Tapping into Kinetic Energy that we produce while just walking around or even doing our daily errands has become something that forms and gadget makers are looking closely at. There are many such concept designs that float around once in a while and then disappear into oblivion. But when a major telecom company is making a prototype of a shoe that can charge up your gadgets then there is a reason for you to get a touch excited. The shoes being developed by Japan’s NTT could soon be charging up your iPods and even your mobiles.

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Famed Italian fashion designer Ermenegildo Zegna, in collaboration with Germany’s Interactive Wear that produces amazing innovations in ‘smart’ textile technology, brings to the world the world’s first solar-powered ski jacket. The slightly hefty price (hey, it’s a Zegna!) of $1,350 apiece may be justified if you look at the corollary benefit: you can also charge your cell phone or iPod while out on the ski slopes.

The Microtene jacket is waterproof, and comes with its own solar cells connected internally within its neoprene collar. You will be a walking (or skiing) carrier of renewable power since what you’re wearing converts sunlight into energy. If you don’t want to be carrying the solar converter, you may detach the collar and use it as a power source. This is sheer convenience and, yes, power! No more problems with cell phones, cameras, or iPods that have run out of electrical charge while you’re on top of a snowy mountain.
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The Powerwise, a table that keeps eight electrical outlets, is a one-stop charging station for your iPods, cameras, cell phones, mp3 players, and other hand-held electrical devices. It is designed by Swedish based designers Johanna Strand and Asa Elmstam. The chargers may remain in place in their outlets all the time. The electricity that powers the entire table can be turned via the red switch. You can then pull the plug and wind up the cord into the table leg designated as cord compartment. When the green cord pulls back into the leg, energy consumption is reduced.

The whole idea behind the design is to give convenience to users who have their electrical and electronic devices constantly charged. This table gives the residents of the home a central charging station that will eliminate the possibility of several individual chargers being forgotten to be pulled out from sockets after use, making them fire hazard.

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After basking in the glory of appreciation and excited apprehension, Nano, touted as the World’s cheapest car, makes way for green brand Oreva. This new e-car is a part of the rich Ajanta group legacy who have been giving India affordable electric scooters and bikes over the past so many years.

Plans are to roll out Oreva from the Ajanta plant in Gujarat. Though the mother company is careful not to divulge too many details, the national rep of the car did say that this green wonder would be able to cover 200-250 kilometers in a single charge.

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The cute toy-like eco-friendly cars have been made a reality by Global Electric Motorcars (GEM), which is a DaimlerChrysler company. Almost 10 years ago, they came up with a 48-volt GEM vehicle that could easily accomodate two passengers and give a top speed of 20 mph. Call it a coincidence, but the same year the National Highway Traffic Safety Regulation acknowledged a new class of vehcile, the Neighbourhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) aka low-speed vehicle. So these adorable toy-like cars actually found their way to the public roads.

That was then. Even now GEM vehicles are legal in many countries, but only on roads posted at 35 mph or less. The speed has increased in the latest model at 25 mph. Plus with an ability to cover around 30 miles on a single charge and modifications in the car body to suit your requirements, they have become very popular for traveling around neighbourhoods.

Meeting the safety guidelines, these GEM vehicles come with safety belts, headlamps, windshield wipers and safety glass. And their strongest point is that they are easily rechargeable at any 110-volt outlet in just six to eight hours.

Via EVO

Solar parking lots have been discussed many a times by the environmental technologists. The concept speaks of putting photovoltaic arrays and parking lots together so that sunlight can be harnessed. Then again, the array functions like a canopy thus providing shade to the cars. After much talks, finally someone paid attention. A Silicon Valley manufacturer that goes by the name of Applied Materials has incorporated a solar parking lot in its campus. Since the company makes semiconductors, LCD displays among other high-tech equipment, the solar energy harnessed basically will contribute to their energy uses.

Such parking lots will be a blessing for electric cars and with the demand growing for the latter, the parking system will need to be updated with the photovoltaic arrays. After all what does a solar parking lot need but just sunlight! The benefits are plenty.

Via ecogeek

Smart is one company that is relatively new in the world of automobiles and is only now celebrating its 10th anniversary. Now that is a very young age for a car making company and it is almost akin to an infant still in his first year. Then how is that Smart is this awesome and fancy with its work and so confident about its market? For those still wondering, Smart is a joint venture of Swatch and Mercedes. That is quite simply a phenomenal combination, which ensures that there is neither in shortage of funds or skill or even technical support.

