Following the devastating fire that damaged the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral last month, local firm Vincent Callebaut Architectures has unveiled its vision for the iconic building to be restored. The firm imagines it being topped by a new glass roof and a spire, and for it to receive a significant sustainable upgrade. The concept – and to be clear it […]
Sustainable Restoration Of Notre Dame Cathedral
Lego Makes Learning Braille Fun
The Sustainable Brands Conference has opened its doors in Paris, France, this week, and the Lego Foundation and the Lego Group have today unveiled a new project – Lego Braille Bricks. First suggested to the Foundation in 2011 by the Danish Association of the Blind, and again proposed in 2017 by Brazil’s Dorina Nowill Foundation for the Blind, the first […]
Glowing Dumbbells
It’s always helpful if materials let you know when they’re under stress, so that changes can be made before catastrophic failures occur. A new polymer is designed to provide such a warning, as it glows when stretched. First of all, scientists have previously developed polymers that change their optical properties in response to mechanical stress. Generally, though, the change is […]
App Controlled Fridge
As SUVs have slimmed into more efficient, urban-friendly crossovers, certain vehicle-camping gear has slimmed down along with them, as seen with the new generation of teardrop trailers. Iceco brings forth the latest compact car camping gadget, a super-portable fridge/freezer that looks as much like a digital picnic basket as an in-vehicle refrigerator. The handy iFreezer Go20 keeps your food fresh […]
Paddleboarding On Dry Land
John Wink, the creator of SlingBoard, says that his big-wheeled roller combines all the best bits of paddleboarding, skateboarding and mountain biking. Essentially a longboard with a widened deck and a special pole for propulsion, the land paddler is currently raising production funds on Kickstarter. The SlingBoard has the look of an all-terrain longboard, but with a deck that widens […]
Modular Screwdriver
Different tasks require different types of screwdrivers. If you don’t want to buy all of those types, though, you might be interested in Mininch’s Spinner Drive – it’s described as the one screwdriver to rule them all. The Spinner Drive package consists of a pen-shaped aluminum drive unit, an aluminum torque wheel, and an assortment of bits that are kept […]
Stand-Up Electric Saucer For The Sea
Perhaps best-known for its diesel engines and robotic agricultural equipment, Japanese company Yanmar also makes personal watercraft. Its latest addition to the latter category is a little something known as the Wheeebo, which is kind of like an aquatic Segway. Due to be released next year at a yet-to-be-announced price, the Wheeebo takes the form of a thick floating disc […]
Backpack Into A Single Hanging Organiser
Carrying capacity and a little organization are a couple of essentials for travelers, and luggage startup Halton has taken aim at both with its new Commuter backpack. Currently on Kickstarter, the bag functions like a regular backpack when on the move, but can be unfurled into a multi-compartment flat organizer with a single unzipping. With a 25-liter capacity and full […]
How To Financially Prepare For Starting A Business
One of the key reasons why many start-ups fail is running out of cash. A business comes with many expenses, some of which are unforeseen and you have to be prepared to handle them all. Proper financial management is also essential for the success of your business. This article highlights some tips you can follow to financially prepare when starting […]
Surfboards Give Racks Strapless Treatment
California-based surfer Joseph Abrantes didn’t like his roof rack’s straps messing up the wax job on his board, nor did he enjoy hearing them flap and buzz in the breeze while on the highway. His solution was to create his own product, the strapless WaveRaxx system. It’s presently on Kickstarter. WaveRaxx consists of four padded polymer hooks, two of which […]