Many optical technologies such as camera lenses, solar cells and light emitting diodes depend in part on light being efficiently transmitted through a medium. Reflections are are a waste of that precious light.

Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), in Troy, NY, and semiconductor maker Crystal IS, in Green Island, NY, have developed a new type of nanostructured coating that can virtually eliminate reflections, potentially leading to dramatic improvements in optical devices.

The researchers showed that they can prevent almost all reflection by "growing" nanoscale rods projected at specific angles from a surface. The material stops reflections from nearly all the colors of the visible spectrum, as well as some infrared light. As a result the total reflection is 10 times less than it is with current coatings.

Applied to a solar cell, the new coating would increase the efficiency by a few percentage points. LEDs, already one of the most efficient ways to produce light, could also become much more efficient. A remarkable 40 percent improvement could be seen in LEDs, where a large amount of light generated by a semiconductor is typically trapped inside the device by reflections.

Via: Technology Review

Researchers at MIT led by Prof. Marin Soljacic have accomplished what Nikola Tesla envisioned over a century ago – the efficient wireless transmission of electricity. Dubbed ‘WiTricity’ (for Wireless Elecricity) by its inventors, it is the first wireless transmission of power to improve on the efficiency of radiant electromagnetic devices, which send energy indiscriminately in every direction, while not requiring direct line-of-sight like lasers.

WiTricity works on the principle of magnetic coupled resonance. The MIT team built matching copper coils to precise specifications, so that when power was applied to one coil, it produces a magnetic frequency – in the MHz range, since you wanted to know – which causes the other coil to vibrate up to 7ft (over 2 meters) away. Meanwhile, other elctromagnetic fields, such as those surrounding computers, cell phones, and human beings, remain largely unaffected.

The scientists were able to light up a 60-watt bulb that had "no physical connection" with the power-generating appliance. "It was quite exciting," Soljacic said. The process is "very reproducible," he added. "We can just go to the lab and do it whenever we want."

Aside from the implications in clutter management (who wouldn’t want to get rid of that tangle of wires behind the desk? Ugh!) there’s a green component, too – imagine a world without the need for batteries and their weight, inefficiency, short life span and toxic chemicals. Current battery technologies are around 80-90% efficient at best, losing energy through heat and self-discharge; WiTricity is currently capable of about half that, but for a proof of concept that’s pretty darn good. The group envisions a product which could supplant batteries in cell phones, Roombas, laptops, and other household items which require frequent charging.

via Linux Insider and MIT News Office

Dell just decided that they’re the best and no one’s gonna mess with them. So Apple can announce it’s getting greener and HP might have more efficient PCs, but Dell is the leader, or will be, ’cause they say so.

Dell really has been doing some marvelous stuff in the last year. They’re allowing customers to offset the lifetime carbon of their PCs (and even themselves) and they have developed an excellent recycling strategy and efficient desktop and laptop designs.

But it’s not enough, Dell is asking all it’s users to take the environment section of Idea Storm by storm. Idea Storm is basically Dell’s suggestion box, and while news there has mostly swirled around Linux since it’s creation, the environment is likely a more important issue to Dell customers.

So go check out IdeaStorm’s Environment section. I’ve just submitted an idea myself, asking Dell to create a Long Life Laptop, that will function well for five to ten years, instead of the average three.

About a month ago, I went searching for an energy efficient desk lamp, but came away a little disappointed. Although I ended up settling for a halogen lamp, the LED-powered Z-Bar would have been a beautiful alternative. Winner of the 2006 I.D. Annual Design Review "Best of Category" award, the Z-Bar uses 66 LEDs, producing 112 lumens with only 9.6 watts. The lamp makes up for a lack of bright light by concentrating the light from the LEDs in a 50 degree view angle, rather than 360 degrees like typical incandescents.

At a cost of $129, the lamp is really targeted for those into cool design, but cheap copycats are bound to come out sooner or later right? If you want one, head over to Koncept where they have a mini and floor lamp versions also for sale.

Inhabitat

Several hundred people were captivated as The Paul Green School of Rock performed on stage at Reed Brothers Dodge dealership in Rockville, Maryland (MD).

Distribution Source : ArriveNet

Date : Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Rockville, Maryland — (ArriveNet – Jun 06, 2007) — AWESOME!!! That’s the only way to describe the energy The Paul Green School of Rock brought to the stage at Reed Brothers Dodge in Rockville, Maryland (MD). These kids are one of those bands that turns out such an inspiring concert, all you want to do is go home and rock.

We couldn’t have asked for more beautiful weather or a more fun weekend to celebrate Reed Brothers Dodges’ Annual 81 Hour Memorial Weekend Summer Kickoff. It was a great success with lively music from The Paul Green “School of Rock” keeping everyone on their toes and delicious barbeque courtesy of Reed Brothers Dodge feeding all the hungry visitors.

The school’s manifesto today identifies The Paul Green School of Rock Music as the “nation’s premier performance-based rock music program”. They accept students from ages 7-18 and turn them into genuine rock stars. Their goals are to help their students realize their potential as musicians, to put them on stage in front of as many people as possible, and to help foster a new generation of incredible musicians.
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As in any musical group, there were standouts: the fluent guitar solos of Justin Robb and Sean Simmons; the rock-solid playing of bassist Hunter Palmer; the clear, tuneful vocals of Mary Jordan Nogay and Camelia Pascual. The switch-hitting award goes to Nate Sweeney, who executed excellent drumming. The band really knows how to rock, and put on a great show, and that’s what it’s all about.

A good selection of new and pre-owned Dodge vehicles are on display at Reed Brothers Dodge, the premier Dodge Dealer in Rockville, Maryland (MD). Look for the various models of Dodge vehicles like the Dodge Avenger, Magnum, Caravan, Grand Caravan, Caliber, Charger and Viper. Trucks such as Dakota, Ram 1500 Ram 2500, Ram 3500, Ram 3500 Chassis Cab and SUV’s such as Durango and Nitro in the New Vehicles category are on their website at www.reedbrothersdodge.com.

Reed Brothers Dodge has service appointments, easy financing options and after sales service for Dodge vehicles. Reed Brothers Dodge, the premier Dodge Dealer in Rockville, Maryland (MD) enables you to purchase original Mopar parts and accessories for any model of Dodge vehicle.

So how does it feel like going 365 km/h or 227 mph on the German Autobahn with a 1001 Hp Bugatti Veyron? According to Autocar’s Chris Harris who points out more times than our ears can handle; i-n-c-r-e-d-i-b-l-e. Can’t say that we share the same enthusiasm with the old chap –even my century year old grandma’s aunt could probably manage to push the pedal to the metal in the autobahn. Still though, the video might be worth a few minutes of your time. Via: Autoblog.nl

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