Operation Green Goods: Roll-able Solar Panels

Imagine having a roll-able solar panel tarp that easily tied on to the back of tractor trailers and cargo trains, allowing for a truck driver to buy the solar tarp and use it on any trailer he had to carry. When pitching this idea recently I was asked about the actual feasibility of such a product and if this even exists...

POWERFILM R-15-1200 18W 12 VOLT ROLLUP SOLAR PANEL

Using this specific rollup solar panel covering an entire truck would cost a little over $1500 [using 4 of the panels which are $388.96 each]. The point here is that the technology is currently available to transform the US transportation system. More research needs to be done to consider how much spending over $1500 would save a truck driver in electricity and fuel use, especially when driving an electric hybrid truck.

This is just one example of the many different kinds of rollup solar panels being currently produced. Increasing production and usage of these products will not create a lower price per square foot of solar panel and improve efficiencies through greater market competition.

Source: Solar Sphere

Operation Green Goods: Electric 18 Wheeler

Kenworth Truck Company today introduced its new Kenworth T270 Class 6 hybrid-electric truck at the Mid-America Trucking Show.

The Kenworth T270 Class 6 hybrid medium duty conventional is powered by the new PACCAR PX-6 engine and features an integral transmission-mounted motor/generator, a frame-mounted 340-volt battery pack, and a dedicated power management system.

“During steady driving conditions above 30 mph, the T270 hybrid operates like a standard diesel vehicle with all power coming from the engine,” said Mike Dozier, Kenworth chief engineer. “Below 30 mph, it uses a combination of diesel and electricity. The system automatically switches between the two modes of operation and is seamless to the driver.”

The goal for the T270 hybrid is to improve fuel economy by 30% in start-and-stop applications, such as utility trucks and pick-up and delivery. “The more stop-and-go in the application, the better the truck’s performance,” said Dozier.

OPERATION GREEN GOODS: The use of electric trucks allows for the possible use of solar and wind energy to not only power the electrical applications of the truck [lights and refrigeration of cargo] but also save fuel and energy when driving the truck.


Source: Gizmodo + Kenworth Truck Company + Peterbilt Hybrid Electric Systems
Download Electric Truck PDF

What is Operation Green Goods?

OPERATION GREEN GOODS started as a paper I wrote during my junior year at Wesleyan on how to affectively create more green jobs for the US economy and promote environmental development world wide. Operation Green Goods is the systematic development of a green US goods transportation system.

By making all vehicles and mediums that transfer goods green throughout the US, green jobs would be created, the US would have a viable export and service to help shorten the current account deficit gap, and countries such as China and India that ship millions of goods into the US a year would have no choice but to adopt green standards in order to deliver goods within the US. The developed economy of the United States has been based off of reliable road systems [highways] that allow goods to travel across the country creating more market access, and high levels of education that spawn creativity and ingenuity. The systematic change of this system from one based on gas prices to how green transportation can be will completely change the foundation and definition of a green based economy.

Implementation:
By placing solar panels on the top of electric cargo trains in order to produce energy for cabin lights, refrigeration, and eventually locomotive power will reduce the goods transportation carbon foot print. Also by placing large roll-able solar panels on the top of 18-wheeler tractor trailers in order to create energy for refrigeration, cabin electricity, and power for electric trucks, the transportation industry in America could be green over night.


Through the advancement of solar technology uses in everyday lives, more jobs would be created in the solar panel production and installation industries. The teachings and selling of green technologies abroad will also create more jobs through the flow of technology transfers.

This section of OE Technology is dedicated to tracking the feasibility of the US GREEN TRANSPORTATION PROJECT.

Security Technology: Human Scanners

Remember in Total Recall when the train stations and airports all had body scanners for security measures? This technology now exists and has been implemented in US airports around the country.

Some believe that these scanners are an invasion of privacy.

The American Association for Nude Recreation announced:

"A trained security professional in a remote monitoring station takes a few seconds discreetly screening passengers to be sure they're only bringing what nature gave them aboard. In exchange for safer skies, AANR believes it's completely worth it. But you don't have to be a nudist to agree these measures are based on common sense."


