Eric Layton, a well-known solar expert, wrote this guide for readers that are trying to build their own solar or wind system.Using pictures, this do-it-yourself (DIY) solar and wind system was built with a battery back-up system. His new book is a comprehensive guide on the design, thought process, equipment, and technique on designing this DIY system. Using photographs taken throughout the building process, he covers why he chose certain components in addition to any issues buildi...

A Brief Summary of Building a Solar Powered Biodiesel FacilityWhile at the University of Florida from 2005 to 2011, Eric Layton assisted in building a solar powered biodiesel facility. This report shows the work and the thought that went into building and designing solar panels to help produce biodiesel for the University of Florida. Several solar panels were built, including electricity producing panels and solar hot water panels. Many people were involved and Eric acted as the pr...

Eric Layton, a solar DIY hobbyist, wrote this guide for readers that are trying to build their own solar powered electric go-kart. This DIY solar electric go-kart was built using solar panels with a battery system. This book is a comprehensive guide with pictures on the design, thought process, equipment, and technique on designing this DIY go-kart. Using photographs taken throughout the building process, he covers why he chose certain components in addition to any issues building and usin...

So what do you do when the power goes out? Do you fumble around in the dark looking for candles or a torch to light the way? Is it an inconvenience or a major disaster when you lose the mains?Well, look no further.This eBook is a how to guide, with comprehensive instructions that will enable you to benefit from my experience and research, and build your very own small solar power system even on a modest budget.So discover how easy it is to make your own small solar ...

Bioplastics is one of those areas that the home inventor has the advantage. The raw materials are cheap, readily available and easy to work with. There has been relatively little study done so far as the field is still quite new and there are a significant amount of discoveries to be made.What you have to realise here is that you are not attempting to synthesise polymers from monomers or synthesis new monomers. What you are trying to do is source and extract existing polymers from b...

Do you want to have electricity and hot water at any time, no matter what's going on outside your property? Do you want to have more control over the things you eat and how they are processed? Do you want your family safe from the worries of a bad economy and crime?If you answered "yes" to these questions, then living off the grid may be for you. Although living off the grid takes some hard work, the benefits make it all worthwhile. This practical guide gives you all the i...

When the power goes out, you need to be prepared. A solar powered generator is a great way to have electricity during an emergency, but buying one can be expensive. Fortunately, you can build your own solar powered generator for a fraction of the cost, often less than $300. This handy, step-by-step guide will show you how.

The major use of casein currently is as a foodstuff. There have been some inroads recently to using it as a renewable biopolymer resource but development is pretty much in its infancy. This has been the case from the first extraction of casein as cheese to a brief period at the turn of the twentieth century when it enjoyed popularity as a plastic material - Galalith. That is until the outbreak of the Second World War where it disappeared into obscurity when faced with the demand for food p...

The aim of this book is to give a little of the background regarding the making of inks, paints and conductive inks and to suggest some possible uses and further experiments for them when applied as thick films.The book concentrates on the use of inks produced by FWG. The main reason for this is that FWG inks are conductive, like a lot of inks out there, but because of their unique nano-structure they posses some very interesting properties not normally found in other conductive ink...

Soap making is really easy and there are basically only two ingredients:LardLyeIf that seems a bit complicated there is an even easy method. One tremendous secret of soap making is that soap melts! This might not seem earth shattering. But, as it melts you can use simple cheap soaps as a base for your own creations.There are certain cautions that you do need to take, however, thousands of people around the world make homemade soap every day of the year safely an...

In daily life, we can take control of the resources and services we depend on. Electricity and energy don’t have to come off the public utility grid—alternatives abound in solar, wind, and water generated power. Design decisions can drastically affect power consumption, and bio-diesel and alternative fuels can help break the oil habit. Dave Black describes alternatives for eco-pimping your home and lifestyle for independence, economy, and a more integrated way of life. Equally valuable for...

Natural dyes have been used for centuries. Archaeologists have found evidence of textile dyeing dating back to the Neolithic period. In China, dyeing with plants, barks and insects has been traced back more than 5,000 years. The essential process of dyeing changed little over time. Typically, the dye material is put in a pot of water and then the textiles to be dyed are added to the pot, which is heated and stirred until the colour is transferred. Textile fibre may be dyed before spinning ...