http://shingo1988.spoonylife.com SpoonyLife fr-FR http://shingo1988.spoonylife.com/p4.2-b-panglao-airport-has-no-contactor-yet-miaa-4725.html Definite Purpose Contactor A key Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) denied allegations that the soon to be implemented Panglao Bohol Airport Project has already a contractor, dousing speculations that a favored government contractor has the multi-billion project in the bag. MIAA's Tirso G. Serrano, during a press briefing on the project Monday at the capitol stressed, "we are not even on the stage of construction yet." Serrano, MIAA's assistant general manager for airport development and corporate affairs said "the project is yet on the detailed engineering and design stage." "Bidding comes after the completion and acceptance of the detailed engineering and design, and in the case of Panglao, the design is still on the drawing boards," he said. The clarification also came a day before President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is set to lead the capsule laying and ground breaking ceremonies for the Bohol airport, May 20. Reports floated on local radio stations detailed that the P4.2B Bohol airport to replace the city airport has already a winning bidder: Hanjin Heavy Industries Corporation. Hanjin, a large Korean firm that worked on the Bohol's mega projects has earned the cold stares of local contractors who are being "sidelined" for obvious lack of financial resources to compete in large-scale government projects. No particular person organization however has been pointed as the source of the radio reports. The same triggered more speculations that the project was indeed railroaded and did not go through the standard government open competitive public bidding process, pushing Bohol concerned sectors on guard against corruption. Some concerned Boholanos have openly aired desire for a Congressional inquiry to shed light on the issue. On the inquiry, Serrano said "like any public office, we always welcome inquiries" as to the processes while assuring that the project is "deliberately planned and carefully though of considering Bohol's huge potential." The Panglao airport is first airport development in the country bankrolled by MIAA, sources during the briefing bared. Having been given the chance to be the lead agency in the development of the proposed Panglao Bohol Airport Development Project, MIAA also facilitated the establishment of the revised project's feasibility study for technical, economic and financial aspects. Initial master plan consists of phased development schemes: construction 2.5 kilometer runway with 7.5 meter paved shoulders, the construction of administration buildings inclusive of cargo terminal, air traffic control tower, crash-fire rescue facility, airport maintenance, airport utilities, visual and navigational aids equipment, power house and installation of stand by generator, airport security fence, perimeter roads and airport access roads. Long term plans for the airport include a 900 meter extension so the airport can accommodate larger aircraft, according to MIAA specifications. Thu, 29 May 2008 10:56:00 GMT http://shingo1988.spoonylife.com/stuck-with-analog-rights-in-digital-world-4723.html Digital Analog Watch Earlier this month, some fans of the NBC television programs American Gladiators and Medium found themselves unable to digitally record the shows on their personal computers. The reason for the blocked recordings raises important technical and legal questions about the rights of consumers to "time shift" television programs in the digital era. The blocked recordings affected people that record television programs on their personal computers using the Microsoft Windows Vista Media Centre. Most people are unaware that Microsoft has inserted a feature that allows a broadcaster or content owner to stop the digital recording of a show by triggering a "broadcast flag" that specifies its preference the show not be recorded. When the user tries to record it, Microsoft's software recognizes the flag and issues a warning that the program cannot be recorded. While there was speculation that the NBC broadcast flag was triggered accidentally, the incident provided an important reminder about the current fragility of consumer digital rights. The law in the U.S. has granted consumers the rights to time shift programs for decades, yet broadcasters can seemingly stop the ability to record programs in the digital world with the flick of a switch. Cable providers enjoy similar capabilities. Digital cable boxes used by companies such as Rogers and Shaw include a CableCard that allows users to watch and record digital television shows. The CableCards feature