Natural Wood Watches

The people at WeWood have designed a line of 100% natural wood watches for the environmentally conscious consumer.

Manufactured from reclaimed/recycled wood from the flooring industry, these watches come from Maple, Red Wing Celtis, Blackwood, Indian Rosewood, Mahogany, Guaiaco, and Coffe Tree wood. Since these time pieces ate 100% natural, they use no harsh or toxic chemicals, no dyes, no alcohol, and no nickel derivatives,  they are hypoallergenic, and splash resistant (though not water resistant so remove before hitting the pool/showers). The watches are super light, weighing around 1.5 oz and the company also plants a tree for every watch purchased so each transaction gives a little back to the environment. Cost-wise, they are on par with most non-exotic watches.

These watches do require a battery, which has some environmental impact...I hope some day they will employ a similar solar cell/capacitor energy source like Citizen did with their Eco-Drive watch line, however WeWood certainly offers abundant style and a high 'green' factor with their natural wood watches.

See the entire WeWood Natural Wood Watch line at: http://we-wood.us/collections/collection

WeWood's Limited Edition Natural Wood Jupiter Watch (Army Color)

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Solar Awnings

Awnings have helped keep patios cool for years, but instead of just shading an area, why not capture the sun's rays and make some clean energy at the same time?

That same question was asked and answered by the team at Integrated Solar Design when they devised an innovative solar awning to offer both shade and clean, green energy. Utilizing bifacial solar technology, this system is said to produce 30% more energy then a conventional roof-mounted solar array since this system can gather light from both surfaces of the cell. The system is scalable and customizable for commercial and residential use and it employs a patent pending "sealed" aluminum structure that keeps wiring out of sight. This system has impeccable load strength (snow loads of 100 PSF) and wind strength (over 150 MPH) making it durable and reliable. Benefits include: abundant solar energy harvest, shade, high strength, a contemporary look, and it still allows 15% of the natural light to come through.

But the company didn't stop an awnings...they offer a range of solar coverings including:

• Solar Carports
• Solar Walkways
• Solar Bus/Train Stops
• Solar Windows
• Solar Picnic Table Coverings

They have the ability to custom tailor their solar coverings, so if you want them to whip up a solar gazebo, I'm sure they will oblige.

Smart, viable, and simple....these are the key ingredients to technology adoption. Looks like Integrated Solar Design's Solar Awnings have really hit the nail on the head.

See the entire range of solar solutions at: http://www.integratedsolardesign.com/

Integrated Solar Design's Solar Awning

 (Image sourced from: http://www.integratedsolardesign.com/_gallery/large/39_1247695646.jpg)

Organic Mattresses

Organic mattresses make for an interesting and eco friendly way to bring 'organic and natural' to any bedroom and California-based Natural Mattress Store, custom designs an opulent selection of organic mattresses for the environmentally conscious.

The company's Eco-Cloud mattress line employs organic wool, which is known for absorbing moisture (though it repels water). It can absorb 30% of its weight in moisture releasing the moisture back into the air helping regulate the sleeper's body temperature. Organic wool is reputed for having unmatched flexibility and durability providing best-in-breed comfort and long life. Wool fibers will not host mildew and they are flame resistant. Furthermore, these fibers boast numerous air spaces, which cushion anyone laying on them, thus eliminating pressure points as found in conventional mattresses.

These mattresses also utilize 100% natural latex (zero petroleum used in manufacturing). It is anti-microbial, it offers anti mildew benefits, and will not house dust mites. It is rugged and pliable yet segregates motion so you won't feel it when someone moves in bed with you. It also retains it's shape so impressions are not left on the mattress.

Organic cotton is also used meaning zero pesticides to off-gas on you as you sleep. No fertilizers nor other harsh chemicals or dyes are used making organic cotton a truly pure material.

These mattresses are truly eco friendly and they make for an excellent 'green' bedroom upgrade.

Learn more at: http://thenaturalmattressstore.com/moreinfo.html

Electric Power Through Integrated Solar Systems

Electric power through integrated solar systems has been made a bit easier thanks to Fremont, CA-based GreenVolts, Inc.

GreenVolts' advanced concentrating PV modules offer up-to 3 times greater efficiency compared to conventional as well as thin film modules. The company utilizes a two-axis intelligent tracking system to keep the sun's rays in acute focus thus optimizing energy harvesting potential throughout the day. The company's bi-polar, transformer free inverters allow maximum power from its PV modules. Finally, the company's ISIS (intelligent solar information system) software offers unrivaled remote capabilities rounding out this complete solar system.

