Cell phone solar panel
Here’s an Instructable on adding a supplemental solar panel to a mobile phone. Doesn’t seem like it crazily increases battery life, but certainly can’t hurt. (via Ecofriend)
Science
DIY science is the perfect way to use your creative skills and learn something new. With the right supplies, some determination, and a curious mind, you can create amazing experiments that open up a whole world of possibilities. At home-made laboratories or tech workshops, makers from all backgrounds can explore new ideas by finding ways to study their environment in novel ways – allowing them to make breathtaking discoveries!
Bright built barn
Here’s a house that announces its energy efficiency (or lack thereof): With large intentions, its mission is to demonstrate an alternative method of building that allows levels of flexibility and sustainability beyond the reach of typical residential construction. This building requires NO FURNACE, even in Maine, and provides owners with real-time, easily understandable feedback of […]
Tweet-a-watt – our entry for the Core77 & Greener Gadgets design competition
Here’s what we entered, the Tweet-a-watt, for the Core77 & Greener Gadgets design competition… Using “off-the-shelf hardware”, we have modified a Kill-a-Watt(TM) power meter to “tweet” (publish wirelessly) the daily KWH consumed to the user’s Twitter account (Cumulative Killowatt-hours). We are releasing this project as an “Open source hardware” project – in other words, anyone […]
Paper sculptures turn ordinary space into organic matter
Susan Benarcik creates intricate wall sculptures from recycled paper goods such as old newspapers and other found objects. The papers are put together to resemble honeycomb formations from beehives and other organic or natural designs. Check out the link below for more photos of her interesting creations. Susan Benarcik via InHabitat
The beauty of poo glass
Afrigadget had a piece about this art colony near Nairobi National Park, called Kitengela Glass. They use local artisans (and train new ones) to make and sell items from recycled glass, metal, and other materials. From the Kitengela website: They try to help their locale as much as possible – over fifty people have been […]
Amazing light phenomena
Environmental Graffiti has a roundup of amazing light phenomena photos, with nice pithy explanations of the science. Via Mr.Reid The collision of electronically charged particles in the earth’s upper atmosphere often creates magnificent light displays over the polar regions. The colour depends on the elemental content of the particles – most auroras appear green or […]
Alpha radiation visualizer
Using a standard webcam and some Americium 241 from a fire detector, Jared Bouck created a PC interface for visualizing alpha radiation. The basic idea behind this project is using the built in CCD in a USB web camera as a medium for alpha radiation to interact with. The result is a visual presentation of […]