Air Speed Bicycle Concept Disappoints many

Tags: Bicycles, Bikes, Concepts, FalconXp

Sometimes, it becomes necessary for us ride bicycles and give up the big motors. A designer, FalconXp from one of the forums recently posted his concept bicycle on the forum. Though the cycle looks good and may work out to be an interesting product, there are many flaws in the design. The two sharp points on either end look dangerous and isn’t exactly a good thing. Having a hole in the center and the offset crank arms would make strength, aerodynamics, weight, and mechanical efficiency would suffer.

The sharp blade in the crotch may be seen as a negative to some people. Also the does not seem to be an impression of forward motion to the design. Though he has got a number of critical comments, if only he tried and used more highlights and shading, it would bring out a bit and make it look more 3D and particularly shadow on downwards facing surfaces. If the designer makes necessary changes, the bike would be a really cool one.

Via: ProductDesignForums

L.G.’s New Eco-Chic Washing Machine

Tags: Appliances, Eco-Chic, LG, Washing Machine

If you thought going green is all about boring and dull colors, think again. LG has unveiled its eco-chic line and has been commissioned by designer NellyRidi. It is no truer that an electronic appliance that is green and environmental friendly also has to be as tasteless as it sounds. Its kind of like how a meat lover would hate to eat veggies. However, if the meat lover were given vegetables smothered with something like a meat sauce, he would lap it all up.

The environment friendly 9kg Steam direct washing machine was unveiled at the Maison et Objet show in Paris. The coolest thing about this washing machine is that it looks like a giant disco ball. According to Caroline Kim, the brand’s vice president for marketing, explained their belief that going green doesn’t mean not being chic. According to her, one could be chic, use chic products and yet stay green. The converse stays true too. The disco looking washing is available in black, white and silver and costs 599 Pounds.

Via: ElectricPig

PuffTron: Measures Air Quality and Informs via Web

Tags: air quality, Black cloud project, Citizen Scientist League, los angeles, Manual Arts High School, pufftron, science project

Whoever could have imagined that a science project in school would actually become something useful and grow in such a grand size that it could encompass not just other classes but take over the internet, too? The Black cloud Citizen Scientist League includes a number of students, artists and engineers who started the Black Cloud Project as a game for the students at Manual Arts High School. They deployed tiny blue boxes called PuffTrons in mystery spots around Los Angeles to measure the local air quality. The PuffTrons measured light level, temperature, CO2 and VOCs and transmitted them to a web server.

Students had to track the secret locations of the PuffTrons based upon the online statistics. Interestingly, the most polluted area was found to be their own classroom, with the highest level of CO2! The use of the PuffTrons to measure the air quality has spread to the Bay Area. The League shared their findings with others in an event held at Echo Park where they also held a workshop building DIY air quality sensors. If you want a PuffTron, you can contact the Black Cloud Project.

Via: Inhabitat

Pedal Your Way To Clear Snow

Tags: Blake, DIY, Pedal Powered Snowplow, Snowplow

When the whole world is talking about sustainability and renewable sources of energy, automotive energy can’t be left behind. Vehicle manufacturers have stressed their responsibilities in maintaining a healthy planet with clean air and abundant energy resources. Now that winter is approaching, we must also consider the less-than-vehicle snowplows. This Pedal Powered Snowplow uses your kinetic energy to get it moving and clearing snow. You could sit on this snowplow and since it has wheels you can actually ride it.
Just imagine, you could actually have fun while plowing snow in your driveway and also get some exercise! Since the snowplow runs on pedaling, you are not using any energy resources and it is completely green and sustainable. Blake, the guy who designed this wonderful and functional snowplow, was inspired by ‘Monster Garage’. You could do this too, if you are interested in DIY products. For now, we must say that the Pedal Powered Snowplow is not only a functional design but a highly workable concept that could be mass produced.

Via: HackedGadgets

Q-Couch Design Uses Sustainable Plastic

Tags: Couches, EPP, Frederik van Heereveld, Polymers, Q-Couch

Frederik van Heereveld, the Belgian designer, has created the Q-Couch, a unique but pleasing range of couches that are colorful, fun and also durable. However, the burning issue among furniture designers is to choose the material for their designs. Wood being so expensive and also not a very sustainable source, furniture designers have been looking for other materials, which are not environmentally unfriendly but also give the designers the freedom to create what they want.

The Q-Couches are made of EPP (Expanded Polypropylene) and is apparently the perfect material for modern furniture. The EPP is already being used in lightweight car parts and packaging and this engineered plastic foam are non-toxic, easily recyclable and also sustainable. The Q-Couch in colors such as orange, gray, bright pink, black and so on. These couches are pleasing to touch and also to see. Van Heereveld is soon going to design couches with armrests and other such utilities.

Via: 3RingsDesignerPages

Bali Wine Rack For An Exotic Look

Tags: Bali, Bali Wine Rack, Indonesian Wood, Wave Design, wine rack

Wine racks always have been charming. In the olden days, one would die to get a rack made of vintage English wood. Though it might still look charming to have Victorian furniture, it is sometimes interesting to see something that is modern and perhaps even futuristic. Bali Wine rack brings a little bit of Indonesia to your home and you can keep your exotic aged wine bottles in the rack and be the envy of your friends. The rack is designed to hold 12 bottles and has been designed to look like waves.

Ah, the beautiful beaches of Bali! The moment you buy this rack, you would long to visit those beautiful sandy beaches and smell the fragrance of tropical flowers. It comes either in the crimson or ebony finish and is made of Indonesian wood. The rack would definitely change the way your kitchen looks. This simple and functional design can be customized for you kitchen and costs $69.99. Get your Bali Wine rack here.

Via: PadStyle

Puff Without Smoke With Neo-Tec’s Ionic Smokeless Ashtray

Tags: ashtray, Designer, Eco-friendly, Enviorment, Gadgets, Ionic Smokeless Ashtray, Neo-Tec, Product, Smoke

All around the globe, thousands of people are smoking their heads out in an attempt to reduce the pollution and help maintain ecological balance. On the other hand, millions of people are smoking day and night. While we cannot control it, we can devise some ways in which o check the harmful effects of smoking. Neo-Tec’s Ionic Smokeless Ashtray is doing just that.

It purifies the air pollution that is caused by the smoke by simply breaking down smoke and other particulates into negatively charged ions, which are eventually attracted by the positively charged dome. The price factor is perfectly fine: $19.99.

The additional reason to buy it is that is comes with a beautiful glass ashtray and AC adapter. But it would require you to buy 4 AA batteries to be used. The dimensions of the ashtray are 7-1/2″ x 5-3/4″ x 3-3/4″.

Now atleast you have a chance to save yourself from inhaling all that passive smoke, thanks to eco-friendly Neo-Tec’s Ionic Smokeless Ashtray.

Via BookOfJoe