The GreenVolts system offers closed-loop power optimization, abundant energy harvest (through it's intelligent tracking system), as well as boasting a significant temperature advantage as the company's solar cells are said to have the lowest temperature coefficient available on the market today. And since GreenVolts' system is simple to install, deployment costs are diminished through minimized labor/maintenance. Furthermore, turnkey commissioning and remote diagnostic capabilities help further streamline operations, further reducing costs.

Through GreenVolts' complete offering, utilities, agriculture operations, residential, and commercial/industrial end-users can achieve economically viable electric power through this intelligent, integrated solar system.

Visit GreenVolts at: http://www.greenvolts.com/

GreenVolts' Concentrating PV System

(Image from: http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim/2011/12/14/_MG_2669r1_610x406.jpg )

Mineral Wool Fiber Insulation

Thermafiber® is a mineral wool fiber insulation manufactured by Thermafiber, Inc. and used for insulating walls, floors, ceilings, and attics in both residential and commercial structures (the company also produces Marine/Maritime insulation and mechanical/industrial insulation products).

This wool fiber insulation offers high R-value, unrivaled fire performance, it boasts great sound attenuation, and it can provide up to 33 LEED certification points. Thermafiber is made up of 90% pre-consumer/post industrial recycled content (the mineral wool is comprised of rock and blast furnace slag recycled from the steel industry freeing up landfill space; the company recycles 150,000,000 pounds of waste slag each year). These wool fiber insulation blankets are non-combustible and mold resistant offering unparalleled performance and abundant energy savings. Thermafiber insulation was used in the Petronas Towers in Malaysia, the Hearst Tower in New York, and the Burj Khalifa Tower in Dubai, just to name a few notable deployments.

Learn more about Thermafiber, Inc.'s 'green' mineral wool fiber insulation at: http://www.thermafiber.com/

ThermaFiber® Mineral Wool Fiber Insulation

 ( Above image from: http://www.ecohomemagazine.com/Images/Fall08c_EH_rv_Thermafiber_11_tcm14-87951.jpg )

Solar Powered Signage

Solar powered signage is gaining prominence nowadays and a company known as PVI Solar has introduced an innovative programmable integrated circuit board under the name PowerLine™ to revolutionize the Solar Powered Signage market.

PowerLine enables a reduction in the overall PV panel footprint by extending the product's life and sustainability, it supplies stored energy during diminished/zero sunlight, it optimizes how it uses sunlight, it uses the optimum number of/size of batteries, and it employs LED lights for maximum brightness and extended life.

This system utilizes power management, dual PV panel inputs, a real-time clock, three-zone battery charging, and can be run in a variety of operating modes (i.e. adapting to light pollution, self-adjusts for 'off-grid' operation, timed control, etc.)

PVI Solar's solar powered signage is cost-efficient, requires minimal maintenance, its aesthetically pleasing, durable, and sustainable finding application in:

• Billboards
• Illuminated Maps
• Display/Advertising
• Street Signs
• Parking Lights
• Directional Signs
• Monuments
• Entry Signs
• Evacuation Signs

Solar powered signage makes for a smart, sustainable, self-sufficient, and green signage/advertising solution for today's businesses/municipalities.

Learn more at: http://www.pvisolar.com/index.php

Examples of PVI Solar's Solar Powered Signage

 ( Above images sourced from: http://www.pvisolar.com/applications.php )

Solar Thermal Plastic Manufacturing

A firm known as Light Manufacturing has introduced a zero carbon, zero greenhouse gas emission solar thermal plastic manufacturing process to revolutionize the plastics industry.

The company's process directs and concentrates solar/thermal energy using Heliostats (automated mirrors that track the sun) capable of directing 1,000 watts to a targeted area; a multitude of Heliostats in concert can deliver immense heat that can be utilized in the plastic manufacturing/molding process. The system is affordable, easy to deploy and maintain, scalable, and it eliminates fossil fuel requirements in the production process (energy used in production). This system finds application in sustainable manufacturing, landfill recycling/processing, plastic molding, LEED certified manufacturing, and a range of emerging manufacturing processes.

Conventional plastics manufacturing is far from environmentally friendly, but carbon free, greenhouse gas emission free, solar thermal plastic manufacturing helps 'green' up the plastics industry while making manufacturing more cost efficient for manufacturers.

Learn more at: http://lightmanufacturingllc.com/

Light Manufacturing's Heliostats in Action

(Image from: http://www.energydigital.com/green_technology/assets_c/2012/03/3-12-LightManufacturing%20Heliostats-thumb-610x335-61315.jpg )