Shell to builds world’s biggest floating object

by Emma Woollacott

Shell’s announced that it’s to go ahead with plans to build the world’s largest floating object ever, a platform designed to exploit offshore natural gas fields.

The Prelude Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) project, moored some 200 kilometres offshore from Australia, will produce gas from offshore fields and liquefy it onboard by cooling it to minus 162 degrees Celcius.

Construction will now begin at a shipyard in South Korea.

From bow to stern, the FLNG facility will be 488 metres long (1600 feet or almost 1/3 of a mile long_. When fully equipped, and with its storage tanks full, it will weigh around 600,000 tonnes – around six times as much as the largest aircraft carrier. Some 260,000 tonnes of steel will be used.

“Our innovative FLNG technology will allow us to develop offshore gas fields that otherwise would be too costly to develop,” says Malcolm Brinded, Shell’s Executive Director, Upstream International.

“FLNG technology is an exciting innovation, complementary to onshore LNG, which can help accelerate the development of gas resources.”

In an industry first, liquid natural gas will be transported by ship straight from the plant to the customer, rather than being liquefied at a land-based plant. The company says the facility has been designed to withstand the severest cyclones – those of Category 5.

The facility is expected to go into production in around 2017 at the Prelude gas field. It expects to harvest some 110,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. The FLNG facility will stay permanently moored at the Prelude gas field for 25 years, after which it may be moved elsewhere.

Shell builds world’s biggest floating object

Icona concept offers eco-friendly transport on water and land

Click the image for more pictures.  Icona concept offers eco-friendly transport on water and land

By Paul Ridden

Over the years, there have been numerous attempts to create vehicles that operate on both land and water. It”s fair to say that such designs have generally not caught on. Perhaps it”s because of the fairly limited effectiveness of some of those offerings, or maybe it”s because so many of them have been ugly monsters. Then again, it could be that society just hasn”t found a niche for them yet. By the year 2050 though, we may need to give such craft some serious consideration. Juan Pablo Bernal P has come up with a concept design that certainly ticks all the right boxes for looks, and also takes the environment into consideration.

There have been some water/land craft that have caught our attention, and our imagination, in the past. Certainly one of the most impressive was the WaterCar Python which sped along at 120mph (193km/h) on land and upwards of 60mph (97km/h) on water. Most attempts, however, seem to have ended up looking like a boat with wheels or worse.

For his degree project at Umea Institute of Design in Sweden, which was sponsored by car manufacturer Opel, Juan Pablo Bernal P set himself the task of thinking ahead to the transport needs of people in the year 2050. Dealing with the likely environmental and social challenges ahead, the designer came up with a vehicle with “provocative lines and dynamic looks” that would provide an enjoyable and entertaining way of getting from A to B with as little impact on the environment as possible.

The Opel Icona is described as a family vehicle, yet there”s only enough space for one adult, and maybe room for a child passenger directly in front. There are electric hub motors to the front and impeller drive to the rear, where a keel and sail are also concealed within the frame of the vehicle. When on the water, the rear wheels are drawn up to the body by the trailing suspension arms.

Being able to commute on both water and land, the designer sees such a vehicle opening up new habitation possibilities but, like most concept designs, this one asks more questions than it answers. For instance, Juan Pablo Bernal P does not reveal any significant details about the electric hub motors other than that they are placed at the front. Presumably such hub motors would be sealed against water penetration, but details are lacking.

Of course, mixing an electric motor with a drop or two of the wet stuff has already been done. Nevertheless, some sort of explanation would have been welcome.

Then there”s the question of what exactly provides such a vehicle with the power it needs to head for open land or water. Given that there are quite a few years between now and when the designer sees such a vehicle being developed, presumably the Icona would take full advantage of whatever breaking, clean and efficient technologies are available at that time.

http://www.gizmag.com/opel-icona-land-water-vehicle-concept/16568/

Strand Craft 122 superyacht with supercar garage

Posted by: Naresh Chauhan

If you are one of those sophisticated souls who don’t even wanna put their feet on earth fearing they might get dirty, Strand Craft is all set for its extravagant liner that includes a garage to park the special handcrafted supercar, so you get straight into the superyacht without grounding your feet on the dock. Dubbed the “Strand Craft 122,” the superyacht features an amazing Art Deco interior that the users can personalize according to their individual preferences. Capable of producing over 14.000 horsepower, the Strand Craft 122 can well surpass speeds over 50 knots. Comprising four double and very large staterooms, heads, reception, salon areas and comfortable crew cabins, the high performance streamlined 38-meter Open yacht also integrates 52″ LED TV´s and Bang Olufson sound systems in all rooms, enhancing the experience of the sailors.

