The Red Ferret Journal

Reminiscent of a blimp, the Dynalifter is a combination airplane and heavier-than-air airship. Requiring almost no ground infrastructure, 30 to 80 percent of the Dynalifter’s lift is provided by helium while airspeed provides the rest of the lift needed to get it off the ground. The upshot being that when the Dynalifter is still, it is heavier than air and doesn’t require the huge ground-crew of airships in the past. It also takes off and lands like a plane and only uses a third of the fuel.

Currently under construction in a hangar outside Toledo, Ohio, this fascinating throw-back to the days when airships meant romance and intrigue is designed to go where no truck has gone before. Its manufacturer, Ohio Airships, hopes it will fill the transportation gap in developing countries like Africa, almost instantly improving their standard of living. Measuring 117 feet, the prototype should be ready to take off soon if all goes as planned. Now where can I sign up for that ride?

The Dynalifter® “Roadless Trucking” system, with transport costs and speeds comparable to trucking without the need of building a sophisticated highway network, could essentially be afforded by every developing nation. Such a system could, almost overnight, improve a nation’s standard of living and rate of growth.

Tags: gadget, dynalifter, heavier+than+air+flight, roadless+trucking+system

With its solar-powered light, the Solar-Powered Garden Insect Theatre offers a sustainable insect habitat that attracts moths, lacewings and butterflies into your garden. The solar panel charges the internal battery by day, then lights up the insect theatre by night. The battery automatically turns off at daylight to recharge. The insect theatre is made from sustainably grown timber and treated with an environmentally safe wood preserving agent.

Insects get in and out of this cool habitat through holes in the side, the louvres and around the edges of the wide door, so they won’t get trapped. To encourage them to visit the insect theatre, mount it in a warm, dry and slightly shady area. Insert branches, leaves or other plant material to make it cozy. Prices start at around �29 (or $47 US).

Constructed from durable FSC Timber, the Insect Theatre features unique solar lighting with its own storage batteries that automatically light up at dusk attracting Moths, Lacewings, Butterflies and other interesting flying insects into the Theatre. The light then automatically turns off at dawn to reveal the insects inside.

Tags: gadget, solar+powered+insect+theatre, insect+theatre, eco+insect+habitat

Cold seawater will soon be pumped from the ocean’s bottom to cool more than half of downtown Honolulu. This $240 million project by Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning LLC owned by investors in Hawaii, Sweden, and Minnesota, and managed by Renewable Energy Innovations – could cut the city’s air conditioning electricity usage up to 75% while slashing carbon emissions and the use of ozone-depleting refrigerants.

A five-foot wide pipeline will run hundreds of feet below the ocean, suck up thousands of gallons of frigid water and discharge it through air-conditioning units around the city. Warmed saltwater will then be dumped back into the ocean at a level and temperature that supposedly won’t harm nearby marine life. This sounds like recycling at its best!

With plans to break ground next summer, the first 40 buildings should come online in 2012. Similar projects are already in place in Stockholm and Toronto. If this one works, this renewable energy system would then spread to nearby tourist-strong Waikiki, helping relieve stress from their power grid.

Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning, LLC, is currently developing a 25,000-ton seawater air conditioning district cooling system for downtown Honolulu. This renewable energy system is designed to cool buildings in the downtown core using deep ocean cold water. A seawater air conditioning (SWAC) system is a cost-effective and attractive “green energy” investment, and a smart way to use renewable energy for air conditioning.

Tags: honolulu+seawater+air+conditioning, sea+water+air+conditioning

The Oregon Scientific RMR802 Solar-Powered Thermometer is an ultra sleek, ultra thin, radio-controlled clock and indoor-outdoor thermometer. It can display temperatures in �C or �F, store minimum and maximum daily temperatures, and when it’s cold, the thermometer on the display will light up an LED Ice Alert if the outside temperature sensor detects that it’s reached freezing temperatures. It also has an internal battery and a solar panel for long life.

The clock and calendar automatically set by receiving a DCF or MSF radio signal from an atomic clock based in the UK or Germany. The thermometer is powered by two AAA batteries. The remote outdoor temperature sensor uses one AA. So far, this amazing gizmo is only available in the UK and Germany but perhaps they’ll ship it? �27.99 from Amazon UK .

