ECOURBAN MARKET

ModRoof – Modular Roofs For Low-Income Housing Made of Recycled Waste

ModRoof's system for low-income housing solves existing roofing problems

20 April 2017 From Paul Münzner Filed Under: Featured, Waste

It’s everyone’s dream to have a roof over their head. However, that roof can turn into a nightmare if it’s one which leaks, breaks or heats up the interior to dangerous levels in a hot climate like that of India. A new low-cost and eco-friendly roofing system, called ModRoof, is driving many such nightmares under cover for those Indians who live in poverty in urban slums. And there’s a good chance the roofing system will soon include solar panels, too.

Solving Existing Roofing Problems

Up till now, Indians living in poverty-stricken areas have mainly been making use of metal or concrete sheets to cover their houses. However, dwellers in these units claim they face major problems, including severe heat because of lack of insulation; and deterioration leading to leaks, when using metal or concrete sheets.

Noise levels and leaks are at their highest levels during the monsoon season. Concrete slabs are occasionally chosen as the most workable option but are considered too expensive and difficult to install for most people in small villages or slum areas.

Leakage test ModRoof from ReMaterials — Leakage test (ReMaterials)

According to ModRoof’s manufacturers, start-up company ReMaterials, their new modular roof system deals with many of these problems by being strong, waterproof, fireproof – and likely to last for 20 years. It is also claimed to be quieter and more effective during monsoons, as well as more affordable than concrete slabs.

Recycling Waste Into Modular Roofs

So what makes up ModRoof? Agricultural and cardboard waste, locally-sourced from Ahmedabad in Gujarat, India, are the primary materials. These are recycled into modular units which are designed for ease of transport and installation – and so only individual units need replacement should there be damage. The flat rectangular units, which come standard in aqua, are joined together on site, and are supported on beams.

Installation of ModRoof from ReMaterials — ModRoof installation (ReMaterials)

Working in Indian villages and slums on housing and solar energy installations inspired Hasit Ganatra, a University of South California engineering graduate, and now co-founder of ReMaterials, to come up with this more affordable and effective roofing system.

Solar Panels Part of ModRoof’s Future Plans

Around 70 installations have been made in Ahmedabad so far, but the company says it is ready to leave start-up stage and go for wider markets – perhaps, entering markets in other developing countries, like Brazil, Morocco or Mexico.

ModRoof is also not stopping with just covering houses. The company is also intent on providing a source of power to those in rural and low-income areas. ReMaterials has already developed a way to incorporate solar panels in its roofing units so that those living under them will be able to charge cell phones and power LED lights.

Blue ModRoof installation by ReMaterials — (ReMaterials)

ModRoof ReMaterials - bird's eye perspective — (ReMaterials)

Soofa Bench – PV-Powered Smart Bench Brings Simple Technologies to the Streets

The first Soofa Benches appeared on the MIT campus and in the vicinity of Cambridge and Boston

30 January 2017 From Paul Münzner Filed Under: Energy, Featured

It seems to be a popular playground for creative IT specialists and engineers: Smart devices, mainly intended for the urban realms, can’t feature enough technical gimmicks if things go the way the creators want. A couple of inventions remain theory or prototypes at the best. In the case of Soofa, it is a different story. In recent years, the so-called Soofa Bench popped up in Canada, Germany, Costa Rica, Saudi Arabia and numerous cities in the USA.

Soofa started with 10 smart benches in Boston in 2014

Together with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the US startup Soofa developed this smart bench equipped with photovoltaic panels and the ability to charge smart phones. With two USB ports, it is possible to charge a wide range of smart phones or tablet computers. In order to shorten the charging time, an included Wi-Fi connection enables to surf the internet. Founded and controlled by women, the first Soofa Benches appeared on the MIT campus and in the vicinity of Cambridge and Boston.

With motto “deploy or die” @mysoofa founders aim to accelerate transition to smart cities https://t.co/sVXMhLKPhg pic.twitter.com/Ut0dkOBsEq
— MIT Alumni (@MIT_alumni) 27. January 2017

“The idea is to bring simple technologies to the streets,” says CEO Sandra Richter, a former Media Lab researcher who co-founded the startup with Nan Zhao, a Media Lab PhD student, and Jutta Friedrichs, a Harvard University graduate. “When it comes to smart cities, there’s been a lot of talking, but not a lot of doing. If you don’t want this [smart city] concept to die, you need to bring real-world examples to the places where we live, work, and play.”