For more pictures -> http://www.thedesignblog.org/entry/strand-craft-122-superyacht-with-supercar-garage/

Eco-compatible catamaran sustains itself with renewable energy

by: Naresh Chauhan

Harnessing the natural resources of energy, Argentine industrial designer Mariano Fajgelbaum has created an eco-compatible catamaran that is sure to add sustainability to your sails on the waves. Developed while working in studio Ustatic in Buenos Aires, the self-sustaining cat taps the vast power of the sea, wind and sun to run its engines, without leaving any carbon footprint. When the ship is not moving, you can release its solar panels to make the most of the solar power during the day, while on the other hand, the catamaran releases the sub-aquatic 180” telescopic turbine to accumulate water current power at night. If you still need more energy, it also integrates eolic turbine cand to produce wind energy with air drafts.
All this energy is accumulated in 116 batteries inside the hulls. If you run out of energy, you still can release the telescopic carbon fiber sail to navigate in the traditional way. At night, the solar photocell line shines making the ship recognizable. Moreover, the dimensions of the catamaran allow the owner design or alter cabins with a free surface of 124m2.

[Thanks Mariano]

http://www.thedesignblog.org/entry/eco-compatible-catamaran-sustains-itself-with-renewable-energy/

Necker Nymph Electric Submarine: See Richard Branson’s “Underwater Plane”

by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada

3-Seat Electric Submarine
A couple of months ago Jaymi wrote about Richard Branson’s latest toy, the Necker Nymph, a kind of small electric submarine that looks kind of like a futuristic airplane. As Jaymi pointed out, it’s not exactly zero-impact, but it still makes a few eco claims (it could have been much worse), and if it’s used for something other than joyrides, it could help with shallow water exploration. The Necker Nymph was featured on Oprah recently, and we have the video that shows it in action below.

Gretta Kruesi of the Coastal Conservation League had a chance to sit down and talk with Sir Richard Branson about many of his environmental activities (which are a lot more important than this submarine).

Via Huffington Post

Follow link for 2 videos -> http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/04/richard-branson-necker-nymph-electric-submarine-oprah-video.php

Light and Smart – achieving the impossible

Posted by StuCon

In March 21, skipper Franck Cammas and his crew onboard the 103 foot, maxi-triamaran Groupama 3, set a new around-the-world sailing record by completing the voyage in just over 48 days. This is the seventh time the record has been set, in pursuit of what is called the Jules Verne trophy, in recognition of his 1873 novel in which Phileas Fogg attempts to circle the globe in 80 days, using all means of transport.

In a post on Sailing Anarchy titled Why sailing feats matter, author Nicholas Hayes talks about some of what made this remarkable feat possible – that the team “did everything that they had to do, and nothing that they didn’t.” He explains that they focused on two key needs: light and smart.

– Light simply means efficient, sustainable, powerful, safe and durable.
– Smart simply means aware, logical, and practical.
– Together, light and smart sum to fast, agile, confident and bold.

Designers and design teams could do worse than analyzing how this group were able to accomplish their task, and take some lessons in communications and teamwork to achieve what otherwise appears impossible.

Thanks to Dale Raymond for the tip!

http://www.core77.com/blog/technology/light_and_smart_-_achieving_the_impossible_16281.asp

Researchers Develop Process for Laser Forming and Bonding of Fiber-Reinforced Composites; Marine, Automotive and Aerospace Applications

Components made of fiber-reinforced straps are bonded with an infrared laser.

Researchers at Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft in Germany have developed a process that crafts and bonds fiber-reinforced composites with lasers. Fraunhofer will demonstrate the process at the JEC Composites Show 2010 in Paris, 13-15 April.

Fiber-reinforced thermoplastics are 50-70% percent lighter than steel and 15-20% percent lighter than aluminum; their stability and breaking strength are impressive, making their use attractive in marine, automotive and aerospace applications. However, processing these materials can be complicated and cost-intensive.