Tags: gadget, oregon+scientific, oregon+scientific+rmr802, outdoor+thermometer

It’s amazing the creative ways people think of the 2nd R (as in Reduce, Reuse, Recycle). This spring, do-it-yourself-ers will love the new Solar Street Light Kit. No more tossing out those favorite, well-used sneakers or running shoes when you can turn them into party lights by adding solar cells and LEDs

Created by Scottish design firm Lost Values, the kit contains solar cells and LEDs and comes in two sizes – for kids or adults, with 3 or 6 lights. It also comes in white or “mood” changing colors and its weatherproof circuitry protects it from damp or harsh climates. Prices will range from �10 (US$16) to �25 (US$41). So dig into those closets for those worn treads. They’ll make a fun conversation piece next year at your summer barbeque!

Inspired by Shoefiti, this exhibition piece is now available as a DIY kit. Customize your tired trainers with these solar cells and LED’s. A great way to recycle old shoes and to brighten up your garden or street. Available in 2 sizes, for 3 or 6 lights. In plane white or Mood color changing.

Tags: gadget, eco, solar+street+light+kit, diy+party+lights

As portable chargers go, the Regen’s ReNu puts a personal solar panel into a sleek, innovative design that will make charging your electronic devices a snap. Weighing 500g (1.1 lbs), this cool 9′ x 9′ portable charger can hang on a window with a suction cup, be attached to a window frame or be placed on a table or desk with its built-in stand. In direct sunlight, ReNu’s built-in solar cells collect the sun’s energy to charge its internal lithium ion battery.

When fully charged, dock it with one of Regen’s several docking extensions (a phone charging system, a personal audio system, or a task lighting system), or use it to deliver stored energy to gadgets like mobile phones, portable navigation devices, backup batteries, and portable lights through it’s built-in USB port. Priced at $199, the ReNu will begin shipping in February 2010. Pre ordering will save $25.

The ReNu personal power generation and storage system combines light power with a whole family of ReNu personal electronics. Match a charged ReNu panel to any Regen component and the sun’s energy will power the personal electronics you use everyday.

Tags: gadget, usb, solar+power, regen+renu, renu+solar+charger

Winter means a constant battle to keep hands warm and Sanyo has just released two new Eneloop Kairo portable rechargeable hand warmers that will do the job. The single-sided Kairo KIR-SE1S comes in white or pink, while the double-sided Kairo KIR-SL2S is available in silver or pink. Use them in or outdoors. Smaller than a deck of cards, the Kairo fits easily in a purse, pocket or backpack.

The 2 versions differ in that the single sided has an internal Lithium-ion rechargeable battery for more than 3 hours of heat and can be recharged up to 500 times, while the double sided version doubles as a battery charger and runs of two AA eneloop rechargeable batteries. At $35 for the one-sided and $44.95 for the double, your hands can stay toasty this winter!

The “Kairo” rechargeable hand warmer is a portable and environmentally-responsible solution, bringing warmth comfort to everyday life. Micro-computerized control ensures safe and gentle, reliable heating to help maintain circulation and enjoyment in even the coldest environments.

Tags: gadget, eneloop, sanyo+eneloop+kairo, rechargeable+hand+warmers

With water availability becoming a growing issue, it’s nice to know there’s a simple device like the Prestige Wallmounted Waterbutt that can collect and store rain water for home use. This easily-attached, award winning compact device – made of black UV protected recycled polyethylene – stores 100 litres (22 gallons) of rain water, which is collected from a standard down-pipe.

When the water tank’s full, excess water goes out the overflow, so you don’t have to worry about it. Use the stored water to water your garden. wash your car or windows. Sediment goes to the tank’s bottom, so the water’s good for cleaning. The kit is complete with fittings, a tap and connectors for your downpipe. Available in small or large tanks, it comes with a 3 year manufacturer’s guarantee and costs �88.04 (around $146.00).

The Wallmounted Waterbutt. At last, a waterbutt that doesn’t look like a bin!
* Space Saving, Attractive, Prestige Design
* Mounts over your downpipe with built in Rain Divertor
* Cannot overflow, excess water goes back down the pipe

Tags: gadget, prestige+water+butt, water+butt, water+saver, rain+water+tank

Copenhagen, site of the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference, has introduced something unique to handle their astonishing 15,000 bicycles in their fair city – the CarGo. Though a pilot project lasting the next 6 months, this fiberglass, car-shaped shell, by Danish design firm Goodmorning Technology has cabins to store 4 cargo bikes inside and takes the space of just one traditional car parking spot.

