It is ironic that wind turbine blades, which typically last for 25 years, have decidedly un-green deaths. The fiberglass blades are not recyclable, and when they are decommissioned, they're typically crushed and burned as both fuel and raw material for producing cement. The crushing process alone burns a lot of energy, and burning the crushed parts as fuel creates CO2.Enter Reverlast, a Finnish company that's come up with a unique way to repurpose the blades. Company co-founder Johannes Peace, an engineer and sailor, realized that the fiberglass blades are made the same way as boats. And like boats, wind turbine blades are specifically fabricated to weather a harsh marine environment for decades.What the company does is use the blades for useful waterborne applications. "We repurpose turbine blades to build floating docks and pontoon structures," says company co-founder Ossi Heiskala. "This reduces the need for traditional pontoon materials like concrete and polyethylene plastic, making the solution even more environmentally friendly. Our prototype dock prevents roughly 2.6 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, and the larger and more numerous the docks we build, the greater the impact."Peace and Heiskala launched Reverlast this year through Finland's Kiuas Accelerator, a startup incubator. For their first project, they're tackling a community sauna at Aalto University:The sauna itself is a traditional wood-heated barrel sauna, assembled from a pre-made kit. But instead of being placed on land, it will be installed on a dock that floats on pontoons made from four wind turbine blades. The pontoons are filled with polystyrene, and each weighs over 300 kilograms. The dock is more stable than a traditional floating pontoon dock and extremely durable. The fibreglass layer in the blade sections used for the pontoons is up to 6 centimetres thickfar more robust than the 1-centimetre layer typical in sailboats. "The pontoon is incredibly strongit won't break, that's for sure. Our job is to design the other parts to ensure they'll last for decades as well," says Heiskala. The dock pontoons were cut from the midsection of the blade. The narrow tip of the blade, in turn, could be used for lighter structures, such as swimming platforms, Heiskala envisions. "We're starting with floating docks because our team has a lot of expertise in that area. However, we already have more ambitious plansthe sturdier sections of the blades could be used for larger structures, like breakwaters," he explains. The sauna should be ready by next spring. And as they grow, Reverlast will have no shortage of raw materials: Ten to 20 turbine blades are decommissioned each year, and that number is scheduled to grow in the next decade. Wind turbine operators, who are responsible for the cost of decommissioning the blades, will be happy to have them taken off of their hands.

Imagine visiting a factory in China, and you see these things coming off of the line: It looks like they're getting ready for a war, doesn't it? They are, kind of, but a soft-power one. Chinese manufacturer FuninVR has been quietly spreading across the globe, seeding arcades in Asia, South Asia, Europe, Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, Africa, the Middle East, South America, etc. with their extensive range of VR simulators. These are an interesting category of industrial design, combining furniture, human factors and user interface design with kinetic energy, all in the name of entertainment. Because they are designed for arcade environments, these machines need to be as robust as college dorm furniture. Downtime for the operator means a loss of revenue. Additionally, they need to have as small a footprint as possible, as arcade profits are all about profit-per-square-foot. And, of course, the game designers have to do their jobs too, making the games as engaging as possible in order to draw repeat business. The company's YouTube channel shows off their staggeringly deep catalog, designed to simulate a wide variety of physical experiences. Here's one example, a cockpit that can rotate 360 degrees and seat two (you can charge more for two players):Here's how the company's employees blow off steam:Plenty more to see here.

