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Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Converting residual industrial heat into something usable (read: electricity) has proven to be more than a novel concept on more than one occasion, and ElectraTherm’s giving the process one more vote of confidence by installing its Green Machine at Southern Methodist University. Just this past week, the firm flipped on its first commercial waste heat generator at the Dallas-based institution, with hopes to generate “fuel-free, emissions-free electricity at three to four cents per kW/hr during payback period and under a penny/kW hour thereafter.” The 50kW rig has so far exceeded expectations, and the firm is now forecasting that its units will have a “subsidy-free payback period of three years or less.” Of course, we aren’t told exactly how many zeros reside on the right of the decimal or anything, but folks in the area can get a tour of the installation later this month.

[Image courtesy of Jetson Green]

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Source: Darren Murph

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Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Storage

Here’s a novel idea: rather than stressing over the choice between solar or hydroelectric power sources to keep that green data center running, just build the thing near a community pool. Apparently that’s exactly what’s happening in Uitikon, Switzerland, as an IBM-built center erected for GIB-Services AG is using its excess heat to warm a local swimming pool. Put simply, the warmth emitted by the computers will be piped through a heat exchanger to boost the temperature of water used in the neighboring pool, and while the town had to cover some of the equipment costs to make it come together, it’ll reap the oh-so-steamy benefits for free.

[Via FashionFunky, thanks Yash]

 

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Source: Darren Murph

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Filed under: Desktops

Finding out the hard way how combustible PCs are is a painful experience, especially when it’s your extremely overclocked — and extremely expensive — gaming PC. Gearlog has a slightly bitter how to for avoiding the mistake of one of their unfortunate writers. We’d add our own personal little tip for preventing a PC fire: don’t tempt fate and get a PC with a flamin’ custom paint job.

 

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Source: Conrad Quilty-Harper

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Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Although you aren’t likely to need a hand warmer when the temperatures in some areas of the country are creeping into triple-digits, it’s never too early to start dreaming of winter. Moreover, it’s always a good time to compliment your Hello Kitty foot warmers and heating blanket with a couple of matching hand warmers, and this here gizmo provides the last missing piece in the aforementioned triangle. Just plug it in, wait for it to charge, and pop in your pocket for “one to two hours” of the cutest heat known to mankind. No word just yet on price, but it looks like orders are being taken now for wholesalers who stay a few steps ahead of the, um, seasons.

[Via TRFJ]

 

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Source: Darren Murph

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