Cool conceptual gadgets

Core77 is currently running a design competition for the best "green" gadget. Now, I support the idea that we should search for more innovative design, but I also like to point out there are number of people who misunderstand the real meaning of the word "green". 

Misunderstanding is clearly shown through a number of competing designs. Most relies on the similar idea that if I use cardboard instead of metal, then my design is green. I like to point out that while paper maybe recyclable, but we can't recycle the same paper indefinitely. Further, the process of paper recycling is in fact quite polluting, in particular energy-intensive process is required to clean the waste effluence from the plant. 

One thing that I notice is a lack of imagination. Having said this, there are some interesting concepts:

1. RITI Printer: This is an ingenious idea that uses coffee dregs as an alternative printing ink to normal ink which is toxic and difficult to refill. By moving the ink cartridge left and right, the printer will inscribe the desired image onto the paper. So, it doesn't even require electrical energy apart from when it tries to connect with the computer. If you don't have many pages to print, I think this is one cool little gadget to have. The only drawback to most people is the coffee smell on your paper. However, a math paper infused in smell of coffee is ideal for a mathematician wanabe.
   
   
   
   
   
2.  Zeer: This is a simple yet effective idea that exists for a long time. Quoted by the designer, Nigerian has developed the technique for storing vegetable and fruit. It uses the fact that when water evaporates it absorbs the energy and thus lowering the surrounding temperature. Apparently, a prototype has been tested and found that temperature of 10C can be maintained. As a result, vegetable and fruit can be kept at optimal temperature (normally vegetable should not be kept at 4C in conventional fridge). The drawback of Zeer is that it cannot keep meat. Hence, we still need a fridge, but probably a smaller one.