One Piece Discoveries » Environment

Nissan Solar Station for Electric Vehicles

M.H.M — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 16:57:28 +0000

At the CEATEC Japan 2010 trade show now being held in Chiba (Oct 5-9), Nissan is exhibiting a futuristic model of a solar-powered wireless charging station for electric vehicles. The envisioned tree-shaped charging station — called the “Solar Tree” — stands 12 meters (39 ft) tall and has three translucent round solar panels that follow the sun across the sky. With an expected conversion efficiency of 30%, the three solar panels together can generate 20 kilowatts of power. At the base of each tree is a clover leaf-shaped wireless charging pad that can recharge batteries from a short distance, without the use of cables or plugs.

Solar Tree will only available in 2030

As part of the exhibition, Nissan showed off the latest version of its EPORO robot car, which has been outfitted with a wireless power system. In addition to recharging itself under a Solar Tree, the robot can also repower itself on the go by receiving electrical energy via charging lanes on the road.

EPORO robot recharging under a Solar Tree

Solar Trees can be used individually as small-scale charging stations in urban areas, or they can be grouped into forests to produce energy on the scale of power plants. According to Nissan’s design, a forest of 1,000 Solar Trees will be able to provide electricity for 7,000 households.

In addition to providing power, Solar Trees can provide some relief from the heat in summer. The translucent solar panels offer protection from UV light, while fine mist emitted from the edges of the panels works to reduce the temperature in the immediate vicinity.

Source: Pink Tentacle

Amazing Blue ‘River’ Arts in Holland

M.H.M — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 03:27:25 +0000

The art of ‘Blue River – Water is Life’ has been made by a Dutch artist named Henk Hofstra in Drachten, Holland. The arts have been expressed and produced creatively on one kilometer or 1000 meters road. In the midst of blue color is also painted the words “Water is Life” with height 8 meter. Blue is a symbolic way to show the history of the Drachten which is in the past covered with water ways. This is not just a gift to the environment, but also an inspiration to the people of the city Drachten.

Apart from road painted in blue, some other creative works of art designs such as the sunken car also made and exhibited. This project has been using 4000 liters of paint and has a cost of Eu75000. Half of this cost was borne by the district council.

Images Resource: Melayu Kini via Nuffy

How to Reduce Ammonia Pollution in Environment

M.H.M — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:01:04 +0000

More amazing research findings are being made in research centers of the Malaysia’s local universities. The PECIPTA 09 exhibition, which has been held from 8-10 October 2009, uncovers these new findings, which contribute towards a more progressive society. Among many wonderful research presented, one of them is a submission from University Putra Malaysia’s Dr Osumanu Haruna Ahmed on “Sustainable Technology for Reduction of Ammonia Pollution in the Environment” reports simple techniques of isolating folic acid (FA) and holmic acid (HA) from decomposed organic materials and the ability of these organic acids to control ammonia loss from urea.

FA and HA can be isolated in seven hours instead of up to a week. FA reduced ammonia loss by 50% compared with urea alone. It also caused the highest retention of ammonium and nitrate. For more details on PECIPTA 09, please visit PECIPTA 2009.