Energy Potential Everywhere

In addition to popular green energy like solar and wind, Expo architectures tap into a broader variety of extant energy resources, such as sound, the energy and heat emitted by home appliances, and the warmth of the human body.

Low-temperature electricity generation is epoch-making technology that is yet to enter wide application. The roof of the Shanghai Corporate Pavilion is covered with solar screens of 2,200 square meters that heat water to 95 ℃ to generate electric power. Its capacity exceeds 200 KW.

One of the two elevators in the Eco House in the UBPR can store and recycle the energy produced in its movement up and down the shaft.

The German Pavilion, self-christened Balancity, has a fascinating energy source show. In an awe-inspiring cone-shaped room with dramatic choreographed lighting, a sphere of three meters in diameter dangles from the ceiling, its surface fitted with thousands of LEDs. In tune with visitor hub-bub and ambient noise it swings back and forth or in circles as its sound sources move or shout. The speed, color and patterns of the graphically-programmed LEDs change nimbly with the intensity of the motion and sound.

The Hamburg House, the first certified passive solar house in China, reaches further into hidden energy sources in everyday life. In the winter its highly insulated shell can effectively trap the heat from sunshine, home appliances and residents' bodies within the room, saving the building from drawing on any direct heating supply.

Humanoid Machines

In recent decades robots have taken on more tasks in the society besides assembling cars, including surgery, laboratory experiments, household chores, entertainment and security checks. The Shanghai Expo gives visitors a glimpse at the latitude of their uses and the altitude of their intelligence.

During the Expo, 37 robotic Haibao, the blue mascot, take up their posts in the city's two airports -- Hongqiao and Pudong and throughout the Expo area itself. They will provide an extensive variety of vocal information services in six languages, for people planning their route to a destination, checking weather forecasts, or looking for details on Expo displays and performances.

Japan, long a pacesetter in robotics, brings a mechanical butler to Shanghai. The joints of its limbs are almost as flexible as those of human, enabling it to make delicate movements. At your request, it can even play the violin.

The Swedish Pavilion presents a chorus of 22 robot singers using voice synthesis and artificial intelligence, a charming blend of technology and music.