Why a black google? Some studies say that having a black background instead of white helps saving energy. Based on these results, Heap Media Australia has created a black version of google they have named BLACKLE. For more info on this project, its characteristics, history, critics, you can check wikipedia (what else!). One of the advantages: there is no publicity. One of the disadvantages: it doesn’t have as many functions as google. Besides, there are different opinions about its efficiency: according to some research, for LCD screens the energy use could even be higher. Once again, energy efficiency is not all that simple. These are some of the tips that the official google site offers in respect of this matter.
technologies
November 6, 2007
October 31, 2007
i am very interested in construction technologies applied in humanitarian architecture and I want to use the blog for, on the one hand, telling you about some of the technologies currently being developed and, on the other hand, finding out what else is being done out there (send me an email – alejandra@ecosistemaurbano.com)
i want to start by presenting my friends’ project, CONCRETE CANVAS. these young British engineers have developed CONCRETE CLOTH, a concrete-based construction material. CC consists of a 3-dimensional fibre matrix containing a specially formulated dry concrete mix. a PVC backing on one surface of the cloth ensures the material is completely waterproof; while hydrophilic fibres on the opposite surface aid hydration by drawing the water into the cement. you shape the cloth, add water…. and it’s ready! the concrete hardens leaving a set structure.
this cloth has many useful applications (water tanks, flat roofs, building cladding…) but the idea originated from the construction of dome-shaped emergency shelters.
CONCRETE CANVAS SHELTERS can be deployed by 2 people without any training in under 40 mins and are ready to use in 12 hours – only water and air are needed. the shelters are distributed in a packed format, water is added, they self-inflate to adopt the optimum final shape and in a few hours the concrete sets. they are easily distributed, they are semi-permanent, can be covered with other materials or can be part buried to improve the thermal properties and make them more resistant against impact… they meet certain needs (especially where there is an armed conflict going on or in extreme climates) that a more traditional tent (despite them being great for other needs!) can’t meet.
here are some pictures and a pdf with more info for you to see the great job CONCRETE CANVAS are doing.
October 29, 2007
webcams of the world
Category: ⚐ EN+findings+internet+technologies
I have come accross this website, www.fisgonia.com, from which you can look for webcams installed around the world. It is specially interesting because the webcams are “geo-referenced” (we know this term thanks to Domenico), that is, they are located in a world map in googlemaps.
Another site for looking for webcams throughout the world is www.earthcam.com. The design of this site is less attractive but the search engine is pretty efficient.
October 4, 2007
We bring you more opinions about biodiesel. Now is the turn for an published in the newly born Spanish paper Público: “green cars pollute too”. It talks, for instance, about the ban implemented in Norway to use the word “ecologic” in automobile publicity. Another interesting aspect is the debate that has started in the Spanish version of the blog following the previous article on this topic: bloggers’ comments, related news, etc.
On the same topic, check his link to flickr.
October 2, 2007
The following headline in Spanish paper ELPAIS on 12th September has caught my attention:
“Biofuels don’t reduce CO2 emissions. This statement opens the interview of Chemistry Nobel Prize Winner Hartmut Michel. The interview questions the suitability of biofuel. I am not an expert, so I can simply recommend the article.
These are further extracts from the interview:
“to produce biofuel, such as ethanol, it is necessary to invest much energy in the shape of fertilizers, transport, as well as on distilling the alcohol. (…)Nearly as much energy is required as that later found in the ethanol. And if you obtain that energy from fossil fuel, you end up emitting more CO2 than you would if you simply used petrol in your car.”
“Biofuels are promoting the loss of tropical jungle in Indonesia, Malaysia, some regions in Africa and Brazil. In Brazil the issue is soya: more and more soya is being cultivated in the jungle. Burning up the jungle in order to produce soya liberats an enormous amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.”