A new efficiency record for organic photovoltaic cells has been reached by Heliatek, for the third time in a row. The German company created a cheap solar cell that can convert up to 9.8 percent of the incoming light into electricity.
Heliatek’s new solar cell is made from oligomers, and differs from polymer and dye-sensitized solar cells because the cells can be produced at low temperatures and uses the least amount of non-toxic materials.
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While the greatest drive of the eco-conscious generation is to use renewable sources of power, attempts are being made to replace every possible gadget run by non-renewable sources with green products that curb environmental pollution and reduce over brimming of the landfills. Berlin based eco-conscious engineer, Benjamin Beck has made a noteworthy move in this direction. He has developed a green battery pack that is run by solar energy as well as kinetic energy. All you need to do is to place the charged out battery pack in sun for a certain period of time on sunny days and the battery will juice up within no time. But in cloudy days it draws the charge from your movements, thereby converting kinetic energy into electrical energy and gets charged up again. It has been named by the designer as Scaraby Energy Backpack. This functional green gadget is portable and convenient to use.
The Autonomo is a fully autonomous vehicle concept designed by Charles Rattray. The design, inspired by biomimicry, sustainability, artificial intelligence and information technology, is created to address many of the growing transportation issues facing the world’s major cities today. This concept vehicle utilizes a drive-by-wire control system that replaces traditional mechanical components and harnesses developmental technology.
Rescue systems include all essential tools, equipment, machinery and anything that helps emergency personnel such as police, fire fighters, coast guards, military, etc. in emergency situations. These tools, that are included in the rescue system, are used as a part of safety measures in risky, emergency situations or for rescuing people who are in danger. No wonder that the best equipment of the latest technology are used for this purpose. But now that an effort to go-green is being made in every area and every invention, even rescue systems are being modeled in the same lines for future use. Here is a list of five such futuristic rescue systems that would help the environment gain its balance again:
A hybrid is any vehicle which runs by utilizing two or more technologies that provide power to the engine. Hybrids can be diesel-electric such as trains; nuclear-electric such as submarines; and gas-electric such as electric cars. Many big players in the field of manufacturing cars are commissioning projects on developing efficient electric cars pairing technologies that are readily available, and are light on pocket besides being user friendly.
By the rate at which transportation is going green, soon cars powered by solar, wind or other forms of renewable energy will be a common thing on roads around the world. The biggest benefits of such vehicles would be that one would not have to visit the refueling stations and it would also cut down on the emission of greenhouse gases that the gas guzzling vehicles of today are well known for. Here is a list of 10 such concept vehicles which would be powered by self-generated energy.
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The rise in the number of cars on the roads has meant a rise in carbon emissions and a decline in the reserves of oil, the most commonly used form of energy that drives our cars. With increase in the cost of fossil fuels, auto makers have started pushing clean electric cars as a zero emission way to commute. However, considering that even electricity generation isn’t always a clean affair, the idea of vehicles that are driven by it doesn’t seem to be entirely clean either. Moreover, these electron fueled vehicles aren’t that much in demand because of their slow speeds, long recharging times and a reduced operating range.
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