Third World Innovations

We are rapidly depleting our resources here on Spaceship Earth and are scrambling to introduce sustainability practices throughout the worlds biggest nations in order to preserve the delicate balance between earth and mankind.

In the latest issue of Futurist Magazine, there is an article that suggests we could look to the slums and favelas for new ideas. Their unique situation forces them to innovate, reuse and recycle on a completely different level than North America or Europe. Urbanologists and Community Developers are studying the intricacies of favela life and how the infrastructure and economy works amongst the crime and poverty.

Portable Power

Voltaic Systems makes products that produce and store their own power to run your electronics anywhere. They have some very cool bags and battery packs as well as adapters to power almost any device.

http://www.voltaicsystems.com/

The Nano-Magnetic Spin Battery

AAA, D, CR32, 1.5V, 9V. It seems like we have been using batteries to store energy forever! Everything takes batteries. Containers of chemicals that keep that power all bottled up until we need it. Well there is finally a new energy storage technology that just might replace the common battery, and maybe even the common hard drive. The new magnetic battery can store more power and charge amazingly fast! The "spin battery" is charged by applying a powerful magnetic field to nano-magnets contained in a device called “magnetic tunnel junction”, or MTJ. This technology could one day be used in hybrid or electric cars, medical equipment or off-grid energy applications. Cool stuff, man!

www.greenoptimistic.com

Energy for Free?

Wow, sounds great!! Something from nothing! I can run my car or home or computer on this free energy? Ha HA There are so many ideas involving free energy generation, the most recent being featured on the TV show Dragons Den where a machine was showcased that could turn 18w from an old car battery and output 50,000w instantly! I believe this device has yet to be truly proven but you can check out more info here. I have seen some other devices based on neodymium magnets, and it seems to make sense, but I think I need to do some further investigating. If anyone else has ideas on how to make something from nothing, please let me know!

http://www.fuellesspower.com/

A Pneumatically Propelled Peoplemover !

Aeromovel has created an air powered train for urban applications that is smooth, quiet, efficient and zero emissions. Lightweight, aerodynamic and engine-less trains are mounted on axle-less steel wheels and secured to the track. Sails are then mounted to the bottom of the train. The vehicle is driven by a pneumatic propulsion system which converts electrical power into air flow and transmits thrust directly to the vehicle without gears or intervening electric circuits.

Wouldn't that be cool if we could generate the electricity to run these from solar, hydro or wind? Awesome! Super Efficient and innovative, I dig it!

http://www.aeromovel.com/

A New North: Population and Economic Shifts

In his book, The World in 2050: Four Forces Shaping Civilization’s Northern Future, author Laurence C. Smith envisions a “New North” — comprising of Canada, the United States, Russia, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Iceland, Denmark, and Greenland — of intense activity, expansion, and economic growth.

It sounds like quite the far-out concept, but population and economic shifts will take place around the world as "boomer" generations age and new factors contribute to the economic success of many different nations. Global warming will push the human race north, the aging population of the biggest countries will become a problem and the transition to cleaner fuels and energy will bring out the best in less developed nations.

What do you think the world will look like in 2050?

Cyborgs? For Reals?

Man has been curious about melding Man and Machine for hundreds of years, or for most of us, since 1984 or 1987 when The Terminator and Robocop were first released. I always liked the idea of bio mechanics, and it would be great if we could just replace our body parts when they break. Where do we draw the line, tho? I guess it's kind of up there with cloning and stem cell technologies... I keep picturing Dr. Mephisto from South Park! Check out the website below for some cool footage... fact or fiction?

http://www.darkdrive.de/

Environmental Careers Organization

ECO Canada is a not-for-profit organization that was first established in 1992 under the federal government’s Sector Council initiative. ECO Canada is a great resource for careers in the Environmental and Green Technology sectors.

Over the past 18 years, ECO Canada has grown into its own as an organization focused on supporting Canada’s environment industry by communicating with industry stakeholders, conducting research and creating the necessary resources required to address human resource needs in order to ensure the success of this dynamic sector.

http://www.eco.ca/

The Bladeless Turbine

I know that this is not a new idea, but I marvel at it's simplicity. The Tesla turbine is a bladeless centripetal flow turbine patented by Nikola Tesla in 1913. It consists of a series of thin disks attached to a shaft. The shaft spins smoothly when either gas, air or liquid is passed over the surface of the discs. It is unique in being a reversible turbine and a reversible pump, and is becoming more common for use in off-the-grid power systems.