You already know the usual suspects to replace oil: alternative fuels, solar power, as well as hydro- and wind-powered solutions. Well, add one more thing — paint. Special thermal insulating paint, applied inside of a structure's walls, might allow for electricity to be generated by the difference in temperature inside and outside of the building. Since there is always some sort of temperature difference, the generation of electricity would be constant. Sound too good to be true? Energy gathered in this manner could reduce dependence on localized power where it's used most, like in large cities, especially if every building utilized the special thermal insulator. You're probably wondering how it works. Well, it's magic.

Not really, but Industrial Nanotech is keeping us in the dark until it gets all of its patents squared away. If this stuff really does work, though, your Mad Max-inspired dreams of fending off ripped berserkers to protect your last drops of oil might go on indefinite hold. — Kevin Hall

Industrial Nanotech, via New Launches