Eco-design follows emerging 'UFO trend'
(Credit:
Neues Licht)
You know, we track some wacky trends here on Crave. There are the Color-Changey Things, and the Stupid USB Devices, and of course Anthropomorphic Audio. And recently I've been spotting another one: things shaped like UFOs. There's that bug-killing gadget that flies, and a cute little saucer to manage hands-free electronic activity in cars. The latest in this emerging trend is the Neues Licht UFO Light, a German lighting concept that is shaped like something that might have appeared in an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000.
The Neues Licht UFO is made mostly out of glass fibers, and uses a small energy source that remains out of view, embedded in the ceiling. Within the hanging light itself, there's no electricity at all--and even in the source, it's kept to a minimum. The UFO's efficiency is apparently comparable to that of LEDs, another tech trend we've followed here. It's a piece of design, indeed, but Treehugger seems to indicate that these pretty and energy-efficient lighting solutions are actually available for sale. Where and for how much, however, I couldn't tell you.
Caroline McCarthy, a CNET News staff writer, is a downtown Manhattanite happily addicted to social-media tools and restaurant blogs. Her pre-CNET resume includes interning at an IT security firm and brewing cappuccinos. E-mail Caroline. 
I love the fact that there is an emerging UFO trend! Who else is going to save us from ourselves?
Speaking of that - you may want to look at my UFO art. It's my O'Hare Airport UFO Hoax.
www.ufoart.net