functionality (technically known as CGMS-A) that allows broadcasters and cable companies to establish limits on recording programs. Programs are broadcast with one of three specifications copy freely, copy once, or copy never. The copy never specification is typically used for pay-per-view or video-on-demand programming. As the recent NBC incident illustrates, however, there is the potential for far broader restrictions. In fact, Internet chat sites are filled with postings from aggrieved Canadian consumers who claim that they have been blocked from recording a wide range of television shows. As broadcasters and content owners increasingly sell or stream their content online, the incentives to block consumers from making their own recordings grows. In the United States, the law restricts the ability to block digital recordings, since cable companies face potential fines for blocking content that is not either video on demand or pay-per-view. There are no similar restrictions in Canada. Not only are Canadians more vulnerable to abusive use of a broadcast flag, but their rights to even record "copy freely" programs are open to question. The Canadian Association of Broadcasters recently told the CRTC that consumers who record television shows for later viewing, whether on a VCR or PVR, violate the law. There has been recent speculation that Industry Minister Jim Prentice will soon introduce new legislation that would legalize time shifting in Canada. However, the use of broadcast flags or other recording restrictions in Canada suggests that the legal reform may be too little, too late. Creating a Canadian time shifting provision might allow for the recording of analog television programs that cannot be blocked through a CableCard or the Windows Vista Media Centre. In the digital world, however, the new right will be illusory since technology can be used to trump the law. Moreover, Prentice may actually make it illegal to circumvent the blocked recordings, meaning that Canadians that attempt to exercise their rights to record television programs in the digital environment could face the prospect of tens of thousands of dollars in liability. Addressing the rights of Canadians to record television programs is long overdue. In tackling the issue, Prentice must be sure to avoid merely providing Canadians with analog rights in a digital world. Thu, 29 May 2008 10:56:00 GMT http://shingo1988.spoonylife.com/electro-energy-reports-first-quarter-2008-results-4722.html cylindrical battery Electro Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: EEEI), a leading provider of advanced battery technologies and associated systems, today announced results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2008. Consolidated net revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was $762,336 compared with $799,681 for the same period of 2007. Net revenue from services was $638,335 in the first quarter of 2008 compared with $721,703 in 2007. Research and development ("RetD") expenses for the first quarter of 2008 were $258,126, or 33.9% of total net revenue, compared with $403,824, or 50.5% of total net revenue in 2007, a decrease of $145,698, or 36%. The decrease in RetD expenses is the result of lower costs for advanced wafer cell battery development with In-Q-Tel under a stock purchase agreement completed in 2007 and lower costs related to plug-in hybrid vehicle ("PHEV") battery development. Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was $449,491 compared with $487,143 in 2007, a decrease of $37,652 or 8%. The decrease in interest expense reflects the $110,000 late registration penalties recorded in the 2007 related to the 8.5% Senior Secured Convertible Notes redeemed on December 7, 2007, partially offset by an increase in the amount of outstanding senior secured convertible notes at a higher coupon rate. The amortization of deferred debt discount and deferred financing costs was $896,552 and $101,196, respectively, in the first quarter of 2008 compared with $76,478 and $87,107, respectively, in the first quarter of 2007 as a result of the higher deferred debt discount and deferred financing costs associated with the 10% Notes. For the three months ended March 31, 2008, the net loss was $3,888,096, or $0.14 per basic and diluted share, compared with $2,860,752, or $0.13 per basic and diluted share in 2007. During the three months ended March 31, 2008, the Company recorded dividends of $165,693 on the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock and the net loss available to common stockholders for the first quarter of 2008 was $4,053,789 or $0.14 per basic and diluted share compared with $2,860,752 or $0.13 per share in 2007. Michael