Ladies: get ready for the next generation of bra’s!

Ladies: get ready for the next generation of bra’s!

Why not contributing to the environment by wearing specific clothes?

This “Solar Power Bra“ can generate enough electric energy to charge a mobile phone. Moreover, the bra is equipped with pads especially designed to hold beverages so that the usage of plastic bottles can be reduced.

Being eco-friendly is becoming more and more important nowadays: so why not try and save the planet by wearing this special bra? Some would call this ridiculous and stupid, I would call this girl power!

Of course, this bra will not be sold in stores anytime soon because of practical issues, but the idea of generating energy through wearing special clothes could be part of the next technological revolution. 

Still, a great deal needs to be done: the solar panel worn around the stomach requires light to generate electricity and women usually don’t come outside in their undergarments. Another major default is that the bra cannot be worn on a rainy day to avoid any damage.

So, ladies, my question is… once we are released from these defaults, would you be inclined to wear a similar eco-friendly bra?

Sharon vM

Human-powered floating gyms, the future of transport?

If you ask me, one of the most striking inventions recently has to be the Human-powered floating gym. These type of boats use energy produced by people working out, and transform it into fuel.

The idea behind the concept is quite simple: why not use the energy released during a fitness training? Aside from the positive effect of practicing sports on people’s well-being, this innovative concept aims to cut back the number of cars on the road. Consequently, traffic chaos will be scaled down, as well as the production of noxious exhaust fumes.

    

On second thoughts, two questions spring to mind. First of all, will people be prepared to work out at the beginning of a day full of work, chores and meetings? And secondly, is this concept feasible in terms of the necessary investments? Will the received value compensate the costs, and wouldn’t it be more easy to promote the use of a bike in the city? This invention adds up on paper, but the practical development is highly debatable.

What do you think? Is this just another “Fail again. Fail Better” (Beckett)? Or haven’t I recognized the brilliance of this concept yet?µ

Astrid Vandenbogaerde

Green Eco Jeans the next big item in fashion land?

What if you could buy the latest cool jeans that are at the same time affordable and eco/ environmental friendly? The green Eco Jeans is becoming the new rage amongst women and men! Blue, white, red, orange, the Eco Jeans exists in all the colors of the rainbow.

 We believe that The Eco Jeans made out of wood can be classified as a  innovative green invention. This type of jeans has been invented by English fashion student Dawn Ellams and is entirely made out of wood fiber. The typical jeans look is then created by digital printing and not by intensive washing and coloring like in the traditional polluting textile industry. 

Once made, this pair of green jeans is even softer than normal cotton and feels even more comfortable. They can be perfectly washed and won’t shrink. In addition, the Eco Jeans has an affordable price tag of 32€. So, like the French like to say: Bon chic, bon marché!

This creation process fits in perfectly in today’s green policy because it demands five times less water and energy than a normal jeans. The amount of chemicals and carbon dioxide emissions is at the same time dramatically reduced. 

So what do you think? Would you buy this new type of trousers, knowing that its price is about the same of a normal pair of jeans and that contributes to a more green durable world?

  

Chloë De Schuyter

When Business meets Environment, Everybody Wins!!

Imagine the innovation you present at the end of this course turns out to be a huge hit. Imagine you would like to take that innovation beyond the borders of the university and - why not - try to cash in on it? Sadly, however, getting a project up and running is not a walk in the park in these harsh economic times...

No need to back the project with your own savings (or your parents' for that matter), as funding is where the European Commission comes in. Meet the Eco-Innovation project!

Yes indeed: the Commission, renowned the world over for its endless red tape, tough administrative policies and blessed with a rather stuffy image (except of course its glamourous President Barosso who incidently holds an honorary PhD from this University), is putting its money where its mouth is and aims to back young green innovators from within the European Union. By investing, they aim to boost economic growth and help protect the environment all at once.

So, do you have an idea for a new process, product or service that is both good for business and the environment, but are experiencing some trouble getting it to market? Does your idea fit within one of these five categories: 

• Materials recycling and recycling processes;
• Sustainable building products;
• Food and drink sector;
• Water efficiency, treatment and distribution;
• Greening business?

