This rechargeable power bank developed by Datexx provides instant power when you need it the most. This unit can be your back up power source for your electronic devices in an emergency situation or when you’re just on the go. All you do is simply plug in your device to the unit and let it recharge.

There is a back up hand crank which gives you a second source of power if you don’t mind putting in a bit of elbow grease. For 2 minutes of crank time you will get approximately 6 minutes of charge. This would come in handy in the event of a power outage or even a camping trip.

The Super Battery supports over 1,200 devices and has a time saver optional twin cable to allow for two devices to be charged at the same time. The Datexx Super Battery has a direct USB connection to charge any USB device and also includes the 4 popular cell phone tips for Motorola, Samsung, LG and Nokia cell phones. This devices retails for about $45 and can be purchased from Datexx or Amazon.

Arcadia Yachts is a new company that builds luxury yachts with an innovative style and an eco twist. The eco twist is the concept behind these super yachts which is being able to navigate and enjoy with respect for nature and money.

Arcadia Yachts starts the process off with the consumer in mind. The Arcadia Assembling System is used to construct their yachts, which lowers the purchasing cost for the consumer. This system is similar to the assembly line that is used in the automotive industry. In addition to the low purchasing cost, Arcadia is making their yachts as environmentally friendly as possible.

Arcadia has designed the hulls of their yachts in such a way that allows for a low powered engine, they use solar panels for recharging the batteries, and they use a hybrid propulsion system for powering the yachts. This hybrid system can provide speeds up to 8 knots in total silence. Finally, these yachts are being built with a water discharge treatment system in order to not pollute our waters.

The yachts will carry double layered reflecting glass for an open and a sunlit interior with designs by well known Italian design houses such as B&B Italia and Schiniffi. In April of this year the first 85’ will be launched and following that will be the first two-decked 115’ and then in September of 2010 a 135’. Arcadia Yachts brings a simple yet elegant style and a new ethical meaning to the art of yacht building.

Source: EcoFriend

The RainCloud C-15 was designed in the UK by Clearworld Ltd. for your home or office. It is basically a small dehumidifier that has a built in water purification system that produces drinking water. This system stores up to 20 liters of water and has an optional 20 liter reservoir tank.

The RainCloud retails for over $1000 which is not cheap, especially with the shape of the economy. However, RainCloud claims that over the long haul, its dehumidifier will cost less than drinking bottled water. And of course, the impact on the environment is a lot less than manufacturing plastic bottles and then throwing them out or recycling them.

According to Clearworld Ltd., even low usage customers will see a savings by using RainCloud instead of buying bottled water. Here’s what they say: The Price of RainCloud C-15 equals the price of bottled water usage for 20 months. By still using bottled water, you will continue to pay the same price, year after year. Switching on to RainCloud C-15 you could start saving $452 a year. Your only additional cost per year would be water-filter replacement ($165).

How does the RainCloud C-15 work?

This was the big question on our minds. How exactly does Clearworld clean the water they want us to drink? The short answer is a five step process depicted in this diagram (click image to enlarge):

The RainCloud uses five filters to clean the water:

1. Sediment filter: Removes small particles
2. Pre-Carbon filter: Removes chlorine and organic substances
3. Post-Carbon filter: Removes odors and unpleasant taste
4. U.F membrane filter: Removes bacteria and other impurities
5. Ultra-violet sterilizer filter: Ensures zero bacteria growth

To see how Clearworld Ltd. comes up with these numbers check out their website to see if you would benefit from the RainCloud C-15.

In response to my article about the Ovopur Water Dispenser, a reader named Brian politely suggested I write about less trendy gear (you may recall that the Ovopur is a bet, well, snooty). So Brian introduced me to the Katadyn Gravidyn Drip Water Filter (say that fast five times). With this Katadyn Gravidyn, you can fill it with untreated water, and one hour later you'll have potable water thanks to its filter system with 3 ceramic/activated carbon elements. It holds about 2.5 gallons of water, and I'm thinking this is perfect for camping trips with my son. Here are the specs:

• Fill with untreated water and walk away--water drips through 3 ceramic/activated carbon elements--return an hour later to 1 gallon of potable water
• Double-stage reservoir holds over 2.5 gallons of tainted water in its upper chamber; lower collection basin features a dripless spigot
• Small 0.2 micron pores in the ceramic elements trap pathogenic bacteria and protozoa, including giardia, crypto, cholera, salmonella and e.coli
• High-quality food-grade plastic containers collapse to a small 10 x 18 inches ; functional size is 10 x 36 inches
• Field-serviceable ceramic/activated carbon elements can be cleaned with an abrasive pad, included

Available from Amazon for $169

Thanks, Brian. And if you know of a great energy saving gadget, please drop me a line via the contact page or by sending an email to rob [at] energysavinggadgets [dot] net.

The Ovopur water dispenser is an environmentally friendly water filtration system. Rather than use electricity to filter the water, it uses gravity. I downloaded the brochure (13 page pdf file) and spent a bit of time reading over this eggcellent filtration system. I confess though that the brochure uses some terms that may be a bit difficult to decipher, so I thought I'd help you out. Here are some quotes from the Ovopur brochure [with my translations in brackets]:

Environmentally friendly to the core, the OVOPUR© unit doesn’t consume any electricity, using gravity instead to filter and revitalize [filter I get, but revitalize? Isn't that what women do to their hair?] tapwater. Obtain crystal clear water in four easy steps:

a) Use a jug or OVOTAP© to fill the 4 liter [about 1 gallon] upper filtration reservoir [the small egg on top] and start the filtration process [water runs through carbon, copper, zinc and other stuff that filters out the gunk].

b) Water trickles [drips] from the filtration reservoir [again, small egg on top] into the main reservoir [large egg on bottom] via the AQUACRISTAL© filter cartridge [carbon, copper, zinc and so on].

c) The main reservoir [big egg] can hold up to 11 liters [about 3 gallons] of pure, fresh water, with the water level indicated by the magnetic gauge*

d) Simply activate [pull] the handle and drink!

With its multipurpose lid, the OVOPUR© unit can be used every day in filtration mode** [small egg left on top], or in distribution mode*** [small egg removed to make lugging the big egg around a bit easier] for special occasions.

One Ovopur--$550.

Two replacement filters--$100.

Knowing that your water will travel from the filtration reservoir to the main reservoir where you can simply activate the handle and drink--priceless.

[via Gizmodo]