More and more we understand that moving towards sustainable and green options in our personal and professional lives is paramount. This mean changing the way we interact with our technology and, from a sustainability perspective, how that technology interacts with the world.

Everything from how products are made, to what happens to them when they are recycled, needs to be taken into account. And in this rapidly changing space, exciting and innovate solutions are being produced

Here are 4 trends in eco- technology:

Bladeless Wind Turbines

Wind turbines are not new technology, but advances in the field are making a sustainable practice even more sustainable. According to MIT Technology Review, today’s wind turbines are very large, difficult to transport, have high material costs and not as efficient as the new bladeless turbines.

The older large turbines function with a rotation blade, while these new blades turbines “harness voracity, the spinning motion of air or other fluids”. This forces cause the bladeless turbines to vibrate, which the turbine converts into electricity.

While the new turbines are slightly less effective at converting kinetic energy in electricity, they are substantially cheaper to maintain, manufacture, and transport. This gives them great market potential in coming years.

Blockchain Tracking

A new technology may help reduce illegal fishing and human rights abuses. According to The Guardian, “At present the buying and selling of seafood is tracked by paper records and tags on the fish. The new blockchain approach sees local fishermen send SMS messages to register their catch on the blockchain. This identification is then transferred to a supplier along with the catch, with any subsequent move, for example processing or tinning, also recorded.”

The Thai Union is first to welcome a trial of the technology and is also the world’s biggest tuna exporter. The developers now face the challenges of scaling the systems to operate globally. It will be interesting to see the technology evolve and what sustainable support it give to the fishing industry.

For more information go to: https://www.provenance.org/

Solar Technology

More and more focus on alternative energy leads not only to the wind and water, but also the Sun. Coming later net month, Elon Musk plans on unveiling his new Solar Roof. From Tesla’s recent merger with Solar City, Musk has planned on combing aspect of his electric cars, home battery systems, and solar panels.

The intriguing part of this roof is that rather than have solar panels, “the whole roof [has] solar power capabilities”, according to WIRED. Perhaps we may see more advance in this smart home vein in the coming years.

Large Scale Air Filtration

Artist and innovator, Dan Roosegaarde was inspired to create a large air filter after visiting Beijing and not being able to see the city because of smog. Early this year the filter unit had its first test in Rotterdam, and interestingly enough he is quotes in CNN Money saying, “For some reason, little rabbits find the space around the tower particularly intriguing. I don’t know why. Perhaps they can feel the difference.”

The device attracts small particles in the air (PM2.5 and PM10). According to CNN Money, “Small particles, PM10 and PM2.5, are particularly dangerous and affect more people than any other pollutant…PM2.5 being so tiny it can easily penetrate the blood and lungs.” Roosegaarde is motivated to change a small part of the world. He is interested in preserving spaces with improved air quality and feels it can be “a very powerful motivator”.

Should you have any questions or would like more information about sustainable technology trends, please reach out.