Tag Archives: solar power

The Sniffer, April 1st, 2012: Trends in Solar and Just-in-Time Service

Posted on April 1, 2012 by Nora| Comments Off

On The Sniffer this time, Cathi Bond looks at trends in solar power, in particular carbon nanotubes as a way to add solar generation capabilities to windows. (Read more at Flinders). Nora Young points to Lisa Rochon’s article on the energy loss problems of today’s glass tower condos. Could this be a solution?

Meanwhile, Nora talks about a pilot project in Japan to allow motorists to pre-order their drive-through meals via two-way navigation systems. Convenient, sure, but what about distractible driving? (Via Trends in Japan).

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The Sniffer, June 24, 2011: Trends in Solar and Niche Social Media

Posted on June 24, 2011 by Nora| Comments Off

In this trendwatching podcast, Cathi Bond talks about innovations in CIGS solar, which may promise solar technology that’s cheaper to produce, has a flexible surface, and is becoming more efficient at power generation. What would it take for you to go solar? Cheaper? Easier to install on small surfaces than conventional panels?

Meanwhile, Nora Young talks about this post by designer and blogger Swiss Miss. It intrigues her for a few reasons. One is the trend to sponsored RSS feeds, two is the elegant site, Listgeeks, itself, and three is the notion that maybe we’re moving towards niche social media sites, which are defined by their high quality content, but which may not necessarily scale. Cathi wrote a great article at Rabble about the decline of the bricks and mortar human expert in an age of Netflix, Amazon etc. Cathi’s a great writer. Check out our gal’s story here.

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Trends in 3D, Phones, and Spray-on Solar

Posted on September 6, 2010 by Nora| Comments Off

In this trendwatching podcast, Cathi Bond and Nora Young discuss a cool, new initiative that Nokia and Intel are undertaking. It’s research, in conjunction with the University of Oulu, into how to make the experience of talking on your cellie more like face-to-face communication; they’re even looking at hologram technology! Read Intel’s press release here. Would you like a pop-up version of yourself on your friends’ phone?

Nora found another cool idea for cellphones. Researchers at the University of Washington have figured out how to make video chat via phone smooth enough for American Sign Language. The video just focuses right in on the signers’ hands (via Medgadget).

In another example of the trend towards cheaper, more flexible solar applications, Cathi points to EnSol’s spray-on solar (via PC World).

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