Carbon Fiber

Researchers say they've built and tested a 'structural battery' that packs a device or EV's chassis with energy, saving a ton of weight. It could unlock smartphones as thin as credit cards, laptops at half the weight and a 70% boost to EV range.

Deep-tech startup Sinonus is working to commercialize a groundbreaking new breed of multifunctional carbon fiber. In its vision, the wonder-composite will serve as a structural battery for everything from electric aircraft to windmills.

ADO has launched an Indiegogo campaign for what's billed as the lightest carbon folding ebike – at 12.5 kg. That's not the lightest with the Hummingbird Flax ($6250) and Electric ($5,625) both weighing 10.3 kg and the $7995 Yikebike Model C weighing in at 11.4 kg. The ADO Air Carbon is MUCH cheaper though.

Carbon-framed ebikes can cost a pretty penny, but the latest lightweight city model from Fiido currently comes in at well under $2k, has the stealthy look of a regular bike and boasts a low-maintenance Gates carbon belt drive.

Ofiito's Urban Racer ebike features a full carbon frame, integrated automatic lighting, and a rear hub motor that can be removed when you just wanna go human-powered. What's more, the whole shebang is claimed to weigh a mere 30.2 lb (13.7 kg).

Modular kayaks may be easy to store and transport, but most are made of plastic, which isn't everyone's favorite material. Two new boats from Stellar are different, in that they feature sleek, stiff, glossy, lightweight composite bodies.

Just because ebikes have assistive motors doesn't mean that they should be heavy and clunky. The Tezeus C8 was evidently designed with that fact in mind, as it sports a sleek look, carbon construction, and a claimed weight of as little as 33 lb.

In an effort to mitigate human-caused climate warming, scientists are focused on ways to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. One of the more novel ways to do this has just been announced by scientists employing a smart dual-method process.

San Diego-based Ride1Up covers most of the ebike bases – from moto-inspired to tourers and fat-tire adventure bikes to folders – and now the company has added its first performance model in the shape of the CF Racer1.

HiPhi cranks its sports car program into hyperdrive with the all-new HiPhi A. The extreme GT comes powered by a near megawatt of all-wheel drive and is infused with cutting-edge materials and advanced features.

Carbon fiber has some great qualities, but easy recyclability isn't one of them. New Zealand manufacturer Vélos Advancements is nonetheless using carbon fiber waste in the production of its limited-run high-end road bike, the Holocene Superbike.

When it comes to portable pickers, a ukulele can make a great travel companion. Wanderers looking for a tough traveler with more bottom end might be interested in the carbon-fiber baritone and bass ukes from Utah's Klos Guitars.