Emerging Tech

The world’s first ever wave farm went live at the end of September in Agucadoura, off the coast of northern Portugal. Three wave energy converters resembling Soviet submarines generate electricity with hydraulic rams driven by waves. The farm was designed by Pelamis Wave Power, which hopes to increase the farms productivity by adding an additional 25 wave energy converters that ...

A mobile home is hardly a house. It’s a truck with a bed inside. On the other hand, the N55 WALKING HOUSE is the premier modular dwelling system. In addition to its ability to slowly troll surrounding landscapes, it collects energy by using solar cells and small windmills. There is even a system for collecting rain water and another for ...

Jean Shin is pretty cool. First, we saw her bizarre melted wave of vinyl records (we hope no Journey vinyl was used.) Now, we’re taking a look at Jean Shin’s TEXTile, an interactive sculpture that’s comprised of 22,528 recycled keyboard keys that are fashioned in a way to make it appear as a tapestry. At its base is a customized ...

Even more architecture that resembles the “arcologies” of Sim City 2000 are sprouting up, this time in Singapore.�Here, eco-minded architecture firm TR Hamzah & Yeang is designing this skyscraper it’s calling the EDITT (Ecological Design In The Tropics) Tower. This 26-story skyscraper will be constructed using various recycled and recyclable materials. Not only that, but the tower will include the ...

We’re digging this eco-friendly goodness from the folks at Windation Energy Systems. If you couldn’t guess by the name, they deal with organic means of producing wind energy. The developer of Windation’s latest wind turbine, Mark Sheikhrezai, was inspired by wind catchers used by the Persians to keep their interiors cool. The concept is simple: wind blows into the top, ...

When you’re in the market for a new chandelier to decorate your home, style is everything. Sometimes style is outweighed by design, which is the case with this water bottle chandelier designed by Michelle Brand. We’ve seen chandeliers made of all sorts of recycled junk. Ballpoint pens, CD cases and even milk crates can be used to make impressive-looking household ...

Ever wonder what a drunk Eskimo’s pad looks like? It’s an igloo made out of bottles. When you’re in Alaska, the middle of nowhere, it’s difficult to find recycling depots. I guess that’s why artist Jasmine Zimmerman created this open-roofed greenhouse from hundreds of plastic drink bottles we litter our streets with everyday. That or she hates really hates Palin. ...

David Butcher is one cool dude. Every day, he exercises for 45-minutes on a pedal-powered generator that powers his laptop computer, a Roomba robotic vacuum cleaner and compact fluorescents. However, he’s not the only one making use of this eco-friendly approach to powering electronic equipment. A new gym in Portland, Oregon utilizes a similar approach to building up energy.� Personal ...

Everyday scientists are creating new ways to develop the things we take for granted. Eliminating the problematic ways of creating plastic with oil or gas, scientists of Genomatica Inc. have formed strains of bacteria which produce plastic. This is great news as this bacteria requires little more than sugar and water to produce butanediol, the compound used to manufacture many ...

Hmmm. I’m torn on this zipper necklace designed by Outi Pyy. DIY chic or just plain disgusting? I keep leaning toward the latter but I’m hardly qualified to critique fashion. What do you think? Link [via]