Is the future of oral hygiene solar? Are we ever going to stop depending on toothpaste? Will we be using solar power instead of toothpaste one day? In Japan, the Shiken company is trying to give answers to these questions by field testing an unusual solar-powered toothbrush that doesn’t require toothpaste.

Soladey-J3X a solar-powered toothbrush.

The Soladey-J3X is a solar-powered toothbrush designed by Dr. Kunio Komiyama (dentistry professor at the University of Saskatchewan) and Dr. Gerry Uswak. The first model was designed 15 years ago (it was described in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology) and more work has been done since then in order to perfect it.

Now, Komiyama is back with a new model, the Soladey-J3X, which he says packs twice the chemical punch compared to the original.
It is a solar-powered toothbrush with a solar panel at its base that transmits electrons to the top of the toothbrush through a lead wire.

Soladey-J3X a solar-powered toothbrush.

These electrons react with acid in the mouth, creating a chemical reaction that breaks down plaque and kills hazardous bacteria. This means no toothpaste is required – helping you save more money in the long run (as well as water, since there is less rinsing to be required).

Image from www.kk-shiken.co.jp. Soladey-J3X a solar-powered toothbrush. Plaque removal mechanism.

Soladey-J3X a solar-powered toothbrush.

Researchers have already tested the toothbrush in cultures of nefarious bacteria that cause periodontal disease. The solar-powered brush caused complete destruction of bacterial cells.

How much power does the Soladey-J3X need to be effective? To get fully charged this toothbrush needs only as much sunlight as a solar-powered calculator.

The Soladey-J3X won the first place prize out of 170 entries at the annual FDI World Dental Conference in Dubai last month. This gives Komiyama confidence that there is scientific merit to the brush.

Learn more about this solar-powered toothbrush at the Shiken company’s website.

A four-month pilot project was conducted by the City of San Diego in cooperation with the Uptown and Downtown Community Parking Districts to evaluate new high-tech single-space parking meter mechanisms. The pilot was conducted to determine the suitability of this enhanced technology for broader use within San Diego.

Unlike old, battery-powered models, the high-tech meters allow users to pay with coins, a credit card, or a reusable, rechargeable parking debit card. The systems meet the Payment Card Industry (PCI) security standards and IPS is a level-one PCI-certified vendor. Once a card is swiped, it is encrypted and authorized. The meters do not store full credit card information and the information is not kept on file.

Solar Powered Parking Meter in San Diego, CA.
Image by Your Solar Link.

The new mechanisms are quickly and easily installed in existing single-space meter housings/poles. The solar-powered mechanisms are more environmentally friendly than existing single-space meters reducing battery usage and disposal when compared to existing mechanisms. Real-time communication capabilities provide more complete and timely information/statistics, allow greater flexibility and control of parking meter rates and include more robust displays with better information and instructions for users. The technology also provides a broader range of payment options including credit cards and is one of many important components necessary to better manage City parking resources.

The Solar Powered Parking Meter in San Diego, CA.
Image by Your Solar Link.

51 of the enhanced mechanisms were installed in existing City single-space parking meters at various Uptown and Downtown locations.

Project Highlights.

Number of Meters: 51
Mechanism Vendor: IPS Group, Inc
Pilot Project Areas: 3800 4th Ave (24 meters)
600 West G St (5 meters)
600 6th Ave (13 meters)
500 Market St (6 meters)
600 5th Ave (3 meters)
Evaluation Criteria: Evaluation Criteria for Enhanced Mechanism Pilot (PDF: 9K)
Payment Methods: Credit card, coin, pre-paid parking value card
Key Stakeholders: City of San Diego, Uptown Partnership, Uptown Community Parking District, Center City Development Corporation, Downtown Community Parking District, Downtown Parking Management Group.

Check out this vendor installation demonstration video.

So far, the high-tech meters have increased revenue, decreased labor and produced valuable data for the city.

Resource: www.sandiego.gov/parking

Did you ever think of adding some kind of attic ventilation to your house to keep it cooler during exhausting hot summer days or just to get rid of excessive humidity? There are quite a few solar powered attic fans on the market.
Your Solar Link now offers a new model of whisper quiet technology 20″ diameter blade (the largest blade on the market) Multi-Purpose Solar Attic Fans to ventilate attics and to keep your house cooler.

