If the volcanoes in Iceland keep pumping out ash, we may all need to start wearing face masks to protect our delicate lung tissues. Of course, standard fabric or paper masks aren’t enough for some people, as physical filtration may not be enough in some cases. So you have this concept face mask from designer Robert Ortega.

Mr. Ortega created a mask that is infused with seeds that uses the CO2 and moisture in your breath to sprout, reducing your carbon footprint and making you look like some kind of freak with moss on your face. Of course, when you are done you could always just compost the mask, or plant it somewhere. I do think that if this product ever comes to market, they are totally missing out on the name though.

[via Treehugger]

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The last time I ever dealt with a compost pile was back in elementary school science class  with an over-zealously earth-minded teacher. While I could never find that much enjoyment from decaying matter, Japanese design firm Bakoko has created an interesting greenhouse heated by various compost chambers in the walls.

Designed to sustain tea gardens through biting winters, the Comploo uses some super-secret heat dispersal method to keep temperatures inside up to 120˚F. The official word is:

A steady supply of rich organic compost is extracted from a door at the bottom of each bin. It fertilizes new vegetation that will eventually become fuel for the next cold season. The concept is suited to large urban parks, community gardens, or even serving as an outdoor café – anywhere that generates a continuous supply of organic waste for fuel.

It may look like a UFO, but this is really a brilliantly sustainable design. All that’s left is to work out how to eliminate the god-awful smell that comes with it. Expect a prototype to be unveiled soon.

[Treehugger]

Those of you who follow the Robocalypse tag know that I find the rise of machine-based warfare and biomimetic freakery… troubling. Well, it just got a lot more so. Not content to have robots simply feed on widely available sunlight, or use an versatile diesel engine or something, some robo-pioneers have decided that this new robot should refuel on biomass.

Yes, it can use plants and compost and stuff like that, but let’s be honest. You’re deploying these on a battlefield. These sons of bitches are going to be eating bodies all day long. And you think it’ll stop there?

In the presentation on the EATR (I know) robot’s construction and AI, it is shown that the robot creates plans for the next 50ms to the next 24 hours. Sure, if it’s in a foxhole with you, its one-hour plan is to sit tight and wait for backup. But if shutdown is imminent, it may start implementing Code Dahmer in its long-term strategy.

Seriously, it’s not enough to create simple sniper-bots, you have to make some that actively crave flesh?

[via HardOCP and Fox News]