Business

DOE funds four projects to analyze fuel cell, hydrogen cost variables

By / August 18, 2011

Fuel cell powered bus in London. Credit: Tom Page, Creative Commons. Fuel cell supporters have generally been disappointed that the DOE hasn’t done more for the technology or hydrogen-based technologies,…

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Patent reform working its way through Congress and 8,000,000th patent issued

By Eileen De Guire / August 18, 2011

The US Patent and Trademark Office issued Patent Number 8,000,000 to Second Sight Medical Products for its retinal prosthesis device. Meanwhile, patent reform is working its way through Congress. Credit:…

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One step forward, one step back for Molycorp-Hitachi rare earths relationship; Sumitomo deal stalled

By / August 18, 2011

I am still trying to figure out exactly what to make of this: Last week, Molycorp issued its quarterly report to investors, in which it both announced a “master supply…

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Video of the week: Stronger than steel—the evolution of glass

By / August 16, 2011

Credit: MSNBC; Corning Inc. The video below is a recent production of MSNBC’s Future of Technology series. It covers both familiar ground, such as the glass cubes that project out…

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Ceramics and glass business news of the week

By / August 16, 2011

Here’s what we are hearing: New process viscometer catalog from Brookfield Brookfield Engineering Laboratories is pleased to offer a brand new 24 page, full-color Process Control Viscometer Catalog. This catalog,…

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Medical device companies appeal to Congress and IRS to avoid excise tax in 2013

By Eileen De Guire / August 15, 2011

A bare-metal coronary stent. Credit: Frank C. Müller; Wikipedia Creative Commons license The 2010 Affordable Health Care Act includes a provision for a 2.3% excise tax to be levied against…

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Chicagoland seeks healthier-looking glow with new ceramic metal halide street lights

By / August 11, 2011

Steetlights with a better spectrum and cheaper to operate are being installed in Chicago and other cities. Credit: Philips. I grew up near the steel mills in Middletown, Ohio, and…

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Ceramics and glass business news of the week

By / August 9, 2011

Here’s what we’re hearing: Corning prepares to again produce missile nosecones They called them Falcon, Hawk, Tartar, Sidewinder, Sparrow and Svenska. They were missiles that used one of Corning Inc.’s…

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Ceradyne leader Joel Moskowitz opens up on acquisitions, ceramics business

By / August 8, 2011

Ceradyne head Joel Moskowitz uses a team approach to evaluating acquisitions for the company. Credit: Ceradyne. I first interviewed Ceradyne honcho Joel Moskowitz in 2009, and last week I ran…

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NSF to leverage Materials Genome to reduce lab-to-product timeline; announces AIR awards

By Eileen De Guire / August 1, 2011

NSF programs supporting translational research represented along the linear innovation continuum, prior to the introduction of the AIR and new I-Corps programs (circa August 2010). Credit: NSF. Serving as midwife…

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