GM and LG team up on electric vehicles

Auto maker, General Motors and LG group will work together to design and engineer vehicles thanks to a new partnership that extends to LG's earlier work of the GM in lithium ion batteries.  Formerly LG delivered battery in the Chevrolet Volt, the Opel Ampera, then demo fleet Chevrolet Cruze electric vehicles.

According to the company their goal is to reduce costs and time required to build electric cars.

LG will cover half the cost for new EVs and will work together with engineers from GM for joint work on components of the vehicle structure and architecture. LG will also be a GM supplier for components which he allowed to sell other auto makers. This means that this partnership will be good for the electric vehicle industry as a whole and not just GM.

The case comes at a time when the United States, automakers are under pressure to raise corporate average fuel economy (CAFE), the recent agreement. By the end of 2025, they must meet Cafe 54.5 mpg (23.2 km/l) – purpose, which will include measures to improve internal combustion and diesel engines, for the most part. But GM said that electric vehicles should play "central role" in achieving the objectives of the Café, too.

There is no deadline for launch vehicles.

LG Group is the third largest conglomerate in South Korea, which produces electronics, chemicals and telecommunication products and operates subsidiaries of LG Electronics, LG Telecom, Zenith Electronics and LG Chem ...

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The patent describes a solar-powered iPhone charger for Apple laptops

Among the 16 new patents issued, Apple this week, the United States Patent and Trademark Office is a pretty interesting one description of a solar-powered charger for electronic devices. The patent describes a system that includes a voltage converter and controller, which will work together with the source of solar energy.

Voltage converter will be made to the source of solar energy input cable. It will also be attached to the "electronic loads through the output cable. That "electronic loads" can be "portable electronic devices," said filing – which basically means almost anything Apple does with iPhones to MacBooks.

Voltage converter is configured to control the amount of energy, developed the device at its products, while a controller configured to control voltage converter in order to reduce the amount of power drawn later, if it goes through a predefined threshold. In other words this is a key part of solar charging system for electronics.

Apple previously filed patents for support of solar panels, which will work as a source of power for mobile devices as well as a method for coating a device in solar batteries. However, it is unlikely that we will see reduced solar-powered gadgets from Apple (or anyone for that matter), to the costs associated with their production.

Image credit: patently Apple; TMCnet.com

Started by Steve jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne, Apple has expanded from computers to consumer electronics over the past 30 years, officially change their name from Apple Computer.

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FlyKly electric bikes come in San Francisco

Electric bike maker FlyKly brings his stylish, powerful and eco-friendly bicycles in San Francisco after the fountain start in New York earlier this summer. Company that opened a shop on 20 June, sold his entire stock of bikes in July at a pop-up shop in Soho. Now bikes are in San Francisco.

Calling these things "bicycle" seems strange, though the term conjures up streamers with the rudder and woven baskets strapped to the front. Instead, these "bike" look like scooters. But since bikes don't go miles, you don't need a license to drive them.

New bikes come in two versions: a vintage and modern, each sport 100% electric lithium ion battery. For only $ 's electricity cost you get 1000 miles away, said FlyKly, 40 miles recharging. (Battery reaches full charge within a few hours). The battery is removable, so you can charge it in anywhere you want. And if you ever run out of battery, you can manually pedal to keep going.

As conventional bicycles bikes can be parked and FlyKly tied fenceposts, bicycle rack, sidewalks and parking garages offer spaces for bicycles. Steering wheel and the rear wheels locked parking lot. And just in case the bikes also include a GPS tracking system to find your bike if he ever starts to move, if you're not on it.

Yes and if you're wondering "Kly", is a Greek word which means "permanent energy or movement".

FlyKly sells bikes for $1900 and delivery is free in the United States. You can read more about bicycles at the company's website here: www.flykly.com.

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13-year-old design effective solar cell inspired by Oaks

When it comes to the use of renewable energy solutions, sometimes nature has the best idea. It was a 13-year-old Aidan Dwyer finally after Winter campaign in New York City–catskill mountains, a trip that inspired him to build solar panels unique and effective design.

Dwyer observed patterns in trees and, after further research and contemplation, understood branches, corresponds to the Fibonacci sequence, a mathematical model to find all of nature, such as falcon flight path, nautilus shells and balance in the human body.

Dwyer assumed that the scheme helped trees photosynthesis and tested his hypothesis by creating miniature trees shaped solar panels. Project award its 2011 young naturalist of the American Museum of natural history.

7-Grader describes his experiments in a detailed essay:

I designed and built my test model, copying the Fibonacci pattern of oak. I studied my results with a compass and realized branch angles. Template about 137 degrees and the Fibonacci sequence 2/5. Then I built model using this template from PVC pipes. In place of leaves I used Photovoltaic Solar panels, hooked in the series, created by 1/2 Volt, so the peak output model was 5 volts. The entire design of the duplicate template oak as close as possible.

Design created by up to 50% more power than the traditional model of the solar installation during periods of low sunlight. Separate solar panels different angles helps array capture light, even when the Sun is very low in the sky. And because they do not lie flat, many of these groups are also less affected by the shadow and snow.

