WaterWheel aims to lighten the load for women in developing nations

http://www.gizmag.com/wello-waterwheel-water-transport/30325/

http://www.gizmag.com/waterwear-backpack/22961/

6 rooms into 1: morphing apartment packs 1100 sq ft into 420

We the tiny house people

10 of the years best desings for social good (Link)

Great Article here:

10 Of The Year’s Best Designs For Social Good

FROM AN OVEN THAT TURNS SEAWATER INTO DRINKING WATER, TO A PAIR OF 3-D PRINTED ARMS THAT LET A TODDLER HUG HER MOM FOR THE FIRST TIME, THESE PRODUCTS MADE A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO THOUSANDS OF LIVES THIS YEAR.

The term "do-gooder" has been a pejorative since the 1650s, when a British doctor coined it to refer to misguided idealists. Yet it’s tough to be blasé about do-gooders in 2012, a year in which we saw social innovation blossoming across creative fields.

For example, even the most world-weary will find it difficult to deny the brilliance of GiraDora, a foot-powered washing and drying machine co-created by a group of designers and citizens in a slum near Lima. Or the design student who created a disaster-preparedness kit inspired by his mother’s work as a volunteer after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

A common misconception is that social innovation deals only with design for developing countries. Yet many of these objects are relevant across the board. For example, after Hurricane Sandy left Manhattan in the dark, the makers of the biomass-to-electricity stove BioLite set up tables on street corners in the Lower East Side, offering free USB phone charging to stranded residents.

Here or abroad, each of these 10 objects defies cynicism. Enjoy.

GravityLight: lighting for the developing countries

1.5 Billion people live off the electric grid

The Solar Muscle solar-powered LED light, developed in Australia & Argentina, made in China and used in Africa and the rest of the world.

Its power and benefits compared to other lights come from its simplicity:

 Just one button: the on/off switch No moving or separate parts, no connectors needed Easy to connect to walls, roofs using screws, wires or even sticks!

Standard-sized batteries, easy to replace.

Fully Solar powered
Small and light
Connectable: join more lights when needed!
Click together to form a wall of light!
Weather- & shockproof
Brandable
Most important: bright & affordable: earned back in a month of kerosene savings!

http://flexiwaysolar.com/the-solution-our-solar-powered-led-light/

Build your own wind turbine

Hugh Piggott has confirmed dates for the delivery of his workshop in Kilkenny. This is a great opportunity for participants to learn ‘first hand’ from the master himself!

The course will take place from August 13th to 18th at our centre in Ennisnag.

Full Details on the course can be found here. Hugh Piggott Wind turbine Course

View full details on Flyer

Course fee will be €350 to attend with a  limited number of places available.

we will also hold a one day workshop on the Saturday (18th) covering off-grid power

Fee for the Saturday workshop only is  €50 Off grid power workshop

Please call our office on 056 7730005 for more information.

You can also fill out an enquiry form on our contact page.