• Planning ahead in Scotland

    Building infrastructure — roads, bridges, tunnels, dams — is expensive; Abertay University Ph.D. student develops virtualization software which allows infrastructure planners to produce 3D models of developments before a single brick is laid

  • Storing wind energy in batteries

    Integrating variable wind and solar power production with the needs of the power grid is a major problem of these two alternative sources of energy; a Minnesota company will test technology to to store wind energy and move it to the electricity grid when needed

  • Maryland leaders worry about shift in DHS priorities after elections

    Because of its proximity to the nation’s capital, the Baltimore metro area and Washington suburbs are particularly vulnerable to terrorist activity, Maryland leaders say; they want attention to security increased, not decreased

  • Israeli clean-car project largest recipient of VC clean-tech funding in 2007

    Israeli electric car venture raises $200 million in first round financing — the largest single recipient of VC cleantech funding in 2007; total VC 2007 investment in cleantech: More than $3 billion

  • Three new wind farms in U.K.

    Three new wind farms will have a combined output of 215 MW, which is enough to supply renewable energy to 109,000 homes; next year U.K. will overtake Denmark in percentage of national power generated by wind

  • Water shortages lead Saudis to end grain production

    Growing wheat takes a lot of water; Saudi Arabia never had much water, and its rapidly growing population puts more pressure on whatever water resources there are; Saudi Arabia’s decision: The kingdom will begin reducing production annually by 12.5 percent from next year and will use imports to bridge the domestic consumption gap

  • More than $3 billion lost in 2007 in phishing attacks

    New survey shows the 3.6 million U.S. adults lost an average $886 each to phishing schemes, totaling in $3.2 billion loss; the good news: More victims were able to recover some of their losses relative to previous years; phishing and malware attacks will continue to increase through 2009 because it is still a lucrative business for the perpetrators

  • NSF, Google, IBM in strategic relationship on Internet-scale computing

    To bridge the gap between industry and academia, it is important that academic researchers are exposed to the emerging computing paradigm behind the growth of Internet-scale applications

  • Experts: Australia must take lead on climate change

    Australia is more economically vulnerable than any other wealthy nation to the effects of global warming; new report says: “Australia would be a big loser — possibly the biggest loser among developed nations — from unmitigated climate change”

  • Study: Costs of solar panels far exceeds benefits

    There is growing interest in solar power, but the cost of solar panels still exceeds their benefits, a University of California economist says; even under the most extreme assumptions — a 5 percent annual increase in electricity costs and 1 percent interest rate — the cost of solar PV is about 80 percent greater than the value of the electricity it will produce

  • BlastGard shows new airport security tool

    A mobile suspect package removal unit with blast-mitigating bomb receptacle will help hold and remove suspected explosive packages until the bomb squad arrives; new system would make it unnecessary to shut down an airport for long periods, which is a good thing, since it is estimated that an airport incurs losses of approximately $150,000 for every minute it is shut down

  • How to protect corporate secrets from outsiders -- and insiders

    A secret can be lost in the blink of an eye, but getting information back under wraps can take forever; John Edwards offers a few useful tips on how corporations can become more secure

  • Toshiba tests liquid sodium fast reactor

    Toshiba notices the growing interest in nuclear power, and opens high temperature liquid-sodium test loop at its Yokohama Complex; company says it will enhance its sodium-related technology in readiness for future business expansion in this promising market

  • Moth eyes inspire more efficient solar cell design

    Moth eyes do not reflect light: They have orderly bumps on their corneas, and the the array of bumps creates a situation in which almost no reflection exists, thus keeping the defenseless moth hidden from nocturnal predators; researchers want to increase the efficiency of solar panels by emulating moth eyes, allowing the panels to absorb and utilize — rather than reflect and waste — more of the sun’s light

  • New U.K. nuclear plants to fund eventual decommissioning

    New U.K. nuclear power station operators will be required to set aside money for their eventual decommissioning and waste costs