Panasonic and Panasonic Eco Technology Center have developed a recycling technology using laser beams to separate the front panel and back part (funnel) of a cathode ray tube (CRT) used in TV sets. This laser-cut technology, which is implemented at PETEC's plant in Hyogo Prefecture, allows for separating CRTs quicker and cleaner than before. Panasonic's CRT recycling technology utilizes laser radiation to drastically reduce the processing time with much less manual work, allowing one tube to be processed in 50 seconds, three times faster than the previous method. The laser head of the innovative system has a "surface profiling" function to maintain a constant distance between the focal point and surface of the glass.
A total of forty Motorola TETRA Base Stations with fuel cell back-up are now live across Denmark’s SINE public safety network, with approximately 50 planned and commissioned for installation throughout the remainder of the year. The environmentally friendly, fuel cell-based back-up solution developed with Dantherm Power provides mission-critical operations with continuous secure communication across the nationwide SINE network in Denmark. It is the first network of its kind in the world. Fuel cell technology offers a no carbon, low acoustic alternative to match the needs for TETRA base stations in challenging locations. They are proven in critical power back-up situations and can run for extended periods limited only by the supply of the hydrogen, and the only emission is water.
Not many patients can imagine having a glass of champagne with their surgeons straight after brain surgery but that is exactly what is happening at a Zurich hospital. Swiss doctors have successfully carried out the world's first non-invasive brain surgery with use of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) recently. Ten adult patients, who were awake during the revolutionary painless procedure, have been treated at University Children's Hospital Zurich since September 2008 as part of a clinical study. All interventions were completed successfully and without complications under the direction of professors Daniel Jeanmonod and Ernst Martin.
Cree today announced the first commercially available water-resistant, surface-mount, high-brightness LEDs for outdoor video screens. This RGB (red-green-blue) LED has an IPx5 rating, indicating that the LED is protected against low-pressure jets of water from all directions.The CLV6A-FKB features a black face for improved contrast in full-color video screens, decorative lighting and amusement applications. It has a unique encapsulation resin with UV-inhibitors, minimizing the effects of long-term exposure to direct sunlight which helps to improve the stability of the light-output over the life of the LED. It also features a unique matched horizontal radiation pattern—enhancing color mixing and pixel-to-pixel color consistency.
In celebration of 25 years of protecting our oceans, waves and beaches, Casio has joined forces with the Surfrider Foundation to release the limited edition G-Shock X Surfrider Foundation collaboration watch, the G5500SRF-1, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the organization. An ecologically friendly watch, the Casio G5500SRF-1 features Non-Stop Tough Solar Technology – which combines a tiny, solar panel with a large-capacity rechargeable battery enabling a variety of energy-hungry functions to operate smoothly. In addition, the G-Shock X Surfrider collaboration watch features the Surfrider Foundation logo in the backlight and back of the face, name on the band and clasp, G-Shock’s legendary 200M water resistance & shock resistance, five daily alarms, countdown timer, 1/100 Sec. Stopwatch and 48-city/29 time zone world time.
The BSI-TOYOTA Collaboration Center has succeeded in developing a system which utilizes one of the fastest technologies in the world, controlling a wheelchair using brain waves in as little as 125 milliseconds. The new Toyota system fuses RIKEN's blind signal separation and space-time-frequency filtering technology to allow brain-wave analysis in as little as 125 ms, as compared to several seconds required by conventional methods. Brain-wave analysis results are displayed on a panel so quickly that drivers do not sense any delay.The system has the capacity to adjust itself to the characteristics of each individual driver, and thereby is able to improve the efficiency with which it senses the driver's commands.Thus the driver is able to get the system to learn his/her commands (forward/right/left) quickly and efficiently.
Swiss adventurer Bertrand Piccard has unveiled the prototype of his Solar Impulse airplane, with which he later plans to make the first ever sun-powered global flight. The sleek Solar Impulse has a huge wingspan, the equivalent of a Boeing 747, but weighs less than the average car.More than 12,000 solar cells are mounted onto the wing, supplying energy to four electric motors. During the day the cells will also charge polymer lithium batteries, allowing the aircraft to run at night. The test phase is being led by former Swiss astronaut Claude Nicollier. Nicollier and his team have designed an instrument, built by Omega that will ensure the plane does not bank too far to the left or right and that the flight direction, particularly at approach to landing, is correct.
