WATT WATCH

by Daniel Sommer

Watt Watch is for iPhone users who strive to consume less electricity in their everyday lives. By enabling users to learn about the electricity consumption of the devices they already own, they become empowered to start making energy trade offs. Unlike other power monitoring systems, which require significant investment and installation, Watt Watch allows users to immediately start comparing devices in their home using their iPhones. Leveraging up to date Energy Star databases, users can compare the power consumption of different lighting fixtures, or see what running the washing machine actually costs. Rather than buying new appliances, Watt Watch allows users to consume less power and save money using what they already own.

HALF BAG

by Daniel Sommer

Half Bag is for cyclists, travelers, and commuters who are dissatisfied with their current options for carrying business attire, whether in messenger bags, briefcases or suitcases. Unlike current garment bags that are large, hard to carry, and nearly impossible to fit into another bag, the Half Bag allows users to continue using any bag or pannier they might already own while slipping the Half Bag inside. Clothing is placed on the Half Bag Hangers (patent pending), which then fold in half to fit into the Half Bag. The bag can then be folded up to be smaller than ever before, while minimizing wrinkles during the commute.

THE WINDY CITY

by Thomas Meeker

Today’s tall, dense cities create extreme and unpredictable wind conditions, which limit the productive use of urban wind for localized power generation. Thomas Meeker’s project examines how we might modify the shape of future cities to provide more predictable seasonable breezes, the ability to scour out polluted urban air, and ways of harnessing these winds to power smaller distributed urban wind turbines. From Chicago, “the windy city,” comes a proposal to use that wind more productively while reducing dependence on oil and gas deliveries.

BIOMASS ENERGY APPLIANCES

by John Kinstler

This suite of Biomass Energy appliances, a Fuel Briquette Press Station and The Pyrodyne (shown), recovers the residual energy in common, urban household waste. The fuel for the Pyrodyne can be made from junk mail, newspaper, cardboard, and coffee grounds. These materials are soaked, pressed into briquettes with the Briquette Press Station, and dried in the integral drying rack system of the Pyrodyne. Once dry, they are thermo-chemically converted in a reduction burning environment, using the Pyrodyne, into a high-energy, combustible gas that can drive an automobile engine or an electrical generator; or they can simply be used to cook for family and friends in any grill.