Filed under: Green Culture
Invention Nation, TV show all about green autos, premieres Nov. 19 on the Science Channel
Invention Nation, a new, weekly TV series all about green transportation, premieres on the Science Channel next Monday (Nov. 19) with new episode every following Monday for four weeks. The show follows three hack mechanics; Chris, Nobu and Micah, as they travel around America searching for green vehicle designs in a bus they constantly add green technology. The show also includes the trio looking at non-automotive green technologies like micro-hydro power generation.According to the episode guide, the first show includes converting a diesel bus to run on vegetable oil, biodiesel production and a look at cutting edge hybrid technology. The second episode (Nov. 26) includes installation of solar panels on their vegetable oil bus, making a bike from bamboo and the human-powered car. In the third episode (Dec. 3), the bus runs into a little trouble before episode four (Dec. 16) where they add a green roof to the bus.
I will try to live blog each show as they air.
[Source: The Science Channel]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
John 1:13PM (11/20/2007)
The conversion of cooking oil in to fuel that can be used in the bus is great...but nobody mentioned what they did with the goop that comes out of the bottom of the chemical reactor. It seems to me that could be a problem.
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Tim Loney 1:14PM (11/20/2007)
What was the name of the company on you episode that converted vegetable oil into biodiesel. Also, great show. Glad to finally see this country starting to do something about our foreign oil usage.
Sincerely
Tim Loney
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Lascelles Linton 1:24PM (11/20/2007)
John, Full review coming soon. Good point about the goop.
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Lascelles Linton 1:24PM (11/20/2007)
Tim, Full review coming soon. Fuelmeister.
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James DeLaPorte 3:53AM (11/22/2007)
please be reminded that the deisel engine was first designed to run on vegetable oil, and that it wasn't until oil companies brain-washed everyone into believing that they held the only means of auto fuel caused us to forget the history
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Shane 3:06PM (10/31/2008)
It's not who used it first that matters, it's who followed through to make it easily aquired that really matters.
"Earth Day is Everyday"
Corey 1:34AM (12/12/2007)
Can't believe the Fuelmeister got that much exposure on the show! Don't get me wrong you CAN make biodiesel with the Fuelmeister but the inability to maintain proper heat in their unit and flaws that many of us have found in their titration tests have indicated that the finished product could mean continued heavy maintenance on a vehicle that runs on fuel produced by it. And to answer the first question ... that goop at the bottom of the reactor is called glycerin and is very valuable in that it can be used to make soap, lotions conditioners, candles and much more. Nothing needs to go to waste in the process. Even the wash water can be re-processed to reclaim any unused ethanol from the process. Also... AMEN to poster number 5 on here. Listen to him. He Speaks the truth. The diesel engine was invented to run on veg oil. Email me if you have anymore questions on anything biofuel related coreyjroman@biofuelforum.com I will be glad to reply. Just doing my part.
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Tyrone Harvey 6:30AM (12/12/2007)
Proposal For TV Show
I have a show ideal that I think will make your show number one, Invention Nation" is a very good program but it would be nice to see from start to finish product ideal and or invention.. I think this show will take off if you use the internet . The website would be like QVC only thing different it will feature the inventions submitted after patten and marketing or before marketing and pattern.. The show then would feature the product that wins the contest that is held every three months The submitted inventions will be showcase the last (5) minute of each Invention Nation Show.The winner would then be partner with Invention Nation To maket and profit and promote the show and the product. I have a invention I wanted to develop for years. I could be the first inentor
How It Works:
1. Develop a website featuring the winners of the Invention Nation invention show, The show will also tell how to become a contestant on the show.
2. Put application for the show in every Wal- Mart , K-Mart , and Home Depot
3. Every year add a hosted from a reality show. The hosts will sit in a board room setting and discuss the winner of the invention show.
4 . Develop a lottery where each state can participlate . Get the Mayor to donate a abandon factory that develop the winning product.
5. Then feature the factory on the pragram How It Works
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guest 9:46PM (12/18/2007)
Why wasn't there more information on the DIY Windmill need dimensions of coils how the blades were made from. or place to read about all this on web site DIY windmill power from scratch leaves to much of the how to out if someone wants to do it.
