Inhabitat's Week in Green: rocket fuel, recycled jeans, and the electric eel powered Christmas tree

Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting
green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green.

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Eco transportation took off this week as researchers in Sweden
discovered a new molecule that could make rocket fuel 30 percent more
efficient. We also caught up with Russia's plans to construct a new
high-speed rail system for the 2018 World Cup, and we saw several
major auto manufacturers give their vehicles green upgrades - Ford
announced it will insulate its 2010 Focus with recycled jeans, and
Chevrolet launched plans to transform 100,000 pounds of used oil booms
into parts for the Volt.

The past week also saw bright horizons dawn for renewable energy as
the world's largest parabolic trough solar plant received a $1.5
billion DOE loan. The world of consumer tech was energized by the
sun's rays as Toshiba unveiled a new solar-powered e-book reader and
one designer developed a solar-powered desalination system that could
keep shipwrecked survivors alive at sea. We also brought you artist
Michael McKean's plan to shoot rainbows across the sky at will with
his solar-powered rainbow generator.

Speaking of spreading renewable cheer, this month Japan's Enoshima
Aquarium unveiled the world's first Christmas tree powered by an
electric eel. The FAA also got into the holiday spirit as they
approved a next-gen Santa sleigh that delivers gifts 53% faster, and
if you unwrapped a new video game system this year, you may be
interested to know that the Nintendo Wii was recently crowned the most
energy-efficient next-gen gaming console. Finally, if the wintry
weather has you feeling down, just take a peek inside this
supermassive airship hangar, transformed into a year-round tropical
island getaway.