Tag Archives: solar

Solar-powered ‘mobile lounge’ rocks my world

Architecture, Design, Images, Technology, , ,

The MercuryHouseOne, designed by Architecture and Vision, is built from Carrara marble and the rooftop is fitted with solar panels to power the interior space.  This bubble home can be occupied as “a portable pavilion, an outdoors office, a room, or even an off-grid natural retreat.”  I can totally see myself using it as a “blogger’s pad,” a place to retreat when times get busy.  The roundess and space-age theme add to the modern touches that I have become accostomed to.  Well done, A & V, well done.  Additional images below.

[Via Inhabitat; Gizmodo]

Snowflake-shaped photovoltaic cells emit holiday cheer

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Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have created these snowflake-shaped photovoltaic cells from crystalline silicon.  What’s so special about that is that they use 100 times less material to generate the same amount of electricity as regular solar cells.  Their unusual shape and minuscule size promise to soak up the sun’s rays and help power our devices.  Researchers can see the day when they are inexpensively mass-produced and used in the textile and clothes industries.  In theory, these cells can be placed on any flexible surface.  So for example, they can be installed in camping tents or even a pair of jeans to provide on-the-go charging of our cell phones.  Thanks to these photovoltaic cells, one day we may all be walking power sources.  Neat, huh?

[Via Engadget; Gizmodo; Inhabitat]

Solar Power Shower

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Just connect to your garden hose to fill the base to its 8-liter capacity. In less than 2 hours of sunlight, the water reaches 140°F!  Use the mixing valve to blend heated water in the base with cold water from your hose to a pleasant 86-90°.  You and your family can take several showers consecutively before the tank needs to reheat.  It’s a great energy-saver and a must-have ‘green’ product.  It harnesses the power from sunlight to–

Wait, what’s that?  You were too busy looking at the product image.  : /

[Via Gizmodo; RedFerret]

Leaf, the wearable, solar-powered cell phone

Images, Style, Technology, , , , ,

Leaf, Solar Charging Mobile Phone by Seungkyun Woo & Junyi Heo

Designed by Seungkyun Woo & Junyi Heo, the Leaf was inspired by our good friend, photosynthesis.  The concept is simple, and genius.  Where ever you are outdoors, your cell phone is charging.  The Leaf contains solar cells on its front panel, allowing the sun to keep the battery at full levels on a consistent basis.  And of course, if it happens to be a dark and gloomy day, you can use a trusty electric source to charge the phone in a more traditional way.  The phone itself is very basic; it does calls, messages, and that’s it, really.  And yes, it is made of flexible materials so it can bend to your wrist.  However, the main objective of the phone does not lie in its functionality; its aim is to “remind people that they can contribute to energy efficiency.”

[Via Gizmodo; Yanko Design]