Rapid Testing Yields High-Energy Battery Materials

Technology Review
April 4, 2011

Using a novel automated approach for quickly building and testing thousands of battery cells, Wildcat Discovery Technologies, a startup in San Diego, California, has developed new materials that could boost the storage capacity of lithium-ion batteries for cars and portable electronics by more than 25 percent.
Batteries based on the new materials could extend the range of electric vehicles or allow automakers to keep the same range but use fewer battery cells, thus reducing the cost of the battery pack, an electric car's most expensive part. Work still needs to be done to improve the durability of the new materials, but the results provide validation for Wildcat's high-throughput screening technique that allows researchers to quickly sort through combinations of materials.
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Sarawak 10th State Election reports

Obviously the choice in the State Election on April 16, 2011 will be between performances, progress, achievements and empty promises of the opposition.

The opposition will of course promise the moon and the stars knowing very well they will not be able to form the  next government and fulfill the promises.

As expected, the opposition will demonise the leadership by spreading lies and fault suits in the process.

It is a privilege to accommodate some of the newspaper reports on the trend of the campaign in the line up to the election.

The Star -04/04/2011

New Straits Times - 04/04/201

The Borneo Post - 04/04/2011

benuasains

 *Photos Source: 

-Local and National newspapers

Novel Nanowires Boost Fuel Cell Efficiency

Yale University
March 31, 2011

Fuel cells have been touted as a cleaner solution to tomorrow's energy needs, with potential applications in everything from cars to computers.


But one reason fuel cells aren't already more widespread is their lack of endurance. Over time, the catalysts used even in today's state-of-the-art fuels cells break down, inhibiting the chemical reaction that converts fuel into electricity. In addition, current technology relies on small particles coated with the catalyst; however, the particles' limited surface area means only a fraction of the catalyst is available at any given time.
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Association for Conflict Resolution of Greater New York Presents Breakfast With Janis Schonauer

The next ACR-GNY monthly Roundtable Breakfast will feature AllianceBernstein Ombuds Jan Schonauer. The breakfast will take place at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice on Thursday, April 7, 2011 at 8:00 am.  Schonauer's topic is, "Top Ten Challenges for a Corporate Ombudsman." (Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies Blog.)

Related posts: IOA Pre-Conference Master Class Will Feature Leading Ombuds; IOA Past President Jan Schonauer Announces Retirement; New York ACR Panel on the Emerging Role of Ombuds.

Editorial Decries Loss of Portland State University Ombuds

The editorial board of the PSU Vanguard says that the decision to close the campus Ombuds Office was shortsighted and leaves the community without a valuable resource.

The Vanguard editors said:

"Ombuds is essentially being closed because it was only being weighed in terms of its monetary value, which is no way to measure the benefits of such a service. Instead, the worth of Ombuds should be weighed in terms of how it profits the mental and emotional health of the PSU community."

PSU Ombuds Sandy McDermott says that she is worried that some students will fall through the cracks. (PSU Vanguard.)

Ironically, PSU President Wim Wiewel will offer a welcome and opening remarks for the IOA conference on April 4.

Related posts: IOA Posts Agenda for 2011 Conference; City of Portland Declares April 3, 2011 to be 'Ombuds Day'; Portland State University Will Close Ombuds Office.

Tidal Energy gets go-ahead to deploy DeltaStream device

The Engineer
April 1, 2011

Tidal Energy has been given approval to deploy its 1.2MW DeltaStream tidal energy device in Ramsey Sound off Pembrokeshire.
The Cardiff-based company’s device will provide electricity to the local distribution network during its 12-month test period, with the potential to power up to 1,000 homes.

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Further technology 'is needed to make EVs more attractive'

The Engineer
April 2, 2011

New research shows that while US consumer interest in fully battery-operated electric vehicles (EVs) is relatively positive, the current electric offerings do not meet most consumers’ requirements.

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