Blackbird Incense Pyre: Smudge sticks are popular among urban hippies with ritualistic tendencies, but the comparatively harsh scent of the New Age herbal bundles isn’t for everyone. Seattle-based men’s clothing store/apothecary Blackbird conceived of a modern substitute with its in-house incense pyres. The more delicately scented, burnable cones were initially made as a limited run product, but they proved so popular, selling out every time they hit the floor, that the store decided to expand the collection. The highly concentrated aromatics are now available in seven fragrances, ranging from the tomato leaf notes of Roheline to the rose petal/sandalwood/anise seed medley of Ozo.

Incienso de Santa Fe: Southwestern motifs have been resonating with the young and fashionable for the past few years, from Navajo print Pendleton blankets to custom-made dream catchers. The latest New Mexican hallmark to take a US road trip is Incienso de Santa Fe, a family-owned and operated home fragrance business that launched in 1963. The heritage brand has acquired a cult following in recent months, not only for its retro packaging, woodsy scents (juniper, pinon) and ecologically-minded production methods (all trees used to create the incense are already “down and dead”) but also for its hand-cast, hand-painted teepee and adobo hut burners.

Papier d’Arménie Booklet: The burning of benzoin, a dried sap derived from styrax trees, was a 19^th century tradition among Armenians who used the natural resource to disinfect their homes. A French entrepreneur eventually expanded the market throughout Europe by soaking burnable paper in the solution and selling it as Papier D’Arménie. The booklets, produced in the Parisian suburb of Montrouge for the past 120+ years, emit a unique smoky vanilla essence that’s a distinct alternative to saccharine scented candles. Now, fashionable boutiques, such as NYC’s Barber & Supply, stock the blotting papers: perfect for urbanites seeking to cover up their malodorous cooking forays.

Healing Environments: Ambient music pioneer Brian Eno has designed two innovative “healing environments” that will test the therapeutic properties of ambient sound for the recently opened Montefiore Hospital in the UK. Each was created to provide a serene atmosphere with restorative effects for the hospital’s patients. The first space, called simply “Quiet Room for Montefiore,” is an empty room characterized only by its ambient generative music, providing a respite for patients who need a moment to themselves amid the chaotic, impersonal hospital environs. The second, “77 Million Paintings for Montefiore,” features more generative music as well as a light installation (presumably of the therapeutic, non-theatrical variety).

Christine Sun Kim: Last year, a spate of gadgetry sought to give the blind augmented vision capabilities. A similarly inspired effort to “reclaim sound,” conceived of by hearing-impaired artist Christine Sun Kim, is featured in a recent video short from The Selby. Kim investigates the physicality of sound by translating noise into kinetic phenomena in order to experience it through its visual and bodily effects—such as sound vibrations, a visceral, internal way for the deaf to process sound stimuli. The resultant works feature brightly colored strings strapped across pulsing speakers, paint splattered by shocks of sound from a microphone, and ongoing feedback loops that rattle physical space.

BioAid: Researchers at the University of Essex have developed an algorithm that could transform smartphones into nouveau hearing aids. Like similar software that harnesses and perfects ambient noise, BioAid uses the smartphone’s internal processing power to amplify too-quiet noises and diminish too-loud ones. This trick essentially mimics the biological processes that occur in a healthy ear to deliver clearer, more comprehensible sound to the hearing impaired. Such a hearing aid app could ultimately lower barriers of cost and inconvenience that may prevent one from seeking auditory treatment. The algorithm is currently available for free download in the iTunes App Store.

SaveCAP: Airbags are no longer just for car passengers. In fact, they’re now used to protect houses from earthquakes, hikers from avalanches and, thanks to Dutch car company TNO, cyclists from cars. Research has found that when a car hits a bicycle, the rider typically lands on the windshield with their head and shoulders leading. TNO developed an airbag system, called SaveCAP, which inflates on a car’s exterior between the bottom edge of the front windshield and the hood. A forward-facing camera under the rearview mirror connects with software that identifies oncoming pedestrians or cyclists, and activates its “alert” mode to deploy the windshield airbags.

