Technology in the news – Articles from 2011

2012 onwards | 2011 | 2010

Environmental news articles

Viewing 16 to 30 of 37 articles

< Previous Page

Next Page >

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
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
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
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'
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Stuff.co.nz article, 17 October
Tucked down a driveway in the Wellington suburb of Newtown, alongside a bowling club and the SPCA, two high school mates are quietly building a niche but thriving manufacturing business. They are the business and design brains behind Calibre Equipment, which makes machines for grading and testing timber.
Discussion starters:
• Nature of Technology: sociocultural influences - regulatory compliance; economic gains
• Marketing strategies: international licencing
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

< Previous Page

Next Page >