CES 2012 will showcase the usual mix of interesting new gadgets and gear, only a portion of which we'd consider sustainable unfortunately. We were amused therefore to find out that the National Science Foundation is bringing to the grand consumer electronics event in Vegas this year a science fair of sorts of cutting edge tech -- some green -- called Eureka Park.
Eureka Park, according to NSF, will feature start-up companies and technologies that are only now emerging from research and development supported by this government agency and various start-up companies. 94 companies are signed up to showcase their works in this special area of CES 2012 at the Bellini Ballroom of the Venetian Hotel (the larger show is mostly held at the Los Vegas Convention Center, but it spills out to various properties around the Las Vegas Strip).
Here's a breakdown of some of the sustainable and green tech that will be showcased in Eureka Park, according to a NSF document:
- MiserWare: Features Granola freeware software that reduces energy waste in computers and is used by more than 300,000 people in more than 160 countries to increase battery life by up to 45 minutes.
- Perpetua Power Source Technologies: Features a body-heat powered wireless sensor -- specifically, a wireless armband device that utilizes body heat to wirelessly send physiological data to a nearby laptop base station.
- QM Power: Features efficient magnetic circuit and controller designs that drive products with higher power density and reliability; run cooler; are much lighter, smaller and lower cost; and operate far more efficiently over a wider power range than conventional AC or DC electric motors, generators and actuators
- Solarmer Energy: Features transparent, flexible polymer solar panels, crafted using a low-cost, high-throughput roll to roll process.
- Sun Innovations: Features sun Innovations' transparent electronic display technology.
There will be other interesting start up developed technologies on display as well, including what NSF says is products ranging from a contact-lens-sized display to an agile robotic arm to a fluid-electronic e-reading system, representing some of the most advanced technologies emerging from small businesses and universities.
"For decades, NSF has supported the creation of useful technologies, products and processes from science and engineering discoveries," said Murali Nair, NSF program officer for small business grants, in a statement. "We push our small business grantees to take advantage of opportunities, like those provided by Innovation Accelerator and CES, to market their high-technology products, grow their business and become viable, profitable companies."
NSF noted that this is the first time its self-supported tech start ups, with few or no products yet in the marketplace, will have a chance to show off their breakthroughs. The showcase space is a joint venture between NSF and the Consumer Electronics Association, supported through collaborations with the Startup America Partnership, CNET and UK Trade & Investment.