Here’s an idea I seriously can’t believe hasn’t been implemented yet: generating electricity through solar cells on sunglasses. It makes sense. When it’s very sunny out, you pop on shades and you’re good to go. Why can’t we mount panels to them to generate small bits of energy? You could then use said energy to power an MP3 player or ...

When one thinks of a submarine, solar energy is the furthest thing from their mind. After all, submarines dive down deep below the ocean’s surface where the sun does not shine. The Swiss energy company, BKW is a little more optimistic than myself. It’s unveiled the GOLDFISH project, which will feature the world’s first solar powered submarine. How will they ...

I’m constantly in search of the strangest lamps and light sources for my bedroom. The solar vertical lamp is much different than your traditional lamp. For one thing, there’s no bulb or electricity powering it. It’s a light source integrated into your window’s vertical blinds that has solar panels on one side that power a LED floor/table lamp or a ...

Outer space is filled with things we’ll never know about. Beautiful objects swirling around in the fiery cosmos. How poetic. Luckily, we have half-decent scientists here in America (and some OK ones from Britain) who used the Gemini North and Keck telescopes at the Mauna Kea observatory in Hawaii to explore outside our solar system. After a little digging, they ...

In the future everything is microscopic. We’ve got robots that can get inside your intestines to distribute medicine with their tiny robot hands, but what about solar race cars no bigger than a quarter? Now we’ve got those too. This 33 x 22mm car runs on light, artificial or otherwise. Just chase after it with a flashlight and watch it ...

In an attempt to turn everyday household windows into solar panels, two MIT researchers have created “organic solar concentrators” out of dyed glass that could potentially increase traditional solar panel efficiency by 50%. Imagine fulfilling all your electrical needs with the help of your typical household glass windows. I sure hope you haven’t desecrated your roof with inefficient solar paneling ...

The ultimate eco-rumor has been making its round this morning. Nikkei biz daily in Japan is reporting that the next-gen Toyota Prius, due out in 2010, will have solar panels to power accessories and amenities like air conditioning and the radio. Getting excited ’cause you were thinking about getting a Prius? Not so fast. Apparently, only high-end versions of the ...

The world’s first electronic musical instrument is revived with this DIY from ClockworkRobot.com. With just a little soldering, you’ll be on your way to playing high pitched tunes in the sun. That’s right, this theremin is solar-powered. Sorry, no late nights playing this thing. It’s easy to play, as well; just casting a shadow over the panel with your hand ...

When you get to the point where you’ve fucked with the Earth so much that normal plants just won’t cut it, you need alternatives. That’s why the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Mitsubishi and Tokki Corp. have developed a prototype solar cell module that resembles a living plant. With organic thin-film solar cells, the module is ...

Parasolar, a solar parasol, is the beach umbrella of the future. What with all this “global warming” stuff going on, mankind is pretty much screwed. You’ll have to do your part, like harnessing solar power into umbrellas. Use the Parasolar during sunny days and it will capture solar energy to recharge your gadgets and gear. Equipped with 12-volt output and ...