For several years now, tech companies have been at work to develop clear solar panels that can double as windows, but the Current Window provides a gorgeous stained glass twist on that idea. Created by Dutch designer Marjan van Aubel, the window generates an electrical current by harvesting the energy created when sunlight hits a colored pigment-much like photosynthesis in a plant-and sends that power to a USB port in the window ledge. According to van Aubel, "The glass pieces are made of 'Dye Sensitised Solar Cells', which use the properties of colour to create an electrical current-just like photosynthesis in plants. Similarly to the various shades of green chlorophyll absorbing light, the coloured window panes harness energy." That energy can then be used to power small appliances; a USB port in the window ledge can charge a standard smart phone in about seven hours. But that's just with one relatively small window-the designer hopes that if replicated on a larger scale, say over the vast colorful facades of churches, or in schools, the Current Window could provide clean energy in a uniquely beautiful form on a much larger scale.

The Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona, Spain, has been under construction for more than 130 years, but now thanks to the 21st century technology of 3D printing, the 19th century project may finally be completed by 2026. This is perhaps one of the longest active construction projects on the planet. Construction work began in 1882, but only a quarter of the church was completed at the time of his death in 1926. Although there is still much work left to be done to complete Gaudi's vision, the church is already structurally sound, open to the public, and completely stunning, reported BBC. In part because of its long lifespan, this project has captivated architects and designers since its inception. What delights folks now is the amazing progress that 3D printing has enabled the present-day architecture team to stay as true as possible to the intent of the design's original creator. Project leaders began using 3D printing in 2001, but the technology has advanced so much in recent years that it is now more useful and accurate than ever. Chief architect Jordi Coll believes that Gaudi himself would have been a great proponent of 3D-printed architecture. "Due to the complexity of surfaces and forms, working with Gaudi's designs in 2D does not make sense from an architectural point of view," he said, as quoted by 3D Systems. "If Gaudi was alive today, he would have brought 3D technology to its maximum exponent, since much of his work was already conceived tri-dimensionally." Due to the scale of the project, Sagrada Familia has its own technical studio which acquired two 3D printers to help with the construction. The printers are being used, in large part, to reconstruct 3D models of the building, following Gaudi's designs. The original plaster models created from Gaudi's 2D drawings were almost completely destroyed by vandals during the Spanish Civil War, along with most of his writings and photographs. Architects are working hard to use modern technology to piece back together Gaudi's design, and the progress they've made on the building has most visitors feeling like they must be doing a good job.

Many designers use different devices for house passive cooling. But what if we try to approach the issue from another side and for cooling system use the material from which the house is built. For example, it can be a simple brick. Company "Emerging Objects" has developed a 3D-printed ceramic brick that uses nothing but water to cool homes in hot, dry climates. Every centimeter of this brick is printed by 3D printer, and the invention is called quite simply - Cool Bricks. Evaporative cooling is the addition of water vapor into air, which causes a lowering of the temperature of the air. Before the advent of refrigeration, evaporative cooling was used for millennia. Porous ceramic vessels were used to cool water by evaporation through their walls. Frescoes from about 2500 BC show slaves fanning jars of water to cool rooms. Inspired by the Muscatese Evaporative cooling window, which combines a wood screen, or mashrabiya, and a ceramic vessel filled with water, the "cool brick" masonry system is used to build walls that passively cool interiors in desert environments. Comprised of 3D printed porous ceramic bricks set in mortar, each brick absorbs water like a sponge and is designed as a three dimensional lattice that allows air to pass through the wall. As air moves through the 3D printed brick, the water that is held in the micro-pores of the ceramic evaporates, bringing cool air into an interior environment, lowering the temperature using the principle of evaporative cooling. The bricks are modular and interlocking, and can be stacked together to make a screen. The 3D lattice creates a strong bond when set in mortar. The shape of the brick also creates a shaded surface on the wall to keep a large percentage of the wall's surface cool and protected from the sun to improve the wall's performance. "This is a modern alternative to air conditioners or other devices that can cool the air inside the house. Our technology is more natural and allows you to save a lot of energy, especially in extremely arid regions, "- said one of the brick's designers, Ronald Rael. Currently the testing of innovation brick has just begun and its abilities are checked in practice. But researchers believe that the bricks can be used for cooling large rooms and also can be useful in agriculture.

Apple just unveiled plans to build 100 percent renewable energy powered two data centers in Denmark and Ireland. Like all Apple data-centers, the new ones will run entirely clean, renewable energy sources. Constructed at a total cost of US$ 1.9 billion, the data centers will each measure 166 thousand square meters and will power the company's iTunes App Store, iMessage, Maps and Siri services. The data centers will be located in Athenry in western Ireland and in Viborg in central Denmark and Apple expects them to be operational in 2017. Not only will the facilities be powered by 100 percent renewable energy, but they will also be constructed with additional sustainable features. The center in Athenry, Ireland, will include an outdoor education center for local schools and a walking trail, and is to be constructed on land "previously used for growing and harvesting non-native trees." Additionally the company will seek to restore native trees to nearby Derrydonnell Forest. The Apple Data center for Viborg, Denmark will be designed to capture excess heat from the servers, which will then be conducted into the district's heating system to provide warmth for adjoining communities. Furthermore, it will be located next to one of Denmark's largest electrical substations, removing the need for additional generators. As for precisely what renewable energy sources the data centers will utilize, it is likely that Apple will embrace the potentials of wind energy in the reason, and Apple emphasizes that they will "work with local partners to develop additional renewable energy projects from wind or other sources to provide power in the future. These facilities will have the lowest environmental impact yet for an Apple data center."

3D printers are everywhere and they have been used to construct everything. Recently a Chinese company WinSun has successfully 3D printed a five-story apartment building and a 110 square meters villa from special print material. China's newest mansion is not only made from recycled materials, but the sprawling 110 square meters home was made with 3D printing. The luxury mansion was 3D printed in layers, using recycled stone and construction waste. In order to print a mansion, WinSun had to construct a larger-than-life 3D printer. The mansion printer stands 6.6 meters high, 10 meters wide and 40 meters long. Combining recycled materials and quick-dry cement, the giant printer squeezes out layer upon layer of pasty materials in strong diagonal shapes, which then harden. The pieces are reinforced with steel, and then filled with insulation like any other wall when building a house. In addition to the mansion, WinSun has also 3D printed a five-story apartment building and 10 affordable homes from recycled materials. WinSun's 3D-printed five-story apartment building took just one day to print, and then five additional days to assemble, with low construction waste and minimal laborers needed. The mansion, which was 3D printed inside and out, also saved on construction and labor. In the future, WinSun plans to use the efficient and low-construction waste process to build bridges and soaring skyscrapers. The company has already proven its stake in the 3D-printed architecture market, printing 10 homes at US$ 5,000 a piece in March of last year. Last year the Dutch company DUS Architects developed 3D-printid house using bioplastic.