Eco-friendly Computer With a Wooden Finish

Internet surfing for long hours uses much electricity and is also detrimental to the environment. Computers are omnipresent and have varied uses. But the current computers become outdated very quickly, are not environmentally healthy, contain hazardous substances such as flame retardants and possess parts that are not recyclable.

The employees of MicroPro Company in Ireland and Fraunhofer Institute of Reliability and Microintegration IZM in Berlin have come up with a wood frame computer that has lesser environmental consequences. The “iameco” (pronounced I am eco)computer was awarded the “EU Ecolabel” by the European Union. Alexander Schössler, scientist at IZM, clarifies that the touch-screen PC consumes very less energy during its entire lifetime. Its carbon dioxide output is less than 70% in comparison to conventional desktop PCs. About 98% of its components can be easily recycled.

The fans that were used to cool the conventional PC and keep the processor from overheating, which used a lot of energy and emitted a constant buzz, were replaced with heat-sinks. Heat sinks transmit heat from the processor through copper pipes named heat pipes. These saved a lot of energy and made the computer run almost noiselessly. LEDs were utilized to illuminate the monitor in place of usual lighting, which enhanced power saving by 3040%. Halogenated flame retardants were replaced with less harmful chemicals. As the eco-computer is made with regular components, users will be able to customize it at any time – such as expanding internal memory. The enhanced disassembly and modular pattern of the machine allows easier repairs and maintenance. Only the parts damaged beyond repair need to be replaced. This increases the lifetime of the machine and the easy reparability creates lesser hassles. Scientists are aiming to make modular units that can be upgraded to the latest technology, which would result in persons obtaining as-good-as-new PCs at half the cost of brand new machines.