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Mark Yoder 11:37AM (12/26/2007)
Great Show. A lot of good old common sense. How does someone get more information about the products and people on the show? I want to know more about the dairy farm that creates methane, the home made wind turbines, etc. Thanks
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mark sanchez 7:25AM (12/29/2007)
Dudes I dig your show but it always leaves me wanting more information,more on how the inventions work maby simple drawn diagrams,more info on how it may impact the individual as well as the world (stats) How to get in touch with the inventers ? I personaly would like to build a water power generator and talk to if not e-mail that dude that design the working one.From profesional note ,we've seen the bus. its been established (way cool)enough with the comming and going and driving shots,I think the show should concentrate on the "inventions"and less on playing firzbee in the grass, "although thats cool also" Thanks for listening.
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SOLARINPA 2:59PM (12/30/2007)
It is unfortunate that many states will fine you huge fines for not paying state and or federal fuel taxes when you fuel your vehicle on biodiesel or used vegetable oil.
What a shame! What is going to happen when we all start using solar powered electric vehicles?
How are they taxing the hybrid vehicles in production today?
I think it’s a mistake to allow the production and control of E85 and other fuel alternatives by the major fuel companies! It needs to be privatized by other industries, perhaps the farmers.
How many politicians have financial interests in the fuel companies?
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Phantium247 10:01PM (1/04/2008)
If you go to otherpower.com you will find all the info you need that was in the show. I will even go as far to say that the show probably got most of their energy-guru candidates and destinations from this web site. I found many familiar faces and names by digging about the web site and links. If you are interested in the DIY windmill check out this link I found there:
http://www.rebelwolf.com/essn/
The last Issue of the Energy Self Sufficiency Newsletter(July 06) has step by step instructions on how to make the windmill AND guess who's in it? Among those building it you find a photo of Dan the windmill guy from the show!
Hopefully, the info on this site is more useful to all of you that want to dive into it a little more.
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codyc 8:45PM (1/15/2008)
Hey guys doing good but, what about the easiest form of electricity on your bus and long trips ? You can charge other batteries while you are driving. What would happen if every long distance truck would charge a series of batteries and by doing so they would get fuel credits or ????? The thing is deisel is getting too expensive and there are only a handful of people to know how to get better mialage with them but if a semi that is 80,000 lbs can get 8mpg then why does a 3000 pound pickup only get 18-20 ? What is the problem seeing that a desiel will run on veg or flax oil or ???? Who knows the possabilities ! Please put a web site or url to each place you visit so we can find out more !
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Lascelles Linton 7:16AM (1/23/2008)
Richard, Joel Woolf of Veg Powered Systems. BTW, I do plan to review more episodes but many episodes don't focus on green autos at all.
http://vegpoweredsystems.com/
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Jesse 6:19PM (2/17/2008)
As that old commercial used to say "More. That about covers it."
More information. Web sites where we can learn more. Online design drawings. Materials lists. Costs.
So far all you're doing is bragging for people.
Give us some information that will let all of us out here in the real world have a go at helping to save the planet and our wallets.
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Ed Aguilar 7:01PM (2/28/2008)
I would love it if you all had listings of contact information on all of you episodes. It would make it easier to buy products or get more detailed info.
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Cat 12:31AM (3/26/2008)
I am trying to find the book The High Art of ?? Scrounging. Thought I wrote it down correct, guess not! Need Author's name as well, Please! Episode 2007-Eco Energy.Thank You
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Cat 12:33AM (3/26/2008)
I'm not very good at all with this computer so please understand. I my last question on the book ,I don't know if I got a reply! I don't know this URL n http:// stuff either! Sorry, but I am trying to learn on my own and that's good for me! Ok,so my next question is "To build a concrete home 500sq.or 600sq. do you have to have 1m exterior walls for solar purposes or can you just paint the outside with the solar compound additive to help cut cost?". I am new to all of this and am trying real hard to absorb it all. Can any of you help me out? The DeMystieFied Books are easy for me to understand, but I still need help! PLEASE!! I do enjoy this show and as well would like more details on the people you have on! Thank You, Cat
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Renae 4:04PM (3/30/2008)
This show is great but as someone else commented, it leaves you wanting for more. In the episode about the community in So. Carolina that is totally green, they didn't show the community and only an empty house. They only said thank you to a community that is doing so much to help the energy crisis. If they really want to promote these places they should give more information. On the solar panels in Colorado, we never saw one actually working. Bah!
This show leaves me frustrated for more information.
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