Alternative Energy Newswire » Alternative Energy

"Gut-Sliding" Movement of Caterpillars Inspires Soft-Bodied Robots

admin — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:52:29 +0000

You’re likely familiar with the way a caterpillar works its way up a stem or across a leaf — that move-the-front-then-move-the-back process is one of their charms. But what you might not know is that a caterpillar actually moves its internal organs forward before moving its legs. A team of researchers at Massachusetts’ Tufts University is working on soft-bodied robots and has looked to this quirk of caterpillars as biomimetic inspiration for their designs. The future of robots could lay with the comical blobs of colo… Read the full story on TreeHugger

New U.S. Law Requires Electronics Makers to Disclose Conflict Mineral Use

admin — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:52:28 +0000

Photo by Mark Craemer

Tucked into the financial reform bill that passed this week is a provision many sustainable electronics advocates will be happy about. Publicly-traded companies and electronics corporations will now be required to reveal whether or not they use “conflict-free” minerals. Even though that means they can still use the materials, they have to be forthright in stating such, which will put a serious damper on any new product releases that have to state, “Yep, materials in this cell phone helped fund rape and war.”… Read the full story on TreeHugger

Smart Glass Steers Solar Sail in Space (Video)

admin — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:52:28 +0000

Image via New Scientist

Japan’s IKAROS spacecraft is a pioneering technology for solar sailing. The ship launched in May and is the first one to be propelled entirely by sunlight. It manages to steer itself by using just the pressure of sunlight on “smart glass.” Check out a video of the sail in movement. … Read the full story on TreeHugger

How About Magnets 4 Energy To Help You Save Money?

admin — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:52:26 +0000

So, you havedecided to have your own magnet generator so that you can save money, right? But you know very well that to buy these gadgets can also be very pretty expensive. So, instead of buying them, how about making one of your own with the help of Magnets 4 Energy? This is actually a book guide that will teach you the easy way to make your own alternative source of power. There are actually lots of learning tools around that you can choose to help you make your own magnet generator. But so far, nothing can top the simplicity and comprehensive kind of learning that Magnets 4 Energy can give.

Energy Tags: biodiesel, hybrid cars

Mobile Wind Turbine Generates Both Solar and Wind Energy

admin — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:52:14 +0000

Honolulu-based Natural Power Concepts has recently designed a mobile, retractable-blade wind turbine that is capable to generate both solar and wind energy. Being equipped with solar panels, this turbine becomes one of the newest inventions in the alternative energy field.

Hybrid Organic Solar Cells Now More Efficient

admin — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:52:13 +0000

Success greets the research team of National Research Council’s National Institute for Nanotechnology (NINT) and the University of Alberta. The plastic solar cells have now an operating life of 8 months instead of mere hours. And they are low-cost, environmentally efficient, unsealed plastic dollar cells – a green energy source. Developing economically viable plastic [...]
Posted in: Industry, PhotoVoltaics, Solar Power

Microsoft Will Control Your Home’s Power Savings Through WiFi-enabled Meter and Their Hohm Service

admin — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:52:13 +0000

Partnerships are essential in today’s world, as one can no longer do everything – not even Microsoft. They joined a partnership with Blue Line Innovations, a company who sells electricity meters with WiFi network capabilities. These meters will connect to Microsoft’s Hohm, a free online service telling the users how much electricity they consume and when.

Xtreme Power Gets $29.5 Million for Utility-Scale Energy Storage

admin — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:52:12 +0000

07/29/2010 – Xtreme
Power, a provider of Dynamic Power Resources (DPRs) for
utility-scale power management and energy storage systems, recently
announced the close of a $29…

How Safe Is Your Beach? NRDC’s Latest Report Reveals Marine Health

admin — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:56:06 +0000

Photo by clogozm

Every year, the Natural Resources Defense Council runs a survey of our beaches and marine habitats to find out which are safe and which need help to recover from abuse. Earlier in the month, the organization put out a map specifically of beaches closed by the Gulf oil disaster. But now, its 2010 report for all the beaches in th… Read the full story on TreeHugger

Win a Home Energy Monitor! Enter Our Sweepstakes with Microsoft Hohm

admin — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:56:06 +0000

Image via Microsoft Hohm

We’re seeing a boost in partnerships between software and hardware companies when it comes to monitoring energy consumption at home. The latest partnership joins up Microsoft’s Hohm, an online platform for managing energy use, and Blue Line, which offers a power monitor and Wifi unit that can now be combined to upload your home’s energ… Read the full story on TreeHugger