E. Reed, President and CEO of Electro Energy, said, "Our first quarter revenue was weaker than the prior year. However, our order backlog grew during this period as a result of the first phase of the $5 million Kiowa helicopter battery order we previously announced. The amount of future financings will be directly related to our success in generating product revenue for our 18650 cells. We believe that our ongoing requirements to raise additional capital are consistent with those of companies that are in a similar early stage of development." Conference Call The Company will hold a conference call Friday, May 16, 2008 at 10 a.m. Eastern Time. Interested participants should call (866) 541-8090 when calling within the United States or (706) 758-0055 when calling internationally. Please use passcode 47697570. The playback of the conference will be available commencing two hours after the completion of the call and will be available for 30 days. To listen to the playback, please call (800) 642-1687 when calling within the United States or (706) 645-9291 when calling internationally. About Electro Energy Inc. Electro Energy Inc., headquartered in Danbury, Connecticut, was founded in 1992 to develop, manufacture and commercialize high-powered, rechargeable bipolar wafer cell nickel-metal hydride batteries for use in a wide range of applications. Its Colorado Springs operation is AS9100/ISO9001 certified and supplies aerospace-grade high quality nickel cadmium batteries and components for satellites, aircraft and other specialty applications. EEEI is also developing high power lithium rechargeable batteries utilizing the Company's proprietary bipolar wafer cell design. EEEI owns significant manufacturing assets near Gainesville, Florida for rechargeable lithium ion 18650 cylindrical cells, other than statements of fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential future plans and objectives of the companies, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, among other things, the following: general economic and business conditions; competition; unexpected changes in technologies and technological advances; ability to commercialize and manufacture products; results of experimental studies; research and development activities; changes in, or failure to comply with, governmental regulations; and the ability to obtain adequate financing in the future. Thu, 29 May 2008 10:56:00 GMT http://shingo1988.spoonylife.com/nvidia-geforce-gtx-280-stripped-naked-4717.html Adapter Pin If pictures like these are online right now, don't expect it to be too long before the Chinese websites post early benchmarks of it. According to reports which have been posted online recently, Nvidia is set to launch its upcoming high-end GeForce GTX 280 (codenamed GT200) next month on June 18th just ahead of the launch of the ATI RV770 series of graphics cards from AMD. PCPOP over in China managed to get a hold of a reference designed GTX 280 graphics card and strip it completely naked for public viewing. From the pictures, it looks as if it will be roughly the same size as the current high-end GeForce 9800 GTX and you will need to hook up one 6-pin and one 8-pin power adapter to make it run at full speed. If pictures like these are online right now, don't expect it to be too long before the Chinese websites post early benchmarks of it. Our RSS news feed keeps you update. Thu, 29 May 2008 10:55:00 GMT http://shingo1988.spoonylife.com/emf-readings-from-various-devices-we-use-every-day-4715.html (NaturalNews) Ac Dc Adaptor I first bought a Gauss meter a couple years ago because I was concerned about my electric blanket. When I got the meter home and tested the blanket with the sensor just touching the surface of the blanket, as your skin would, it gave a very high reading. Fortunately, I found a "99.98% EMF Cut" electric blanket, which gave a reading of near zero. Two recent articles on Natural News prompted me to dust off my Gauss meter and do readings on many things I use every day but never really suspected: "Scientists Agree That EMFs Pose a Threat to Your Health" and "Reducing Electromagnetic Frequency Exposure May Improve Your Health" . At first I thought both articles were a little extreme, but as I proceeded with my Gauss meter testing, I was astounded at some of the things I learned. A gauss is technically a "unit of magnetic flux density". On my Gauss meter, I found no place indoors or outdoors with a reading of zero; typical "background" levels are 0.5 to 2.0 milligauss. The manual says that many experts recommend avoiding levels of 2.0 milligauss or higher, and so I have reported my findings as 2mG when I found "background" levels, and specific numbers for higher readings. The