Posts - Category: Green Tech

Hitch a ride through Google's cloud

Martin LaMonica — Tue, 15 May 2012 03:00:00 PDT

Google animation shows what happens when Gmail users press send. Behind the scenes are secured and energy-efficient data centers designed to optimize server usage and end-user performance.

Originally posted at News - Cutting Edge

Step on it: Virus could lead to motion-powered gadgets

Martin LaMonica — Mon, 14 May 2012 07:44:00 PDT

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory designs a benign virus that builds up electric charge, a new approach to motion-powered personal electronics and energy harvesting.

Originally posted at News - Cutting Edge

Got a deck? Solar panels now a plug-in appliance

Martin LaMonica — Sat, 12 May 2012 00:00:00 PDT

A do-it-yourself kit for installing a handful of solar panels lets people dip their toes into grid-tied solar power.

Originally posted at News - Cutting Edge

Get smart: Charge your phone while walking in this shoe

Tim Hornyak — Fri, 11 May 2012 13:38:20 PDT

Anthony Mutua's modified Nike sneaker can recharge your phone as you walk. Just don't expect more air in your jumps.

Originally posted at Crave

Picture brightens on auto-tinting smart windows

Martin LaMonica — Fri, 11 May 2012 07:38:10 PDT

Big building companies back smart-glass startups Soladigm and Sage Electrochromics to get auto-tinting glass out of the labs and into buildings.

Originally posted at News - Cutting Edge

Toshiba, Bridgelux bet on silicon to slash LED lighting prices

Martin LaMonica — Thu, 10 May 2012 13:00:00 PDT

Consumer LED bulbs that now cost $40 could be cut to $5 within a few years if silicon-based LED manufacturing technology scales, says Bridgelux.

Originally posted at News - Cutting Edge

The 'Internet of Things' gets new digs

Eric Mack — Thu, 10 May 2012 12:35:14 PDT

Super data hub Pachube has a new, easier-to-pronounce name and a new focus on social collaboration.

Originally posted at Crave

Microsoft gets earth-friendly, goes carbon neutral

Dara Kerr — Wed, 09 May 2012 19:31:31 PDT

The software giant pledges to be carbon neutral company-wide by this summer. All of its data centers, software development labs, air travel, and office buildings are scheduled to go green.

Originally posted at News - Cutting Edge

Fisker Karma involved in house fire but battery not cause

Martin LaMonica — Wed, 09 May 2012 09:22:39 PDT

Bad karma for a Fisker Automotive electric vehicle destroyed in a house fire. Fire investigator says the Karma was the origin, but the cause is unknown, according to Autoweek.

Originally posted at News - Cutting Edge

Two weeks of smartphone charging in your pocket

Martin LaMonica — Tue, 08 May 2012 07:01:06 PDT

Brookstone will carry a portable fuel cell USB charger from Lilliputian Systems able to deliver extended hours of charge time for smartphones and other electronics.

Originally posted at News - Cutting Edge