Lets imagine for a moment that your mornings are dictated not by your mood or schedule, but by a coffee pod. You pick one from the box, click it into your machine, and hope it hits the mark. Sometimes it does; often, it doesnt. Thats the quiet frustration that many coffee lovers live withuntil something like the Xpod Coffee Pod Maker comes along. This Kickstarter-backed gadget flips the script, giving you the reins to brew exactly what you want, when you want it, and with beans that you trust.Coffee enthusiasts will instantly appreciate how Xpod dismantles the mundane predictability of pre-packaged pods. At its heart is a compact built-in grinder, a detail that speaks volumes about the priorities of its creators. Pre-ground coffee loses flavor the moment its exposed to air. The Xpod sidesteps this by grinding beans fresh for every cup, whether its a mellow Colombian roast or a bold Ethiopian blend. Honestly, its also a middle finger to Nespresso and Keurig who believe in trapping you within their ecosystem of pods. Here, you choose the coffee you want, while also choosing convenience. Sounds too good to be true, no?Designer: XpodClick Here to Buy Now: $189 $299 (36% off) Hurry! Discount only for a limited time.Fundamentally, Xpod aims to give users complete control over their coffee experience. Unlike traditional pod systems tied to pre-packaged capsules, Xpod lets you grind your favorite coffee beans right before brewing. This feature ensures optimal freshness and flavor. Whether you prefer a locally roasted blend or a rare coffee variety from halfway around the globe, the Xpod accommodates your taste. Aside from bringing your hand-picked blend to the convenience of a Keurig or Nespresso, the Xpod saves you money in the long run since you arent capitulating to the coffee machines subscription model (which is where they make their money). I bet Big Coffee doesnt want you to know this.The Xpod is unique from your standard coffee grinder in that it doesnt just finely crush your coffee beans, it weighs, calculates, grinds, dispenses, and compacts the coffee into a reusable stainless steel pod that you can then fit right into the coffee maker of your choice. Designed for durability and ease of use, these pods are FDA-approved and EN-certified, offering a safe and sustainable alternative to disposable plastic capsules. The eco-conscious design drastically reduces waste, addressing the environmental concerns often associated with single-use pods. Switching to Xpod doesnt just give you the ability to craft your own select coffee blends, it helps save hundreds of dollars on disposable pods each year, while also cutting down on landfill waste.Xpods patented auto-recognition system takes the guesswork out of coffee brewing. This intelligent feature identifies the capsule type and adjusts the grinding time and amount automatically, ensuring a perfect brew every time. For busy mornings or multi-user households, this functionality streamlines the process, making it accessible even to those less familiar with advanced coffee machines. Just add the coffee blend you love and the Xpod does the rest, preparing the pods that can be popped right into your coffee machine. The freshly ground coffee results in a better brew too, giving you the coffee you love in mere minutes without the hassle of setting up an espresso machine, french press, or pour-over.The built-in grinder allows precise customization, grinding 9-12 grams for Keurig pods, 11-13 grams for Vertuo pods, and 4-5 grams for Original pods. This versatility supports various coffee machines, including Nespresso Original, Nespresso Vertuo, and Keurig systems. A single press handles the entire process, going from bean to grounds to pod right within the Xpod. The coffee grounds get compacted (or tamped, technically), leaving you to simply apply the lid and your bespoke pod is ready.Xpods design feels like its cut from the same cloth as high-end kitchen appliances. The minimal design, the simple interface, the state-of-the-art tech your Xpod is manufactured alongside brands like Philips and Breville, matching the standards set by those world-class brands. The materials and finish give it a premium look, but theres substance behind the style. The tamper mechanism applies just the right pressure, the grinder is precise, and the pod-filling system is satisfyingly mess-free.As impressive as its technical features are, Xpod doesnt lose sight of the broader picture. Its about choice and freedom, but its also about the small joys that make routines feel meaningful. Imagine brewing a cup of coffee from beans you picked up on vacation, or experimenting with local roasters blends, or even tweaking your go-to coffee beans with some cinnamon, some vanilla, or a little pumpkin spice (I promise I dont judge). Thats the kind of experience Xpod wants to foster, and its hard not to appreciate that liberating approach.Xpods Kickstarter campaign has already surpassed its funding goal, with over $86,000 pledged at the time of writing. Backers can expect delivery by March 2025, with shipping available to over 25 countries. The machine comes in black, but crossing a funding goal will unlock the white color variant (sort of playing well against the latte and black coffee color palettes. Each Xpod is supported by a two-year warranty, comes with 2 reusable pods, 100 foil lids, cleaning tools, and the plug of your choice depending on your countrys socket style.Coffee pods have long been the hallmark of convenience, but lets face itbrands like Keurig and Nespresso have built entire ecosystems that keep you tethered to their pre-packaged, often pricey offerings. The Xpod Coffee Pod Maker feels like a small act of rebellion against that system. It hands you the tools to brew your own way, with your own beans, while still working seamlessly with their machines. Its like hacking the coffee matrix, except instead of coding, youre crafting better-tasting coffee and cutting out all the waste.Click Here to Buy Now: $189 $299 (36% off) Hurry! Discount only for a limited timeThe post Make Your Own Keurig or Nespresso Pods at Home with This Game-Changing $190 Gadget first appeared on Yanko Design.

Military-grade durability and off-grid living options give modern-day RVs that extra popularity amid adventurers demanding luxury and ruggedness without compromise. There are names like the EarthRoamer at the top of the ladder, but one builder in the western USA, Nevada-based Hunter RMV, is soon catching up. By delivering 66 chassis mobile homes that check all the boxes, the company assures comprehensive luxury and convenience at a significantly lesser cost than what the other top-tier names happen to roll out RVs for.The latest in action from the house of Hunter RMV is the Sherpa XLE that combines demanded luxury with military-grade chassis, converting the latter into an ultimate adventure ride for extreme adventures. Six-wheel drive Sherpa XLE is based on the Steward and Stevenson M1089A1 that has been part of the US Militarys Medium Tactile Vehicle fleet for about a decade from the mid-nineties to about 2006. Designed with off-grid living in mind, the RV has military hardware and amenities of a modern RV, which we detail below.Designer: Hunter RMVBased on the M1089A1 is a 22-foot tiny living abode made from composite panels. It on the inside, 18-foot of this is occupied by living space comprising a transforming dinette and kitchen. You get an electric lift bed that becomes a cozy queen bed for your retiring hours and lifts back off to leave you with a leather dinette area to spend your meal times and a few small get-togethers. The space is completed with a TV panel on the wall and a Bluetooth sound system to take care of the audio.The kitchen here comprises an induction cooktop, microwave oven, an air fryer, two refrigerators, and a Treager BBQ for an external barbeque setup. When youre not eating, sleeping or barbequing, you can head out for a shower, or maybe cleanup inside in the little washup zone also comprising a washer, drier, and a cassette toilet.What really springs the Sherpa XLE in the desirable off-roading companion is the storage it makes for the gear. With some handy options on the exterior, it happens to create a dedicated section for your gear in the rare of the vehicle. It has space for storing two bicycles and comes with a motorcycle lift to the garage. Desirous of taking you on journeys over the most extreme roads, to locations that you didnt think were possible in an RV is powered by a Caterpillar six turbo diesel offering 330 horsepower and 860 pound-feet of torque, the Sherpa XLE comes with 120 gallons of fresh water tank, 1,000 watts of solar panels on the roof, and 800 a/h batteries on board to keep you in the wilderness for as long as you desire. There is no word on the pricing of the Sherpa XLE. Hunter RMV will be building it to order only, so the price may vary according to customization.The post Hunter RMVs Sherpa XLE built on military-grade 66 chassis comes with amenities of modern, off-grid RV first appeared on Yanko Design.

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