The Safest Bike on the Road: Lawyer and bicycle safety advocate Josh Zisson built what he describes as “the safest bike on the road.” His custom concept bike features an internal rear gear hub that allows cyclists to switch gears at a dead stop, enclosed drum brakes capable of handling all weather conditions and, most significantly, a comprehensive focus on visibility. Indeed, LED headlights, daytime running lights, brake lights, and a complete coating of reflective sealant make the bicycle nearly impossible to miss. Several cycling veterans contributed to the project, including a handmade frame by Ted Wojcik Custom Bicycles, handlebar grips from Portland Design Works, and assembly through Hub Bicycle.

Safer Urban Lorry: Some cities are focusing on bike lanes, but the London Cycling Campaign (LCC) has developed a vehicle design that eliminates trucks’ blind spots thereby reducing the danger they pose to cyclists. The concept, called the Safer Urban Lorry, takes inspiration from the open cab design of modern garbage trucks, touting a 360-degree early warning camera system, lower seating position, and large bus-like windows to improve visibility. The project follows an initiative that the organization launched last year, Safer Lorries, Safer Cycling, which called upon council members to take a pledge insisting on cyclist awareness training for drivers and use of the latest safety technology.

Aqua Studio: Aqua cycling is already an established exercise movement in Europe, but it’s just catching on in the US. Aqua Studio is a recently opened NYC cycling space that offers classes in which up to 15 people (women only, currently) ride metal bikes submerged in four feet of water while also working on core and arm strengthening. Riders, rather than adjusting the bike’s resistance throughout the 45-minute class, choose from three pre-set levels, with water making the workout even tougher than a typical spin session. The studio boasts that class participants burn cellulite and up to 800kcal per hour, but won’t feel soreness afterwards.

Aqua Yoga: The number of Americans who practice yoga reached 20.4 million in 2012, up from 15.8 million in 2008. Among the numerous hybrid versions that have emerged is aqua yoga, which puts less stress on the joints than regular yoga. The water also provides greater resistance, enabling participants to burn calories faster. Guests at LA’s The Hotel Wilshire, through a partnership between Kimpton Hotels and Lululemon, can now take aqua yoga classes led by the apparel brand’s yoga ambassadors in the hotel’s rooftop pool. As Kimpton rolls out new fitness initiatives across its properties, it may offer this class at more locations in the future.

Aqua Zumba: Zumba, the wildly popular dance fitness craze, has spun off Aqua Zumba, a new wrinkle that has been making a splash worldwide. Instructors stand outside the pool to best demonstrate the choreography, which combines aerobics, dance, and lap exercises. Some of the moves and dance styles are modified since they work better on land, but by adding water to the workout, participants can enhance their aerobic endurance, flexibility, and joint mobility. This virtual “pool party” shows no signs of sinking, as an Aqua Zumba by Speedo collection, consisting of swimsuits, aquatic footwear and fitness accessories, will hit stores next year.

Microsoft’s Forbes Hotspot: Sponsoring free Wi-Fi in urban public spaces such as parks and subways is a relatively common practice among marketers, yet a recent promotion from Microsoft gave potential brand fans a more widely available opportunity to access gratis Internet. The software giant partnered with Forbes to place functional T-Mobile routers in special issues of last month’s issue. The hotspots, secured in cardboard inserts, doled out free Wi-Fi for 15 days for up to five devices at once. An ad for Office 365, the publishing stunt included a four-page insert intended to convince users of the convenience of the software’s cloud utility.

Wi-Fi Movie Poster: Movie marketers are making clever use of smartphone technology in their efforts to lure ever discerning audiences into theatres. One recent tactic was even built into the movie itself, as Dutch release App featured a second screen experience via a companion app. South Korean film distributor CJ Entertainment took a similarly mobile-minded approach with its 2.0 movie poster concept. The reinvented advert for espionage thriller The Berlin File was embedded with a Wi-Fi hotspot that offered passersby free Internet. Immediately upon logging in to the network, users were directed to the movie’s homepage where they could watch a trailer and, of course, purchase tickets.

Karma: People share media freely online, even in the face of debates over piracy and copyright infringement. Yet, when it comes to the ways in which they access the digital domain, most keep passwords guarded. The technologists behind new gadget Karma are out to reverse the trend with the introduction of the first social hotspot. The palm-sized box is a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot that provides users with pay-as-you-go Internet access. Through a feature the company calls Social Bandwith, Karma owners can open up access to anyone in their vicinity. When someone joins a Karma network, both users are rewarded with 100 MB of free data.

