d ² | designdesu

‘Flammable ice’ could be mined for fuel

Cristiano Baptista — Wed, 07 May 2008 20:45:09 +0000

“They call it flammable ice, and it could be the world’s last great source of carbon-based fuel – assuming we can mine methane hydrates, crystal lattices of ice that trap methane beneath ocean beds and permafrost.”

READ MORE

Source: //environment.newscientist.com

EV-X7 Prototype uses electromagnetic-permanent magnet motor

Cristiano Baptista — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 23:17:54 +0000

Tokyo based Axle Corporation has introduced an electric motorbike with a hybrid plug-in, electromagnetic-permanent magnet motor, and is seven times more cost-efficient than scooters running on petrol.

Features

Magnetic motor, call Sumo, is a hybrid between a electromagnet and a permanent magnet.

Runs on neither petrol nor diesel.

Motor housed inside the bike’s rear wheel.

The manufacturers say the motor is seven times more cost efficient than scooters running on petrol.

Almost noiseless

Range: as much as 180 kilometers on one charge.

Battery can be charged at home.

Full charge takes just a little over six hours.

The vehicle can travel up to speeds of 150 kilometers per hour.

Daisuke Ito, a professional racer who test rode the EV-X7 prototype, said it could potentially replace machines we now see in motor races.

Source: //peswiki.com

How to bridge the distance between business strategy and design

Cristiano Baptista — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 07:13:22 +0000

Well, i’ve been absent for months because i’ve been soo busy with university stuff… at least I have a lot of stuff to put in this blog when i have some time in a near future!

But today i’ll post this slide, created by Marty Neumeier, i found while doing some research for one of my university papers. I thought it is so well made, i needed to share it with everyone. Enjoy!

Janine Benyus: 12 sustainable design ideas from nature

Cristiano Baptista — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 22:25:58 +0000

“With 3.8 billion years of research and development on its side, nature has already solved problems that human designers and engineers still struggle with. In this inspiring talk, Janine Benyus provides fascinating examples of biomimicry — the way humans mimic nature in the products we build and the systems we implement. And because the champion adapters in the natural world are, by definition, those that can survive without destroying the environment that sustains them, biomimicry can contribute to the long-term health of our planet.”

Source: www.ted.com

ViaStone: Biodegradable Paper Made From Stone

Cristiano Baptista — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 01:53:14 +0000

“ViaStone is a unique printing paper that is made with natural stone, inorganic mineral powder and trace amounts of non-toxic resins. It is designed to be used exclusively with inkjet printers. The production of Viastone is tree-free and does not require water or toxic agents. It is also biodegradable. Some have argued that using stone to produce paper is not entirely sustainable if production is upscaled, since it requires the extraction of limestone. Still, the production of Viastone and other stone-based papers is more benign than the process of producing conventional photo printing paper.

Other stone-based papers include Terraskin (watch out: awful Flash website) and Xterrane. But they don’t seem to be readily available in the U.S.

The Image Shop Online has the full range of ViaStone paper.”

Source: www.treehugger.com

c_change™ – Protection “bubble”?

Cristiano Baptista — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 01:26:14 +0000

“c_change™ is a material with water and wind proof membrane technology, that adapts to temperature and humidity changes offering a high level of breathability and comfort to the wearer. Schoeller uses the c_change™ membrane in combination with its innovative fabric collection. The c_change™ membrane is set to a predetermined temperature range. As soon as the climate inside a garment is warmer – due to physical activity or higher surrounding temperatures – the membrane reacts. Its flexible polymer structure opens and allows water vapour to escape quickly to the outside air. As soon as the body begins producing less heat and therefore less moisture, the polymer structure reverts to its original position. During this process, body heat is stored and protection from cold builds up.”

Download c_change™ PDF

Source: www.materia.nl

EcoDesign 2007 – Tokyo

Cristiano Baptista — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 01:10:56 +0000


Start date:	December 10
End date:	December 13
Start time:	0:00
End time:	0:00
Organizer:	the Union of EcoDesigners
Location:	Tokyo, Japan

“5th International Symposium on Environmentally Conscious Design and Inverse Manufacturing Intergration of social system design, business strategies, and technologies by the EcoDesign approach under the global energy crisis era.”

Source: www.materia.nl

Event Website

Design for Sustainability – Janis Birkeland

Cristiano Baptista — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 23:14:19 +0000

Today i bought this book i had in my “recommended list” in this blog for months.

I’ve a lot work to do right now, but for the quick look i gave to the book, i just say that this is a must have for everyone concerned about eco-design and sustainability.

I would like to cite “Environmental Awareness”:

“An inspiring, radical and detailed collection of the eco-solutions that can be applied to a range of design challenges… An invaluable reference and teaching resource for practitioners and academics”

This says it all. Go buy it right now!

Info of the book:

Birkeland, Janis: Design for Sustainability – A Sourcebook of Integrated Eco-logical Solutions
London ; Sterling, VA : Earthscan, 2002. xiv, 274 p., ill.
ISBN 1-85383-897-7

Ultimate Gift Guide by CORE77

Cristiano Baptista — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 01:42:03 +0000

“Stuck for Gift ideas? We’ve got you covered”

“Core77 proudly presents the Ultimate Gift Guide featuring 77 gifts under $77. Dive in and explore our hand-picked collection of free, DIY, indie and obscure ideas for the discerning design geek & geekette.”

Ultimate Gift Guide

WWF – Deeper Luxury

Cristiano Baptista — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 21:56:17 +0000

“What are you made of?” From Beijing to Boston, Birmingham to Bangalore, we are asked this question by stars of sport and screen as they peer from billboards and magazines. The luxury watch company TAG Heuer invites us to feel that wearing its brand provides the answer: you are made of something strong, successful, and beautiful. As the need for sustainable consumption grows worldwide, it is time to ask the luxury brands that very same question: “what are you made of?”.

The findings of WWF-UK’s analysis of the environmental and social performance of the luxury goods sector is presented in the ground-breaking report Deeper Luxury: quality and style when the world matters. The analysis is that despite strong commercial drivers for greater sustainability, luxury brands have been slow to recognise their responsibilities and opportunities.”