<!––>Manufacturers of boat hulls, aircraft components and rotary blades have had to work with expensive forming tools that were lined with glass or carbon fiber matting. In the second process step, a pump siphoned off the air before fluid resin could saturate the matting—the vacuum prevented the accumulation of air bubbles on the fibers, which impede stability. Then, to harden the material, a gigantic oven big enough to accommodate the components is needed. And ultimately, the parts still had to be glued together.

To facilitate the fully-automated production of components out of fiber-reinforced thermoplastics, engineers and scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT devised an entirely new process. The ingredients for tape placement come from within the roll: carbon fibers are integrated into kilometer-long strips of meltable thermoplastic resin.

Despite their negligible weight, these strips have above-average resilience; in this regard, engineers measure and evaluate the impact and tensile strength and tear resistance. To assemble sturdy components from these tapes, multiple laminate layers are stacked on top of each other and then compressed into a compact structure.

In this process, the tape strips fuse with each other and cool off quickly, because the laser rapidly emits precisely measured doses of energy in a targeted manner onto the material. This minimizes the expenditure of energy and time. Compared to prior manufacturing processes—for instance, joining tapes with hot air—the quality is even better, according to Fraunhofer.

Using laser beams, difficult-to-form, bulky components of fiber-reinforced plastic can be joined together in a manner sturdy enough to satisfy the demanding standards enforced by the automotive, aviation and aerospace industries.

All we need for this is a laser that emits infrared light. The infrared laser melts the surface of the plastic components. If you compress them when they are still fluid and then let them harden, then the result is an extraordinarily stable bond. The materials must withstand immense acceleration, vibrations and temperature differences, so a 200-percent level of safety is required.

The know-how sticks in the process control: in determining the gap between laser head and surface; in controlling the time which the laser beam lingers on substrate; in calibrating the pressure. The new joining techniques are suitable for all thermoplastic materials that are subjected to extreme strains.

—Wolfgang Knapp of the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2010/03/fraunhofer-20100326.html

Shipwreck Yields Bronze-Age Gold

Photograph courtesy South West Maritime Archaeological Group

Gleaming where it sank almost 3,000 years ago, a golden bracelet from the Bronze Age marks the site of one of the world’s oldest shipwrecks, recently discovered off the coast of the United Kingdom. At the time of the wreck, Rome had yet to be built, pharaohs still ruled Egypt, and Jesus Christ’s birth was still centuries away.

The treasure was part of a 900 B.C. cargo discovered in May 2009 near the town of Salcombe (map) by divers from the South West Maritime Archaeological Group.

Announced this month at the International Shipwreck Conference in Plymouth, U.K., the Salcombe finds include hundreds of copper and tin ingots—the raw material for making bronze—and reveal sophisticated trade links between prehistoric Britain and the rest of Europe, archaeologists say.

“It shows how linked in communities on the south coast [of Britain] were to a very broader world,” said Ben Roberts, European Bronze Age curator at the British Museum in London.

(Also see pictures of the largest Anglo-Saxon treasure yet found.)

—James Owen in London

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/02/photogalleries/100224-shipwreck-bronze-age-treasure-salcombe-britain-pictures/#025919_600x450.jpg

Dream boat: Schopfer Yachts 300ft Infinitas

The Infinitas by Schopfer Yachts … a unique design just waiting to take shape – 300ft long and accommodation for 16 plus crew members (Click on picture for Gallery)

By Jeff Salton

Luxury boat designer Schöpfer Yachts has launched its second stunning design – the Infinitas – and while at this stage it only appears on paper, we would really love to see this one on the water. Aside from the glass floored “sky-bridge”, on-board elevator and front helipad, the standout design element is the carved out stern and mid section, which gives the 300ft (91.5m) yacht its radical dinosaur-skull-like profile.

Designed by E. Kevin Schöpfer with Sparkman Stephens, Naval Architects the design’s inspiration comes from the symbol for infinity, which can be seen the yacht’s elevation.

The loop design is held together by a central “spine” that allows the “yacht’s superstructure to seamlessly flow within itself” according to the designers.

The unique design has also enabled a rethink of the layout. The main deck living room and dining room are detached with the dining room moved forward and separated from the living room by a massive pool deck.

The main level also contains the living room, kitchen, storage, and bow deck (with helicopter pad).

To ensure no break with comfort, the main salon has “generous” 12-foot ceilings and fully glazed walls that give the impression of an island within the yacht.

The next level up houses a series of guest suites and secondary bow deck. The owner’s suite occupies the third level with “sky bridge,” pilot house, and upper deck.

