Friday, March 28, 2014

Indian start-up creates ring-shaped device that can help visually impaired

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Rohildev, an Indian of 23 years, created through its technological start-up a device that could revolutionize the use of the Basic objects of everyday life. Additionally, the appliance, ring-shaped, can be a precious help for the blind.

The product, called Fin, adapter is a hardware device to use ring-shaped thumb and converts the Palm in a gestural interface. The device is equipped with sensors that can accurately recognize each phalanx of fingers. The built-in Bluetooth technology lets you connect the Fin to other devices, such as television, smartphone, computer and other electronic equipment.

Once it recognizes with great precision the Palm of the human hand cannot assign different functions to each segment of the fingers, that are performed while playing with your thumb on the desired phalanx. Thus, with a simple touch you can make emergency calls, mute the phone, answer a call, change the music you're listening to or change the channel, the Times of India.

All these possibilities of the Fin can help improve the lives of blind people, once with a simple touch can dial a phone number, open and read e-mails or phone messages, use interactive maps and make small basic gestures without having to get out of the same place. For people with disabilities who have to resort to the use of a wheelchair, the Fin can also be helpful because it allows you to control the equipment if they are electric.

To finance the construction of the Fin, Rohildev started a crowdfunding platform Indiegogo campaign. The initial aim was raise €72,5 thousand (R $ 230 thousand). However, the concept of the device was well received and the project turned out to raise €145 thousand (R $ 460 thousand), donated by 1,600 people from all over the world that pré-encomendaram the equipment. Each ring Fin will be sold by €87 ($ 277), but the price should decrease if the product is mass-produced.

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Old abandoned trailer transformed into a haven of luxury

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The Belgian architect Karel Verstraeten transformed an old trailer custom hut for a garden. Second counts the inhabitat, space owners have bought small wooden structure for a little over $ 15, having asked the architect to renovate a relaxing haven for your backyard.

The result was a small cabin, where the family now has the opportunity to socialize, relax and study. At the end of the trailer, Verstreaeten implemented a window, similar to the Summit of a submarine, which lets in light and acts as a privileged observatory for everything that's going on out there.

The floor and the ceiling are covered with plywood and the corners were rounded to provide a more comfortable atmosphere and open to the interior.

Several planks of wood were attached to the walls so that they can be placed at different levels to be used as a dining table, coffee table, or even as a bed. See some of the photos from shelter.

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Rotterdam Central station will be solar powered

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The Centraal Station of Rotterdam, in the Netherlands â€" a gigantic public transport station serving 110 thousand people every day-has been renewed and, according to Inhabitat, one of the main changes is the installation of solar panels that will provide the electricity needed for the operation of the site.

Built in 1957, the building was in need of major renovation and increases, since it provides that in 2025 the number of daily users increased to 323 thousand. In addition to the new steel cover, one of the highlights of the work, the interior has a more international aspect and the building was designed to merge better with the surrounding urban landscape.

The old building closed in September 2007 and was subsequently demolished. During the construction of the new station, a temporary station was built next to the new building, using the original platforms.

The new space has a transparent roof that allows natural light penetration and the various stairwells and elevators allow the passage of light to the lower floors. Additionally, more than a third of the roof was fitted with photovoltaic cells, which should generate 320 megawatts per year.

Photovoltaic cells are transparent to ensure that, at the same time that capture solar energy, allow the penetration of natural light in the building. These cells create still shadow patterns that allow you to control the amount of light entering and create patterns on the floor of the station.

The new Centraal Station also has an underground car park with a capacity for 750 cars and 5,000 bicycles.

The renovation of the space was in charge of Benthem Crouwel Architects, Architects and MVSA landscape architecture Studio West 8. The new station was opened on 13 March of this year by King Willem-Alexander. 

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Alentejo birds seek funds for school project

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Portuguese society for the study of birds (SPEA) launched a campaign of crowdfunding to raise funds for the school project birds of Alentejo. The aim is to extend the program for environmental education to more students from schools of Alentejo.

The fundraising campaign runs until 20 May and intends to raise € 4,000 for the project can visit over 50 schools and pass the thousand children the importance of wild birds that live in the region. Those interested in supporting the project here.

"We want to convey that it is possible to reconcile the agriculture and rural development with the conservation of nature, preventing the extinction of species. These kids will be our ambassadors to sensitize parents, explaining to them the importance of conserving our natural values ", indicates Carlos, professor in charge of the project, a statement from the SPEA.

