New Atlas

Energy Audio available

Researchers create flags that harvest energy from solar and wind

Paul Ridden February 12, 2019

Scientists at the University of Manchester in the UK have developed flags that are reckoned to be the first to harvest solar and wind at the same time. Not enough to power a house, or even a gadget such as a smartphone, but could be enough for set it and forget it remote sensors.

The inverted flags are made using piezoelectric strips that harvest energy as the device flaps around ...

Music

Wind-cranked music box sings in the breeze

Paul Ridden October 23, 2017

Last year, Niklas Roy super-sized the music box idea by placing real instruments inside a massive box and got the public to play, erm, tunes by turning a huge hand crank connected to cogs and pulleys. Now, he's created a windmill-powered music box that tinkles away whenever a breeze picks up.

Niklas Roy used old political election boards for the base plate and blades of the windmill ...

Good Thinking

New Spanish streetlight powered by the sun and the wind

Ben Coxworth January 20, 2015

If you're trying to save power, you generally don't leave your lights on all night. With a few exceptions, however, that's what cities do with their streetlights. A Spanish team is addressing that situation, with a stand-alone streetlight that runs off of both solar and wind power.

The UPC/Eolgreen streetlights incorporate both solar panels and a wind turbine (Photo: Eolgreen)

Remarkable People

Evolving art: Majestic Strandbeest sculptures come to life on the beach

Lakshmi Sandhana November 17, 2013

How many artificial animals can you encounter on a seaside walk? More than one if you frequent the Dutch coastline where Theo Jansen's moving artworks amble along with the help of their rudimentary senses.

The Strandbeest Plaudens Vela can walk in the wind at low speeds and avoid tumbling over ...

Marine

Vindskip ship concept uses the hull as a sail

James Holloway September 18, 2013

With its Vindskip (or Windship), the Norwegian designers at Lade AS have come up with an intriguing concept for a partly wind-powered "hybrid" merchant ship.

Robotics

Polar Rover blows through Antarctica

Paul Ridden March 21, 2013

China's Polar Rover is claimed to be the first wind-powered autonomous vehicle used for research in Antarctica.

China's Polar Rover harnesses the wind for power courtesy of a top-mounted HoYi! vertical axis turbine ...

Military

Mine Kafon: the low-tech tumbleweed minesweeper

James Holloway November 1, 2012

An Afghan designer has come up with a novel tumbleweed-esque device to find and detonate mines, a device that has evolved from the wind-powered toys he made as a child.

A dramatic visualization of the Mine Kafon in use

Automotive

UGE installs its first wind-powered EV charging station

Paul Ridden August 16, 2012

New York's Urban Green Energy has installed the world's first fully integrated wind-powered electric vehicle charging station in Barcelona.

Environment

Holonic Streetlamp draws on sun and wind to provide light

Ben Coxworth June 12, 2012

The Holonic Streetlamp harnesses both sunlight and wind to provide light when the Sun goes down.

The Holonic Streetlamp utilizes both solar and wind power

Environment

UK's Electric Highway rollout includes world's first wind-powered EV charging post

Paul Ridden August 22, 2011

Green Energy innovator Ecotricity has unveiled plans to install a national network of electric vehicle charging points powered by renewable energy, one of which is the first in the world to get its power directly from a wind turbine.