Paper or plastic? When it came to cups the answer was always “both” since you didn’t have a choice.

Now we do.

So the main goal here is to make plastic, carry-out lids obsolete.The design has flaps similar to takeout cartons that fold over to seal in cold or hot beverages, while creating a sipping spout. See their site for a quick animation.

This is the kind of brilliant rethinking of everyday objects that makes me think we might evolve out of this chemical swamp we call home.

via: The Compleat Cup | One Piece Paper Cup.

Our solution is to design and market high quality solar home systems that are sold on a pay-as-you-go basis. Users pre-pay based on actual usage and each payment adds up towards the total purchase price of the solar home system. Consumers can send payments using a mobile phone. Once fully paid, the solar home system unlocks and delivers free electricity for the expected 10-year life of the product.

via Simpa networks: Our Solution…

Inventables is the innovator’s hardware store, selling all kinds of materials in small quantities for purchase with a credit card. Product developers, researchers, artists, and inventors purchase products from our store every day to build prototypes and test concepts. When a material from our site is needed in a volume larger than we sell, we assist in making connections to the manufacturer or supplier.

See: inventables.com.

That was a sobering thought for me as I consider how to sell the remainder of the plastic pens I made for the  SFMOMA ShadowShop show.

EcoVerte has a better alternative.

Our Biodegradable Collection is made from a material called Polylactide (PLA), which is derived from the roots of a potato plant. While it feels and performs similarly to plastic, it has a significant advantage: it is biodegradable and compostable. In about a year, a majority of the components will biodegrade in soil or home compost (Under the following conditions: 133 – 140° F and 80 – 90% humidity).

I have not tried their prodcuts yet but they are recommended by carbonfund.org — let me know your experiences shopping for green office products. I recommend this 100% post-consumer recycled paper from Amazon.com (I have no affiliation with Amazon FYI).

Check out this really innovative new bike lock. It’s longer but much lighter and stronger than a common U-lock. They have a fun video where they attack it with many kinds of tools:

Sounds like it will be available soon. More at tigrlock.com

YouTube – New Laser Zaps Mosquitoes in SlowMotion.

It’s a tripod for an iPhone. I have used mine for a while with my 3g and now that i can’t use the case with integrated mount i just use the stick-on mount onto a simple clear case and that slips onto the tripod when needed.

So of course it’s great for using the iPhone as a camera – for video and stills. but it’s also great for using as a laptop replacement. I use Apple’s great wireless bluetooth keyboard and use this tripod as a stand to get the screen in a more comfortable position. Also a great option when using the WordPress for iPhone mobile app when blogging “on the go”.

I have also used it as a bike handlebar mount although i have a dedicated mount for that which works a bit better. See photo below.

Finally, I often use this tripod just as a more comfortable way to hold my iPhone when using it for extended lengths of time – like reading a book via Kindle app for example. This has also been useful recently when testing out Facetime. wrapping my hand around the phone gets uncomfortable over time and this gives me a wide variety of grips to keep my hands happy.

here’s a summary:

Hookworms. That’s right. Meaning, in order to get this relief, one has to intentionally invite a hookworm infestation into their own body.  And unbelievably, this isn’t that new of a concept.

Almost a decade ago, a scientist by the name of David Pritchard visited New Guinea and found that those inhabitants infected with a small amount of hookworm seemed to exhibit far less allergic and asthmatic response than those who were not.

via Hookworms for allergies? Would you infest your own body to be symptom-free?.

see also this interesting video testimonial

There is a lotof buzz about the “new money” online. A classic Web 2.0 story of new technology taking on established giants – in this case the credit card and banking industries.

In February 2009, Jim McKelvey wasn’t able to sell a piece of his glass art because he couldn’t accept a credit card as payment.

Even though a majority of payments has moved to plastic cards, accepting payments from cards is still difficult, requiring long applications, expensive hardware, and an overly complex experience.

Square was born a few days later right next to the old San Francisco US Mint.

via About Square

SEE ALSO:

• http://www.fastcompany.com
• http://money.cnn.com
• http://www.innerfence.com

Five Tips for Quirky Success:

1) Find a good problem to solve: People don’t buy products, they buy solutions.

2) Do your homework: Google is you first step.

3) Keep it Simple:The best ideas are the ones that are so simple that they are elegant.

4) Carefully craft your pitch: Picture = 1K words and a good video is priceless. as long as its under 2 minutes.

5) Make it like a bikini…

via Five Steps to Quirky Success « Invention Addict.

see also: quirky.com