At this point in the experiment design Dwyer backyard, but maybe in the future we'll see gardens on the roof, the solar tree of arrays.

Photos courtesy of the American Museum of natural history museum.

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Google Street view taking up to depths of the Amazon

Devin Coldewey is a Seattle-based writer and photographer. He wrote for the TechCrunch network since 2007. Some posts, it would like you to read: the perils of externalization of knowledge | Generation I | Surveillant society | Select two | Frame war | User manifesto | Our great sin his personal site — coldewey. cc. ? Read More

It is hard to believe that Google's street view has been in use for over four years. More surprisingly perhaps, given the speed at which they are briefly discussed in the world of streets and alleyways that nowhere is left unmapped. But while their team successfully detected on the surface of most major cities and a number of other interesting areas, I believe he will not come as a surprise that the remote reaches of the Amazon is not subject to the lens.

They seek to change this, however, and are detailed in a blog post their plans on the street-Ize a large section of the River. This is done in collaboration with the sustainable Amazon Fund, a nonprofit working in the field.

To map the entire length of the Amazon and its tributaries and distributaries, so the work years, however, Google does not attempt to, just yet (although there are many spots to abandon Orange guy, if you're interested). At the moment they focus their efforts on a 50 km stretch of the Rio Negro, starting around Manaus, right about the images:

They also went down to the dirt in the small villages with the street view Trike, a comparison of all the time and a tripod, which they use to show business interiors give panoramic taste of village life. And how little parting shot of mercy, they will be leaving some equipment, probably some cameras and laptops to use FAS and locals. All this is some kind of advertising play for sustainability, not that there's anything wrong with that.

No word on when the project is completed, from what I read (travelogues from the 19th century, but still), these types of trips usually takes longer than expected, but you can see some photos of their work on the blog of Google.

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GM announces next Volt, Cadillac PRI

Matt is currently working as a writer for the CrunchGear. Matt Burns family man first and trying to be a freelance writer second. Born and raised in the heart of the automotive world, only cars Eclipse his love for gadgets. He previously wrote for Engadget and EngadgetHD before moving into the House by CrunchGear. He learned ... ? Read More

GM makes money from the platforms, not just cars. The thought of Cadillac SENSE ELR just announced, sleek Coupe built on the platform, sportster Voltec, which also powers the Volt. Dual power Caddy was rumored to be known, since the concept (pictured here) was shown at the 2009 North American International Auto show. Well friends, this is.

PRI will use the same version of the Voltec, that the powers of the Volt, including the same 4-cylinder 1.4 l-turbo-generator. It does sound nothing more than the cost of custom reskinned volts instead of electric Roadster this sexy sheet metal SENSE ELR. Nothing says American Sports Coupe as 0-60 times in the eight and a half seconds.

Cadillac will announce any real details on the upcoming Coupe. "Development is just SENSE ELR, so information about the performance, price and date will be announced later," says a press release.

Advanced Coupe design actually makes a lot of sense for Volt 2 + 2 configuration. Rear seats are not all that in one way or another. This change can design allows you to slip through the air with less resistance. The photos shown here are the Converj concept 2009. The brand is very loyal to his sharp lines and massive Grill design so that the production version will probably follow the same styling cues if not be exactly the same thing.

The Chevy Volt is not exactly was a huge success for GM. Auto maker had sold just 125 last month and less than 3000 this year. The model will soon be available throughout the country, which could help move more than the dealer's lot. This model Cadillac will be the second car production outside of Europe and Australia Cousins Volt use series and hybrid powertrain. Because it is a logo Crest and wreath, it may even be comfortable cabins instead of plastic toys, it's the Chevy Volt.

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Ford to sell solar panel system along with electric cars

Ford Motor Company is teaming up with solar panels on the basis of the San Jose maker of SunPower to offer option on the roof of the solar system, which will be sold along with the upcoming EV Ford focus. "Drive green for life", as it is called, includes installation of solar panels on the customer home.

These panels will not be used only to charge the focus, however. They really help offset the cost that comes with the need to charge the car, what most electric car owners do every night.

Solar panels 2.5 kilowatt system compensates for the cost of about 1000 miles per month, "said Ford. After the federal tax rebates, the cost would be around $ 10000. Some local and State benefits may also be available, but it's still pretty expensive system.

At least Ford and SunPower were relevant demographic. Parameter must refer to the environmentalists, who want to buy an electric car, but don't want to feel guilty about consuming all additional electricity to charge it. In the end it is not this "green" to drive electric when charging your car with the use of fossil fuels.

The solar system consists of 147-square-foot rooftop panels. There are 11 panels, size 4 to 2 feet. Customers will be able to monitor the work of the panels, online and through specially iPhone app. SunPower also provides you with a 25-year warranty for the system that is installed on the clients home Best Buy Geek Squad. Best buy also has a contract with Ford for installing home Chargers.

Pricing and exact launch date for the new Ford Focus 2012 is not yet available, but the car will go on sale first in California and New York in the 4th quarter of 2011. Ford also plans to start 5 other electric or hybrid electric models in 2012 in North America and in Europe by 2013.

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