Tesla Motors, the Silicon Valley startup that just delivered its first production electric vehicle, has filed sued against Henrik Fisker, “a Danish-born designer who is known for his work on high-end exotic sports cars,” and who was hired by Tesla “to do the body design for a four-seat sedan, code-named White Star.” According to the lawsuit
Mr. Fisker and his chief operating officer, Bernhard Koehler, do…
Original post by Hank Green
We love backyard inventors. Sometimes, we have to take things we hear from them with a grain of salt, though. Like, if someone told me that they made a motorcycle that was powered by air, I might not immediately believe them. But looking at this bike, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that it :
{digg}http://digg.com/environment/Man_Invents_Air_Powered_MotorCycle_in_Garage{/digg}Of course, when I say “works exactly as described” the description isn’t all that exciting. The top speed is about 18 mph, and it can only go 7 miles before the air pressure runs out. But this is, after all, a guy in his garage…a lot more power could probably be pulled by tweaking his configuration.
Jem Stansfield, a University of Bristol graduate with a degree in aeronautics, created the bike by strapping two high-pressure tanks onto the side of his Puch moped. The tanks are basically scuba tanks. He uses the (yes, mostly coal-fired) electricity from his house to fill the tanks. The power is then “stored” there, much like a battery, ready for use.
There are several advantages to using air pressure to store energy vs. batteries. First, compressors can recharge air tanks faster than batteries can be recharged, Stansfield says his tanks recharge in “seconds.” Another advantage is that air tanks are, overall, very simple things. Though to be able to store a lot of energy in a small place, they need to be extremely strong. Jem’s are carbon-fiber tanks of the sort used by firefighters for oxygen. But still, they’re far cheaper than even the lead acid battery you’ve got in your car now.
Of course, MDI is way farther along in developing air-powered vehicles, with sales set to begin in 2010 and a hybrid version on the horizon as well.
Via MotorCycleNews (careful, it crashed my FireFox!)
Original post by Hank Green
Greenpeace commissioned Moscow-based BBDO Russia for a series of ads to raise awareness about genetically-modified organisms. The text in the ad, cropped out of the above image, says, “The DNA of genetically modified plants may contain the genes of insects, animals or even viruses. These products may potentially cause harm to your health. Look for the ‘GMO-free’ sign on the package.” Hit the jump to see modified green onions and peas. ::fubiz via ::NotCot.org See also:
Original post by Hank Green
Twice a year (once in Europe and once in America) Shell puts on the “Eco-Marathon.” Basically, it’s a way for Shell to say, “Look, we’re doing something!” even though, really, they aren’t. And it’s also an opportunity for publications to put big MPG numbers in headlines, and get all excited!
Really, it isn’t that fantastically exciting, though. If a clear coffin with three bicycle wheels and a top speed of 30 mph is your idea of a fine vehicle, then you can go ahead and get excited about getting 2,500 MPG. But, if not, I don’t want to see any “if high schoolers can do it, then why can’t Toyota” comments down there.
Nonetheless, it is impressive that a high school team took home the prize this year, especially because they were vastly outnumbered (20 to four) by college-level teams. What’s up, colleges! Get your act together!
So way to go Mater Dei High School, we hope you’ll take that $10,000 prize, have a sweet pizza dinner, and then spend the rest of it on next year’s even more efficient vehicle!
Via EcoModder
Original post by Hank Green
Photo credit: neubie The Home Depot Foundation is giving Habitat for Humanity International a walloping $30 million for a national green-building program called Partners in Sustainable Building. The program, which aims to make at least 5,000 Habitat homes more energy efficient, will provide energy-efficient and sustainable building resources and funding for 17 percent of all single- and multi-family homes that Habitat builds in the next f…
Original post by Hank Green
Those that are without a cella have a raised platform and a flight of steps leading to it, one third of the diameter of the temple meble do zabudowy kosze świąteczne The faces should curve inwards, by one ninth of the breadth of the face, from the outside edge of the corners of the abacus najlepszy serwer kadry When vaulting is required, the procedure should be as follows architektura wnętrz Here his course is equal to what his circuit was in the sign Aries. 3 This will be the equinoctial shadow of the gnomon Above the coronae are the simae (in Greek [Greek: epaietides]), which should be made one eighth higher than the height of the coronae tłumaczenia niemieckie części samochodowe
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