To celebrate its 10th anniversary Swatch has released a Limited Edition car that it quite aptly calls the Smart Edi10n and the car is a perfect urban commuter in every sense of the world. Style and automobile finesse aside, Smart is a diesel-powered vehicle for two. Before you even shout about how it still spills out fumes and is not good for the planet, just remember that it only holds two people. This saves on space, energy while engineering the car and putting it together, parking space, fuel consumption and costs.

With most urban commuters using cars either all on there own or just for a couple, it is time every carmaker starting making this ’smart’ choice. While it might not be appealing for all, it does its job to perfection and saves the roads from plenty of messy jams and fumes. The rest of the car is simple impeccable with world-class interiors, top-notch styling and great design. It comes with the 0.8-cdi engines or the 1.0-liter 84hp gasoline engine and is priced at €16,850 - €19,790. That is no surprise at all either.



Via Leblogauto

Ever wondered if your handbag could carry more than it usually does? Do you have to choose between your cell phone charger and lip-gloss to have space in your bag? You are listening to you favourite song during a road block and your i-pod conchs off…and you don’t know what to do?
Well, for all those who have faced this and other power issues, there’s a good news. A handbag that can charge your electric gadgets while on move. Don’t believe me?

Solar bags are not a new but so far have proved to be an expensive option. From $1500 for a briefcase, to $300-$400 for a carry-on style bag, to $250 for a beach bag. All of which are fairly ugly. They grasp desperately onto some appeal factor by looking like anything you can pick up at a designer store, but end up utterly unspectacular except for the sore-thumb solar cells on the sides. Luckily, women - or men exceedingly comfortable with their sexuality - will be able to have their style and solar power too.
Cost competitive for other bags we’ve seen (though still pretty pricy), is the new Solarjo Power Purse. Coming in at $285, it’s about what someone with extra cash would spend on a fancy purse. And this one looks like something you might find at a nicer department store – in fact, it looks really stylish. The handbag, which is the brainchild of mechanical engineering student Joe Hynek, has already been well-received by eco-conscious fashion websites.

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The purse is covered in solar cells that can soak up enough sun in two hours to charge a cell phone battery. The PV cells are laminated for protection from scratches, and two batteries held in the lining of the purse hold a full charge that can last for up to a month. A USB port inside the purse can be used for charging most any small device, from phones to cameras, palm pilots to iPods. Basically, someone can just plop it on a window sill at work or some sunny location, wait for a charge, and plug in their doo-dads, all with the purse functioning exactly as a purse should – no obtrusive wires or obnoxiously geeky give-aways.

It’ll be available by the end of 2008 for people who want to flash their attachment to the green movement with something that won’t clash with their outfit. It definitely has the potential to get picked up by some hip celebrity and then they’ll go flying off shelves.

Considering it’ll cost no more than a designer bag already costs, it looks great, and you’ll get free solar power, I think this is a pretty big breakthrough in solar power fashion. Simply plug in your mobile phone, camera or iPod - and begin praying the sun will come out.

Via DailyMail

The fun of trekking fades away when right on the destination you want to capture a splendid view and the battery of your camera runs out. The safe bet is to travel with a solar charger (of course there are easily available these days!). The latest addition in the market is the Power Monkey Explorer Solar Charger. This gadget is accompanied by a Solar Slave solar panel. With these two at your side, you don’t have to worry any more about low batteries for you are equipped with anytime, anywhere solar re-charging! The water-resistant Solar Slave can juice up your iPod/ digicam etc. in a matter of few minutes. It stores the Helios power and directs it to the Power Monkey Explorer’s Battery.

This smart solar charging device works well with smartphones, mobile phones, PSPs and PDAs as well! A quick re-cap of all of its features:Â Â

The Solar Slave panels can be used to recharge the Monkey if you’re running low on juice.
The kit contains a Power Monkey Explorer unit so you can keep all of your gizmos charged when you’re stuck in the back of beyond.

Compatible with Nokia, Mini Nokia, Motorola V66, Samsung E900, LG Chocolate, Sony Ericsson, Motorola RazrV, Blackberrys, Bluetooth Headsets, Smart Phones, PDAs, iPod, PSP.

It is capable of powering (but not charging) most models of digital cameras.
The Solar Slave and the Power Monkey are encased in a tough water resistant shell so it’s perfect for all your adventures.
Can be yours for only $116.98 from IWantOneofThose.comÂ

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Via: Goodcleantech

Freeloader Solar Charger is a moveable solar powered charger and that can be power everything from phone to gaming machines in to digital cameras and a great deal.

FreeLoader is a higher moveable charging system that can be power any hand held device anywhere, anytime. Freeloader takes a power from its solar panels or via a full arraign cable that plugs into a computer is USB. Supplied in tough but fashionable aluminum body and a Freeloader Solar Charger can obtain the knocks of all day life.

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