Solar Attic Fan. More about Multi-Purpose Solar Attic Fans.

Its newly designed co-polymer UV resistant shroud is created specifically to increase airflow and to isolate the solar module from heat transfer. Unlike metal it will not rust, corrode, or dent. These particular solar powered attic fans rely on a 30-watts (unlike earlier models with 10-20-watts panels) solar panel to power a DC motor when the sun is shining or even in partially cloudy climates. They are great for both residential and commercial use.
Solar powered fans usually exhaust air at a rate of 800 to 1200 CFM and are set up with intake vents (such as soffit and gable vents) to provide high-capacity powered ventilation without any electric operating costs. Multi-Purpose Solar Attic Fans from Your Solar Link exhaust air at a rate of 2400 CFM plus and are perfect for 1500 – 3000 square feet attic space homes. Most vents are positioned high on the roof, near the ridge, and combined with soffit or gable vents for balanced intake and exhaust air streams.

Image from www.yoursolarlink.com. Solar Attic Fan.
Read more on Multi-Purpose Solar Attic Fans HERE.

Because they cost nothing to operate, solar attic fans are much more affordable than conventional powered attic fans. By reducing your attic temperature, attic fans can help reduce summertime cooling loads, providing ventilation without added utility cost.

How well do solar attic fans work? Check out this video demonstrating solar attic ventilation.

Steps to install a Solar Attic Fan:

1. In attic, mark location of solar powered vent between two roof rafters.
2. Drive nail through center of vent location.
3. Install roof brackets and fall-arrest system to roof.
4. Scribe outline of vent’s flashing on roof using homemade dowel compass.
5. Cut shingles along circular outline with a utility knife.
6. Pull nails and remove shingles from within the circle.
7. Use compass to scribe hole for vent onto roof sheathing.
8. Cut hole in roof with a reciprocating saw.
9. Remove shingles from around the vent opening.
10. Apply continuous bead of tri-polymer roofing cement around hole.
11. Set roof vent over hole, then screw the fan’s flashing to roof.
12. Apply more caulking around flashing.
13. Replace all the roof shingles around the vent fan with 1 ½-inch roofing nails.

Sounds complicated? Not really. If you are hands-on and do-it-yourself type, you can easily put solar attic fan in. Just watch the video below (installing solar powered attic fan in just 30 minutes), read your solar fan manual and follow the steps.

Good luck trying to keep cool this summer and to those who already have installed their solar attic ventilation – enjoy free energy and let us know how it worked out for you!

Image by www.why-yachts.com

The problem with everyone’s favorite desert island fantasy is that peaceful, unspoiled beaches never stay undiscovered for very long, with even the most secluded of spots becoming overrun by others with Robinson Crusoe aspirations. Cue the collaboration between Monaco ship-builders Wally and luxury-brand Hermes for the £90 million Wally Hermes Yacht.

Image by www.why-yachts.com

A three-level, 58 x 38 meter yacht, the boat houses twelve guests and twenty crew in a spacious and, as you’d expect from Hermes, supremely stylish interior. But it’s the 30-meter ‘beach’, which offers panoramic views of your chosen destination, that explains the Why’s bottom-heavy shape and sets it apart from your average super yacht. The extra-long stern has been designed not only to replicate a stretch of private beach in shape, but to physically calm the water behind the boat, protecting guests from any annoying waves.

Image by www.why-yachts.com

An inbuilt helicopter pad enables a quick departure if the yacht’s optimum 12 knot speed doesn’t suffice. With a 25 meter swimming pool in the bow, however, along with a library, music room, cinema and spa, you’d be forgiven for wondering why they’d bothered at all with an escape route. Then again, that’s what the captain of The Titanic thought. www.why-yachts.com

Image by www.why-yachts.com

Article by Guy Pewsey.

As part of its green energy resources, this yacht uses thermophotovoltaic panels to power its heating and airconditioning requirements. The “WHY” Yacht also uses wind generators, latest generation batteries and other green energy systems.

Get a tour of a home that is powered by only solar energy and hydro-electric energy!

© Image from solar.envirohub.net.
By having a simple array of solar panels like this picture above, you can power many devices in your home, as well as save yourself money over time.