|
Post by Crouton on May 15, 2014 3:38:29 GMT -6
Some people are creating "solar roadways". Which includes solar roads, footpaths, carparks and bikelanes. I'm really excited about this because they sound amazing!
Here's some info an photos on their crowd funding page.
Some info about it.
-Can be turned on to heat so snow melts off them -Has LED lights for clear road markings and signs -Can withstand all large trucks and tractors -Has just as much traction as Ashpalt -Can potentially power whole cities and towns using no harmful power sources, including coal, nuclear etc -Look more appealing than current roads and footpaths
Basically, this is just awesome in every single way. This could be a huge game changer in terms of environmental sustainability. I am a bit disheartened to see how little funding they have so far though. Games and movies can get funded on these sites almost over night, but this potential world-changing invention is struggling to find funds.
I gave them $25, I wish I could give more. Everyone check it out. I hope it blows your mind like it did mine.
|
|
|
Post by Midnattblod on May 15, 2014 13:45:23 GMT -6
sounds like a cool idea, but unfortunately I have no money at the moment so I'm not able to donate. I think it would be really cool though to see that. I am kinda surprised that Japan, which is one of the leaders in Technology, hasn't thought of this yet.
|
|
|
Post by Taliesin on May 15, 2014 15:57:55 GMT -6
It does blow my mind. That is like something out of science fiction, and there's a part of me that almost doesn't believe that it could even be possible. I wonder if that's another reason why it's received very little funding so far? There might be a lot of skeptics out there wondering if this is for real.
It really is a fantastic idea though. I hope they make their funding.
|
|
|
Post by Crouton on May 15, 2014 18:17:09 GMT -6
"Solar Roadways has received two phases of funding from the U.S. Federal Highway Administration for research and development of a paving system that will pay for itself over its lifespan. We are about to wrap up our Phase II contract (to build a prototype parking lot) and now need to raise funding for production. "
It HAS received Government funding before, to get started but they are doing the crowd funding because they still have a long way to go. It's just a shame people are more interested in giving their money to games and movies than to world-saving inventions. I wish I could give them more.
|
|
|
Post by sjfaerlind on May 16, 2014 12:26:27 GMT -6
Wow...what a great idea! I hope this one doesn't get purchased and then shelved by the oil companies.
|
|
|
Post by Crouton on May 16, 2014 17:46:57 GMT -6
Or coal mining companies. You could just imagine how much coal companies would hate this one.
|
|
|
Post by sjfaerlind on May 16, 2014 19:11:01 GMT -6
I'm convinced this is where most of our "green" technology goes....
|
|
|
Post by Crouton on May 16, 2014 19:13:11 GMT -6
Sad but probably true. I hope these people do well, we need someone to take on this big corporations set on destroying the environment.
|
|
|
Post by sjfaerlind on May 16, 2014 19:17:20 GMT -6
I don't think they are set on destroying the environment. They are set on making as much money as possible. That is really sad in my opinion.
|
|
|
Post by Crouton on May 16, 2014 19:21:38 GMT -6
Yeah but to them money > environment. When it comes to coal mining, making a lot of money and destroying nature go hand in hand. And it's clear which one they care more about.
|
|