Knowhow Shop:  Furniture designers are embracing 3D printing technology with remarkable results, yet many still prefer tactile methods of construction. LA’s Knowhow Shop, a fabrication lab and design studio in Highland Park, offers project-based workshops suitable even for those who’ve never handled a jigsaw. Aspiring woodworkers can sign up for one-day studio boot camps from which they’ll bring home a finished creation and a working knowledge of key tools. Upcoming sessions include a Garden Bench Workshop appropriate for beginners, a Wooden Utensils Workshop, and a freeform symposium with artist Fred Rose for those who wish to take a more right-brained approach to the craft.

Rebuilding Exchange: Chicago’s Rebuilding Exchange has been promoting reclaimed building materials for the past three years, keeping perfectly usable construction supplies out of landfills and, instead, offering them for reuse through its retail warehouse. Among its efforts to further foster local sustainability is an in-house curriculum of public workshops designed to equip community members with applicable upcycling expertise. Its ‘Make It Take It’ series invites aspiring carpenters to learn basic woodworking skills through the construction of furniture pieces suitable for both home and garden. Upcoming options include utilitarian crates, planter boxes, benches, and rustic mirrors, while four-day intensives teach more advanced skills.

What is Wood?: The studio and art space formerly known as The Intercourse was one of the innumerable casualities of Hurricane Sandy in Red Hook, Brooklyn. Coinciding with its recovery is its reinvention as Pioneer Works. The facility retained its prior artists-in-residence program, but now offers unconventional art education opportunities that are open to the public. Next month’s ‘What is Wood?’ invites creative treehuggers to learn about the “properties, possibilities and history of [the] versatile medium.” The class, taught by sculptor Thomas Beale, isn’t grounded entirely in the science of wood, though. Rather, it will impart its participants with insights gleaned from the artist’s unique personal perspective.

WWF Together: The World Wildlife Fund has released a free app designed to raise awareness of endangered species without resorting to just the usual dry facts and figures. The app, called Together, uses stunning imagery and digital storytelling to relay information about exotic vanishing animals, from giant pandas to marine turtles to jaguars. Interactive features like Tiger Vision, which allows users to compare their own vision to the advanced visual prowess of a tiger, make clever use of the platform. Through this and similar features, the app meets growing demand for sensory stimulation—all the better to appeal to a new generation of potential donors.

New Forest Cicada Project: Brood II cicadas will soon noisily invade the Eastern Seaboard, and their UK brethren, New Forest cicadas, are also due to emerge this spring. Interestingly, this particular breed hasn’t been discovered in forests for over a decade—possibly due to its incredibly high-pitched song, which is inaudible to human ears. Researchers at the University of Southampton are currently developing an app that will do the hard work of detection on humans’ behalf. If just some of New Forest’s one million annual summer visitors download and open the cicada-detecting app, it could further researchers’ understanding—and future preservation—of this elusive endangered species.

Whale Alert: Those with long-term memories may recall when “Save the Whales” was a widespread rallying cry, but in recent years the anti-whaling initiative has quieted drastically. That’s not to say, however, that there are no longer efforts to protect whales from the effects of the commercial shipping industry. Though boat-whale collisions are rare, some species’ numbers are so low that even a single strike can dramatically impact their already fragile population. Large vessel operators can now rely on an app called Whale Alert, developed by navigation experts at EarthNC, to detect and avoid drastically endangered ‘right whales,’ a class of whales comprised of three species that are particularly prone to thread by trade.

Velopresso: Velopresso is a mobile coffee tricycle that keeps the java flowing as long as the wheels are turning. Designers Amos Field Reid and Lasse Oiva, the Royal College of Art graduates who conceived of and constructed the device, wanted to put a spin on the classic coffee cart while maintaining a silent, energy efficient business via pedal power. Aiming to minimize its carbon footprint, the Velopresso’s gears have been rewired to push the cart forward and power the coffee grinder, while the water is heated through a small, gas-powered camping boiler to brew steaming cups o’ joe on the go.

Peddler’s Creamery: Hand-churning is a fairly common bragging right among ice cream companies, but Los Angeles-based Peddler’s Creamery boasts the distinction of producing small batch frozen desserts using pedal power. Owner Edward Belden started out selling ice cream from the back of his bike, and recently hung up his helmet to open a store in downtown LA. At the new shop, the bike is stationed in the front room, but the power it generates is funneled to a churn in the back. Exclusively using premium quality, locally sourced and organic ingredients, it takes Belden only around 20 minutes of pedaling to create a five-gallon batch.