Soofa Bench in Dubai from Soofa and MIT — Soofa Bench in Dubai (SOOFA.CO)

The team of the MIT spinout doesn’t rest on its laurels. Soofa Sign is their second solar-powered product. It diverse information, such as weather forecasts, programs of events or timetables of subway lines. Integrated sensors collect pedestrian traffic data for cities, allegedly to plan city developments, events, and other initiatives concerning the public.

“And what is better than a park bench?” Richter says. “It’s something we have all around the globe, has existed for centuries, and is a place for people to connect with each other. For us, that was the ideal platform to start introducing sensors into the public environment.”

SolarWindow – Electricity-Generating Flexible Glass Thin as a Business Card

Applied to the skyscraper’s windows, these have the capability to turn into tall electricity generators

19 January 2017 From Paul Münzner Filed Under: Energy, Featured

With SolarWindow Technologies’ latest creation, it is now possible to generate power by the use of bendable glass. Yes, we are talking about the ultra-thin electricity-generating flexible glass that the firm has recently created. This new generation method of creating clean electricity makes it possible to tap solar power through the windows of tall buildings or vehicles. The product, yet to be launched, is currently in the development phase.

SolarWindow Technologies’ electricity-generating flexible glass can also be applied to cars, buses, planes, trucks, …

This electricity-generating flexible glass is a thin bendable glass just 0.1 millimeters in thickness. When large sheets of such glass are applied to the skyscraper’s windows, these have the capability to turn into tall electricity generators. The produced electricity is clean, efficient and has no carbon footprint at all. This electricity-generating flexible glass is created by coating Corning Willow Glass with ‘electricity generating thin coating’ developed earlier by the firm. According to SolarWindow, it is possible to realize a payback period of one year in case of applying it to a 50-story building. It is then laminated to manufacture the final product. Not only the curved or plane windows of tall buildings but also the windows of the cars, buses, planes, trucks, boats, and ships can be used to create power for vehicular usage. Electric cars could even charge their battery.

SolarWindow CEO John Conklin said in a statement, “Along with our SolarWindow liquid coatings for rigid glass, we’re excited to expand our capabilities with brand new ways of generating clean electricity on almost any surface imaginable by using flexible Corning Willow Glass. As leaders in the sector, we’re setting out a clear vision for the future with this new, innovative technology.”

Coating for electricity-generating flexible glass from SolarWindow — Electricity generating coating (SolarWindow)

SolarWindow began its journey in the year 2009 when its scientists integrated the world’s smallest solar cells to a clear surface. Later on, at least thrice the number of these cells were squeezed into the same area to create an improved product with greater speed and durability and at the same time lowering costs. The result is the cost-effective, durable electricity-generating flexible glass. The company’s product development was bolstered when it entered into an alliance with the United States National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA). Soon after, the company made a major technical breakthrough. CRADA’s main aim is to manufacture these solar windows for commercial purposes.

Dr. Maikel van Hest, a Senior Scientist at NREL commented, “While generating electricity on flexible glass presents obvious commercial opportunities, this approach is especially attractive to high-speed roll-to-roll manufacturing for maximizing output while lowering production costs”

Looking at the company’s work, SolarWindow’s goal to manufacture electricity-generating flexible glass for commercial usage seems achievable. If they continue at the same pace, it seems highly likely that the company would further keep on developing great products that exploit the potential of this great source of renewable energy.

EVELO’s Omni Wheel – Upgrade Your Bike to an Electric Bike

Any bike can become an electrically driven one within about 30 minutes with Omni Wheel

14 August 2016 From Paul Münzner Filed Under: Cycling

If you like to boost your regular bike and upgrade it to an electric bike, maybe you should have a closer look at the recently released Omni Wheel from EVELO. According to the manufacturer, any bike can become an electrically driven one within about 30 minutes. It is possible to transform a cruiser, an urban city bike, a recumbent, or any other one without incurring huge costs for a new e-bike. Up to 40 electrically assisted miles are possible with a single charge. After pushing Omnis’s button, the cyclist can enjoy a top speed up to 17 miles per hour.