limit of my meter is supposed to be 50 milligauss, but, because on very high readings the needle swings way over to the right at what would be 60 and 70 milligauss if there were markings, I have reported very high levels as 70 milligauss. "Contact" means the probe is touching the device; distances are given in inches or feet. So, here we go with the readings. Personal hair trimmer (1 AA battery): cutting tip, contact 10-20mG; shaft/handle, contact 70mG. Electric hair clipper: cutting head, contact 70mG; handle, contact 70mG. Hair dryer, 1200 watts: low et high, 6 inches from nozzle 5-10mG; handle, contact 70mG. Electric toothbrush: brush tip, contact 2mG; brush shaft middle, contact 4-5mG; handle, contact 40-50mG. Refrigerator: front, 1 foot 3-5mG. Microwave oven: front, running, 1 foot 40-50 mG; front, unplugged, 1 foot 4-5 mG. Electronic dictionary (2 AA batteries): contact 2 mG. Desktop computer: LCD monitor, 1 foot 2mG; 2 feet 2 mG. CRT monitor, 1 foot 2-5 mG; 2 feet 2mG. CPU fan, 6 inches 4-5 mG. Right speaker, power off, 1 foot 2-3 mG; power on, 1 foot 4-5 mG. Computer mouse, contact 2 mG. Laptop computer: LCD, 6 inches 2mG. Keyboard and bottom of laptop, generally 2mG, But over area of CPU/fan, 70mG when CPU is busy and/or cooling fan is running (also 70mG from the bottom, which contacts your "lap", so be careful where on your lap you have it, and for how long). Electric clock radio: 6 inches, 2mG; but AC/DC adaptor, 6 inches 30-40mG, 1 foot 2-3mG. Personal "sex toy" vibrators: Mini vibrator (one battery about two-thirds the size of one AA battery), contact 10-20 mG. Standard-sized vibrator (3 AA batteries in the separate control case, attached by a wire), contact 70mG with rotation function, 70mG with vibrator function. (Disclaimer: These items are, of course, not mine! I merely borrowed them, for testing, out of intellectual curiosity...) Electric carpet: contact 70mG. Electric foot warmer: contact 70mG. Electric blanket, "99.98% EMF Cut": contact 2mG, but the wire from the control to the blanket and the plug into the blanket, contact 70mG. (My old electric blanket, now long gone, gave a reading similar to the electric carpet, 70mG on contact.) Wristwatch (button battery): contact 2mG. Gas fan space heater: plugged in but turned off, 1 foot 3-4mG; turned on, 1 foot 4-5mG. Air cleaner: turned on low, 1 foot 3-4mG; medium, 1 foot 4-5mG; high, 1 foot 5-7mG. Remote controls: for TV, DVD/video, air cleaner: all, contact 2mG. Fluorescent tube round, 20-watt: 1 inch 40-50mG; 6 inches 2-3mG (just at the top of my head). Fluorescent tube straight, 20-watt: 6 inches 3-4mG, 1 foot 2mG. Fluorescent bulb: company A, 20-watt, 6 inches 2mG; company B, 12-watt, 6 inches 3-4mG, 1 foot 2mG. Outlet, wall or at the end of an extension cord: not being used 2mG; but with something plugged in and running, 6 inches 3-4mG, contact 70mG. Any wire with current running through it: contact 70mG. TV, 21 inch, CRT: 2 feet 4-5mG. DVD/video deck: 1 foot 3-4mG, 2 feet 2mG. Washing machine: running, from the front, 1 foot 4-5mG. Rice cooker: 1 foot 4-5mG. Sunlamp, 800 watt: 6 inches 5mG, 12 inches 3mG, 18 inches 2mG. (This is a full-spectrum Sperti sunlamp.) The company recommends you use the sunlamp no closer than 18 inches. Electric power lines about 10 feet away from my balcony here on the second floor: 3-4mG on the balcony; extending to 3mG 1 foot inside the bedroom adjacent to the balcony. Hamster warm house floor: low heat side, contact 3.0-3.5mG; high heat side, contact 3.5-4.0mG. (I tried several layers of aluminum foil, but that did not reduce the level at all. Then I read that only iron can block EMFs, so I went to the home center and found a wok made partially of iron. I took it over to the fluorescent bulb section, found a bulb emitting strong ELFs, then held the wok between the bulb and my Gauss meter probe. The wok reduced the reading to almost background levels. So I've got until winter to find a small iron plate to protect my hamsters from EMFs.) Cell phones: This is not related to RF emission, which is a separate problem. I've tested about 12 cell phones from several different companies, and each one emits ELFs from different points of the cell phone even when you are not talking on it or using it in any way. Company A, with the batteries removed, contact 350mG, strongest near the antenna. Company A's battery: 2-3mG. Company B, with the battery installed and the phone turned on but not using it, contact 3 to 70mG, laptop computers, microwave ovens, and any kind of electric blanket, carpet, or pad that you can lie or sit on. About the authorJohn H. Cole has been editing medical manuscripts for publication in mainstream U.S. and European medical journals for