U.S. Missing Opportunity to Recycle Vast Amounts of Energy

On Wednesday I attended an event on Green Technology sponsored by the Midwest Council of the American Electronics Association. Vincent Albanese, SVP of Air Pollution Control at Fuel Tech, a company that produces air pollution control devices for large power generators and heavy industry, shared some startling information and insight: Congress is missing opportunities to [...]

A Thin-Film Solar Panel Installation

Thin-Film Solar Panel Installation

Many people envision solar power as rigid silicon panels mounted on a roof. With thin film solar cells, you’re more likely to not see them, or even know they’re there. This article is about a real-life thin film solar project. Not many bloggers are able to witness the technologies we research and write about. It’s one thing to be [...]

Honey, I Shrunk the CFLs: Crazy-Small New Bulb from SYLVANIA

The micro mini Twist CFL: Big light, small package. When it comes to the advent of the compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL), I am proud to say that I was an early adopter. And while I instantly noticed a reduction in my monthly electric bill, I also noticed that the compact fluorescent was not without [...]

Damage to Dams in China Leaves Millions at Risk

dam china earthquake

Many dams in Southwest China sustained significant damage after the recent massive earthquake. The Min River and its tributaries have 30 dams upstream from Dujiangyan and 16 incurred significant damage from the recent earthquake. The Zipingpu dam is an example where a dam failure could have disastrous consequences. Zipingpu dam threatens millions The Zipingpu reservoir [...]

Summer Travel Turns up the (Global) Heat

Iceberg Lake, Montana

With summer right around the corner, restless employees are eagerly scratching at the doors to get out of the office and slip into their fantasy vacations. One thing that we should all consider is the impact that our summer travel is going to have on the very places that we are dying to get out [...]

Parking Lots with Solar Trees ™ Provide Shade for Shopping Malls

Envision Solar is causing a lot of excitement in the beleaguered shopping mall world with its innovative use of solar energy: as Solar Trees™ in a Solar Grove™. Panels placed on retail parking lots — traditionally barren, heat-producing landscapes — can now provide shade for customers, while generating up to a half-megawatt of electricity. They [...]

3 Reasons Manure is Becoming a Cash Crop

organic farming chemical fertilizer

You know that times are changing when farmers look to manure as a valuable commodity. Pretty soon, manure from a herd may be more profitable than the beef itself. Manufactured fertilizers has tripled in price in the last year, driving farmers to look for alternatives. This is certainly an indicator of a shifting economy. 1. [...]

Fuel Cells that You can Carry on a Plane to Charge Phones, iPods, or Game Players

Medis Fuel Cell

Disclosure: I have been following the development of this device for several years and own Medis stock. As a long time business traveler who likes to listen to music and podcasts and who occasionally needs to participate in lengthy phone calls, I have often gathered with others around the few electric sockets available at airports [...]