Source: Gizmodo

Alternative Battery Technology

Coca-Cola Powered Cell Phone

This sugar fuel cell powered phone is working concept by "Chinese designer Daizi Zheng" who "has conjured up a vision for a soft drink-powered cylindrical Nokia of the future that pounds Coca-Colas to stay juiced: just screw off the top, pop the can, and pour." [Alternative Fuels]
Source: Engadget

Yogen Ripcord Charger

Charge your GPS in the middle of the desert, polar ice cap, or any other remote destination. [Alternative Energy]
Source: Engadget

Green Tech of the Week: Obsorb

The ability to quickly remove oil and gasoline from water is a technology crucial to protecting our ecosystems from oil spills and the advancement of water purification.


"Intended to purify our groundwater from dangerous pollutants like gasoline (note: it doesn't appear that Obsorb can handle crude oil, but I could be mistaken), Obsorb is a hydrophobic material comprised of active glass—in other words, its glass actually bonds with bad chemicals, but it won't take any water along with the pollutants."

"Once full of up to 8x its weight in gunk, Obsorb floats to the water's surface where it can be skimmed, ringed out (by other chemicals, we believe) and dropped back in the water hundreds of times."

Source: Gizmodo via Obsorb via CleanTechnica via Inhabitat

Mac Technology: Draw on your Track Pad

This application is perfect for traveling sales men who need to take peoples signatures, as well as graphic designers who need to draw in a specific graphic.

Source: Engadget + Gizmodo + Inklet

Charge your cellphone with your dog?

Perfect for powering your laptop while dog sledding across the North Pole.

Source: Gizmodo

Solar Cell Technology

University of Minnesota: Self-Assembling Solar Cells 

Sceintists at the University of Minnesota have created "a self-assembly technique that arranges microscopic electronic elements in their proper order thanks to the absolute enmity that exists between water and oil."

"By coating elements with a hydrophilic layer on one side and some hypdrophobic goo on the other, they've achieved the proper element orientation, and the final step in their work was the insertion of a pre-drilled, pre-soldered sheet, which picks up each element while being slowly drawn out of the liquid non-mixture."

Source: Engadget

Looking for the Perfect Gift? Look no Further

Productivity in the Shower [Aqua Notes]:

I know I get my best idea's in the shower, being able to write them down has created a whole new level of productivity for me.
Source: Gizmodo

Six Pack Carrying Case:

Perfect for the home beer brewer or the beer delivery man.
Source: Gizmodo

Ritmo Pregnancy Sound System

Turn your child into a rap phenomenon before birth.
Source: Gizmodo

Travel Flame Thrower:

Who calls exterminators anymore? Though this gizmo looks easy to make, can I please stress that you do not try.
Source: Gizmodo

TV on your iPhone

TOP Ways to Watch TV on your iPhone


1. Sling iPhone Application

The major problem with the Sling iPhone app is that you need to also purchase a Sling box and have it hooked up to a cable box that no one else is using. If this is something that you would not mind, then the Sling iPhone application is perfect for you.

2. Mophie TV Pack

The FLO TV Mophie iPhone, application and encasing allows you to watch HD basic TV from your iPhone while on the go. The encasing makes the iPhone 2mm thicker and much heavier, but still lets you watch broadcast TV.


Source: Engadget, Sling Media, and FLO TV

Ski Season: Video Snow Goggles

Record the Wipeouts you Wished your Freinds had Witnessed

Like something our of  James Bond movie, the Liquid Image Snow Goggles record in 720p resolution and have the ability to take 5 megapixel snap shots. The goggles cost $150 but unfortunately will not be available until July, making the perfect for a holiday gift next year.

Source: Engadget

Movies Everywhere: Aircell in Flight Movie Network

Aircell is currently a provider of wireless internet access a many major airlines. But coming later this year, Aircell will be offering streamed movies and TV shows for your computer that can be purchased and watched during flight.

Business Moves:
With Netflix on PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii later this year, this is the perfect opportunity for the movie company to step in offer in-flight movies and tv-shows. A move like this would make Netflix the absolute monopoly in online media access world wide.


