innovation
A team of French and Norwegian researchers have developed an environmentally friendly, low-cost way to protect Arctic regions from coastal erosion and rising seas: so-called geosynthetic bags made of woven polymers and filled with whatever local, low-grade soil is available. Geosynthetic bags have been successfully used for more than 40
innovation
Across Africa, innovative thinkers are coming up with unique, frequently low-tech solutions to high-tech challenges such as energy, communications and transport. The Guardian even has a name for it: bushpunk (as opposed to steampunk). Bits and bobs wind power Take, for example, the “boy who harnessed the wind”: William Kamkwamba
innovation
This year’s crop of designs shortlisted for the James Dyson Award feature a wide range of innovations from the UK and other countries, including a bicycle that folds into its own wheel, an automatic wheel that operates without electricity and a cooling system that uses just a fraction of
innovation
We’re still trying to wrap our heads around this innovative design from astronaut Donald H. Pettit: it’s for a unique coffee mug that would presumably allow space travellers to still enjoy a hot cuppa in zero gravity. As described on the design site Tuvie, the on-orbit coffee cup
innovation
The EU this week announced the winners of its 2009 RegioStars Awards for innovative projects focused on climate change and economic modernisation. The awards were established to “identify good practices in regional development and to highlight original and innovative projects which could be attractive and inspiring to other regions.” This
innovation
The Clean Tech Open competition, formerly taking entries only from California, is expanding its reach this year by seeking contestants from across the US. Now in its fourth year, the Clean Tech Open identifies promising green startups and helps them raise funds to begin operations. Over the past year years,
green business strategies
Why re-invent the wheel when the wheel-maker up the road will let you borrow his plans for free? Why, indeed? That’s the same logic that’s led the Washington, DC-based Environmental Defense Fund to roll out a new online resource for companies seeking money-saving and eco-friendly strategies. Dubbed the