The outer casing features solar powered lights -four headlights that light up after dark and another one inside that turns automatically on when any of the doors are opened. Mounted on the unit’s walls of each section are hooks and a net to hang up rain coats and other gear. This moveable pink parking device is a great solution for bike owners and those wanting to leave their cars at home. I wonder when US cities will see the light on this one?

“The many Copenhageners who invest in a cargo bike help make Copenhagen a more sustainable and liveable metropolis. We must, of course, take the cargo bikes into consideration when planning. And we do that by offering them some proper parking spots”.

Tags: cargo, solar+bike+shelter, cargo+bike+shelter

Snow blowers are notoriously noisy, fumey and snow shovels are hard on the back but the Sno Wovel turns all them on their ears. This amazing shovel works 3 times faster than a standard snow shovel, is environmentally clean, quiet and maintenance free. It’s seesaw action lets you throw twice as much snow into piles over 4 feet high. It’s excellent for snow conditions from slush to even heavy snow over 2 feet high. Made of heavy gauge steel and injection-molded polypropylene, with a 26-inch extra-wide blade, durable, lightweight and easy to maneuver, the Sno Wovel’s innovative folding frame, wheel and tire have a lifetime warrantee.

It’s even been verified by an independent US ergonomic research center to reduce lower back stress and cardio exertion 3 to 4 times more than conventional snow shovels. It can hang flat on the wall and stores easily. At $116.00, it’s sure to make snow removal a lot more fun!

The new Folding Frame Sno Wovel and Sno Wolf are the only snow removal devices, performing equal to or better than a snow blower, that are recognized by Co-op America and National Green Pages for its positive, pollution-free environmental standards and zero carbon footprint in usage. Univ. of Mass. independent study confirms the wheeled snow shovel clears snow with a fraction of the effort and safer on the back: “comparable to simply walking.”

Tags: gadget, wovel, sno+wovel, wheeled+snow+shovel

Technology leaps ahead of consumer thinking on this one. NIX Digital has created a motion-sensing, energy saving picture frame. The NIX X10A Energy Saving Digital Photo Frame will switch itself on when you’re within 2.5 meters of it.

Its cool features include 1GB internal memory, a high resolution 10-inch LCD screen, able to take downloads from any brand of camera, and “drag and drop” from your PC via USB cable. You can also use SD, SDHC, xD, Sony MS, USB Stick compatible memory cards to display pictures on the frame. Program the switch-off mode by setting its internal timer from 1 minute to 24 hours, or use the handy remote control (had to have one) to make switching a breeze. �89.99 from Amazon.com.

The worlds first digital photo frame with a motion detection sensor has arrived! The Motion Detection Sensor delivers two distinct benefits. First it saves energy by only powering on and off when it senses you’re nearby. Secondly it provides the highest order of convenience by switching the frame on and off without you having to so much as touch a button!

Tags: gadget, digital+photo+frame, eco+digital+photo+frame, nix+x10a, nix+digital+photo+frame

The XO2 Electric Scooter does what folks have dreamed about since we first saw the Jetsons cartoons – it folds in on itself.

Called the first “Urban Transformer” scooter, the XO2 is a series of lightweight, electrically-powered scooters with a low saddle, large backrest and are easy to use. Manufactured by French company XOR Motors, it folds into a quarter cubic meter luggage cart in seconds, small enough to drag onto a train or upstairs to the office for a recharge. Speaking of recharging, it’s a snap – just plug it into any outlet and the onboard charger does the rest. Come back in 2 hours and you’ll have 80 to 100% power.

Each of the three different XO2 models can travel at 70km (45 miles) per charge while the sportiest XO2 125 Urban has a top speed of 105km/h. They can carry two people, are equipped with hydraulic brakes, halogen headlights, a removable and swappable battery and a 3 year warranty that also covers the batteries. [Via Designboom]

XO2 is the first URBAN TRANSFORMER scooter – With its clean (electric) and powerful propulsion, its light weight, its blistering accelerations, its large flat deck, its low centre of gravity, its lowered saddle, its tight turning radius, its exceptional ease of use, the XO2 scooter is ideal for city commuting.

Tags: gadget, xo2+urban+transformer, xo2+electric+scooter, folding+electric+scooter