Source: PC World and Engadget

The Future of Batteries

The introduction of the PowerMat that charges devices without plugging in any cords has advanced the future possibilities in charging electronic devices. Below are some of the developed battery and energy technologies currently being worked on.

130 Twirls

The Twirl battery concept, designed by Song Teaho and Hyejin Lee, allows for 130 twirls of the phone battery for another two minutes of talk time. Using the same technology as crank batteries, this type of technology would be perfect for a lot of other applications outside of cell phones or cameras.


Charge your Phone or Camera from your Wireless Internet connection

Being able to plug your phone into the Airnergy WiFi Harvesting Charger would allow you to charge your phone or camera without pluging the device into the wall.

After precharging the Airnergy with "WiFi power," the device was able to power a Blackberry from 30% power to 100% power in 90 minutes, illustrating a clear future in wireless power applications

Source: Engadget, Gizmodo, and Yahoo! News

Cellphone use may prevent effects of Alzheimer's disease

According to researches at the University of South Florida, long-term cell phone use and the "exposure to electromagnetic waves from cellphones could both prevent some of the effects of Alzheimer's if the exposure is introduced in early adulthood, or potentially even reverse some of the impairment among those already memory-impaired." These tests are still in the early stages, but highlight the lack of real knowledge on long-term cell phone effects on humans.

Source: Engadget

Video Phone Future: Sideline Cinq USB

Image working at your desk and receiving a video conference call from a colleague that takes up no room on your computer desktop, this is the best use I can imagine for the Sideline Cinq USB monitor. The monitor has a 10.1 inch screen, 10244 x 600 lcd screen that works on both Windows and Mac.

The best part about this product is that there is only one cord, as the side monitor is powered by the usb cable. I would use this for video conferencing or security camera use, freeing up more desktop space. The Sideline is available for $249 or for $199 if you pre-order it from the Sideline website.

Connect Everything to Everything: HSTi Wireless Media Stick

This usb media sick allows you to connect anything with a usb port to another usb port device, such as controlling a digital picture frame from your computer, or accessing your movies on you computer from your Xbox 360 or PS3. The media stick also includes smooth 720p media streaming and is available Jan. 15th for $119.99.

Once the software is installed on your computer, you can plug the usb stick into anything on the same Wifi router, allowing you instant access to everything in your house.

The Future of Newspapers

As people move away from reading printed newspapers to the internet and television news, newspapers are becoming more and more extinct. But the New York Times, whose website is already a popular news source, has turned to the computer application.

Now instead of subscribing to the New York Times newspaper and having it delivered to your home every morning, you can download the free TimesReader 2.0 application for all operating systems. This application allows you to read the newspaper every morning from your computer, creating the feel of a newspaper with the technological advances of the internet.

Though a full subscription of the TimesReader cost $3.45 a week, but the free version works perfectly and updates me on the news I want to read. Digital newspapers are the clear future of

printed ad, and the creation of the newspaper application was a smart move by the NYTimes.

The future business applications of this product are endless. Once OE Technology released its 6 mainstream technology products next year, TimesReader is almost positively going to be part of the automobile entertainment system. Imagine calling a cab, getting in the back seat and being able to flip through the digital newspaper on the OE Technology touchscreen entertainment system, all while on your way to work.

Try the TimesReader 2.0 for Free here: Download

Skype: The Future of Home and Business Communication

Skype has expanded its video chatting market by placing their technology in the comforts of everyones home. Now large family's can video chat globally for free.

The Skype service on a TV will work much as it does on a PC, but with some limitations. A TV program will stop playing once a Skype call is made or answered; TV processors are not yet powerful enough to allow people to chat while they watch a show, the companies say.

Panasonic, based in Japan, and LG, based in South Korea, will sell specially designed Web cameras for their Skype-enabled sets, which should cost $100 to $200. These cameras, unlike typical webcams, are customized for the technically challenging environment of the living room, where there can be a wide range of distances between the TV and viewers.

New York Times

Skype TV's will be a cheaper business communication method than the current global video communication software and hardware offered by Cisco. The Skype enabled TV is perfect for business conference rooms.

For businesses looking to use cheap video chatting technologies to accomplish business tasks should also look into using the gmail business function, which allows companies to control chats, email, and video conferencing all from an email web browser.