the past 15 years in Japan. He also has a small English school in Gifu City, Japan. He believes that natural foods, superfoods, herbs, exercise, sunshine, good sleep, and avoidance of pollution are the answers to most people's health problems. He is a friend of nature. Thu, 29 May 2008 10:54:00 GMT http://shingo1988.spoonylife.com/alkaline-batteries-boost-performance-4710.html New batteries promise continuous, reliable energy supply, low self-discharge, excellent protection against leakage and superior performance at lower temperatures. Panasonic has upgraded its range of alkaline batteries for industrial markets Continued technology development has enabled Panasonic engineers to significantly increase capacities compared with previous models. For example, the performance index of the type LR03 battery, depending on the intended use, is on average 34% higher than before. And for type LR6 batteries the increase is 27%. The complete range comprises the 6LR61, LR20, LR14, LR6 and LR03. All types are produced in the Panasonic factory in Belgium, which is certified to the ISO9001 quality standard as well as the ISO14001environmental standard. In line with Panasonic's promise "safety, long-life and power", the new batteries are also characterised by continuous, reliable energy supply, low self-discharge, excellent protection against leakage and superior performance at lower temperatures. With their excellent reliability and long life, the new Panasonic alkaline batteries are particularly suitable for safety-related applications, such as marine life buoys, medical instrumentation and smoke detectors. However, their superior performance will also benefit camera flashguns and audio devices as well as remote controls. With a silver and marine blue colour scheme, the alkaline batteries can be easily distinguished from their red zinc-carbon counterparts. A label clearly indicates that the batteries contain no lead, mercury or cadmium, and the icon prescribed by the European Union from September 2008, that batteries must not be disposed of with domestic waste, is also clearly present. Thu, 29 May 2008 10:53:00 GMT http://shingo1988.spoonylife.com/the-perfect-combination-of-beauty-and-technology-4705.html AC DC Inverter SEAT has chosen the Madrid Motor Show as the backdrop to showcase the new SEAT Ibiza, the company's most emblematic car, whose innovative design and sportiness raise the standards of quality and driving pleasure. The new Ibiza features outstanding dynamic qualities thanks to the new Volkswagen Group platform which has been designed for this segment. This new development heightens the allure of SEAT's new model and combines with the new "Arrow Design" concept, featuring simpler, more powerful geometric lines that lend balanced aesthetics to the company's latest addition. Each detail on the Ibiza 2008 has been painstakingly crafted for outstanding quality and precision, including the equipment level with its attractive standard elements such as the head-thorax airbags, ESP electronic stability and Hill Hold Control, which greatly enhance comfort and safety. Currently into its fourth generation since its debut in 1984, the new Ibiza makes its showy entry with an initial engine range including three petrol versions and one Diesel engine, to the great delight of its drivers. Exterior and interior quality The 2008 SEAT Ibiza's tantalising design is immediately visible from front to rear. Thanks to the innovative lines created by SEAT's Design Director Luc Donckerwolke, the exterior possesses a uniquely distinct look, able to convey strong emotions at first sight. The imposing sportiness of the new "Arrow Design" concept is due to the positioning of the captivating eye-shaped headlights and the radiator grille. Both elements have been lowered, conferring an arrowhead design which is characteristic of the new car. The silhouette of the new Ibiza gains special significance thanks to the evolution of the "Dynamic Line", which runs lengthwise from the front end over the doors. The robust shoulders and striking wheel arches complete the attractive design of the new Ibiza. The design of the interior is based on facing all the instruments toward the driver to create a sporty atmosphere, where the shape of the surfaces lets in enough light to set the interior mood. The interior dimensions are uncluttered, resulting in greater roominess and practicality. The first thing that draws your attention is the sporty driving position, which has been lowered by 22 mm on the front seats. Now there is a distance of 986 mm (20 mm more) to the ceiling, and 60 mm (16 mm more) from the head to the area where the ceiling and the doors meet. Since the vehicle is 99 mm longer, the