Feb 18 2009 Sure, Why Not?: Rechargeable Solar Batteries

You know what I hate? Rhubarb. Never liked it. Also, when batteries die. Or a beloved family pet. *sniff* Focus, GW, focus. BAAAAAATTERIES!

Designed by Knut Karlsen, the SunCats are basically a set of old NiMH rechargeable batteries wrapped in a flexible Photo Voltaic cell created by the Institute for Energy Technology. When the batteries are drained, you simply leave them sitting in a windowsill or anywhere with ample sunlight and they'll recharge themselves.

Unfortunately, the batteries are slow as hell to recharge. I'm talking like light-years here. Psyche -- light-years are a measure of distance, not time! But the batteries do take forever to charge. I wasn't lying about that. But I was lying when I said I love you. I just wanted to see what color underwear you were wearing.

SunCat Solar Batteries [ohgizmo]

Feb 17 2009 Green Palm: LG Releasing Solar Cell Phone

LG is planning on dropping a solar-powered cell phone on the mobile communications market so you'll no longer need a wall charger to power your communication device. You just need a sunny park bench, a loaf of bread, and a flock of trained pigeons. BAM -- did my level of greenness just make your head explode? No? Okay, try this one on for size -- you tie a message to a kite, and fly it to whoever you want to communicate with. Then they follow the string back to you and you have a good 'ol face to face. You know, like they used to do in the olden days before Western Union invented horses. LG claims ten minutes in the sun will net you a three minute call. But not a butterfly! I'm not high, you're high!

Living Green: LG unveils solar-powered cell phone [dvice]

Feb 4 2009 Mmmm: Sierra Nevada Is Making Bio-Fuel

There was a time in my life when I drank Sierra Nevada like it was my job. Sadly, I was fired. And now the company is making bio-fuel with beer leftovers.

Sierra Nevada, brewer of delicious beers, has purchased a MicroFueler, a contraption that produces ethanol from water, sugar and yeast. Yeast also happens to be a major byproduct of beer fermentation, allowing them to make fuel out of beer leftovers.

Sierra Nevada powers cars with beer leftovers [dvice]

Jan 28 2009 It's Like Bathing In The Forest!: The Moss Mat

Moss is like nature's carpet that never has to be vacuumed. So why not bring a little of the outdoors in with a mossy bathmat?

Nguyen La Chanh's ingenious design is made from a decay-free foam called plastazote, and populated with three varieties of moss: ball, island, and forest. Maintenance required for this little patch of green is limited, as the moss thrives off of the humidity released from daily bathroom rituals.

I want one. I just question how much traffic the mat can stand. Granted, that wouldn't be a problem for me -- I only shower bi-weekly. It's called cologne, folks, and I'm saving the planet one less shower at a time.

Hit the jump for a couple more pictures.

Continue Reading " It's Like Bathing In The Forest!: The Moss Mat "

Jan 13 2009 Vroom Vroom!: Water Faucet With A Shifter

This is a water faucet with a shifter. Because, let's face it, regular faucets just aren't fast enough. The shifter controls the volume of water flowing, and is completely unnecessary. Still, it looks cool. It's just not practical. Now put a sink in a car -- THEN we'd be talking. That reminds me, did I ever tell you the one about the hooker I picked up that refused to use my complimentary hand-sanitizer? Let's just say you won't see her walking the streets anymore! However, you may see her in Davy Jones' locker. I can't wait to see the look on his face when he opens it at school tomorrow!

Shifter faucet lets you change gears as you do the dishes [dvice]

Jan 7 2009 Motorola's New Carbon-Neutral Cell Phone

Motorola unveiled what is believed to be the first carbon neutral (and sideways) cell phone at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show this week. The W233 Renew Phone is made predominately out of recycled plastic bottles and Motorola hopes it will help the company bust a circuit all up in the environmentally friendly market segment.

Motorola said it was the world's first carbon neutral phone. As well as using recycled materials for the plastic casing, the company also pledged to offset the carbon dioxide used in manufacturing, distribution and operation of the phone through investments in renewable energy sources and reforestation.

Motorola, which has lost market share by being slow to follow trends such as touchscreens and high-speed data links, also plans to showcase three different items at CES: a relatively large touchscreen tablet phone, a rugged phone, and a rechargeable cable TV remote control with a find feature.

Holy shit -- a rechargeable TV remote with a find feature! That's new and exciting! Seriously Motorola, I can see why you've been struggling. And who can get that excited about your recycled-plastic phone anyways -- it looks like the same piece of shit i was rocking three years ago (minus the lime green). Now a cell-phone manufactured out of used condoms, THAT would be something. Aural sex anyone?

Motorola phone made from recycled bottles [msnbc]

Thanks to ITSELF, who once had phone-sex with some chick at 411 and didn't even have to pay.