Omni Wheel from EVELO - Electric Bike — (EVELO)

Upgrade within a few minutes

The shipped Omni Wheel contains all necessary components like battery, motor, thumb throttle or the display panel. Two working steps are needed for the upgrade. First of all, the existing front wheel has to be replaced by the Omni Wheel. In the second step, the activation button and the digital display panel will be installed. Finished. With advanced manual skills, it even needs less than 30 minutes.

The thumb throttle provided can be slid easily after removal of the existing handle. Furthermore, a bottom bracket cadence sensor is provided as an alternative.

The story behind Omni Wheel

Jonah Bliss from EVELO Electric Bicycles emails:
“EVELO Electric Bicycles was started when our founder hand built an electric bike for his wife. They loved going on long rides together, but sometimes she worried about being able to keep up with him. By making her an electric bike, they could now ride as long as they wanted, and not worry about stamina. But once the bike was out and about, they kept getting stopped by curious friends, neighbors, and onlookers, who wanted one for themselves. That made it clear they had a business to build, and from there EVELO was born. After launching four “traditional” electric bicycles, we then decided we needed a way to bring electric power to even more bike fans, at an even lower cost.”

Compatibility check

EVELO recommends checking the bike for compatibility before the modification. With at least 10 cm space between the fork dropouts and wide enough brakes in the front, it is possible to choose the Omni Wheel in 26” or 700C size.

Specifications

It is possible to ride between 15 and 25 miles with the 24V8.7 Ah battery or 25 and 40 miles with the 24V14.5 Ah battery in pedal-assist mode. The small battery needs around four hours for charging – the large is fully charged after approx. nine hours. Both, provided by Panasonic, can be recharged about 350 times. Omni Wheel is equipped with a 350 W motor.

Images from EVELO

Coolpeds Launches Affordable Retro-Inspired iBike

Up to 50 miles with iBike's 350 W brushless motor inside the front wheel

14 July 2016 From Paul Münzner Filed Under: Cycling

It is not so long ago that electric bikes commonly cost more than US$1000. E-bikes for much less than US$1000 were a novelty. News about the first cheap but serious offers like from Storm Sondors were spreading like a wildfire in the bicycle scene. Now a further interesting offer from Coolpeds is dipping significantly below US$1000. Their new iBike costs less than US$500.

The leather grips and genuine leather seat with spring cushion ensure a retro-inspired look

“From air quality to commuting times, the lives of the people who live in large cities are impacted more and more everyday. Through the use of the latest technology, we can offer an eco-friendly, convenient and affordable means of travel that will not only reduce pollution, but ease congestion on city streets, immeasurably improving the standard of living for people around the world.” emails Coolpeds.

Dear fans and supporters, The Coolpeds Electric iBike campaign is live now!
You are invited to the exclusive… https://t.co/JZkDnpB5iq
— Coolpeds USA (@Coolpeds_USA) 8. Juli 2016

Riding with iBike immediately at the push of a button or by pedaling

It is possible to drive with an estimated pedal-assist range between 30 to 50 miles (48 to 80 km). You can ride between 20 to 30 miles (32 to 48 km) with the 350 W brushless motor inside the front wheel if you drive out electrically.

The crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo was launched on July 8th, 2016 and provides two different iBike offers. The most favorable offer without shipping costs amounts US$468 if you are an early bird. One can define it as cheap compared with a retail price of about US$799 – 999.

Weight

With its lightweight design, Coolpeds’ iBike has a weight of 29 lb (13.2 kg). That is significantly below the average and makes it is easy to carry it anywhere you like.

Battery

IBike is equipped with a lithium ion 36 V battery from Samsung. It is replaceable and fully charged in 3 or maximum 4 hours.

Coolpeds ibike — Leather grips and genuine leather seat with spring cushion (Coolpeds)

About Coolpeds

Coolpeds specializes in super lightweight electric scooters and innovative electric transporters. According to the company, their mission is to offer an innovative, compact and eco-friendly way to travel. One that not only helps people get around efficiently, but also improves local communities by reducing pollution and congestion. So they allegedly designed the lightest electric transporters in the world. Their scooters are not only light, they’re also foldable, produce zero emission and will even charge your phone. Coolpeds has just been granted a patent for a solar-powered scooter and plans to develop an innovative and affordable power train system for wheelchair users.

Coolpeds USA is registered in California, USA.