There are not one, not two but three methods to get to that all-important pool deck – an obvious hub of activity on such a craft. First is via a direct outside bridge/walkway that bisects the pool. It has underwater openings in its support system, allowing swimmers to dive from one side to another. The pool can also be covered for larger venue needs (or if you don’t want the hassle of removing empty Dom Perignon bottles and half eaten cans of beluga caviar from the bottom of the pool the next day).

The second method of crossing the pool deck is an overhead “sky bridge” that connects to the main stairs and elevator – yes elevator. The sky bridge has a clear glass floor and ceiling, allowing natural light to filter down to the pool below and help you work on that all-important tan, even while swimming under cover.

Finally the most mundane option is to simply walk via a lower level lounge that incorporates glass portals that let you see into the pool.

All told, the Infinitas can accommodate 16 guests and crew – and if you owned one of these, you’d easily have that many friends.

Infinitas design specifications:
• Length: 300ft (91.5m)
• Beam: 56ft (17m)
• Draft: 14ft (4.2m)
• Fuel tanks: 65,000 gallons
• Water tanks: 28,600 gallons
• Propulsion: diesel electric
• Max speed: 20+ knots
• Cruising speed: 15 knots
• Accommodation: one owner suited and six guest suites (16 guests)

http://www.gizmag.com/schopfer-yachts-infinitas/14090/

A first-ever human-powered Canada-to-Hawaii crossing?

Greg Kolodziejzyk’s pedal-powered boat, WiTHiN

By Ben Coxworth

ack in January 2007, we brought you the story of Greg Kolodziejzyk, a Canadian adventurer who was planning to break the human-powered transatlantic record. What made Greg’s record attempt so interesting was that he was going to do it in a fully-enclosed pedal-powered sea kayak. The boat was still under construction at the time. Flash forward to January 2010, and Greg has had to call off the transatlantic attempt due to logistic problems. His new boat, however, is a marvel of marine engineering, and he’s planning on pedaling it from Canada to Hawaii.

Kolodziejzyk is no stranger to breaking human-power records. In 2006 he broke the record for the longest distance travelled in one day under human power, riding a custom-built fully-enclosed recumbent bicycle. In 2007, on a pedal-powered trimaran, he broke the aquatic version of that same record. He has also competed in various triathlons, ultramarathons, and is a public promoter of physical fitness.

This July, Kolodziejzyk plans to pedal his boat, named WiTHiN, from British Columbia to Hawaii. The Pedal the Ocean project will be a world-first, as the 4,300 kilometer (2672 mile) route has never been travelled under human power before. Greg has been subjecting his boat to sea trials, and this Thursday (Jan. 28) he will spend 24 hours inside of it in dry-dock, to see just how possible it is to live within. He’d better like it, because his trip is estimated to take two months.

“Sure, she’s a little cramped compared to the spacious ocean row boats,” said Kolodziejzyk, “but I enjoy other benefits they don’t. Aside from my greater overall speed, I am better protected from the harsh ocean environment by being inside my enclosed cockpit. The ocean rower is outside when rowing, and risks being knocked out of the boat by a rogue wave or strong winds, as well as getting sun burns and skin sores from being constantly exposed to the sun and salt water. I think the biggest advantage I have over the ocean rowers is that when the wind and waves start to really rock and roll, I am still able to power my boat forward in the relative safety of my enclosed cockpit.”

WiTHiN has a portable water desalination plant, sleeping berth, emergency equipment, solar power generator, satellite phone, computer, GPS, and space for over 90 kilograms (200 pounds) of food (There’s no mention of bathroom facilities, but then you can’t expect him to stay sealed inside of there for two months without ever coming out). The boat was designed by award-winning Australian naval architect Stuart Bloomfield. “As is typical, it took us way longer than we thought and spent about ten times what we budgeted, but what we ended up with is probably the most energy efficient human powered boat capable of crossing an ocean on the planet,” Kolodziejzyk told Gizmag. WiTHiN reportedly cruises at four knots per hour, as compared to the 1.5 kph that an ocean row boat averages.

Greg’s purpose in Pedal the Ocean isn’t just to set a record, but also to promote the potential of human power, and to raise money for Kimberlee’s Bikes for Kids, a charity that supplies children with bicycles. We wish him the best of luck, and will keep you posted on his progress.

Follow link for Video – http://www.gizmag.com/pedal-the-ocean-project/13996/