Dec 15 2008 Paper Bottles Perform Poorly In Bar Fights

It's a fact: in a barfight you want to be wielding a nice glass bottle. Or a heavy mug. Or a pool cue. Or a handful of darts. Or a knife. What you don't want is a paper bottle. You try papercutting an enemy and he's gonna to choke you out. And God knows what he's going to do to you while you're unconscious. Suffice it to say it's not buy you a new drink. Anyway, these are paper bottles. They're supposed to be eco-friendly or something (only 14% of the 60 million plastic bottles used daily in the US are recycled) and cut down on packaging and shipping costs. Maybe they do, maybe they don't. But one thing's for certain: a bottle, by the Merriam-Geekologie definition, has to be glass or plastic. So these aren't really bottles, they're reservoirs. Much like a teat, which *suckle* mmmm.

Two more pictures after the jump.

Continue Reading " Paper Bottles Perform Poorly In Bar Fights "

Nov 5 2008 The Scorpion: A 40-MPG, 450-Horsepower Hydrogen-Powered Arachnid -- That Stings

Okay it doesn't really sting, it's just a freaking car. Oh wait, maybe it does.

The Scorpion gets its sting from a hydrogen delivery system the company calls H2GO. While cars like the Honda FCX Clarity and Chevrolet Equinox use hydrogen fuel cells to drive electric motors, the Scorpion uses electrolysis to convert water into gaseous hydrogen. The hydrogen is mixed with 91-octane gasoline to improve the fuel economy and reduce the emissions of the car's 3.5-liter internal combustion engine.

Ronn Motors is confident that the sexy Scorpion will top 200 mph. The chrome-moly chassis and carbon-fiber body surrounds a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 in a car that weighs just 2,200 pounds. The engine was sourced from Acura -- it's the same mill found in the TL Type S, albeit turbocharged -- and mated to a six-speed gearbox. The car will set you back $150,000, and if 450 ponies isn't enough, another $100 grand will get you a tweaked version with another 150 horsepower.

Oh man. I want one. Badly. Really badly. Just imagine: you're cruising along in your Scorpion, when you decide to swing by the BK drive-thru for a #4 with a Coke. ZOMG I'm making myself moister than a towelette. Just kidding, I don't even know what that means. Or do I?

Hit the jump for a couple more worthwhile pictures.

Continue Reading " The Scorpion: A 40-MPG, 450-Horsepower Hydrogen-Powered Arachnid -- That Stings "

Aug 20 2008 Solar Panel Tie Can Charge Your Gadgets

This solar panel tie collects light and, through a process that even Scientologists don't understand, converts it to usable energy. The tie has a little pocket on the back that stores the gadget you're charging, and is completely impractical. I'm all for green shit (figuratively), but I just don't see these catching on. The majority of guys that have to wear ties (like me) work in fluorescent cubicle farms where this thing would get little to no charge. I mean, I can't even see a freaking window from here. We used to have one, but management boarded it up when they found out we liked looking out of it. What somebody needs to do is invent solar powered hard hats or something a landscaper would wear, like, I dunno, a suntan. Oh my God, I'm brilliant.

Hello, patent office? Are you sitting down? Good, now put this in your pipe and smoke it -- solar-powered suntans! I drew a picture and everything. Well, it's on a bar napkin, so I'll just tell you -- it's a really tan guy on a lawnmower charging a boombox. It's great, he's got a cord coming out of his belly button and everything. Hello? HELLO?

Solar Powered Tie Seems Great, Probably Won't See Much Light [ohgizmo]

Aug 19 2008 Yummy!: Krispy Kreme Makes Grass Sandals

Krispy Kreme, best known for their heart-stoppingly delicious glazed donuts is now making grass sandals. Wait, what?

Krispy Kreme questioned over 1,000 UK workers and found that over half (53%) of urbanites believe their stress levels are affected by a lack of contact with Mother Nature. In response to the problem Krispy Kreme has created the world's first grass flip-flops to bring summer magic to the city - giving stressed out workers a (literal) spring in their step by creating an instant grassy park underneath their feet regardless of their urban location.

Each sandal has over 5,000 blades of grass and can last up to 4 months if properly watered and cared for. I'm getting a pair, I'll let you know how they work out.

UPDATE: The neighbor let his dog shit on my freaking sandals and didn't even pick it up. So when he goes on vacation this weekend I'm putting the end of a garden hose in one of his basement windows and flooding it. Glazed donut flip-flops FTW!

World's First (Living) Grass Flip Flops [responsesource]

Thanks Crystal, I saved the last donut for you.

Jul 7 2008 Toyota Prius May Get Solar Panel Treatment

Toyota already plans to roll out a plug-in version of the Prius in 2010, and now there are rumors of the company installing solar panels on upcoming models. The panels, if they do become a reality, won't power the engine, but rather the air conditioning, stereo, windows, television, coffee maker, massaging seat covers, etc. As you can see from the artist's rendition of the new Prius, Toyota will likely go with one large solar array protruding from the vehicle's roof. Kidding, I just made that in Photoshop. It does look good though, doesn't it? Strap a wind turbine on there somewhere and you've got a real green-machine. Say, that gives me an idea. Picture of new Solar-Wind Prius added after the jump. But don't worry Toyota, you can just pay for the idea in, well, euros. Lots of them.

