The green revolution has gained a lot of momentum in recent years and this year was the most promising of them all. We saw some most innovative, promising, and functional innovations making a break-through in 2010. All of them are contributing to a greener earth and provide great solutions to handle changes in our ecosystem. Here are 10 amazing innovations that won a lot of appreciation for their green credentials.
1. nPower Personal Energy Generator
nPower has developed what they call the PEG, the word’s very first Personal Energy Generator that allows you to be your own recharging station for all your USD enabled devices. This portable kinetic energy generator based on a wave energy converter powers electronic devices as you walk, run, hike or bike. PEG is compatible with well over 3,000 different electronic devices and can get an 80% charge in one hour entirely through your own energy.
2. Xeros Waterless Washing Machine
Washing clothes normally consumes a lot of water. What if I say that a cup is enough to wash a normal load of clothes and you don’t need waste huge buckets of water to wash your filthy clothes anymore? You won’t believe it unless some experts prove it actually. The researchers at the Leeds University have devised such an eco-friendly washing machine that uses 90% less water. The latest technology developed by Xeros uses nylon polymer beads to attract the dirt and simply lock it up. This machine is comparatively 30% more energy efficient than the ordinary machines.
3. Nurture Neo Incubator
We have seen numerous cases were premature babies have a hard time regulating their body temperature, which can lead to organ failure and death. To reduce the incidence of death among such babies, a group of American students invented the Nurture Neo incubator. What’s interesting about this device is the fact that is made from recycled car parts. Capable of being powered by a motorcycle battery, this incubator’s headlights provide warming incubator, a fan provides air circulation board, lights flashing and the door alarm system is used to warn doctors in case the heating system fails.
4. Solar toothbrush
Researchers at University of Saskatchewan in collaboration with Japanese company Shiken have developed he world’s first high technology toothbrush called the “Soladey-J3X”. The brush has a solar panel at its base that transmits electrons to the top of the toothbrush through a lead wire. These electrons react with acid in the mouth, which helps break down plaque. Hence, fighting oral problem without toothpaste.
5. Diet Watt
Those who callously waste power and aggravate environmental pollution will now be transformed to environmentalists, but with a little twist. Hyun Joo Lee and Eu Tteum Lee are all set to put those lackadaisical nerds on a guilt trip and encourage them to conserve rather than misusing resources. The duo’s design called the DIET WATT is here to do the job for them. This electricity meter alerts the users about excessive electricity consumption, in addition to the information about energy usage.
6. Solar plant
The Solar Plant is a special plant that is capable of converting the sunlight into electric energy. It is actually a kind of charger that exploits solar energy for portable electronic gadgets. The flowerpot-shaped charger transforms unlimited sunlight into electricity by photosynthesis. It photosynthesizes using solar panels mounted on top that gather energy. The eco-friendly energy produced by the Solar plant can be used to charge your gadgets whenever and wherever you want. The Solar Plant is kind of an electric plant that needs sunlight like the real ones.
7. Elevated Bus
Elevated bus is China’s answer to notorious traffic and road congestion. Combing the best features of subways and buses, this single mass-transportation vehicle rides above traffic rather than in it. Standing 4.5 meters and built on two levels, this vehicle is powered by electricity or solar energy, can reach a bus speed 60kmph while transporting passengers between 1200 and 1400.
8. Spray-on polymers powered e-reader
Scientists at the University of Florida have developed a new spray-on polymer that could lead to the development of e-readers that can display content in every color of the rainbow. Moreover, with added solar technology, the same polymer can power anything from simple consumer devices to even homes and businesses. The technology could eventually lead to full-color e-readers, color changing billboards and signs.
9. Scubster
Designed by Minh-Loc Truong and Stephane Rousson, the Scubster is a muscle-powered submarine will be an exploration tool for scuba divers and Scientifics working in the oceanographic field. Made from carbon fiber, this yellow watercraft requires to be pedaled with legs, which in turn drives the blades on each side of the sub through a customized gear mechanism and belt drive from a Strida bike. It is directed using controls inside the pilot compartments and is capable of moving at a speed of 10kph.
10. Solar-powered refrigerator
Nicolas Hubert’s External Refrigerator is an unusual outdoor installation relies on solar power to chill your food. While the refrigerator relies on solar panels to power the built-in cooling system when it is sunny outside, it cools your eatables naturally in cold weather. Aside from slashing your fridge’s carbon footprint to zero, the absolute space saver – as it can easily hang on the outside walls – frees some valuable space for you.
