One of the major challenges in developing solar panels has been creating photovoltaic cells which can absorb as much solar energy as possible – without overheating to the point that they begin to simply radiate energy back into the atmosphere. In the past, this has meant that commercially available solar cells...
In another sign that the world is rapidly moving away from coal, the European electricity sector just announced a commitment to not invest in new coal-fired power plants after 2020. Every European Union country signed onto the initiative except for Poland and Greece. The Union of the Electricity Industry, otherwise...
Almost five years have passed since New York-based design firm Rux Design unveiled their revolutionary StickBulb lighting system, which was inspired by destroyed buildings. Now, the innovative designers are back with a new, bolder LED lamp called Boom that's made out of reclaimed Redwood from dismantled NYC water...
The prolific tiny house designers at Escape Traveler are well-known for their impressively compact homes, but their latest model, simply called, One, stands out for its elegant Japanese-inspired design. The charred exterior was created using the ancient Shou-Sugi-Ban technique, which imbues the wood with an attractive...
Hemp is a sustainable supermaterial with a wide range of applications that go far beyond hacky sacks and beaded bracelets. An experimental project called Fabric-Action explores exciting new uses for hemp - including modular gardens, skateboards, swings, and even air purifiers. Each design emphasizes the intrinsic...
Robots are revolutionizing architecture and Zaha Hadid Architects is hopping on board to show what that technology can do for custom building design. The world-renowned architecture firm unveiled Thallus, a beautifully ornate experimental structure created with the help of robots for Milan Design Week’s White...
Noktuku’s Moss Clock turns mundane timekeeping into a beautiful and living work of art. Part plant decor and part time instrument, the Moss Clock is filled with meticulously preserved reindeer moss handpicked from Norway. Created to “bring nature into the home,” the functional artwork is now available on...
Brexit - or Britain's vote to leave the European Union - remains controversial even as Prime Minister Theresa May begins the process of leaving. But it turns out this process may not have been the first Brexit ever. Research led by Imperial College London scientists found evidence of an ancient geological Brexit...