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Contests:

Win a Stormtrooper Star Wars Series MIMOBOT

Last week, we gave away the R2D2 Star Wars Series MIMOBOT and now we’ve got the Stormtrooper Unmasked one to give away. Stormtroopers rule… and now you can rule them by storing all your data on ‘em. Your new Stormtrooper flash drive will store up to 4GB so you’ll be able to transport your music, school papers, and whatever else it is you want to keep with you. Oh, and MIMOBOTs come with all sorts of cool preloaded media for you to lol at.

HOW TO WIN A MIMOBOT

So here’s the deal. We’re going to make this easy. All you’ve got to do to win is add @Tech_Vert on twitter and send out a tweet saying the following:

RT this to win a MIMOBOT from @Tech_Vert http://bit.ly/aBXdLf (RT to enter)

The more you tweet, the more chances you’ll have to win. We’ll choose one person on Monday, May 10 at 11:59pm. Then we’ll send the winner a message to let them know they’ve won. Good Luck!

If you don’t win, no worries! We’re doing a giveaway every weekday in May. You might want to add TechVert on facebook or sign up for our newsletter or RSS feed to be notified when we’ve got another contest live.

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Science:

First Solar Cells to be Printed on Paper

We’re in one of the most fascinating times for the development of technology. We’re harvesting electricity from algae, and steering vehicles with our eyes. And now, according to professionals at MIT, we’re printing solar cells directly onto paper.

Basically, an organic semiconductor material is applied to the paper using a technique similar to that of a standard inkjet printer. This new technology would transform solar cells from large, heavy and expensive products to something you could staple anywhere. Though the technology is not yet ready for commercial markets, the ability to print solar cells is quite exciting.

Continue reading First Solar Cells to be Printed on Paper

Around The Web

last update: May 19, 2013

Clean:

ASES National Solar Conference

The National Solar Conference, now in its 39th year, is the longest-running educational event for solar energy professionals in the U.S. This year’s conference is set in Phoenix, AZ and is expecting nearly 5,000 visitors.

The Exhibit Hall will feature the newest and most innovative products and services in the renewable energy industry.  There will be program tracks for solar professionals as well as a Public Day for members of the public interested in finding out about solar energy for your home or business, which includes a pass to the Exhibit Hall and access to a full day of presentations and events – all for only $5.

Hope to see you there.

Clean:

Verizon Plans To Lower Its Carbon Footprint

Hello Earth? Can you hear me now? Verizon Wireless has taken it upon themselves to lower the impact they have on the environment. They have put together a whole host of energy saving initiatives and recycling guidelines in their recent sustainability program, all in an effort to lower the companies global carbon footprint.

They have already reduced CO2 emissions by more than 793 million pounds, and improved their rate of emissions per million dollars in revenue to 60.2 metric tons of CO2 in 2009, from 64.4 metric tons in 2008. By conducting virtual meetings they have already saved 91 million kilowatt hours and prevented more than 114 million pounds of CO2 from unneeded travel. By reducing engine idling they have saved 1.7 million gallons of fuel in 2009 alone.

Continue reading Verizon Plans To Lower Its Carbon Footprint

Mobile:

iPad Hacked to Play SNES Super Mario Bros. Using Wiimote

What do you get when you cross an iPad, a SNES emulator, and a wiimote? An iPad that plays SNES games using a wiimote for the controller, that’s what. Even though the iPad is already capable of portable gaming with its touchscreen interface and gaming apps, some people still like the feel of the remote they grew up playing with, and the games they grew up playing.

Continue reading iPad Hacked to Play SNES Super Mario Bros. Using Wiimote

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Science:

Li-ion Battery That Lasts 10 Years From Hitachi

The current average lifespan of a rechargeable lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery is roughly 5 years. Hitachi has just announced that they think they will be able to produce a Li-ion battery with almost twice the life span. Working with Shin-Kobe Electric Machinery they’ve been able to make versions for small applications like cameras, cellphone and laptops. They hope to eventually make them larger for use in hybrids, EVs and even for storing excess energy produced by wind farm generators.

For those who are interested in the specifics, the new battery uses more manganese for the positive electrode and reduces the use of the far more expensive cobalt. The new cathode material is the composite oxide lithium manganese spinel (LIMn2O4), a crystalline material that is much more stable than the previous cathode material. This is what makes the the longevity possible, it reduces the leaching of the cathode material into the electrolyte. In addition, the new batteries will be cheaper due to the reduced amount of cobalt.

Continue reading Li-ion Battery That Lasts 10 Years From Hitachi

Gadgets:

The 16 Million Color Lamp

Yep, we said 16 million colors… actually it’s 16,777,216 to be exact. With four LEDs (two red, one blue, and one green), the 16 million color lamp cycles through “256 different hues, 256 levels of saturation, and 256 brightness settings.” If you had enough time and the precision, you’d be able to access each color individually using the color wheel on its wireless remote.

And for even more cool, the lamp can be set to scroll through soft, muted tones and deep, bold shades of light automagically. Pretty amazing if you ask me.

Continue reading The 16 Million Color Lamp

Contests:

Win a Gadget Guard for Your iPhone

Everybody drops their cellphone at some point, it’s inevitable, and to avoid scratches you’ve got to protect your device. So, you go out and get a case for your iPhone and it works, but you realize that Apple spends millions of dollars trying to make their products the most desirable on the market, and you’ve just gone and covered it up. Well, luckily, Gadget Guard makes a product that covers your phone invisibly while still protecting it from scratches. Brilliant! Best part is, they’ve teamed up with our little tech blog to give a few of these suckers away.

HOW TO WIN A GADGET GUARD FOR YOUR IPHONE

All you’ve got to do to win is add @Tech_Vert on twitter and send out a tweet saying the following:

RT to win a GadgetGuard from @Tech_Vert http://bit.ly/a8Wecm (RT to enter)

The more you tweet, the more chances you’ll have to win. We’ll choose one person on Tuesday, May 7 at 11:59pm. Then we’ll send the winner a message to let them know they’ve won. Good Luck!

If you don’t win, no worries! We’re doing a giveaway every weekday in May. You might want to add TechVert on twitter or facebook or sign up for our newsletter or RSS feed to be notified when we’ve got another contest live.

Continue reading Win a Gadget Guard for Your iPhone

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