science Category

Hypercars - Crazy Efficient Cars Presented by Amory Lovins

April 29th, 2008 by ecojoe in cars, green business, inventions, science


GETCHO POPCORN LISTO

That’s right, folks, it’s movie time. So sit back, relax, and get ready for some surious learning as Amory Lovins narrates this neato video about Hypercars. All you have to do is click on the picture of Amory; look, here he is now:

Go ahead, click me

Fun Facts about Hypercars

  • Very light weight, very strong (carbon fiber, the same as Formula One race cars)
  • Less wind resistance
  • More efficient electric accessories (A/C, CD player, etc.)
  • Increase fuel efficiency dramatically
  • Windows let in light, but not heat (reducing need for A/C)

Amory says it’s possible we’ll see hypercars on the market within 4 to 5 years. Hopefully my car can hold out that long, then I’ll spring for a crazy efficient hypercar and watch my gas savings pile up.

- credit for the video goes to PBS and Nova


Smart Car Sighting in Raleigh

March 4th, 2008 by ecojoe in cars, science


Last night, me and Tiff were heading home after getting swole at the gym, when much to my surprise a Smart Car drove by. I managed to get an amazing, high-quality photograph of it as it sped by.

Space-Time being bent by the Smart Car

That’s actually how it looked; it is so eco-friendly that it was warping space-time (that’s why the lights look weird, they are being bent). Stephen Hawkings explains this phenomenon in detail in A Briefer History of Time, available at your local public library.

Now, if only I could find this in Raleigh:


Map Showing Human Impact on Ocean

February 15th, 2008 by ecojoe in eco footprint, eco hero, ocean, science, water


BBC has an interesting article today about people’s impact on the world’s oceans. Give it a looksie.

Ocean impact map

One thing I wish they’d done differently is to say exactly what criteria they used for their ratings. Anyhoo, scientists figure this map will be useful for determining what areas of the ocean most desperately need help. These scientists are now in consideration for the prestigious Eco Hero award.


Man-Made Lifeforms: One Step Closer

January 25th, 2008 by ecojoe in inventions, science


synthetic-dna.gifYesterday, scientists announced that they had successfully achieved a man-made genome by putting together the DNA of one of the simplest bacteria, Mycoplasma genitalium. Many experts hail this as a huge step on the way toward routine genetic synthesis, with many medical and ecological applications.

The last step for the scientists is to take the synthetic genome and successfully insert it into a bacterium where it can take over and produce a viable synthetic cell. If it can do that, then this would mark the first synthetic life-form. How huge would that be?

Genetically altered plants and bacteria could work to clean up pollutants and create fuel for people. They could also be used to treat sewage more effectively, and maybe even used to produce medicines. This is a tremendous leap forward for science, and for humanity; once we can harness the power of genetics, we can vastly improve the world.

True, this technology could also be used for harm, such as creating more powerful bio-weapons, but hopefully the benefits will easily outweigh the negatives. There are so many things this could be used to improve; it’ll be exciting to follow the developments on this story.