boot capacity is 292 litres, which is 25 litres greater than on the previous Ibiza. The newly designed, sporty dashboard features an ergonomic, driver-oriented instrument panel with two large circular dials. The new circular air nozzles guarantee an ideal air flow direction for greater passenger compartment comfort. Thu, 29 May 2008 10:53:00 GMT http://shingo1988.spoonylife.com/modular-communications-outlets-match-power-accessories-4700.html Wiring Accessory A comprehensive and flexible range of TV/radio, telephone, data and sound system outlets is now available in styles to match Eaton's popular INTRA, COPA and EMA ranges of wiring accessories. Based on a modular concept, they offer a flexible build solution to the increasing need for communications outlets in modern homes and businesses. Interior designers and installers can satisfy virtually any modern requirement for communications and broadcast media connections using products that suite with lighting switches, socket-outlets and other accessories in the home or workplace. The offering is based on a modular grid construction which enables the installer to assemble single, two-gang or four-gang plates to suit the needs of the installation. Most outlets are 25 x 50mm units available as white or black polycarbonate modules. The plates are offered in the same size, profile and finish as Eaton's INTRA white moulded, COPA clip-on plate and EMA moulded polycarbonate accessory ranges. Modules include co-axial screened outlets for television, radio or satellite connections; master and secondary BT telephone outlets, RJ11 and RJ45 Cat 6 data outlets, and twin phono or loudspeaker outlets. There are also blanking plates. A two-gang (50 x 50mm) "quad" module incorporates separate coaxial outlets for TV, radio, satellite and return connections in a single unit. INTRA is Eaton's basic range of white moulded accessories. A full portfolio of telephone, data and broadcast media outlets in the INTRA styling, increases the appeal of this comprehensive range of switches, socket-outlets and other accessories. Eaton's COPA clip-on plate accessories have no visible fixing screws and allow architects, interior designers, homeowners and developers to select from a choice of no fewer than ten different plates for each accessory. The basic accessories can be installed first, energised, tested and left safely without the cover plates. Finishing trades can then decorate right up to the accessories without damaging, or getting paint on the cover plates. Installation of the cover plates can be left to the last minute and plates can be changed subsequently to suit any new decor. The EMA range of Eaton moulded accessories is a tough yet stylish range of moulded thermoplastics wiring accessories that resist cracking and are suitable for residential and commercial interiors including homes, hotels, hostels, shops and offices. Tight-fitting caps can be fitted to conceal the fixing screws, rendering them inconspicuous and secure. "We already offer selected communications and broadcast media outlets in all our wiring accessory ranges but the new modular outlets offer a greatly enhanced range of options in the INTRA, COPA and EMA families. Their use will avoid the all-too-common mixture of different styles and finishes for wiring accessories and communications outlets" says Frank Sayers, Product Manager Wiring Accessories. Thu, 29 May 2008 10:52:00 GMT http://shingo1988.spoonylife.com/cabinet-launches-attack-on-energy-waste-4696.html electrical cabinet The Cabinet yesterday approved in principle six energy-saving measures, including widespread use of natural gas in government vehicles, public buses and taxis and a tax cut on E85 gasohol. E85 is a fuel with an 85-per-cent ethanol blend. Deputy spokesperson Suparat Nakbunnam said all government offices would be told to keep air-conditioner temperatures at 26 degrees Celsius and government vehicles to use natural gas. The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) will replace its fleet with 6,000 natural-gas-for-vehicles (NGV) buses and offer low-priced tickets to students, the elderly and low-income citizens. The Energy Ministry and the Petroleum Authority of Thailand will offer free retrofit services to any of Bangkok's 42,750 taxis that want to modify their engines from liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to NGV ahead of a plan to float the LPG price later this year. PTT will expand the number of NGV gas stations to at least 260 in July. The government expects the number of NGV vehicles to reach 122,370 this year. The Cabinet also approved a proposal to extend the excise tax reduction period for NGV tanks and equipment, as well as NGV vehicles, until 