In many parts of the world there may not be much precipitation, but there is a fair amount of water vapor in the air – particularly at night. An experimental new device draws in that vapor, then uses it to irrigate edible plants. Known as the SmartFarm, the small-scale prototype was designed by a team at the National University of […]
Self-Contained Smart Farm
SmartCocoon Improves Comfort Of Home
Heating and cooling systems that are controlled by a single thermostat are simple to use, but take something of a scattergun approach to keeping your home comfortable. A more optimal solution would be to use strategically placed fans that add a little warmth or cold to the rooms that need it, just like the SmartCocoon Smart Register Booster Fan. The […]
Eco-Friendly Housing Emphasises On Walkability
International design firm Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel (ACPV) has unveiled designs for the Cascina Merlata Lot R7/2, a social housing complex that will function as a “city within the city” where residents can walk or ride their bicycles to everything they need for their daily lives. Created as part of the Cascina Merlata pedestrian-friendly masterplan that ACPV developed back in […]
Anthropomorphic Webcam
It’s easy for us to forget that our computers are equipped with “electronic eyes,” potentially watching us at all times. Scientists are now exploring the dynamics of the relationship, with a creepy – but fully functional – human-eye-like webcam. Known as the Eyecam, the one-off device was designed by a team at Germany’s Saarland University, led by postdoctoral researcher Marc […]
Portable Camping Stove Charges Using Propane
We’ve seen a number of thermoelectric camping stove/charger products over the years, and they tend to rely on wood/biomass-fueled heat. The new Gen Stove from Korea’s Viva Plus presents a thermoelectric charging solution that isn’t tied to live fire, powering up electronics with waste heat produced by cooking with propane or butane. It provides an easier, more universal solution for […]
3D Printed Graphene Aerogel Water Filter
Researchers at the University at Buffalo have developed a new method for 3D printing graphene aerogels that work well as water filters. The team says this technique helps make graphene aerogels scalable and stable enough to be used over and over. Graphene has been all of these things before – it’s been 3D printed, it’s been turned into aerogels, and […]
Circular Home Encircles Wood Forest House
Envisioned by Przemys?aw Olczyk Mobius Architekci as a section of tree trunk, the Circle Wood is an unusual circular home situated within a forest clearing in Poland. The residence takes its place remarkably well among the trees and hosts a private garden atrium at its center. Structurally, Circle Wood consists of reinforced concrete covered with panels of Okume wood that […]
Natural Blue Food Coloring From Red Cabbage
It may seem like a basic color, but blue is actually rather rare in the natural world. That complicates the search for natural blue food colorings, but now a team of scientists has found a promising candidate hiding in red cabbage. For decades, concerns have been raised about the safety of synthetic food dyes, and while the evidence against them […]