Fulton and Leggett & Platt showcased several furniture pieces integrating eCoupled technology with Flexsteel Hospitality, KI, Kimball Office, and National Office Furniture at the 2009 NeoCon World’s Trade Fair featuring innovative products in various interiors. KI demonstrated delivery of wireless power with eCoupled technology in several market vignettes including a lecture hall, a library media center, and a cafe style business "touchdown" area. Leggett & Platt and KI also partnered to produce a white paper on wireless power for stakeholders in the furniture industry.
Pioneer and Sharp today signed a formal contract for the establishment of an optical disk joint venture. The goal of the new joint venture is to make more effective use of the management resources of the two companies in the optical disk business field, and to further expand the business in this area, especially in the highly promising Blu-ray Disc market. The new company will develop, design, manufacture and sell optical-disk products such as optical disk drives, recorders and players.
Microsoft launched a test version of its new online application Hohm which can help consumers save energy and money. Microsoft Hohm is a free online beta application that helps consumers to save energy and money. With Microsoft Hohm consumer can better understand his home energy usage, get recommendations to conserve energy and start saving. As with any recommendation engine, Hohm will provide increasingly more accurate and relevant suggestions for energy conservation as its users contribute home energy input and feedback. Hohm can help consumers lower their energy bill and reduce their impact on the environment by providing them with personalized energy-saving recommendations such as placing new caulking on windows to removing air leaks.
Korea has developed a long-range anti-submarine missile which can hit an enemy submarine about 20 km away. The "Red Shark" has a longer range and far sharper accuracy than the light torpedoes normally fired by conventional vessels or aircraft. The Defense Acquisition Program Agency developed the Red Shark at a cost of about W100 billion (US$1=W1, 276) over nine years. Europe, Russia and the U.S. have anti-submarine missiles, but the Red Shark is only the second vertical-launch anti-submarine rocket developed in the world following the U.S.
TDK has developed a multilayer ceramic chip capacitor with a rated voltage of 100V for mid-voltage applications.. The new product uses ceramic dielectric thin-layer technologies and multilayering technologies to improve capacitance to the industry’s highest levels in the mid-voltage range.
Sharp will launch a Plasmacluster Ion generating unit system that fits into commercial air conditioning ducts. The system uses the airflow from a building’s heating and air conditioning to release highly concentrated Plasmacluster Ions (7,000 ions/cm3) into a room. This newly developed Sharp Plasmacluster Ion generating unit system for commercial air conditioning ducts can be installed behind the outlet (inside the ducts) of a room’s existing air conditioning system. Because the system sends Plasmacluster Ions into a room using the airflow of a building’s heating and air conditioning, there is no need to install a separate fan. Units can also be combined to meet the capacity of larger rooms. Highly concentrated Plasmacluster Ions not only strongly inactivate and eliminate airborne viruses, mold, and allergens (such as mite feces and carcasses), but also cigarette odors on curtains and sofas, and sweaty odors on clothing.
Sharp will introduce into the Japanese market nine models of LED lamps featuring outstanding environmental performance, including high energy efficiency, long service life, and free of hazardous mercury. The model DL-L60AV LED Lamp features an Adjustable Color Function that enables users to change the color of the white light emitted from the lamp using an accessory remote control, an industry first for an LED lamp. Users can select from seven different shades of white ranging from a pleasing warm white to a cooler daylight white to match the weather, the season, time of day, purpose, or other preferences. This model also features a built-in Dimmer Function to adjust brightness.
Sony today announced the realization of a mercury-free alkaline button battery (LR), and plans to commercialize six models of those environmentally conscious batteries. The mercury-free alkaline button battery announced today, incorporates proprietary Sony technology that mixes absorbent raw material into the cathode for the first time. By combining this with existing technology that prevents Hydrogen gas occurrence on the anode (which Sony originally adopted in its mercury-free silver oxide (SR) button batteries), Sony has succeeded in eliminating the use of mercury in this new batteries.