green-tech

Possible smog solution: Air-powered motorcycle

Monday, we told you about a breakthrough in robotics that allows killer machines to be powered by compressed air. Now we've got this amazing video of a motorcycle that uses the same power source. The so-called Air Bike was created by engineering students in India as a prototype for a solution to the country's prevalent smog problem.

Sure, it only goes 11 mph now, but as a proof-of-concept vehicle it's pretty cool. I could imagine a smaller vehicle (bike? moped?) with the same gear that could go much faster as a final product, if it gets that … Read more

Things to make you happy: Google employs goats

The economy is still in shambles, we're all panicking about the bacon fever, and even those bright and shiny "green" initiatives might not be so green. Sad!

But did you know that Google is conserving energy by cutting its Mountain View, Calif., lawns with adorable goats?

Yes, it's true. The company has enlisted an innovative start-up called California Grazing to bring some of the Google greenery a more carbon-friendly, less polluting alternative to lawn mowers. It sounds like the use of goats is confined to peripheral fields where weeds and brush could cause wildfires, so it'… Read more

Digital City Ep. 29: When Dan's away, the children will play

While Dan is out on vacation, Joseph and I enlist Senior Editor Joshua Goldman to fill his spot. We discuss gadgets in the home, social media and the loss of the tangible, writing a novel on a smartphone, and CNET Labs' power consumption testing.

WARNING: This was my first attempt at working the sound board, using the software, and editing the podcast, so be forgiving. We tried...

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Episode 29

Monitors get the green treatment

Earth Day brings with it many things: temporary environmental consciousness, plenty of green and white design motifs, and sometimes a new green-focused section of a Web site.

This year, the Web site in question is ours. Today CNET launches its new Green Electronics Guide. There you can check out our top green products, from cars to desktops, as well as power efficiency guides on laptops, desktops, TVs, and monitors.

In the monitor guide you'll see the power efficiency of 21 different monitors compared, and you'll discover ways to cut down on your current power consumption. Today also marks … Read more

CNET News Daily Podcast: What new funding means for green innovation

In his final podcast for CNET News, the incomparable Charles Cooper talks with reporter Martin LaMonica about how funding from the U.S. Department of Energy will affect innovation and business in the green-tech sector.

Also in this podcast: Congress will investigate whether peer-to-peer Web sites lead to inadvertent sharing; study shows that file-swappers buy 10 times as much legal music as those who never use P2P sites; iPhone OS 3.0 may include voice control; and more of today's top stories.

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Today's stories:

Green technologies to watch

Congress to probe P2P sites over 'inadvertent sharing'… Read more

World's quickest street-legal e-car--a 1972 Datsun?

We've given a lot of pixels to electric cars recently, especially the hot Tesla Roadster. But there's one electric car that can dust the Tesla and all the others off the line. It's a 1972 Datsun.

Meet the White Zombie from Plasma Boy Racing. John Wayland of Portland, Ore., made the unassuming small car in his garage as a project, and now the custom-made electric powerhouse is taking the drag strips by storm. In the video above, it toasts a bad-ass-looking Corvette, much to the 'vette owner's chagrin.

We're not sure how practical a car … Read more

A123Systems receives $69 million from GE, others

Lithium ion battery company A123Systems has received a $69 million investment round from General Electric and others, the company announced Monday.

With its latest funding, A123Systems plans to expand its facilities in Massachusetts and Michigan, as well as build new facilities in Michigan. A portion of the proceeds will also be used to develop applications for the smart grid, such as utility-scale storage. The company has its headquarters in Watertown, Mass.

GE invested $15 million toward this latest round, bringing its total investment stake to 10 percent in the company. A123Systems also announced GE will receive a seat on its … Read more

Green news harvest: Big Oil's lip service on clean energy

A sampling of green-tech news with quick commentary.

Oil Companies Reluctant to Follow Obama's Green Lead - The New York TimesDespite the advertising, oil and gas companies see renewable energy as a side business that will take decades to displace fossil fuels in a significant way. Energy Secretary Chu: 'Agnostic' on Pickens Plan - The Wall Street JournalChu favors fuel efficiency and biofuels over using natural gas as transportation fuel. One reason is that natural gas will be used more for electricity and heating. Rise of the Itty-Bitty Car: How Green Are the New Uber Compacts? - Earth2Tech… Read more

NBA players to pimp their Priuses?

He hasn't twittered it yet, but I am suddenly full of belief that Shaquille O'Neal is about to buy a Smart car.

What has driven me to this "yes, we can" moment? Why, the first-ever NBA Green Week.

Launched Thursday, this is the NBA's attempt to reduce its carbon footprint (size 45).

It's a footprint that is characterized by large, pimped-out SUVs, vast, flashing scoreboards, long flights in 757s to New York and Los Angeles, and, especially, the infinite noxious detritus from its Pistons--exemplified by the fumes regularly emitted by power forward (and technical … Read more

Emerging technologies need regulatory reform, experts say

WASHINGTON--To start a green revolution, "change your leaders, not your light bulbs," the New York Times' columnist Tom Friedman said Monday.

If the United States wants to lead the next technological revolutions, Friedman and others said at the Freedom to Connect conference here, the right leaders are needed to establish the proper incentives, along with smart regulations.

"Elect the right people--there's really no substitute for that," said Chris Savage, an attorney for Davis Wright Tremaine who specializes in Internet and telecommunications. "If that doesn't happen, you're hosed. That said, it is going … Read more