Creating Electricity With Bicycle Power
January 26, 2012 by Angela Shupe | Inventions
Bicycles has been used to wash laundry, power the TV, and as an alternative form of transportation. A man in Seoul has now made it his main source of electricity, but creating a bicycle generator for his own home.
[Interview : Moon Jang-man, Inventor ] “The generator is attached to the bicycle so that electricity is created when you push the pedals.”
Three years ago, Moon Jang-man was working out of the back of a truck. He needed a way to use electricity without the high cost.
That’s how the bicycle generator was born. It can even be used to charge cell phones.
[Interview : Moon Jang-man, Inventor ] “This can be very useful in mountainous areas or in countries without electricity. With just this one generator, you can provide an entire village with light.”
The battery for the generator is made out of an old washing machine motor.
Even at home, Moon Jang-man continues to save electricity when he can. Riding the bicycle generator for two hours creates 73 kWh a year. His wife helps him with his endeavors.
[Interview : Jo Myeong-hui, Wife of Moon Jang-man] “I can work out while watching my favorite show. Then when my show ends, I can stop pedaling and the electricity will shut off automatically. We can save energy and get exercise at the same time. It’s wonderful.”
Photo by ilker ender
1 Comment
Tags: Eco-friendly, electricity
UK Inventors Need More Support
January 26, 2012 by Angela Shupe | News
Trevor Baylis has seen success with his inventions like the wind-up radio, but he cannot help but wonder why the government isn’t doing more to help inventors get going. So, he is doing something about it.
He set up Baylis Brands to help inventors to patent their ideas and get them to market, and he says he has helped about 8,000 people on this tricky road.
“I’m more interested now in helping other inventors, although I do come up with other ideas every now and then.
“In the old days, if you said you were an inventor, people used to look at you in a peculiar way. That has to stop. We’re all inventors.
So what if it’s crazy? You’ve got to have the guts to go for it.
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Tags: Inventors, UK
You Can Download Real Physical Objects
January 25, 2012 by Dane Carlson | Inventions
The Pirate Bay has launched a new category called Physibles.
They explain:
Data objects that are able (and feasible) to become physical. We believe that things like three dimensional printers, scanners and such are just the first step. We believe that in the nearby future you will print your spare sparts for your vehicles. You will download your sneakers within 20 years.
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Tags: 3d printing, pirate bay
Anachronistic Swiss Village for Alzheimer’s Patients
January 25, 2012 by Dane Carlson | Ideas
The Independent:
Its detractors may end up dubbing it “Dementiaville”, but Switzerland is brushing aside a debate raging among geriatric-care experts with plans to build a mock-1950s village catering exclusively for elderly sufferers of Alzheimer’s and other debilitating mental illnesses.
The newly approved 20 million EUR housing project is to be built next to the Swiss village of Wiedlisbach near Bern and will provide sheltered accommodation and care for 150 elderly dementia patients in 23 purpose-built 1950s-style houses. The homes will be deliberately designed to recreate the atmosphere of times past.
The scheme’s promoters said there will be no closed doors and residents will be free to move about. To reinforce an atmosphere of normality, the carers will dress as gardeners, hairdressers and shop assistants. The only catch is that Wiedlisbach’s inhabitants will not be allowed to leave the village.
Photo by Jess & Peter.
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Tags: alzheimers
Smart Contact Lenses Coming Soon
January 25, 2012 by Dane Carlson | Inventions
CBS Pittsburgh:
In the not so distant future, contacts may do a lot more than just help you see.
What if the lenses could look inside of you to diagnose, monitor and even treat disease? Sound far-fetched? Well, it may not be too far away.
The new generation of contact lenses is being called “smart lenses,” and they are packed with circuits, sensors and wireless technology – all designed to keep an eye on your health.
Photo by Karuka/ShutterStock.
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Tags: contact lenses, Eyes
