Windspire : Backyard Wind Turbine
Windspire is a vertical axis wind turbine which can generate 25 - 30% of the power needed in a home. The design was inspired by a 3 000 years old wind mill used by Egyptians to grind wheat. The 9 meter tall devices can be plugged into household power. Customers can also view in their home computer how much power is generated by the Windspire.
Fish’s Ears
Although we don’t see ears of fishes, they do have ear parts inside their heads. According to the National Wildlife Federation, fishes can pick up sounds in the water through their bodies and in the ear.
They also can sense movement in the water with the lateral lines. Interestingly, sharks have the ability to sense electricity, and genes that contribute to this sense is responsible for the head and facial features in humans. Therefore sharks and humans come down to a common ancestor back in time. Our ears evolved from fish gills.
Hybrid Combined With Solar Power
Prius is the high-end models of Toyota hybrid cars, and it is planned to add solar-powered air conditioning to make it more fuel efficient. This new feature is part of the third-generation Prius, and it will be launched next year. The solar panels will be used to provide the air conditioning system. There has been some doubts about the amount of electricity that can be obtained by solar panels. According to Kentaro Endo, a specialist on renewable energy from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, laying solar panels out on the roof only gives energy that can only be used to power 2 hairdryers.
