Innovation | greenUPGRADER

New AT&T Cell Phone Charger Eliminates Vampire Power

by Becky Striepe on March 19th, 2010

Even after we unplug our phones and other small electronics, the charger still takes a bit of power from the wall as long as it’s plugged in. The phenomenon is called vampire power, and it’s responsible for billions of dollars per year in wasted energy. In fact, if we cut out vampire power all together, we could save enough energy to shut down 26 coal-fired plants. For smaller devices, AT&T is close to releasing a solution for fighting that energy suck.

Read the full story

Posted in Gear+Gadgets, Innovation 2 Comments

Productive Pacifism: Upcycling Guns into Jewelry

by Beth Buczynski on March 18th, 2010

In many cities around America, and around the world, violence and crime are realities that even the smallest citizens must live with. For those that believe there are more peaceful ways to settle differences and earn a living, the weapons themselves have become the targets, as people come up with creative ways to remove guns, and the careless philosophies they support from the streets altogether.

Read the full story

Posted in Art, Clothes+Accessories 0 Comments

Plant Based Plastics that can be Recycled Over and Over

by Becky Striepe on March 16th, 2010

Bioplastics have their problems, but scientists working with IBM and Stanford University may just have the answer. They've developed a plant-based plastic that holds up to recycling and could have a ton of practical applications from medical to automotive.

Read the full story

Posted in Concept+Design, Innovation 1 Comment

Postcarden: From Greeting Card to Edible Garden

by Becky Striepe on March 10th, 2010

Oh, greeting cards! You make us feel so torn. Yes, conventional greeting cards have a super-short lifespan, but there’s something about getting a card in the mail for special occasions.

Read the full story

Posted in Concept+Design, Innovation 2 Comments

How Biomass Briquettes Could Save the Endangered Mountain Gorilla

by Tim Hurst on March 5th, 2010

The simple solution of biomass briquettes made in the Congo, and in places as far away as Boulder, Colorado, could be the saving grace for local people and mountain gorillas.

Read the full story

Posted in Innovation, video 1 Comment

Repurposed Pallet Adirondack Chair

by Becky Striepe on March 4th, 2010

What do you get when you try to solve a neighborhood problem from an industrial design perspective? Designer Shelton Davis did just that and came up with an amazing repurposed chair built from pallet wood that otherwise would have headed for the landfill.

Read the full story

Posted in Concept+Design, DIY, Innovation 7 Comments

Compostable Plastic that You Can… Compost!

by Becky Striepe on February 25th, 2010

Researchers at the Imperial College of London are about to change the bioplastics game, developing a truly compostable cup.

Read the full story

Posted in Concept+Design, Innovation 3 Comments

Fighting Energy Vampires with ‘Leeches’

by Becky Striepe on February 19th, 2010

There are all manner of fancy gadgets out there to help folks reduce their vampire power consumption, but the simplest solution for plug-in chargers is to just unplug them from the wall -- but even that can be a bit of a pain.

Read the full story

Posted in Concept+Design, Innovation 1 Comment

Device Draws Energy from Inside Lights to Charge USB Gadgets

by Tim Hurst on February 11th, 2010

What if you could charge your gadgets with the ambient electrical energy in your apartment or office? Enter the IllumiCharger, a light-powered USB wall outlet.

Read the full story

Posted in Concept+Design, Gear+Gadgets 3 Comments