Eco Gadgets

WashUP Washer and Toilet Combined

by

Yes, you are reading this headline correctly. Someone actually invented a washing machine that works in conjunction with a toilet.

Yeah, I know it sounds pretty gross, but listen to what the WashUP actually does. The washing machine is stationed above the toilet in order to recycle the washer water into the toilet.

The concept is based on a simple premise: why use fresh water to go to the bathroom in? The WashUP puts in soapy water from the washing machine that would have otherwise have gone down the drain and puts it to good use. Now you can go in part-clean, part dirty water and send it, well, down the drain.

The washer is also built high so you don’t need to crouch down to put your clothes in. Now that’s something that is an improvement. The only thing that doesn’t seem to be well thought out on this WashUP is where do you dry your clothes? I mean, if the washer is now in the bathroom above the toilet, where is the dryer going to go, in the shower?

Read more

Put those grocery bags to use with this strange chair

by

One thing I hate when getting back from the grocery store is that I’m left with half a dozen plastic bags. I know that they have other uses, so I have a small stash of them, however, most get tossed in the trash. My wife has been considering picking up some reusable bags because they are more environmentally-friendly. I’m inclined to agree with her. However, another solution would be to get a Grocery Bag Chair.

Read more

Benkatine Turbine Makes Energy While You Flush

by

Benkatine Turbine

Sometimes I have to wonder if there is a limit to eco-friendly gadgets that try to save as much energy as possible. For example, the Benkatine Turbine: a device from Leviathan Energy that allows you to generate electricity when you flush the toilet.

The device works using the principles of hydroelectric power. In other words, water flows in (or, in the case of flushing, out) a turbine fan spins, and power is generated. Not only can the Benkatine Turbine generate power from the indoor plumbing, but it can be used outside to generate power from gutter drainage.

Read more

Water Powered Calculator

by

Water Powered Calculator

I don’t know if anyone carries a pocket calculator anymore (most cell phones should have one, really), but they were all the rage back in the eighties when they figured out how to make them smaller and cheaper. Most of them became solar at that point, but there was nothing like the Water Powered Calculator.

As its name suggests, the Water Powered Calculator uses water or any other type of electrolytic liquid for power. I am assuming that Gatorade would probably work just as well. Anyway, the liquid creates a chemical reaction in the fuel cell with a zinc anode and cathode. This somehow makes an electrical current that is good for a month’s worth of power.

So the next time you are taking a math test, and your calculator runs out, you don’t have to replace the battery. All you need to do is make a trip to the water fountain.

Read more

Utilize the power of the sun for extra talk time

by

Solar Cell Phone Charger

These days people seem to be taking more notice of the amount of energy their gadgets use. I’m not talking about how long their batteries last, but rather they are being more conscious about their impact on the environment. The easiest “green” power source that can be incorporated into many gadgets is from our sun. I’ve seen few practical solar designs for recharging phones, however, this latest product from Strap-Ya may be something worth looking into.

Read more

Bicycle Powered Mobile Phone Center

by

Talk about going green with the Bicycle Powered Mobile Phone Center. This transporting phone center does not need any AC power in order to juice up exhausted batteries, and the best part is the battery can also be charged whilst the unit is stationary. Here’s an excerpt on how it works. The one essential thing … Read more

Aptera Super-MPG Electric Typ-1 gets 300 MPG

by

Aptera

Normally, I do not report on cars on this site. However, this one really got my attention. The Aptera Super-MPG Electric Typ-1 is quite a cool little number with its ability to achieve 300 miles to the gallon.

That’s right, you heard me, 300 miles to the gallon. It must have something to do with its 3 wheels or something. There are two innovative models that are already pretty much production ready, and could be open as early as next year!

Read more

Leftover lunch used as fuel

by

What do you normally do with your leftover food? The Japanese don’t waste anything as they have recently developed a way to use leftover school lunches to create energy – approximately 200 kilograms of collected waste from half a dozen local schools are used to create biofuels, and the ethanol collected will then be used … Read more

Solar charger saves the planet, one battery at a time

by

It’s become almost trendy to be green these days. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, in fact there is little to complain about when it comes to saving the environment. I have to admit that I don’t go as far out of my way as some people to use alternative fuels and conserve energy. Though I did switch all of my monitors out to LCD screens, which we all know use far less power than the old CRTs. I also use rechargeable batteries, rather than throwing out AAs every month or two. If you’re concerned about the energy that’s required to recharge those batteries, then you might look into this solar battery charger.

Read more

Wind Up Phone Charger Keeps You Connected

by

windupcharger.jpgWe’ve all had it happen to us. You’re out running errands and the battery in your Motorola RIZR dies. You’re at work with no charger and your Nokia N95 is chirping its low battery alert pathetically. You swear to the deity of your choice when you just can’t find the right charger for your Samsung M300. Or the worst of them all, you’re in a power outage and need to charge your cell phone.

The folks over at the Gadgetshop offers up the Wind Up Phone Charger. It is a great gadget that will provide power to your cell phone after a few minutes of turning the fishing reel-like hand crank. After those few minutes, you will have 25-30 minutes of charge restored to your cell phone.

Read more