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Sharp’s Solar Powered Television
As part of G8 Summit in Hokkaido , Japan, Sharp will be showcasing some futuristic new technologies in the Zero Emission House. Amongst the future-forward prototypes to be shown: a 26-inch solar-powered LCD television that can be powered by a thin-film photovoltaic panel ! Sharp’s plan is to distribute the TV and solar module to areas that have no easy access to grid power. <a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/Inhabitat/energy;article=articlename;kw=content1;sz=300x250;ord=123456789?" target="_blank" ><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/Inhabitat/energy;article=articlename;kw=content1;sz=300x250;ord=123456789?"MIT's Tiny Kinetic Generator Produces 100 Times More Power from Small Vibrations
The labs at MIT are shaking things up – literally – as they just unveiled a tiny device that harvests energy from everyday, low-frequency vibrations. The breakthrough gizmo generates 100 times more power than other devices like it, and it can harvest electricity from a wide range of sources including footsteps, auto traffic , and even swaying bridges. Aimed primarily at supporting wireless sensor networks, the device could be used to create an ambient energy harvesting system right under our feet. <a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/Inhabitat/energy;article=articlename;kw=content1;sz=300x250;ord=123456789?" target="_blank" ><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/Inhabitat/energy;article=articlename;kw=content1;sz=300x250;ord=123456789?"
Engineers at UCLA have developed technology that allows energy gobbling gadgets like smartphones and laptops to convert sunlight, ambient light, and their own backlight into energy. Equipping LCD-enhanced devices with so-called polarizing organic photovoltaics will recoup battery loads of lost power, and enable smartphone users to scour Yelp, scan Twitter, and update their Facebook page without fear of draining the charge before a real communication crisis arises. <a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/Inhabitat/energy;article=articlename;kw=content1;sz=300x250;ord=123456789?" target="_blank" ><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/Inhabitat/energy;article=articlename;kw=content1;sz=300x250;ord=123456789?"
Next-Gen Electronics Charge Themselves With Energy-Harvesting LCD Screens
Inventor Steve Katsaros believes selling his solar bulbs, instead of donating them, will help more people in developing countries. Inventor Steve Katsaros created a light bulb charged by the sun He hopes it will help the 1.4 billion people who have no access to electricity Instead of donating the bulbs, he plans to sell them using social entrepreneurship Social entrepreneurship utilizes capitalist principles to assist people in the developing world Denver (CNN) -- It started with such a simple concept: A solar light bulb that charges up during the day and lights the night when the sun sets. Inventor Steve Katsaros perfected his design in June 2010, and four days later he had a patent in hand.