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Environmental news articles

Viewing 16 to 30 of 37 articles

• New stars of innovative sustainable design
  NewScientist.com article, 5 August
  Slum reshaping, breathing buildings and next-generation soap are just some of the ideas on display at the annual SRD Change Exhibition in Sydney, Australia. The show flaunts the best in sustainable and environmental design aiming to create products and services that focus on tangible and positive benefits for society in every possible aspect.
  Discussion starter:
  • Design and Visual Communication: Sustainable design
• Technology drives better ways of getting around
  NZ Herald online article, 8 August
  Although getting cars off the road and encouraging people to use public transport is a major part of the battle to reduce traffic congestion, technology is becoming an increasingly large part of the mix.
  Discussion starter:
  • Technological systems : intelligent transport systems
• Unlocking the full potential of Maori business
  Idealog.co.nz Blog, 11 August
  As the focus for Maori in business changes from a reliance on land-based commercial activities into a broad range of commercial ventures, a Maori taskforce has engaged Business and Economic Research Ltd (BERL) to investigate benefits for Maori in pursuing innovation, R&D and technology activities.
  Discussion starter:
  • Enterprise: indigenous entrepreneurship
• Kiwi winemaker hopes to clean up the dairy industry
  Ideolog.co.nz news article, 2 September
  Liquid Strip, removes solids from wastewater and converts them into a pellet or slug form. The invention works by passing unwanted liquids through a filter that uses patented technology to transform waste into useful solids.
  Discussion starter:
  • Technological Products: transforming waste into useful by-products
  • Intervention by design: addressing 'dirty dairying'
• Proposals sought for new TV recycling programme
  Beehive.govt.nz press release, 7 September
  Environment Minister Nick Smith announced the first step in a new nationwide programme to encourage the recycling and safe disposal of unwanted televisions.
  "The falling price of new TVs, international sporting events and the national switchover to digital transmission from 2012 are all fuelling a change from older cathode ray tube sets to flat screen high definition LCD and plasma TVs," Dr Smith said.
  "The challenge is that there is an estimated 4,400 tonnes of lead in the 2.2 million cathode ray tube TVs that needs to be responsibly recycled or disposed of."
  Discussion starters:
  • Technological products: material properties; product lifecycle issues
  • Nature of technology: socio cultural influences
• Wave-Powered Boats That Can Sail Forever
  Fastcompany.com article, 15 September
  Liquid Robotics is the company behind the Wave Glider robot, the first marine robot to use the ocean's wave energy to propel itself forward--a trait that means the robot has zero emissions, requires no fueling, and doesn't need any power.
  Discussion starter:
  • Digital technologies: remote data collection and transmission; solar power applications
• The easy way to ditch petrol for electricity
  TV3 News video, 20 September
  The electric car revolution may still be some way off, but if the Frankfurt Motor Show is any indication, it's drawing closer all the time with an entire exhibition hall dedicated exclusively to electric vehicles with over 100 new models on display. However, if a new car is out of your price range, there are other ways to make the switch.
  Discussion starter:
  • Enterprise: innovation in energy conversion; establishing a market niche
• Polymers could be key in affordable uptake of solar in homes and office buildings
  Idealog Daily Bacon article, 28 September
  We're used to seeing massive solar panels strapped to the roofs of houses and office buildings, but a Victoria University lecturer says a process that incorporates solar cells into roofing materials could serve us better - providing all the energy used in a home or office building in New Zealand, at a more affordable option.
  Discussion starter:
  • Technological Products: material evaluation
• The Skyline of 2016
  ScientificAmerican.com graphic, September
  An interactive tour of the world's tallest buildings, including those under construction
  Discussion starter:
  • Construction Technology: Human factors in design
• World's Largest Genetically Modified Food Producer, To Be Charged With Biopiracy In India
  Huffington Post online article and video, 3 October
  In doing so, India has placed itself at the focal point of the movement to challenge genetically modified crops, which opponents say are destroying traditional crops and threatening farmers' livelihoods.
  Discussion starter:
  • Characteristics of Technology: Biotechnology - socio cultural influences
• First Light House scores highly in USA competition
  Radio NZ Nine to Noon interview, 3 October
  Urbanist Tommy Honey discusses the third placing overall achieved by the Victoria University First Light House entry in the Solar Decathlon competition in Washington DC.
  Discussion starters:
  • Building design: aesthetics v functionality
  • Energy efficiency: net domestic energy
• Auckland startup charges ahead with wireless car charging
  Idealog Daily Bacon article, 3 October
  A busy and productive urban centre without pollution or traffic noise might sound like a daydream, but we're closer to it than you might think. HaloIPT, an Auckland-based tech company, is realising a dream straight out of the future - wirelessly transmitted energy.
  Discussion starters:
  • Alternative energy sources: competing priorities - efficiency v functionality • Nature of Technology: fitness for purpose in its broadest sense
• 'Living' buildings could inhale city carbon emissions
  CNN News article, 14 October
  What if buildings had lungs that could absorb carbon emissions from the city and convert them into something useful? What if they had skin that could control their temperature without the need for radiators or air-conditioning? What if buildings could come "alive?"
  Discussion starters:
  • Architectural Technology: biological programming; protocel
  • Manufacturing Technology: scale-up issues
• Power from the people
  BBC news online, 17 October
  Plugging gadgets into a socket in the wall, or loading them with batteries - or maybe even unfurling a solar panel - is how most of us think of getting electricity. But what about plugging them into your body? A group from the University of Grenoble have built a device to do just that.
  Discussion starter:
  • Energy technology: Biofuel cells
• Striking the correct eco-balance
  Stuff.co.nz article, 17 October
  Eco-hamlet developer Andy Duncan reckons he has found a neat balance between a "beard-o weirdo hippie commune and a straight-line subdivision" with his rural Masterton housing development, Totarabank.
  Discussion starter:
  • Design in Technology: planning sustainable communities