Energy-saving

Everyone knows that the application of heat is necessary to boil water, but thanks to new research, much less heat may soon be required. A novel surface treatment allows water to reach a boiling point more easily, thus requiring less energy to do so.

Along with benefits such as air purification, "living walls" are also said to help regulate the temperature within new buildings which they're built into. A study now indicates that they have the same effect when added to older, existing structures.

A new aerodynamic device has the potential to reduce the energy consumption of supermarket refrigerators by up to 41.5 percent. The product can be clipped onto existing cabinets, making it easy for companies to upgrade their stores.

It's a simple fact that the more fluid an oil is, the easier it is to pump. That's why Temple University's Prof. Rongjia Tao has developed a device that reduces the viscosity of crude oil by electrifying it.

Gizmag discusses some of the finer points of Energy Star certification of LED light bulbs with Switch Lighting's Gary Rosenfield.

MeterPlug is an energy-saving app that connects via Bluetooth 4 to iOs and Android devices to reveal energy costs and to stop excessive usage.

Researchers at ETH Zurich have created "sweating mats" which can be placed on roofs to help keep buildings cool.

INSTEON's new LED light bulb can be paired with its free iOS and Android app so that the bulb can be turned on, off, or dimmed, using contemporary smartphones.

Radiator Labs heavily insulated housings physically cover radiators, trapping heat in the system, and strictly controlling the amount that is let into the room.

Philips' new ErgoSensor display monitors its user's posture, and advises them if they should change it.

Bracktron's line of GreenZero chargers detect when the device being charged is unplugged or fully charged and automatically shut off to eliminate stand-by - also known as vampire power - consumption.

Researchers have created an efficient new thermoelectric nanomaterial, that could be used to harvest waste heat for conversion into electricity.