Moberi: Rose City Food Park cart Moberi utilizes an exercise bike with spindles attached to blenders to engineer Portland’s first bike-powered smoothie bar. The interactive food cart lets customers hop on the bike to make their own smoothies, juices and health shots. Recently, the company has turned to Kickstarter in hopes of growing the business, including the addition of a bike blender suitable for use by kids under 10. Owner Ryan Carpenter developed the concept after being inspired by Maya Pedal, a Guatemalan NGO that turns old bikes into machines for community use, like husking corn and blending drinks.

Heineken Ignite: Last month at Milan Design Week, Heineken unveiled a prototype of Heineken Ignite, a smart bottle that illuminates when drinkers clink their bottles together or take a sip. A reusable module, which snaps on the base of the bottles, contains eight bright LEDs, an 8-bit microprocessor, a motion detector, and a wireless network transceiver that synchs the light with music. This isn’t the first time LED technology has been mixed with alcohol, but Heineken Ignite promises to enhance the overall nightlife experience…when it’s available. Alas, the high-tech bottle is still being tested, and Heineken has yet to say when it will be released.

Budweiser’s Buddy Cup: Among the many initiatives designed to make drinking even more social is Budweiser Brazil’s The Buddy Cup, a Facebook-integrated beer glass that sends drinkers friend requests when their cups touch. By scanning a QR code on the cup, users activate a microchip that links to their Facebook profiles. While the concept puts a digital spin on becoming friends when toasting, research reveals that Gen Ys are stressed when they have too many Facebook friends, so clinkers are advised to be selective. Nevertheless, after a successful pilot event in São Paulo, Budweiser plans to use the cups at brand-sponsored events such as concerts and festivals.

Strongbow Gold’s StartCap: Heineken-owned cider brand Strongbow Gold worked with London-based creative agency Work Club to develop a prototype for StartCap, the world’s first digital bottle cap. A tag embedded in the protected cap sets off RFID scanners placed in bars or at events, which then trigger celebratory surprises such as music, water fountains, confetti cannons or, curiously, automatic Foursquare check-ins. The RFID tags connect to an antenna to read a radio signal that communicates with a computer to produce the unexpected wonders. Thus far, StartCap has only been used at launch events in Europe, but an online teaser video is already building buzz.

Sleepy Jones: Yahoo! CEO Marissa Mayer’s recent edict notwithstanding, the number of Americans who telecommute is expected to grow by 69% by 2016. This home office trend may not only spawn a reexamination of work/life balance but also a reevaluation of one’s need for professional attire. Specifically, those who work from their living rooms are likely to want to expand their loungewear selection. Enter Sleepy Jones, a new, ‘not quite ready-to-wear’ brand from retail sage Andy Spade. The line, inspired by pajama-wearing icons like David Hockney and Pablo Picasso, features tailored bedclothes sets that can go from the kitchen to the coffee shop.

Raphaëlla Riboud: Parisian designer Raphaëlla Riboud, a seasoned fashion tastemaker who cut her teeth at British Vogue, Ralph Lauren, and Christian Dior, wants to create a new category of elegant casualwear that marries the comfort of sleepwear with the sophistication of eveningwear. Born out of a personal desire for simple, yet classy clothes that aren’t too sexy, her eponymous line of “couture PJs” are made from luxury fabrics usually reserved for haute French fashion houses. The top-and-bottom sets are decidedly incommensurate with those dressed up “pajamas” featured on infomercials, with some styles available in jewel-toned, printed silks in a nod to Riboud’s sari-draped grandmother.

Fred Segal Rocks & Silk and P.J. Salvage: Los Angeles retailer Fred Segal has long been an emporium of celebrity fashion, but its latest venture is giving shoppers the opportunity to shop tabloid style in a manner heretofore unseen on the red carpet scene. Its Rocks & Silk store recently forged a partnership with pajama brand-of-the-stars P.J. Salvage, through which the two Hollywood heavyweights have opened a new Santa Monica boutique together. Stocked with two-piece bedroom outfits that could just as easily be worn to Café Gratitude as to sleep, the store’s beach boudoir vibe is poised to make tie-dye pajamas and silky ikat boxers the new California casual.