NASA Throws Down Green Flight Gauntlet – MIT Picks It Up

A Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) team, in what could set the stage for a fundamental shift in commercial aviation, has designed a green airplane. Estimated to use 70% less fuel and produce 75% less emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), than current planes while producing quieter subsonic commercial aircraft. NASA also wanted an aircraft that could take off from shorter runways. (more…)

The Future Of Green Transportation Looks Extremely Fun

A super-quiet, hover-capable aircraft, NASA’s experimental Puffin is a single-passenger/pilot, personal aircraft designed by NASA aerospace engineer Mark Moore and his colleagues at NASA, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the Georgia Institute of Technology, the National Institute of Aerospace, and M-DOT Aerospace. (more…)

The World’s First Zero Carbon, Zero Waste City

Masdar City – the world’s first carbon-neutral, zero-waste city. A vibrant and beautiful city, powered by renewable energy, innovative building practices and new standards in sustainable living currently under construction in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Masdar City, soon to become home to 40,000 residents and 50,000 daily commuters, is being built around pedestrians, where open public squares intersect with narrow shaded walkways and connect to homes, schools, restaurants, theatres and shops. A city powered by solar cells and wind turbines, where 80% of the water is recycled. A city planned to be green. An urban environment being built in the desert. The 2.48 square miles (4 square kilometers), of city using micro-climate to both extract energy and keep the streets at comfortable temperatures.The architecture of the city is inspired by the traditional medinas, souks and wind towers of the Arab world. (more…)