Why not apply for funding? Take a look at http://ec.europa.eu/environment/eco-innovation/ for more information.

To appeal to youngsters with an eye for all things revolutionary and green, the Commission has designed an interactive website, providing you with all the necessary (background) info, but also an interactive map, the Eco-innovator's World. This way, you can check out the almost 200 projects that have been selected for funding since the launch of the programme in 2008.

Just to give you an idea of your Belgian predecessors: an ecological vineyard, an eco-diapers project, a biodegradable packaging project, ...

Feeling up to the challenge?Check out this fun video the top one) to get inspired: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/eco-innovation/videos/index_en.htm

Astrid

What if...

What if boring chores such as throwing away your garbage in the dustbin could be made fun? What if people would be more inclined to act responsible if they had fun while doing it?

About four years ago Volkswagen introduced a project called "The Fun Theory". This project incited everybody to change their behaviour by thinking of ways to make daily chores more fun. Moreover, Volkswagen believes that people will act more responsibly towards nature if they’re having fun while doing it. With The Fun Theory they tried to inspire people to think of more responsible ways to go through our everyday routines.

Volkswagen created a competition where people could enter their innovation that would improve people’s behaviour. Many of them were environmentally friendly, such as the bicycle bus. This device allows you to go from one place to another without creating any pollution like you would if you went by bus or by car. And not to forget, riding this bicycle bus is also a work-out, so it’s not only good for the planet but it is good for your health too.

Some of the ideas that the company itself came up with were "The bottle bank arcade" and "The world's deepest bin". Both objects are designed to encourage people to throw away their bottles or garbage in the right places.

Would cities be cleaner if people were more motivated to walk the few extra meters to throw away their garbage in the dustbin instead of dropping their papers and scraps on the ground? I think that these two inventions would definitely encourage people to do so. Why? Because it’s more fun! 

If you want to check out the other entries and the winning invention of The Fun Theory, just click the link below!

http://www.thefuntheory.com/

Kaat and Elise

Asus creates « the Bamboo series » 

Computer company Asus is concerned about the environment. In order to deliver ecological responsible products, Asus has created a “green” label, called The “Green Home Runs”. These “Green Home Runs” stand for Green Design, Green Manufacturing, Green Procurement and Green Service and Marketing.

The company’s last innovation is a notebook made of Bamboo. It may look odd and a bit old-school, but actually it is a lot “greener” to manufacture Bamboo-computers rather than metal ones: “the manufacturing process uses less energy than traditional metal alloys that are refined from petrol”.  In addition, the Bamboo notebook helps to reduce e-waste. Moreover, the wood is very strong, easy and quick to grow and requires very little water. It also helps reduce CO2.

Each computer is also unique because each notebook is made of a unique piece of wood. Asus thinks consumers will have a “more personal relationship” 

with the computer.

Personally, I think the idea is great, but I have my doubts about the design. It made me think of the look of the old Volvo Wagon with those pieces of woods on the side. In addition, if you leave your computer in the sun, the color of the surface will change over the time… Hopefully it doesn't turn green! 

Xoxo,

Déborah and Elke 

Urban gardening is growing a green future!

Do you miss a fresh green touch in your city apartment or house? Urban gardening is becoming all the rage! A window, balcony, patio, deck or roof is all you need to create your own little garden. 

More and more people around the world are taking a look at urban gardening, which creates the possibility to grow your own food in the city. This “growing” trend enables us to decrease the long-distance transportation, which has a positive effect on our environment. Furthermore, we get the freshest  products possible.

Even Ghent University is getting on board! Along with JNM and the Ghent student council, UGent 1010 has recently started up Stujardin. This group of students gathers frequently to learn more about urban gardening and entices other students to participate. The University even put a piece of lawn on the FBW Coupure campus at the disposal of the organisation to grow their own vegetable garden.

Does this trend seems interesting to you and do you also want to ‘start-to-grow’? Go to the first growing night of StuJardin tomorrow, a workshop about gardening in the city! For further information, visit: http://www.facebook.com/events/204969862977280/.  

And if you want to go really mad, these are a few crazy examples: 
 

Eva & Kaat