Rondo’s “brick toaster” heat storage system is 98% efficient, and stores cheap renewable energy for industrial use at 20% the cost of an electrochemical battery. Rondo Energy
These stoves are full of plain ol’ bricks, made out of plain ol’ clay, sometimes with a bit of sand in there, but certainly nothing special in terms of materials. Nothing toxic, nothing that decays over time. These bricks will still be storing heat just as well in 40 or 50 years’ time, when chemical batteries have gone through several generations of complex recycling.
Source: “Brick toaster” aims to cut global CO2 emissions by 15% in 15 years
Core-shell architecture of a nanofibrillar PEDOT-coated brick electrode lights up a green LED. Credit: D’Arcy Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis
The bricks are powerful enough to illuminate an LED light bulb and cost only about $3 to make.
Source: Bricks Can Be Turned into Batteries – Scientific American
COURTESY CAROLINE PERRON PHOTOGRAPHIES — Three years in the making, the patented machine cleans 99 per cent of a brick through a process involving a concrete grinder that allows the cleaning of the brick extremities.
Chifa says Maçonnerie Gratton calculates the brick recycling machine can eliminate up to 5.9 tonnes of CO2 emissions in the restoration of a 1,000 square foot brick wall. “Throughout Quebec and Canada this means a lot because we are all about bricks,” Stoia says. The recycling machine “sets the tone” for municipalities and the province to consider legislation on the reuse of construction materials. She adds recycling bricks for reuse helps to conserve Quebec’s architectural past.
Source: Brique-Recyc gives old bricks new life with innovative quick cleaning machine – constructconnect.com
The satellite dish in action on a sunny day.
Armenian scientists Gregor Mnatsakanyan and Vahan Hamazaspyan originally created the satellite dishes with dreams of distributing them around the country. Hamazaspyan, a pioneer in the study of solar energy use, began developing the first prototypes in the 1980s, after the devastating Spitak earthquake. Satellite solar ovens, he hoped, would feed his countrymen affordably during hard times
Source: At This Armenian Restaurant, the Ovens Are Satellite Dishes – Gastro Obscura
A flower is visible behind a piece of the transparent material. (Qinqin Xia, University of Maryland/Science Advances)
Researchers at the University of Maryland have turned ordinary sheets of wood into transparent material that is nearly as clear as glass, but stronger and with better insulating properties. It could become an energy efficient building material in the future.
Source: Scientists develop transparent wood that is stronger and lighter than glass | CBC Radio
Milan 2016: London design studio Pinch has unveiled a limited edition of its Nim coffee table, which combines plaster and resin composite material Jesmonite with powdered copper.
Described by the manufacturers as “a safe alternative to fibreglass and a lightweight alternative to cast concrete”, Jesmonite is made by mixing gypsum plaster powder with acrylic resin.
Source: Pinch updates Nim table using copper and Jesmonite
Pixidermy Where pixelation & taxidermy meet. Future of sculpture.
Source: Where pixelation & taxidermy meet. Future of by Pixidermy on Etsy
The Australian company has been working on AR applications that help designers, builders, and engineers project their virtual designs into the real world through AR glasses like HoloLens.
Source: AR app Fologram turns 3D models into life-size building instructions – Curbed
Every speaker is one and only. Using used tire or scrapped B-class tire, every speaker is unique and delivering you a clear and well-Balanced sound experience. Use Bluetooth-enabled smartphone to stream music directly to your SEAL Tire Speaker with no wires attached.
Source: Bluetooth Tire Speaker | Recycled Tire Tube Bag | SEAL – SEAL Brand International
Maison Milan has elevated what a knife can traditionally be. With its sturdy cast-iron handle, the knife stands on its own, upright. The authentic solid walnut blade is easy to wield as it slices through lettuce and other vegetables with no fuss.
Source: Knife Reinvented » Milan
Inspired by the imperative weight reduction in airplane construction, Bench32 was chosen for its use of Fusion 360’s simulation capabilities to both ideate and render the design. The repetition of 32 wooden spars forms the seating surface, which is held together by 80 metal parts. Reusing parts multiple times and aligning the elements with ample negative space creates a lightweight appearance that results in a sturdy yet lightweight bench comprised of FSC-certified wood or Cradle to Cradle Certified Accoya wood.
Source: Designers, Students Get Creative for Cradle to Cradle Design Challenge
Reclamation Administration: News and Research on Building Material Waste Prevention