Hit the jump for a picture of a Prius Toyota hasn't even thought of yet.

Continue Reading " Toyota Prius May Get Solar Panel Treatment "

Jun 30 2008 Cardboard Bicycles Could Be Coming Soon

Remember the kid that built that wooden bike awhile ago? That thing was sweet and made from trees. And so is this one. Phil Bridge is a 21-year old Industrial Design student that developed a cardboard bicycle. The idea is to make bikes so cheap that nobody will be put off by the thought of buying a bike as a means of personal transportation.

A typical round town bike can cost several hundred pounds. That's a large investment for people who aren't sure whether they will use it. The idea of cardboard is to completely devalue the bike.

Phil's current prototype can hold up to 168-pounds (I'm out), costs $6 to manufacture (frame only, it uses a standard chain mechanism and wheels) and will cost about $24. Allegedly it's even rainproof. It is not, however, fireproof. So be sure to park it inside if you live near a volcano.

Cardboard Bicycle Costs Just $30, Don't Leave It Out in the Rain [gizmodo]

Jun 3 2008 How To: Keep That Ass Cool And Swamp-Free

Use this thing, the Suzukaze Air-Conditioned Seat Cushion. It keeps your rear cool, funk free, and is allegedly eco-friendly.

Using the sweat generated by your bum and a tiny bit of energy, this cushion has an internal fan that blows over 170 liters of air per minute to keep your nether-region cool. It is light weight, portable, and so efficient that even if used as much as 8 hours a day, you'd still only spend pennies per month on electricity.

Whatever happened to prevention being the best medicine? If this thing needs sweat to operate, then it only works after I've already got a problem. A huge problem. Mainly that my ass is a La Brea Tar Pit and no amount of fanning is gonna save the dinosaurs.

Keep Your Bum And The Earth Cool [ecogeek]

Thanks to Shawn, who probably sent this after he saw the stain I left in his car

Jun 3 2008 Eco-Friendly Car May Score You Chicks

Listen up guys: it turns out driving an eco-friendly car may increase your chances of getting to touch a woman.

According to a study conducted by GM as part of this year's Challenge X competition:

* Nearly 9 in 10 women (88 percent) say they'd rather chat up someone who owns the latest fuel-efficient car versus the latest sports car.

* Eighty percent of American car buyers would find someone with the latest fuel-efficient car more interesting to talk to at a party than someone with the latest sports car.

* More than 4 out of 10 (45 percent) 18- to 43-year-olds say it's a fashion faux pas nowadays to have a car that's not green or environmentally friendly.

As a public service for those of you that aren't having any luck in the woman department, I've added a few other chick-attractors to the list.

* Tons of money.

* A good sense of humor.

* Listening to them talk about stuff you don't care about instead of tuning them out and playing video games.

* Not living at home with your parents.

* A 10-inch penis.

* Puppies.

* Shoe sales.

* A 12-inch penis.

EcoGeeks get all the girls [yahoogreen]

Thanks Abe, wanna go cruising for chicks in my neighbor's Prius?

May 2 2008 Xerox Paper That Erases Print In 24 Hours

Xerox has decided that, since people can't seem to stop printing things, and that wasted paper is environmentally unfriendly, they'd make a self-erasing paper product.

The paper contains specially coded molecules that create a print after being exposed to ultraviolet light emitted from a thin bar in a printer. The molecule readjusts itself within 24 hours to its original form to delete the print, or heat can readjust the molecule instantly.

Each page can be used up to 100 times provided you don't spill coffee on it, crumple it, or otherwise desecrate the paper in a way that would prevent from going through the printer again. Personally, I think this is brilliant, and a great way to save paper. Of course, I haven't heard a mention of cost, which is probably significantly higher than the paper's non-magical competition (regular damn paper). I just wish I had slipped a sheet of this in when my marriage certificate was being printed. You know, so I could be released from the chaffing bonds of this unholy matrimony.

UPDATE: Hmm, so it seems that this is old news, so I'm not sure what the hell this article was talking about. Oh well, hopefully you hadn't heard about it before (and that disappearing ink gag shit you used to spray on people as a kid doesn't count).
Xerox Spy Paper Will Self Destruct In 24 Hours [ohgizmo]

Jan 23 2008 Din-ink Pen Utensils: Never Without Flatware

These Din-ink pen cap utensils recently tied for first place in Designboom's 'Dining in 2015' contest. They're made of biodegradable materials and are pretty clever. These would be great for some people at work, but personally I'm not a big fan of using utensils. I like to eat standing over a sink with my meal wrapped in a paper towel. Sure it sucks for soups, pasta, and pretty much everything that isn't a sandwich, but I don't eat those things anyways. Unfortunately for me, there is no kitchen sink at work, so I only have three options for comfortable dining. 1. eating over the water fountain, 2. eating over a restroom sink, and 3. eating over a urinal. Please note: Due to health concerns I have lowered the 'dropped food rule' from 5 seconds to a much safer (and hygenic) 4 seconds.

Din-ink Utensils [notcot]