A revolutionary new product from organic light emitting diode (OLED) technology company, LOMOX, based in St Asaph, North Wales, could replace the light bulb. OLEDs provide a low energy light source that can be used as part of flat panel displays and provide low energy lighting solutions, and LOMOX’s latest innovation could revolutionise interior lighting, integrating OLEDs into wallpaper.
The Green Village News for the ‘Science and Technology’ Category
Light Emitting Wallpaper Could Help Cut Carbon Emissions
Monday, January 11th, 2010Solar Tiles Could Eclipse Photovoltaic Solar Panels
Tuesday, September 29th, 2009
The familiar conventional solar panel that springs to mind when someone mentions solar power could be replaced by the new trend of integrating solar technology into buildings. The increasing popularity for building integrated photovoltaics is aided by the advances in microgeneration technology including solar roof tiles, shingles and even special sheeting that can be incorporated into other building materials which is coated in layers of atomised photovoltaic material.
Photovoltaics have been developed and improved over many years and are available for many uses including power supplies to charge leisure batteries for caravans, boats and motorhomes as well as for conventional use on domestic and industrial roofs. As the search for more sustainable sources of energy generation are sought to help ease the problems of peak oil and decreasing sources of energy generation such as fossil fuels, microgeneration from renewable energy sources such as wind power, geothermal energy and solar energy could be a crucial step to prevent blackouts and energy shortages for future generations.
Peugeot and Mitsubishi Join Forces In Building European Electric Car
Saturday, September 5th, 2009
The electric car market is due to get another boost following an agreement between Japanese car manufacturer Mitsubishi, and French owned Peugeot. The new electric car, which will be based on the i-MieV built by Mitsubishi, will be sold to the European market and will be available under both Peugeot and Citroen brands.
The agreement, signed yesterday (4th September) in Paris by the CEO of Mitsubishi, Osamu Masuko, and the CEO of PSA Peugeot Citroen, Philippe Varin, is a significant step in demonstrating their partnership concerning the development of electric vehicles. The new electric car will add to the current portfolio of lower emission vehicles offered by Peugeot/Citroen, which will be further added to when their new hybrid diesel models are released in 2011.
DECC Appoint David MacKay As Chief Scientific Adviser
Friday, September 4th, 2009
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has appointed David MacKay as chief scientific advisor. The Cambridge university physics professor was chosen by Ed Miliband to advise on matters relating to the Government’s low carbon transition plan.
David MacKay is the author of the straight-talking and critically acclaimed “Sustainable Energy – without the hot air“. The first run of copies published sold out in a matter of weeks and when the book hit the bestsellers list on Amazon, the publisher was struggling to keep up with demand.
Centre For Alternative Technology Introduce UK’s First Micro Grid
Thursday, September 3rd, 2009
The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT), based in Machynlleth, in Wales has pioneered a new way of delivering energy to local communities via the UK’s first micro-grid.
CAT has been working towards solutions for sustainability for the past 35 years and this micro-grid technology is the latest of their developments. The mirco-grid draws its power from renewable energy sources as they are available (i.e when the wind is blowing or the sun shining) or from the national grid when they are not.
Incandescent Light Bulb Ban Begins 1st September
Wednesday, August 26th, 2009
The EU ban agreed to in December last year which will put an end to the sale of 100 watt and frosted incandescent light bulbs comes into place on 1st September 2009. The ban will help reduce carbon emissions, as energy efficient CFL (Compact Florescent Lamp) bulbs use less energy than the familiar incandescent bulbs, and also last up to 7 years, therefore significantly reducing the number of bulbs people need to buy.
Energy efficient light bulbs have become much cheaper to buy over the past couple of years, and advances in technology have meant they are now available in many different sizes and shapes, with both bayonet and screw fittings, and are even available to work with dimmer switches. There is some criticism however regarding the newer types of CFLs that they do cost more, however the Energy Saving Trust estimates that each energy efficient light bulb used can save between £3 and £6 on your electricity bill each year.
Homeopathic Remedies Could Cure Swine Flu
Saturday, August 15th, 2009
Homeopathic doctors in Mexico City have discovered that homeopathy can be used to successfully treat and cure swine flu. The pandemic outbreak of the disease that is sweeping the globe, with over 215,000 cases reported and 1,735 people who have died after being infected with the disease.
Although a vaccination programme has been announced in the UK yesterday (Thursday) that will be rolled out from October to vaccinate 13 million people who are most at risk in the first stage of the plan, some people are sceptical about how effective immunisation will be. In America, one of the three strains of swine flu that people are contracting is resistant to the drug of choice being used to treat the disease, Tamiflu.
Zero Emission Nissan ‘Leaf’ Electric Car Revealed
Monday, August 3rd, 2009
Car manufacturers Nissan have announced their new 100% electric car, the Leaf, will be rolled out in car showrooms by the end of next year. The zero carbon vehicle would not only have a greater range than other electric cars on the market but would also have a top speed of 90 miles per hour and will be available in Japan, the US, Europe and the UK.
The new electric car will sit in the £10-15k price bracket and will be the first mass-produced electric car on the market. In contrast to other electric cars, however, it will be looking to fill a gap in the family car market appealing to those wanting to reduce their family’s carbon footprint, as a 5 door hatchback with no carbon emissions. The green machine also boasts a 100 mile range between charges compared to the top figure of 70 miles for the city favourite, G-Wiz.
Defra Launches Eco-Design Consulation To Safeguard Energy Standards
Saturday, June 13th, 2009A new consultation announced today by Government agency, Defra, aims to canvass 213 companies including supermarkets such as Waitrose, Tesco and Asda, energy companies E-on, Npower and British Gas and a range of environmental charities and organisation such as Forum for the Future and WWF.
The consultation process is open until 4th September and invites companies to give their views on proposals for the introduction of a market surveillance body and how minimum energy standards and energy labelling of products available on the high street can be implemented, including the powers an enforcement body should have and the role that businesses would play in testing and enforcing these standards. Businesses are also being asked to provide feedback on draft proposals for 5 key areas responsible for energy use; standby functions on products, external power supplies for products, simpler set top boxes and two areas of lighting – tertiary and household.
New Zealand High Court Declares GM Animal Applications Invalid
Sunday, June 7th, 2009Applications submitted to ERMA (New Zealand’s Environmental Risk Management Authority) from AgResearch, New Zealand’s largest Crown Research Institute, have been declared invalid by the High Court following an appeal from GE Free NZ.
Four applications from Agresearch were seeking approval to carry out genetic modification on food animals, as part of their ‘Transgenic Livestock Programme’, research the AgResearch believes will make a significant contribution to generating sustainable wealth within the biotechnology and pastoral sectors in New Zealand. GE Free NZ, however, are relieved at the High Court verdict from Justice Clifford, which will prevent the research from taking place.
