woensdag 29 december 2010

Sustainable aquaculture in Spain

A very inspiring example of sustainable fish production in Spain by biologist Miguel Medialdea told by a American cook: Dan Barber in the TED talk how I fell in love with a fish. Start at 05.00

A portable multi-purpose dwelling

The Yeta Log cabin designed by Lab Zero is a portable multi-purpose dwelling that can be set in any location where a shelter is needed.

Solar machine mimics plants

Plants use sunlight to create food for themselves. Researchers now find a way to copy this process: the solar machine

Eatable green walls

After green roofs also green walls are becoming more popular. The advantages they claim are not all proofed yet, but this eathouse with eatable green walls and a structure that can be dismantled, might be a good and attractive alternative for the usual greenhouses.

zondag 19 december 2010

The Designer's Atlas for Sustainability

The Designer's Atlas for Sustainability: a book by Ann Thorpe for designers on sustainable design: both background information and information on how to teach sustainable design.
In addition, an online discussion group SUSDESIGNTEACH has been started on how to teach sustainable design. Subscription is needed.

The Designer Accord

The Designers Accord is a global coalition of designers, educators and bussiness leaders, working together to create positive environmental and social impact.

Sustainability in Higher Education

AASHE, Association for Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, is an association of colleges and universities that are working together for a sustainable future.
A publication of Campus Green Builder is 'Advancing education for Sustainability: Teaching the concepts of Sustainable building to all students'

Design for Sustainability Guide

EDF, the Australian EcoDesign Foundation made a Design for Sustainability Guide: a 10 steps introduction guide to sustainable design for all design disciplines, but mostly product design

D4S Design for sustainability

D4S is a joint publication of the UNEP and Delft University of Technology with a practical approach for sustainable design. Mainly focused on product innovation and on developing countries

zondag 5 december 2010

Cars of the future: body panels serving as battery

  
Source: Volvo
A current problem in hybrid and electrical cars is the battery: too large, too heavy and too expensive.
European researchers of Imperial College, London, and Volvo Cars work together to develop a car that charges energy in its body panels. Basis for this solution is an innovative composite material that charges more and faster than normal batteries.

Enhancing the efficiency of solar panels

An optics-based surface technology to increase the conversion efficiency of existing and new solar panels: that is what SolOptics does with its Fusion Surface Efficiency Technology.

zaterdag 4 december 2010

Solutions for tomorrow: sustainable product innovation

In november 2010 werden in alle Vlaamse provincies presentaties gegeven over duurzame product- en service-innovatie. Op de website van Solutions for tomorrow zijn alle presentaties terug te vinden.
Verschillende manieren voor ecodesign zijn te vinden in de eerste presentatie.

De Groene Offerte: leidraad voor duurzaam ontwerpen

De Groene Offerte geeft je een leidraad voor duurzaam ontwerpen: van een checklist over beschrijving van cases tot een kennisdatabank. Vooral gericht op productdesign, maar kan ook van nut zijn voor het duurzaam ontwerpen van gebouwen

Creative houses from reclaimed stuff

Interesting TED talk by Dan Philips: his houses may not be architecture, but his vision on our building industry and our way of living certainly is inspiring.