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| The Solyndra system is designed to optimize PV performance on commercial rooftops by converting more of the sunlight that strikes the total rooftop area into electricity.
Solyndra's panels employ cylindrical modules which capture sunlight across a 360-degree photovoltaic surface capable of converting direct, diffuse and reflected sunlight into electricity. Solyndra's panels perform optimally when mounted horizontally and packed closely together, thereby covering more of the typically available roof area and producing more electricity per rooftop on an annual basis than a conventional panel installation. The result is more solar electricity per rooftop per year.
http://www.solyndra.com/
filed under:
building & construction,
energy,
environment
Property spectrum: Shape
We live in a three dimensional world, but many of the
products we make are limited to one or two dimensions. This
trend shows that the evolution to a 3D shape can help
increase the surface area, but still limit the overall size
of a product.
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| Light Blossom transforms the personality of any community from industrial to ecological, harmonizing forces of nature and working with the planet, not against it. Light Blossom collects its own energy from the sun and wind by transforming its appearance throughout the day. At night, its efficient LED's
beam light only where needed, and only when needed, through
proximity sensing.
As the sun shines, Light Blossom emulates nature's beauty to begin the work of collecting solar energy. First, the "petals" of its "bud" open slowly. Much like a sunflower continues to face the sun while it moves from east to west during the day, Light Blossom's petals then gradually and continuously re-orient themselves in the direction of the sun, to face it with the maximum efficiency at each moment.
http://www.newscenter.philips.com/
filed under:
energy,
environment,
lighting
Property spectrum: Coordination
This principle describes the coordination between
components, systems, and their environments towards a common
goal. The petals follow the sun to absorb as much solar
energy as possible.
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Birdair's Tensotherm with Nanogel consists of an aerogel fabric layer sandwiched between two layers of Birdair - structural PTFE fabric, creating an insulated composite that was not possible before the advent of the Nanogel light-transmitting fabric inner-layer. The composite fabric system is less than two inches thick, yet it has an insulation value of R-12, meeting Virginia energy codes. It also delivers 3.5 percent natural light transmission, which contributes to its high performing energy-efficiency by reducing the need for artificial lighting. The advanced system also offers maximum moisture control and superior sound insulation. All of these are permanent performance features that will not change over time to match the long-term efficacy of the PTFE membrane.
http://investor.cabot-corp.com/
filed under:
building & construction,
energy,
materials
Property spectrum: Webs & fibres
Solid components are replaced with webbed and fibrous materials for improved strength/weight ratios, flexibility, and durability.
A super light aerogel fabric results in a lightweight roof
with excellent insulating properties.
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| Researchers at Boston University think they'll be able to combine LED bulbs with wireless networking technology, allowing for nearly complete ubiquity of wireless access points. The technology will be able to communicate data with visible light at up to 10Mbps, and can be adapted to existing power lines.
The bulbs will use the same diode for lighting the room
and providing the network connection, flickering "like tremendously fast signal lights."
http://gizmodo.com/
filed under:
computers & accessories,
electronics,
lighting
Property spectrum: Integration
This property describes integrating different functions in
your product to increase the user convenience. Some of the
benefits of adding additional functions are: integrating
other functions (a wireless access point) and reusing the
available resources (the existing power lines).
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Kenya Hara's zero-energy humidifier consists of water resisting paper which make droplets evaporating from the paper. A coating of hydrophobic aerosol makes the droplets bead up into balls. The surface of the coating is similar to the surface of the lotus leaf, which has a specific texture that causes the water into rounds droplets. These drops evaporate more quickly than spread water,
therefore making the humidifier effective
without heating.
http://www.architectenweb.nl/
filed under:
materials,
paper
Property spectrum: Activity
Materials increasingly evolve from passive to full adaptive
materials. The hydrophobic coated paper helps water
evaporate even quicker.
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The new cooling technology is based on a model create by Einstein with 78 years ago. The refrigerator that works without electricity use ammonia, water and butane in place of Freon.
The environment-friendly cooling technology uses ammonia,
butane and water instead of Freon, substance so harmful to
the environment, and constitutes an important step in
combating climate change, writes the British daily The
Guardian.
The Oxford University engineers have announced that they have completed a prototype of a refrigerator invented by Einstein and his colleague, the physicist Leó Szilárd. It has no mobile parts and uses only gases under pressure for the process of cooling food.
http://eco-trees.blogspot.com/
filed under:
energy,
environment,
household
Property spectrum: State
One of the most prominent property spectra is the state. It
describes an evolution of products and processes starting
with solid matter and then moving to liquids, gases and
finally fields. The use of gas instead of electricity
creates an environmentally friendly fridge.
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If you enjoy
CREAX newsletters, you will enjoy our hands-on MoreInspiration course. Our next 2-day
course is scheduled for the
26th &
27th of November 2008 and the following course for the
28th & 29th of January 2009. 
The following events have been planned for the coming months: