Blogs
Industry groups sue over NYC e-waste recycling law
July 30, 2009 6:27 am | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | CommentsThe Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) have filed a legal challenge against a New York City law mandating door-to-door collection of e-waste. Local Law No. 13, taking effect July 31st, forces all electronic manufacturers doing business in NYC to provide free door-to-door collection services for covered equipment.
Nissan Unveils New E-Car Prototype
July 28, 2009 9:19 am | CommentsNissan Motor today previewed its electric vehicle (EV) platform on a Tiida-based prototype. It also showcased a sophisticated EV-IT system developed to support electric driving 24/7. The dedicated EV platform is comprised of a highly rigid body, high-performance motor, compact lithium-ion battery with high power output and energy capacity.
North Carolina Town Going Green With LED Technology
July 22, 2009 5:58 am | CommentsPhilips Lumec has been chosen by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of western North Carolina to light their downtown streetscapes with their environmentally responsible LED lighting solutions. In doing so, they clearly place this town of 14,500 residents, located on the South end of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, in the vanguard of communities choosing environmentally responsible LED lighting technologies.
LED Controller Features 'In-Situ' Temperature Compensation
July 22, 2009 5:42 am | CommentsLeadis Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: LDIS), an analog and mixed-signal semiconductor developer of LED drivers for consumer electronic devices, today announced sample availability of the LDS9001 and LDS9003, two new LED controllers featuring Leadis' patent pending LED-Sense(TM) Temperature Compensation engine. This innovative feature allows for direct in-situ monitoring of the LED junction temperature without the need for an external temperature sensor
Institute Unveils OLED that is 75% More Efficient
July 20, 2009 1:37 pm | by by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | CommentsThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has purportedly created an Organic Light Emitting Diode that is 75% more efficient than previous models. Led by Prof. Kyung-Cheol Choi, the KAIST team discovered a new type of surface plasmon enhanced OLED. KAIST explains their finding thusly: “For surface plasmon localization, silver nanoparticles were thermally deposited in a high vacuum on cathode.
GE Targets Net Zero Energy Homes by 2015
July 17, 2009 5:21 am | CommentsGE announced today that by 2015 it is developing a turn-key product portfolio that will empower consumers to build — both new home builders and existing homeowners — to efficiently consume, manage and generate electricity to enable an overall net zero annual energy.
Coming Soon: Silk-Screened Batteries
July 14, 2009 10:36 am | by by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | CommentsWho knew those shady vendors hawking silk-screened t-shirts at tourist traps were leading the tech revolution? Actually, that claim belongs to the Fraunhofer Research Institution, but who’s keeping track? The German institute has developed a printable battery that is produced using a silk-screening process similar to that used in t-shirts.
IMEC announces new partnerships and a new pilot line for its solar cell research program
July 14, 2009 7:29 am | CommentsIMEC announced that it has established new partnerships with solar cell material and equipment suppliers. These companies, including MEMC Electronic Materials Inc., Leybold Optics Dresden GmbH, Roth & Rau AG, and Mallinckrodt Baker B.V., have concluded joint-development agreements with IMEC in the frame of IMEC’s newly launched wafer-based silicon photovoltaics industrial affiliation program (IIAP).
Survey Reveals Contractors as Influencers for Adoption of LED Lighting
July 13, 2009 10:04 am | CommentsA recent survey of electrical and lighting contractors demonstrates their importance in the specifying and recommendation of LED lighting products for building projects. According to the survey respondents, contractors are involved in recommending LED lighting more than 70% of the time. Yet a majority of respondents said they would be interested in receiving more training on product installation, benefits, and layout
World's first fuel cell aircraft takes off in Germany
July 7, 2009 7:35 pm | CommentsThe world's first piloted aircraft capable of taking to the air using only power from fuel cells took off in Germany Tuesday, producing zero carbon dioxide emissions, its makers said. "We have improved the performance capabilities and efficiency of the fuel cell to such an extent that a piloted aircraft is now able to take off using it," said Johann-Dietrich Woerner from the German Aerospace Center (DLR).
Next-Gen Incandescent Bulbs Revive Old Debates
July 6, 2009 9:56 pm | by by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | CommentsThose writing incandescent’s obituary may want to stay their pen. The NY Times reports on the efforts towards modernizing the “Edison lightbulb.” Leading the pack is Philips’ Halogena Energy Savers, purportedly 30% more efficient than similar incandescent bulbs. The 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act sounded the death knell for traditional incandescents. While it doesn’t ban incandescents, it does set wattage limitations and other restrictions
China blasts US climate bill
July 2, 2009 11:56 am | CommentsChina said on Thursday that it was "firmly" opposed to provisions in a new US clean energy bill that will make it easier to impose trade penalties on nations that reject limits to globe-warming pollution. "China is firmly opposed to such measures," vice foreign minister He Yafei told reporters in Beijing. "We are firmly against such attempts to advance trade protectionism under the pretext of climate change. It is not conducive to world economic recovery. It serves nobody's interests."
Obama's Climate Leadership Faces Test at G8 Forum
July 2, 2009 10:03 am | by Jeff Mason | CommentsPresident Barack Obama, buoyed by a domestic victory on climate policy, faces his first foreign test on the issue next week at a forum that could boost the chances of reaching a U.N. global warming pact this year.
EPA Approves State-based Auto Emissions Standards
June 30, 2009 7:46 pm | by by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | CommentsTo follow up on an earlier story, the EPA has granted California’s request for exemption from federal tailpipe emissions standards. The decision is effective immediately for California plus 13 other states and Washington DC. It allows them to regulate emissions for model years 2009-2011, one year before the federal standards take effect. Says EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, “This decision puts the law and science first…this waiver is consistent with the Clean Air Act as it’s been used for the last 40 years
Firm Delivers 60 Megawatts of Power From Landfill Gas
June 30, 2009 7:49 am | CommentsProviding usable electrical power from waste, Innovative Energy Systems (IES) has developed a clean energy solution that recovers methane gas from landfills and converts it into electricity.
