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DIY Solar Panels Made From Grass Clippings

Krystal Persaud — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:39:13 +0000

MIT research scientist Andreas Mershin is on a mission to make solar power inexpensive and accessible to the masses, especially developing countries.

After years of research, Mershin and his team at MIT's Center for Bits and Atoms, along with University of Tennessee biochemist Barry Bruce, have worked out a process that extracts photosynthetic molecules from common agricultural waste.

How would this DIY solar kit work? Ideally, Mershin wants people to be able to gather up a pile of grass clippings, mix it with a blend of inexpensive chemicals, and paint it on your roof to begin harvesting electricity.

Mershin explains, "Leaves and plants are nature's solar panels… if we manage to somehow hijack the molecules that are responsible for photosynthesis in plants and other photosynthetic organisms, and use them to generate electricity for our own needs, this would represent a fantastic and disruptive new step in the way that we generate solar power or electricity in general."

Check out the video below to learn more:

One of the team's biggest challenges was figuring out how to preserve the light-gathering molecules they extracted from plants so that they still functioned outside of a cellular environment. Eventually, they were able to stabilize the chlorophyll-rich extract, also known as Photosystem I.

Here’s a breakdown of how the technology works: Mershin and his team have fabricated teeny tiny forest-like structures made of zinc oxide nanowires scattered with titanium dioxide "sponge” components. Then, the structures are coated with the plant extract, Photosystem I. When the coated structure is placed in direct sunlight, the harvested electricity can be stored and put to work.

Currently, the efficiency of these experimental cells is very low at 0.1%. With research groups like Mershin’s, the efficiency of biophotovoltaics is expected to rise to commercially viable levels (at least 1-2%) soon.

For more details, the team's findings are detailed in the paper Self-assembled Photosystem-I Biophotovoltaics on Nanostructured TiO2 and ZnO which is available at Nature.com.

Sources: Gizmag & MIT

Header Image: Best Design Options

New Mobile Apps Help Consumers Shop Smarter

Karen MacKay — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:58:18 +0000

Clorox and Virtual Water are two apps that make it easy for consumers to see what goes into the products they purchase.

As iPhones become ubiquitous in the consumer market, making informed decisions about product purchases is becoming easier with new mobile applications.

Clorox announced last week a new app and mobile website that will provide easy access to their product's ingredients. The new smartphone app lets U.S. and Canadian customers scan the UPC code of many of the Clorox home cleaning products, instantly revealing an ingredient list for that product. To download the about the app, click here.

The Virtual Water Project is aimed at helping consumers understand the amount of fresh water used to grow and process different kinds of food and food products. The iPhone app is essentially an interactive infographic. Using a minimalistic design style, the information is easy to digest and easy on the eyes. The app provides the water used per kilogram of product.

I currently have the app on my phone. I find it incredibly easy to use and quite informative. Unfortunately, as a chocolate lover, one of the worst offenders on the list is chocolate at 1458 gallons of water per 8 oz of chocolate. Learn more about the project a the Virtual Water Project website and to download the app visit the iTunes app store here.

Source: Sustainable Brands and The Virtual Water Project

Project Noah: A Mobile App That Documents Local Wildlife

Krystal Persaud — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:24:33 +0000

Project Noah harnesses the power of smart phones to collect ecological data and help preserve global biodiversity one photo at a time.

How does it work? You can download the Project Noah app for free on any iPhone or Android phone. Then, all you have to do is create an account and start snapping photos of local wildlife.

If you're a city dweller like me, I know what you're thinking -- "Who wants to see a bunch of photos of squirrels and caterpillars?" I downloaded the app to give it a test run and was pleasantly surprised at the wide variety of animals documented. You could spend hours exploring the map and scrolling through photo submissions. Check out the map below – people from all over the world are using Project Noah!

Project Noah was developed in NYU’s Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP). The project began as an experiment to build a fun, location-based mobile app that encouraged people to reconnect with nature. The name “Noah” was cleverly inspired by Noah’s Ark. The over-arching goal is to create a powerful database that can be used as an educational tool for wildlife awareness and preservation.

The app has certainly garnered a lot of attention since its official launch back in February 2010. It earned a spot in the first Startl Mobile Design Boost and won a $50,000 prize from the “Breakthrough in Mobile Learning” competition by the Joan Ganz Cooney Center. Project Noah even boasts National Geographic as an investor.

The founding members of Project Noah are Yasser Ansari, Martin Ceperley, Peter Horvath, and Bruno Kruse. Collectively, their backgrounds cover a wide range of subjects including molecular biology, photography, software development, and software hacking.

