New technological advancements impact our lives on a daily basis, but how far off are we from creating efficient and non-intrusive power sources to power bionic devices?

Tesla turned heads in 2008 with the first fully electric sports car, the Tesla Roadster, and they continue to shape the electric car market and position themselves as the leaders in the industry. Recent EPA test results on their Model S luxury sedan line showed high miles-per-gallon equivalency (MPGe, the unit used to measure the average of the distance traveled per unit of energy consumed). These positive results help Tesla support their environmental and fuel efficiency claims and prompt car-buyers to take a more serious look at the company’s vehicles as a viable option for their daily commutes.

Railways across the United States were first constructed during the 19^th century. They transported  travelers as well as large amounts of cargo to distant markets. While passenger trains have lost their mainstream popularity; rail continues to be the transportation method of choice for a wide assortment of goods and mechanical equipment.

Lei Zuo, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Stony Brook University in New York, was inspired while travelling aboard a bumpy passenger train in upstate New York and envisioned an industry changing opportunity.

For the last 11 years, tourists and natives of Slazburg, Austria — Mozart’s birthplace — have enjoyed ice skating in Mozartplatz from the middle of November until the New Year. However, this year, skaters will arrive to find something different about their rink. The city of Salzburg has decided to lay down artificial ice for this year’s rink in an effort to reduce the need for cooling and to save on energy costs. And they’re not the only ones. Places like Green Bay, WI, Chicago, IL, Huntsville AL, and James City, VA are all starting to take advantage of these technologies as well in an effort to become more energy- and cost-efficient.