Author Archive

Researchers at the Cornell University have taken inspiration from nature and tried to imitate the swaying of tree branches. So what is the difference between natural swaying of trees and energy-harvesting tree created by Cornell University researchers? The flapping leaves developed in the laboratory generate energy which can be used by us.

Just when we thought tree only provided shade in the heat of the sun and the little detail of providing oxygen, we now learn that tree actually produce electrical energy. While it is true that you are not going to be able to cancel the electrical companies service just yet, there is enough available to power a remote sensor.

Nigel Chivers decided to get himself a solar powered radio. In looking at the local retail outlet he was put off by both the price of the cheap units as well as the fact that they had the wind up crank. He did not feel like winding a handle all day long just to listen to the radio. He did however need something that would work out in the middle of nowhere, and work all day long.

Here is what he came up with. An old radio that he made solar powered by using parts from a junk garden lamp. Cheap, and best of all no cranking at all! Yea.

You can checkout his build via the link below.

(Via; Link )

Louis LeGrand has always loved the new drones (aka; uav) so one day he decided to build his own solar powered airplane. This thing aint gonna be droppin' anything as it's far too light but hay you have to start somewhere right?

Very nice build Louis! Thanks for sharing it.

(Via: Link )

Personally I hate doing laundry. That was part of the reason I got married;-) Anyway, you eco nuts out there will love this earth friendly solar powered washing machine developed by a French student. Kinda gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "sunshine fresh" don't it? DIY instructions and details at the link below.

( Via: Link )

For those of you that may have missed it please see part one of the Solar Powered DIY HotSpot.

I recently built another one of these little units that can be taken literally anywhere. By mounting the entire setup into a portable backpack this can be taken anywhere and not stand out so much. Well, maybe;-)

Our favorite astronomer has updated his page today to include some new video showing how to create your very own wind turbine on the cheap using a treadmill motor and some homemade parts you may already have laying around the house or yard. For those of you that are very mechanically challenged so not worry, he includes step by step his directions for how he did it.

Ever wondered what it would be like to have your own hotspot no matter where you went? Well now you can with this portable solar powered Wi-Fi repeater.

Have you ever wanted to build your own solar powered webcam? Sometimes you are not always going to have the grid available to you or sometimes it would simply be far too expensive to use the grid. With this DIY system anyone should be able to run a webcam no matter where they are.

What could be better then playing a cool new game on your Nintendo DS? How about being able to it without ever having to worry about finding an outlet to charge the batteries.

This is about the most simple solar powered access point you could possibly build. It runs straight off the solar panel seen in the photo.

Radio has been around for over 100 years and it just keeps getting better with this solor powered amature radio station. This DIY guide will get you on your way to complete radio freedom.

Solor powered wifi is the best of all worlds. The biggest challenge for people in developing countries is power. Electricity is hard to come by and most of the time simply not available at any cost.

ClimateLab has deleloped what they call a “solar node” that uses solar PV panels to create the energy needed to charge batteries, that in turn run a wireless router so that many people are able to get online at once.

I recently purchased an Asus wireless access point/router from eBay for the purpose of using it for mobility. I wanted something that I could use while in a car, boat, rv, camping, etc. Due to it’s size. (its smaller then a deck of cards) I could use it about anywhere but first I had to make some changes.

Here’s a simple problem: “How do you make an LED turn on when it gets dark?” You might call it the “nightlight problem,” but the same sort of question comes up in a lot of familiar situations– emergency lights, street lights, silly computer keyboard backlights, and the list goes on.