The next time you go on a walk or hike in your neighborhood, use Project Noah to share the creatures you encounter!

Source: Project Noah

Two Unique Cities Earn Sustainable Transport Award

Karen MacKay — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:13:04 +0000

San Francisco, CA and Medellin, Colombia are among the top urban innovators that have been recognized by the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP).

As an international nonprofit, the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP), collaborates with cities across the world to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve urban life.

Although similar in their hilly terrain and use of cable cars, San Francisco and Medellin's transport systems are quite different. In contrast to San Francisco's dated and somewhat expensive cable cars, Medellin's aerial cable car system is electric powered, affordable and has been integrated into existing public transportation systems. These efficient gondolas move 3,000 people per hour (in one direction) and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly eliminating the need for old and badly maintained buses. Medellin has also recently launch a three-month pilot program for bike-sharing, making it the first city in Colombia to launch a public bike-sharing system.

San Francisco's commitment to bicycling has been seen by a long-term commitment to have 20 percent of all trips completed by bicycle by 2020. In 2011, San Franciscans saw the beginning of a city-wide expansion and improvement of bike lanes. But the ITDP feels that the greatest urban achievement for San Francisco in 2011 was the introduction of new pricing schemes based on time of day and availability for parking as well as the replacement of street parking spots with "parklets" as part of the "Pavement to Parks" program. The parklets serve as mini-parks, often in front of coffee houses or shops that are open public space for anyone to enjoy.

The ITDP stated that what made these two cities stand out among others was the successful use of social media and the web to provide accessible and helpful information for their urban transit riders.

What is your city or town doing to make transportation cleaner and more enjoyable? Tell us about it in a comment!

Source: National Geographic

Top 3 Green Cars At The 2012 North American Int’l Auto Show

Beth Buczynski — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:35:26 +0000

If you like cars--looking at them, talking about them, driving them--the annual North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) is probably an event you anticipate months in advance. And if you like alternative vehicles, this was probably the year you kicked yourself for not buying a ticket.

Each year, the world's best and most advanced auto makers gathered in Detroit, Michigan to display the best of their lineups for the 2012/2013 model year. Unlike years past, hybrid, electric, and other advanced technology vehicles stole the show, capturing the attention of the crowds, and headlines across the internet.

Because not everyone can spend a week drooling over cars they probably can't afford, we've decided to bring the best and greenest of the NAIAS to you! Below you'll find our three favorite green cars to debut at the show.

1. Lexus' New LF-LC Hybrid Concept

Here's what the Detroit Free Press had to say about this cherry-red head-turner:

"Penned by Toyota's Calty design studio in Newport Beach, Calif., the LF-LC 2+2 coupe has a glass roof and polished aluminum trim. The interior combines smooth leather, suede, brushed metal and wood with advanced controls like a pair of LCD displays and multiple touch screens to control everything from audio and climate control to sideview mirrors, door locks and windows.

"The front-engine, rear-wheel drive concept uses a version of Lexus' hybrid drivetrain, but the company isn't saying how much power or what engine, motor or batteries it uses."

2. Ford's 2013 Fusion Energi Plug-In Hybrid

Could this be the most fuel-efficient car the world has ever seen? Jalopnik seems to think so:

"Amongst Ford's numerous powertrain choices for the 2013 Ford Fusion is the the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid, a vehicle that may actually be the world's most fuel efficient car. WIth an anticipated EPA mileage of more than 100 MPGe it will be more efficient than the Volt and potentially even the Prius plug-in hybrid. It also looks like a real car."

3. Volkswagen's E-Bugster Electric Beetle Concept

Volkswagen reinvents the iconic Beetle yet again, this time giving it an engine that doesn't require gasoline. Green Car Reports has more:

"Although the e-Bugster is unmistakably a VW Beetle, it sits a little lower than its gasoline siblings thanks to a sporty coupe hardtop, shallow windows and a chopped roofline. Powering the e-Bugster’s front wheels is an 85-kilowatt electric motor, identical to the one powering the 2014 VW Golf Blue-e-Motion."

We all know that concept cars, while thrilling to look at, aren't always the most practical solution to our transportation woes. Think one of these actually has a chance of making to the road? Tell us about it in a comment!

Green Gadget Highlights From CES 2012

Karen MacKay — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:02:15 +0000

Coming to a close today, the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2012 in Las Vegas, NV showcases the newest technologies hitting the market this year. From Android apps to a solar powered boom-box, CES is the place to go for the latest in gadgets, green or not. We at Crisp Green have selected some of the greenest new tech products to share with our readers.

