SWIGZ electric racing bike bests internal combustion competition, mostly (video)
February 8, 2011 No Comment
Make room, Brammo , MotoCzysz , and Mission Motors , there’s a new motorcycle from Chip Yates and SWIGZ Pro Racing looking to join the electric bi-wheeled racing elite. The bike is doing its best to hasten the demise of the ICE with a 194hp DC motor (50+hp more than its EV brethren), putting down 295 ft-lbs of torque, which carried it to second- and third-place finishes against gas-powered competition in the WERA Heavyweight Twins Superstock and Superbike races at Auto Club Speedway in California on January 9th. Also on board is a first-of-its-kind front wheel KERS system that recharges the batteries en route to give the motor the juice it needs to hit racing speeds of up to 158mph. For those who’d like to own such an engineering marvel, keep dreaming, as Mr. Yates states the bike is a technical showcase that’s not meant for production. However, patents are pending on the KERS technology and the plan is to license it out — so gearheads can have a similar bike eventually — for a not-so-insignificant sum, we’d imagine. See the bike in action after the break. Continue reading SWIGZ electric racing bike bests internal combustion competition, mostly (video) SWIGZ electric racing bike bests internal combustion competition, mostly (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 09:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Pakistan Airlines staff go on strike, grounding some flights in Pakistan
February 8, 2011 No Comment
KARACHI, Pakistan – Employees at Pakistan’s state-owned airline went on strike Tuesday in protest against a proposed route-sharing agreement with Turkish Airlines, an airline spokesman said. The move grounded two international and four domestic flights. The action involved a small group of pilots and support staff, according to Pakistan International Airlines spokesman Mashhood Tajwar. Some employees opposed to the strike scuffled with its supporters at Karachi International Airport, according to witnesses. Union bosses were not available for comment, and it was not clear whether the strike would spread or be sustained. PIA bosses have said they are considering sharing some routes with…
Continue reading …China pumped up its interest rates for the third time in four months today, in a desperate attempt to rein in inflation. One-year deposit rates rose to 3%, and the one-year lending rate to 6.06%, the New York Times reports, and analysts expect still more increases down the road.
Continue reading …Conservation Alliance Expects to Donate $1 Million to Grassroots Enviro Groups
February 8, 2011 No Comment
The Conservation Alliance is based on a very simple premise. It’s a dating service. Member businesses in the US outdoor industry donate money to the Alliance, who in the meantime have collated applications from grassroots conservation organizations. The donated monies are then matched with as many saving-wild-places type projects, as there is funds for. Protecting wild places protects not only natural habitat for flora and fauna, but also the arenas where these companies customers recreate. Everyone wins. And this year The Conservation Alliance expects to pass a milestone in that they’ll donate over $1 million… Read the full story on TreeHugger
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Photo credit: Adidas RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, last month signed a $207,000 USD research contract with the German-based sports behemoth, Adidas, to identify the sustainable manufacturing capabilities and requirements of Adidas’ suppliers in Indonesia. The project known as The Sustainable Manufacturing Initiative (SMI) will, according to the university, “bring together RMIT researchers in sports technology, sustainable manufacturing, sustainable development, sustainable energy, supply chain management and textiles.”> … Read the full story on TreeHugger
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It’s no Bill Paxton Pinball , but Ben Heck’s portable Sega Genesis CDX is certainly up there in terms of superfluous gaming mods. As Heck points out, a lot of the console’s games were “FMV nonsense,” but, like most gaming systems, the 1994-released CDX had its ardent supporters. For those of you who fit the description, Heck’s combined the CD drive and motherboard from an old CDX with a chopped six-button Genesis controller, an old camcorder battery, and a four-inch LCD screen to bring you a bulky but portable console. Now you can enjoy a game of Snatcher at the laundromat while your Sonic the Hedgehog Underoos hit the spin cycle. Check out the video after the jump. Continue reading Sega Genesis CDX now portable thanks to Ben Heck (video) Sega Genesis CDX now portable thanks to Ben Heck (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 08:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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A former Philippines military chief embroiled in a corruption scandal has committed suicide, shooting himself in front of his parents’ graves hours before he was due to appear before a parliamentary investigation. Image 1 of 2 Former Philippine Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes Photo: REUTERS Image 1 of 2 Scene of the crime police investigators look for evidence at the graveyard of the parents of former defence secretary and military chief Angelo Reyes in suburban Manila Photo: AFP/GETTY IMAGES Angelo Reyes, 65, died from a single gunshot wound standing beside his parents’ graves, minutes after he sent his children and bodyguard back to their car to wait for him….
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Photo: from Infigen Energy’s development application Late last month, the NSW government granted planning approval for a $150 million AUD solar farm to be built near the town of Bungendore, not far from the Australian national capital of Canberra. The ABC reported that the solar photovoltaic arrays will cover 100 hectares (nearly 250 acres) and produce enough energy (50 megawatts) to power 10,000 homes. The solar farm will be built a… Read the full story on TreeHugger
Continue reading …Timberland Earthkeepers Go Bionic for Recycled Polyester and Organic Cotton
February 8, 2011 No Comment
All photos: Timberland Launched to the trade last year, Timberland’s new Earthkeeper footwear is now available to mere mortals as well. Complete with Bionic canvas, which is a modern reworking of that durable material, which was once de rigueur for sails and tents. In this instant, Timberland’s canvas uses Bionic yarn, from a company of the same name. The yarn has an outer of organic cotton (50%), wrapped around a core of 38% recycled PET core and 12% High Tensile polyester (non-recycled), all of which is said to “provide increased strength, abrasion resistance and decreased dry … Read the full story on TreeHugger
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An American artist has created a life-sized replica of Prince William in wax, complete with an engagement ring that visitors can put their finger through, pretending to be his fiance Kate Middleton. (Feb. 8)
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