Currently, the project is developing actions in schools of the municipality of Évora, but the aim is to reach the entire district.

Photo: Rodrigo Sá/Creative Commons

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Thursday, March 27, 2014

University of Lisbon launches inquiry into sustainability and efficient use of resources

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The Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa (UL) recently launched a survey to the public about sustainability and efficient use of resources in the European Union. The investigation is part of the study of Opinion, debate and Dissemination "European Union: sustainability and efficient use of resources", an initiative of the European Commission (EC).

The EC initiative integrates the communication plan for the information about the EU in Portugal in the context of the forthcoming elections for the European Parliament. The study, which is being driven by the Faculty of Sciences, focuses on the issues of redevelopment, sustainable development, green economy, energy and sustainability education to the sea.

The aim of the investigation released is "contribute to reflection and scientifically reasoned debate, giving voice to citizens about these themes and the policies of the European Union", reads the online page of the project. Participation in the inquiry can be made here.

In addition to the survey, the study foresees the realization of six debates in five cities of the country â€" Lisboa, Porto, Olhão, Sines and Aveiro. The discussions shall happen between April and September this year.

The study of opinion still has the collaboration of the Institute of social sciences, also from UL, and the Center for research on information technologies to a participatory democracy.

The Faculty of science research institution was chosen by the Jacques Delors European information centre and the Directorate-General for European Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs to conduct the study.

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Start-ups: Financial Times compares Lisbon to San Francisco

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Lisbon and San Francisco share many physical attributes: both spread in hills, have a suspended electrical &amp; Red Bridge. Now, the Portuguese capital is adopting the entrepreneurial spirit of the twin city when it comes to becoming a global centre for start-ups.

In an article published yesterday, the Financial Times (FT) writes about the similarities of the two cities and gives examples of young entrepreneurs who launched their start-ups in the Portuguese capital. According to British newspaper, Lisbon is a multicultural city thanks in no small part to the imperial past of Portugal. The FT gives as an example the Mayor of Lisbon, born in Lisbon but with roots in Goa.

In addition to the similarities, the paper highlights the good quality of life, with beaches 10 minutes from the Centre and the cost of living that is "much smaller than in other European capitals". The FT notes that the support for early-stage companies are increasing, supported by funding from private companies and the Government, as well as skilled labour, in particular at the level of engineering, which is formed of the schools of Lisbon.

Foto: gromgull/Creative Commons

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Want to be owner of a Portuguese goat? Know what to do (with video)

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Hugo Again, 36 years and graduated in biology and geology â€" and with a postgraduate degree in sustainable agriculture â€" changed the life of professor to fixate, with his wife, in the parish of Sistelo, which belongs to the Peneda-Gerês National Park.

His flock has already 40 females â€" of two Portuguese breeds, the bravia and serrana. "We were already facing the creation of Portuguese breeds, but we started thinking about alternative ways to do it," explained the green economy Hugo again. Thus, the entrepreneur has launched a campaign of crowdfunding named Adopt a goat and Save the Peneda.

With the development and maturation of the idea, Hugo Again took the concept and thought in the creation of a project which responds to the need of local intervention â€" in terms of sustainable management of ecosystem in terms of fire prevention.

Thus was born the 5th logic that, in addition to help prevent fires in this natural park â€" by reducing the Mandal in the forest sub-coberto-also has a component of production of milk and other products derived from goat.

The flock folder among the 12 3:0 pm, in summer â€" and less than half in the winter. "They manage the ecosystem by removing the combustible material in this ecosystem. Thus, he becomes more resilient and resistant to its main threats such as wildfires, "explains Hugo again.

From this moment, the Flock becomes "balancer of biodiversity", in the words of the teacher become pastor. "In one year, our herd of 40 goats removed 20 tons of bushes, transformed them into fertilizer and left this fertilizer to enrich the soil and allow the ecosystem becomes progressively more productive," concluded Hugo again.

The project allows anyone, anywhere to Portugal, to be a shepherd for a day, adopt a goat and follow the herd online. The particular adopter will be the owner of a web community herds. "Here there was vezeiras in which each group of five animals had a different owner. With our scheme, the owner of the animals can live in Lisbon and get his goat in our flock and integrated the environmental service in the Sierra and in the Peneda-Gerês National Park, "he stressed, hoping to reach the 200 goats in the short and medium term.

See the episode 228 of the economy â€" and try to resist the charm of the serrania of Minho.

Foto: horrapics/Creative Commons



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