2012. Meanwhile, the Finance, Energy, Agriculture and Industry ministries will come up with a plan to promote E85 gasohol. Excise taxes on E85-compatible vehicles will also be lowered, while E85 service stations will be promoted, said Energy Minister Poonpirom Liptapanlop. She said the Energy Conservation Fund would provide Bt2 billion to promote NGV engine retrofits for 20,000 taxis, so that the number of NGV taxis would meet the target of 42,750 by year-end. Poonpirom said another Bt1 billion would be offered as zero-interest loans to households for the purchase of energy-saving electrical appliances. Thu, 29 May 2008 10:51:00 GMT http://shingo1988.spoonylife.com/nigeria-erratic-fortunes-for-health-4695.html Electronic Wire Harness Sola Ogundipe and Chioma ObinnaLagos AT the height of the electioneering campaigns in 2007, President Umaru Yar'Adua, then an aspirant on the platform of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), made a solemn vow. His promise was to liberate Nigeria from the bogey of darkness and industrial stagnation that had been imposed by a thoroughly inept Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) - if only Nigerians would give him their mandate. "Our plan is to launch a national emergency programme on the power sector, because we believe that there cannot be any meaningful industrial development without steady power supply," the intending president had noted. Apparently, the strategy was straightforward. According to Yar'Adua, by declaring an immediate state of emergency on the nation's beleaguered power sector, he hoped to banish forever, and within six months, the specter of darkness occasioned by incessant power outages and power blackouts that had become the lot of the teeming millions of Nigerians. But one calendar year into the Yar'adua administration and several more months since the coinage of this now famous statement, Nigerians are still waiting for the President to keep his promise. If anything, the groans of the people from the erratic and chaotic supply of electricity have become louder. Electricity supply remains as epileptic as ever. Thu, 29 May 2008 10:51:00 GMT http://shingo1988.spoonylife.com/crashed-hybrid-cars-can-pose-risks-to-emergency-crews-4693.html emergency battery High gas prices have hybrid cars high on many drivers' wish lists, but the popularity of the energy efficient cars has many emergency crews going back to the classroom. Crashed Hybrid Cars Can Pose Risks To Emergency Crews Hybrid cars are excellent when it comes to fuel efficiency, but they run on a combination of gas and electricity and can pose a danger to emergency crews. If the hybrid car is in an accident, there is a possibility that the car can be charged and dangerous to emergency crews, emergency officials said. Across the area, fire departments are educating firefighters about safety issues involving hybrid cars when they are in accidents. Almost all of the hybrids have a high voltage battery in the back. If a car is badly damage in an accident, the car could potentially be charged with 300 to 500 volts of electricity, officials said. The high voltage lines are encased in orange to warn emergency crews, so they will know where to disable the battery, but even with the battery disabled high voltage lines inside the car could still be hot, which compromises the lifesaving equipment the fire department can use, officials said. Thu, 29 May 2008 10:50:00 GMT http://shingo1988.spoonylife.com/new-high-performance-smt-aluminum-electrolytic-capacitors-4692.html Capacitor Run Motor Cornell Dubilier announces six new series of aluminum electrolytic vertical chip SMT capacitors targeted for a broad spectrum of applications in filtering, bypassing and power supply decoupling. "What differentiates these series from other SMT aluminum capacitors is their winning combination of performance and pricing needed in today's marketplace" says Terri Medeiros, SMT Product Manager for Cornell Dubilier. New Bedford, MA (PRWEB) May 16, 2008 -- Cornell Dubilier announces six new series of aluminum electrolytic vertical chip SMT capacitors targeted for a broad spectrum of applications in filtering, bypassing and power supply decoupling. "What differentiates these series from other SMT aluminum capacitors is their winning combination of performance and pricing needed in today's marketplace" says Terri Medeiros, SMT Product Manager for Cornell Dubilier. Type AVE (85°C) is a general purpose type with up to 2000 hrs of load life. Types AVRF, AVES, AVEK, AVEZ , AVGA are all rated for operation at 105°C with each series offering unique benefits ranging from the ultralow impedance type AVRF with a 5000 Hr load life to the high voltage AVGA series with