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Maker Faire Detroit 2010
Sun Wind Garden
- Wind Power on Buildings
Anderson Theater Sunday 1:00 PM - 1:30 PMThis talk focuses on the 'seed idea'; Bucky Fuller planted in me that led to my invention (now patented) of a new form of wind generator - the Aeroturbine. It is the first wind electric small turbine that is designed specifically to work well on the roofs of buildings. Just like Bucky's vision from 1928, my Aeroturbine spins on a 'vertical axis', not horizontally like typical propeller windmills. I'll show recent examples of our Aeroturbines from our company, Aerotecture International; and together we'll look at the future for wind power on buildings and in the cities of the world.
Demos about "natural energy"including: a solar electric panel supporting a DC 'trucker' fan varying with the sun, windspeed measuring, and the voltage of green living plants.
Web site: http://aerotecture.com/
Video URL: see You Tube images linked to website
About the Maker(s)
Aerotecture International, Inc.
BIL BECKER, MFA, IDSA
Bil Becker, during his tenure as professor of Industrial Design (UIC), has been
working with and doing research in new product development since working with
R. Buckminster Fuller in 1972.
He holds a Bachelors in Design from Michigan State, and a Masters in Industrial
Design from Cranbrook Academy near Detroit. While at Cranbrook he worked
with Charles & Ray Eames of Herman Miller, Inc., participated in GM's auto-
motive R&D internship program as an automobile designer. During this period,
he also designed high-end interiors for mobile homes for Airstream, Inc.
In the 80's, he led a team of product design/developers for Centrum, Inc., in
Chicago, a marketing & development firm with clients ranging from GE to Hoover,
and from Kimberly-Clark to Motorola. During this period he was involved with the market evaluation and creation of new products ranging from digital audio
products (GE), new vacuum cleaners (Hoover), the first 'tape-on'; diapers
(Kimbies) and the first prototypes for 'compact'; cell phones (Motorola).
After the 1979 energy crisis, he began working with a group who designed and
erected the first successful urban wind generator in the U.S. He also helped
found the Center for Neighborhood Technology in Chicago, in 1979, coordinating
the design and construction of 5 solar heated greenhouses/solaria located
throughout the city. He concurrently joined SunWize Inc, a photovoltaic design
and installation company, collaborating in the development of over twenty
photovoltaic projects and new products into the 1990's. With SunWize, he
designed the first solar electric marine 'runabout', the first solar electric pontoon
boat (for Outboard Marine, Inc.) and he co-developed the first solar electric
portable highway signs. SunWize is now the largest solar electric installation and
service company in the U.S. He became a tenured professor of industrial design
at the University of Illinois Chicago and specialized in applying the latest
problem-solving and ideation methods relevant to new product development
particularly environmentally-friendly and non-toxic health-supporting products.
In the 90's he began the development of an urban wind generator he calls the
Aeroturbine which is now the center of his research for Aerotecture Inc., an
Illinois corporation working on all forms of renewable energy and centered on
urban windpower. He brings over 25 years of experience to his current work as
CEO, AeroTurbine inventor and head researcher for Aerotecture, Inc.
He enjoys continued ideation and brainstorming explorations, and has worked
with Debra Potts & Assoc. and Jean Bystedt & Assoc. on major projects for S.C.
Johnson and Electrolux Inc. Becker personally holds three mechanical patents
and is listed on hundreds of intellectual property submissions and certifications.
http://aerotecture.com/