Rukus Solar-Powered Speakers

The Rukus Solar, is a solar-powered speaker system that streams music wirelessly via bluetooth devices. Portable and sporting an e-ink display for easy reading in sunlight, the device can also be powered via wall outlets if the sun has gone out of sight.

Maker Bot Replicator

MakerBot introduced it's newest product, the MakerBot Replicator to CES this week. The MakerBot is a 3D printer that makes mass customization and on-demand production possible for just about anyone. Also, this new version of the MakerBot is the first of it's king to print objects with two different colors.

Grano.la Energy Conservation Softwear

Grano.la software, developed by MiserWare, helps PC users to lower their energy consumption. Working in the background, the software lowers the power usage without affecting performance. MiseWare offers a free consumer version for Windows and Linux as well as a more expansive package for paying customers (businesses and data centers). Originally developed for super computers, one of the greatest benefits of Granola is extended battery life for PCs.

One Laptop Per Child - XO-3 tablet

This week the XO-3 tablet, created by the One Laptop Per Child program was revealed at CES. Designed for use in remote areas without access to conventional wall outlets, the XO-3 tablet has special circuitry that allows for a variety of power sources, including hand cranks, bicycle-driven generators and solar panels. The solar charging panels are actually built into the removable, rubberized cover for the tablet.

Nest: The Thermostat That Teaches You

Featured on Crisp Green earlier this week, the Nest thermostat was among the 21 products honored at CES 2012 under the "Best of Innovations" awards. Nest is designed to be used like conventional thermostats but has the ability to learn your energy consumption habits and help you conserve.

Solar-Powered Amazon Kindle

SolarFocus Technology Company introduced the SolarKindle in Las Vegas this week at CES 2012. The SolarKindle is the first solar powered e-reader cover. SolarFocus guarantees up to three-months of unplugged use with their high performance solar panels. The cover also includes a built-in LED reading lamp that can be powered up to 50 hours without pulling power from the Kindle's main battery.

Did you see or hear about any cool green gadgets at CES? Tell us what we missed!

Innovative Fish Trap Wins Major Conservation Award

Krystal Persaud — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:49:06 +0000

An innovative fishing net that allows small, unwanted fish to escape won a contest by RARE Conservation and National Geographic.

The winning entry was developed by Tim McClanahan and co-investigator Avana Johnson. McClanahan and Johnson developed their net through studies in Curaçao and Kenya with the Wildlife Conservation Society.

The above video depicts a fish trap in Curaçao that does not contain escape gaps. The net contains over 20 ornamental fish, including butterfly fish and several damsel fish, that could have escaped if the trap had gaps.

The contest, entitled “Solution Search: Turning the Tide for Coastal Fisheries”, aimed to find solutions to overfishing. McClanahan and Johnson’s winning trap is inexpensive and low-tech, which means it can easily be maintained in developing countries. The unique, geometric net design has strategically placed gaps for juvenile fish to swim out. These gaps reduce unwanted bycatch by 80 percent.

As the grand prize winners, McClanahan and Johnson received a $20,000 to support its conservation and resource management initiative.

"For too long the conservation community has focused on problems," said Brett Jenks, president and CEO of RARE Conservation. Jenks believes that the contest winners and finalist prove that tangible solutions are out there. Jenks continues, “By sharing their solutions with the world, they are improving conservation everywhere."

This is the first year the contest has taken place and over 100 applications were sent in. To read more about the contest, visit the RARE Conservation website.

Sources: Monga Bay, RARE Conservation, & Solution Search

New Fish Trap Allows Unwanted Fish to Escape

An innovative fishing net that allows small, unwanted fish to escape won a contest by RARE Conservation and National Geographic. The winning entry was developed by Tim McClanahan and co-investigator Avana Johnson. McClanahan and Johnson developed their net through studies in Curaçao and Kenya with the Wildlife Conservation Society.

The goal of the contest was to find solutions to overfishing and awarded $20,000 to its grand prize winners. McClanahan and Johnson’s winning trap is inexpensive and low-tech, which means it can easily be produced in developing countries. The unique net design has strategically placed gaps for juvenile fish to swim out. These gaps reduce unwanted bycatch by 80 percent.

This is the first year the contest has taken place and over 100 applications were sent in. To read more about other entries, visit the WEBSITE.

Source: Monga Bay &

http://news.mongabay.com/2012/0111-hance_fishtrap_bycatch.html#ixzz1jFunsLU2