be connected and arranged in different formations creating new communities of a more familiar urbanism for the inhabitants – imparting the individuals with a sense of humanity and dignity that is often treated as an afterthought when dealing with those in displacement crises.
See lessHow can water be purified in remote locations?
The LifeStraw technology was introduced in 2005 as a personal ‘straw-like’ filter for people in developing countries who don’t have water piped in from municipal sources or other access to safe water and emergency settings following natural disasters when water is contaminated. Its hollow fiber membRead more
The LifeStraw technology was introduced in 2005 as a personal ‘straw-like’ filter for people in developing countries who don’t have water piped in from municipal sources or other access to safe water and emergency settings following natural disasters when water is contaminated. Its hollow fiber membrane technology can filter 4,000 liters of water, allowing direct drinking from streams and lakes.
Since then, the LifeStraw portfolio has evolved to include a Family water purifier, a community purifier for schools and clinics, a refillable bottle, and a collapsible bag for camping, hiking or expeditions.
LifeStraw’s single-stage and two-stage filtration systems achieve a microplastics removal rate of log 5 (99.999%) from contaminated water, while also removing bacteria and chemicals. One LifeStraw product provides up to 8,000 water bottles worth of safe drinking water, reducing the need for single-use plastic bottles that are polluting the world’s oceans.
In 2014, LifeStraw launched the ‘Follow the Liters’ program, under which, a portion of the proceeds of consumer sales for any LifeStraw product worldwide would go towards the purchase of LifeStraw Community purifiers which are distributed to schools in developing countries.
See lessHow can water be purified in remote locations?
LifeStraw uses a hollow fibre membrane that doesn't require chemicals such as chlorine or iodine. Using high pressure upon sucking through the straw, the water is forced through the narrow fibres, trapping bacteria, protozoa and other contaminants, which are then flushed out by backwashing. It removRead more
LifeStraw uses a hollow fibre membrane that doesn’t require chemicals such as chlorine or iodine. Using high pressure upon sucking through the straw, the water is forced through the narrow fibres, trapping bacteria, protozoa and other contaminants, which are then flushed out by backwashing.
It removes 99.9999% waterborne bacteria (including E.coli), 99.9% of protozoan parasites, and other health issues such as Hepatitis E, Typhoid Fever and Dysentery. Turbidity (muddiness) is also reduced down to 0.2 microns3. A game-changer for those living in poverty, or people traveling in areas where the water supply is polluted.
See lessHow can water be purified in remote locations?
Not only does tap water taste bad, it can have bad stuff in it, as well. NKD Aqua Pod is a water bottle that filters tap water for bacteria and heavy metals while eliminating chlorine taste and odour and not delivering the unpleasant taste other carbon filters can leave behind. It also imparts waterRead more
Not only does tap water taste bad, it can have bad stuff in it, as well. NKD Aqua Pod is a water bottle that filters tap water for bacteria and heavy metals while eliminating chlorine taste and odour and not delivering the unpleasant taste other carbon filters can leave behind. It also imparts water with natural minerals and electrolytes to improve taste. It’s BPA-free and recyclable.
See lessHow can packaging be made more sustainable?
Procter & Gamble partnered with Terracycle and Suez, the largest waste management company in Europe, to source, develop and put out the first fully recyclable shampoo bottle made from up to 25% beach plastic for the world’s #1 shampoo brand, Head & Shoulders.
Procter & Gamble partnered with Terracycle and Suez, the largest waste management company in Europe, to source, develop and put out the first fully recyclable shampoo bottle made from up to 25% beach plastic for the world’s #1 shampoo brand, Head & Shoulders.
See lessHow can packaging be made more sustainable?
Spice and food flavouring giant McCormick & Company committed to create packaging innovations that reduce packaging weight and overall carbon footprint, among other important environment goals such as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and water reduction. In developing an integrated approach to meeRead more
Spice and food flavouring giant McCormick & Company committed to create packaging innovations that reduce packaging weight and overall carbon footprint, among other important environment goals such as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and water reduction. In developing an integrated approach to meeting these commitments through its 4R framework of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Renew, the company reported progress that includes:
How can packaging be made more sustainable?
The first-ever fully recyclable PET plastic beverage bottle made partially from plants looks and functions just like traditional PET plastic, but has a lighter footprint on the planet and its scarce resources.
The first-ever fully recyclable PET plastic beverage bottle made partially from plants looks and functions just like traditional PET plastic, but has a lighter footprint on the planet and its scarce resources.
See less