By Sustainable Innovation staff | Dec 10, 2008

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IBM and Harvard University have launched a community grid project in search of organic materials that can build a more cost-effective solar cell. Current silicon based solar cells are only about 20% efficient and cost about $3 per watt of electricity generated. The project will use idle computer power from volunteers to carry out research.

Apple has filed a patent for a liquid-cooled laptop, reports The Register. It has applied for a "liquid-cooled portable computer" patent  for "portable devices" such as laptops, cellphones and PDAs, noting that battery life constraints may limit the available power for fans or other traditional cooling mechanisms. 

The Business Performance Management Forum and Rackable Systems have launched an initiative for best practice in green IT management, Think Eco-Logical. The program "creates a reservoir of intellectual capital for organizations dealing with the challenges and business opportunities around environmental responsibility," the partners said.