Tuesday, June 14, 2011
WIRED review: Throwback Mustang Muscle Car Is One Boss Ride
Review by Sam Smith
Let’s get one thing out of the way: This is the best Mustang ever built. Which makes it one of the best muscle cars ever built. Which makes it one of the best cars ever built, period. Which means you should probably go out and buy one, even though it costs $41,000 — a big chunk of change for a Mustang.
For a normal person, the ordinary, 412-hp Mustang GT has absolutely nothing wrong with it. It’s a $30,500 brawler that handles better than anything with a live rear axle has a right to. Best of all, it recalls that awesome time your dad hit up the ‘74 U.S. Grand Prix at Watkins Glen and got lost in the track’s world-famous Bog before drinking his weight in Schlitz and helping a rowdy mob set a Greyhound bus on fire.
Read the full review.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Federal Government to add electric vehicles to fleet
ASSOCIATED PRESS via FREEP.COM
The government is adding some electric cars to its fleet. For the first time, the General Services Administration has asked automakers to submit bids to supply about 100 electric cars.
The request was part of an Obama administration plan outlined earlier this year to boost the number of green vehicles used by federal workers on the job.
Government fleet operators say it will let them learn how federal agencies can best use the vehicles. The bulk buying is happening as automakers release mass-produced plug-in electric hybrid vehicles and electric cars later this year.
Several automakers are expected to submit bids and the vehicles could begin appearing in the fleet next spring.
Read more: Government to add electric vehicles to fleet | freep.com | Detroit Free Press
MLive.com - Granholm: Film incentives are about jobs, not tax revenue
Published on MLive.com : Friday, October 08, 2010, 2:11 PM
“We are watching an entire new industry emerge in Michigan,” Granholm said. “The number of productions being filmed in Michigan is increasing, we are creating jobs and attracting production facilities, and we are keeping our young people here in Michigan. The incentives have provided important economic benefits for the state, while also helping to diversify our economy.”
After the council meeting, the Free Press reports that Granholm said the film incentives weren't intended to create revenue for the state.
Several people spoke at the council meeting about their experiences in the film industry including, Kurt Peters of Chow Catering in Clarkston, Michigan, which found its niche catering to the industry. The company is expecting it will put $400,000 back into the economy by the end of this year, purchasing propane, supplies and groceries from local businesses and has hired up to 25 workers during busy periods.“The point of this was to add a whole new sector to our economy and create jobs,” Granholm said, after her farewell address to the Michigan Film Office Advisory Council at Michigan State University. “The point of it wasn’t to make revenue for the state. That’s the question – do people want to see new sectors in Michigan that will keep young people here, because truly, that is priceless."
John James from Livonia, Michigan, a Teamster driver and transportation captain, also spoke to the council. He lost his job in March 2008 and was on the verge of losing his home before finding work as a driver on nine films. Without the work in the film industry, John says he would have been forced to leave the state to look for work.
“These incentives are more than numbers on a page; they are helping real people find jobs, keep their business running and stay in Michigan,” said Carrie Jones, director of the Michigan Film Office.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Wired - William Gibson Talks Zero History, Paranoia and the Awesome Power of Twitter
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| William Gibson |
Read More http://www.wired.com/underwire/2010/09/william-gibson-interview/#ixzz0yuAVqyAy
Bay City Times - Dow Corning hopes to shine at European solar conference
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| Dow Corning Solar Panels |
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Who's fighting for Main Street? Rick Snyder and Virg Bernero both say they will as next governor - AnnArbor.com
Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Snyder borrowed a page from the playbook of Democratic opponent Virg Bernero today, issuing a message to supporters in which he said he'll be a fighter for Main Street.
"I'm proud to announce that 'Main Street' continues to support our campaign," Snyder said in a statement. "The Michigan Retailers Association and the Associated Builders and Contractors have endorsed my candidacy. They join the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business Association of Michigan and the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce."
Rick Snyder, left, said today he'll fight for Main Street, a message Virg Bernero, right, is spreading on his Fighting for Main Street Tour.
"These organizations represent thousands of small businesses, standing together to support our vision of a revived, vibrant Main Street," Snyder said, adding he looks forward to working with them to revitalize Michigan's economy.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
German research team develops printable batteries
A research team at the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Electronic Nano Systems (ENAS) in Chemnitz, Germany, led by Prof. Dr. Reinhard Baumann, have developed a 1.5V battery that weighs less than a gram, is less than 1mm thick, and can be printed using a process similar to that used in silk screening.The new type of battery is made of of different layers: a zinc anode and a manganese cathode, among others. Zinc and manganese react with one another and produce electricity. However, the anode and the cathode layer dissipate gradually during this chemical process. Therefore, the battery is suitable for applications that have a limited life span or a limited power requirement, for instance greeting cards. The battery contains no mercury.
The team hopes to have products using the method available by the end of the year.



