Solar-Collecting Sun Shades

Here's a way to the future! Another great innovation has been developed in Australia, wherein they use solar collecting sun-shades to absorbed the energy from the sun. The Buro North and Victorian Eco-Innovation Lab, partnered to developed a solar-collecting sun-shade for Australian primary school yards aptly titled the 'Solar Shade'. The goals of the project is too:

• The creation of a solar shade that exposes and exhibits the technology of solar harvesting;

• To engage students by developing an interactive concept that requires their input to function;

• To shield students from the harsh Australian playground sun;

• To inform students about the collection of electricity and how the quantity of energy harvested directly relates to the world around them;

• To provide students with a direct benefit from the collection of solar energy.

The structure is rotated throughout the school day to best suit the position of the sun.


Does it look like a cobra eh? But tell you these is really the way to the future, getting energy from the sun is it right now!

Hersheys USB drive

If you are a Chocolate lover, you would definitely like to have a Hershey's USB Drive. The USB drive mimics the Hershey's chocolate small bar. It will surely delight your eyes every time you see this in your pocket or anywhere. But be sure not to be blinded by the look of it. I think this Hershey's USB drive is a good collection material too. Since our imagination is endless, I just thought why didn't they just make a USB that looks like a kisses. What yah think?

Wind Mills in Ilocos, Norte Philippines

The Bangui Wind Mills were built by the NorthWind Power Development Corporation to take its share in reducing the emission of harmful greenhouse gases (GHGs) causing global warming and to accelerate the rural electrification of the goverment.

In this area, wind mostly comes from the north-east, from the sea towards the land. To optimize the full benefit of the winds, turbines are installed along the shore facing the sea effectively removing wind breaks and achieving a terrain roughness of class 0.

The 'Wind Farm" as it is aptly called consist of 15 wind turbines. The turbines are on-shore and arranged in a single row spaced 326 meters apart. The turbines hub height (ground level to center of nacelle - that part holding the blades) is 70 meters high (roughly equivalent to a 23 storey building), each blade is 41 meters long (just 9 meters shy of a Olympic sized pool) giving a rotor diameter of 82 meters and a wind swept area of 5,281 square meters.

Going there

From Laoag, take the Laoag - Cagayan route. About 5 minutes after Burgos town proper, a directional marker on the left side of the road will lead you to Bangui bay, which is the host of the wind turbines. This will lead you to a gravel road with a downward slope going down to the beach. Right after the first turn, you will already be awed by the sight of the wind mills, follow the road and make a right turn upon entering the beach.

Should you miss the first marker, go on and proceed to the Bangui Bay observation deck (this you will never miss, also on the left side of the road) where a picturesque view of the wind mills can be obtained. Thereafter, you can go on on the road and right before Baruyen bridge, another marker will be found leading to the wind turbines. Travel time from Laoag is about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Every body is welcome at the wind farm (you will not see any fence) and wonder at the beauty of the wind mills. Visitors are reminded, though, to --- Take nothing but pictures (and/or videos), leave nothing but footprints and retain nothing but memories.

Should you need more, than just wonder at the awesome view, students, professionals and the curious minds are welcome at the sub-station, during office hours, where somebody will always be ready to answer your questions. (source: waypoints.ph)

.

Sigma 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG

Sigma 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG



It amazed me how big this lenses is. The Sigma 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG is one of the most extreme or should I say ginormous lenses ever built for the 35mm (24x36). If the looks don't get you much, Well tell you the weight of the lens is 15700g (15.7Kg). The case is you need to go to the gym first and build your biceps, triceps and all your muscle in the body to carry such a heavy load. Nonetheless the quality of the picture you will be able to take in with Sigma 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG are crisp and clear. But of course if you are into professional photography this would be a great investment.

Lens Specifications:

Focal length	200-500 mm (400-1000 with dedicated 2x extender)
Lens construction	17 elements in 13 groups
Number of Diaphragm Blades	9 blades
Angle of view	12º - 5º (on 35mm camera), 8º - 3º (on APS-C camera)
Max. Magnification	0.13x (1:7.7)
Maximum Aperture	f/2.8
Minimum Aperture	f/22
Image stabilization	No
Autofocus	Inner AF motor
Full Time Manual Focus	Yes
Closest Focusing Distance	2 - 5 meters
Filter size	72 mm (Drop-In)
Dimensions (Diameter x Length)	236 x 726 mm
Weight	15700 g
Weather sealing	No
Price	$ 24000
Announced	2008
Accessories	front and rear cap, fixed lens hood, Pelican 1780 case, dedicated 2x extender, shoulder strap, Li-ion battery BP-21, battery charger.

Solar Powered Handphone - Japan

In Japan's telco KDDI and their partner Sharp already announced about a cellphone that can be powered by solar energy. KDDI claims that if you place the phone under the sun for 10 minutes, you will get two hours of standby, or a minute or so of talk time.


The Solar Powered Handphone really a pro-environment invention. It uses a reusable energy such as solar to powered it. The device has a built-in solar panel that can be used to absorbed the energy from the sun. The advantage of the Handphone is that you don't need to bring with you a charger and much more a solar charger. Just bring with you the Solar Powered Handphone and your good to go. Isn't that very portable and sleek, indeed?!