ratings up to 450 Vdc. OEM pricing starts at $17 per 1Kpcs. ABOUT CORNELL DUBILIER--Cornell Dubilier is a leading capacitor manufacturer with facilities in New Bedford MA, Liberty SC, Mexicali Mexico and Shenzhen China. Dedicated to being the source for capacitors that transform applications to success stories, it excels with aluminum electrolytic, mica, motor run, HID, and AC and DC plastic film capacitors. The world leaders in welders, UPS systems, motors, drives, avionics, power and military electronics and medical lasers are prominently among its more than 35,000 customers. Its principal market is power electronics. Thu, 29 May 2008 10:50:00 GMT http://shingo1988.spoonylife.com/the-bleeding-edge-high-resistance-circuits-4690.html 4 Layer PCB It seems that we always have at least one super-bright, doctor-type engineer hidden away in some remote laboratory who needs to record one tiny little electron emitted from some futuristic plasma cyclotron. Worst of all, they know what they want to do, but have zero knowledge of a printed circuit board. The call usually goes something like this: Mad Scientist: I understand you are familiar with both electronics and printed circuits. Doc PCB: To a point, yes. Mad Scientist: I need to measure a Pico volt signal of a few electrons and need a very high impedance of greater than 100 gig ohm. Doc PCB: Okay, no problem. We have many different solutionsdepending on your application. Mad Scientist: Great! I called three different board shops and no one knew what I was talking about. Tell me what you have. Doc PCB: We have five different laminate choices that feature the most important factor for your circuithigh surface resistance. Many are at least ten times greater than your circuit input requirements. Does your input resistor connect to an op amp? Mad Scientist: Yes, we have a 100 gig ohm resistor. Doc PCB: Okay. Sierra's VTF (very thin film) has the highest surface restively of 4 x 1016 with low moisture absorption. Typically, we start with a double sided or multilayer of FR4 and lay a dielectric layer of the high resistance film on top. Mad Scientist: How do we limit electrical noise in the signal layer? Doc PCB: Most designs have an analog ground as the top layer on the four-layer FR4 PCB. Then, the VTF layer and either metal can be soldered on; or, an additional layer of VTF with a ground plane and micro vias can be added around the edge to create a faraday shield. Mad Scientist: Good, that means we can put the digital amplifier on the back side of the multilayer and leave only the Pico signal parts in the top layer. This is goodI will have the designer get in touch with you. One must also be concerned with the absorbance of moisture. Many glass type FR4 laminates absorb moisture because of gaps around the glass fibers. If glass fibers are eliminated, the source of the moisture problem is greatly reduced. The dielectric films feature very high voltage dielectricswell over 4,000 volts per mil compared to 650 volts per mil for FR4. Typical FR4 moisture absorbance is 0.05 to 0.07, while dielectric films are in the 0.02 to 0.03 range. In high-frequency, small-signal boards, the Dielectric Constant, or Dk, must also be considered and the lower the number, the better. Teflon is a laminate of choice when higher frequencies are required. This laminate offers high surface resistance and a low dielectric constant, as well as a low loss factor. Teflon's big drawback is its high cost, which often limits use. Solder mask typically has 1 x 1013 resistivity, which often presents problems with very high resistance circuits. To eliminate the solder mask, a laser cut dielectric film layer is used as a replacement high resistance solder mask. Thu, 29 May 2008 10:49:00 GMT http://shingo1988.spoonylife.com/cutting-the-cable-cord-no-way-4688.html Cable Cord Over on NewTeeVee, Chris Albrecht provides three main reasons he can't cut the Cable TV cord: Laziness, HD and Discovery (the art of finding something interesting while channel surfing). I'd put HD as the Number One reason and add "Live Sports" to the list. While there are plenty of downloadable/streamable entertainment options available via the Web, nothing beats watching a sporting event live in HD, except maybe sitting courtside at said event. Sure, I could watch Red Sox games for an entire season on MLB.com for less than I pay in a month for cable, but that experience won't be close to watching a game in HD in my livingroom. And the only way to get my local sports teams is via cable stations, except for the rare times they're on broadcast television (Patriots excluded, since they're ALWAYS on a broadcast channel.) It is a waste that we cable subscribers pay for a ton of channels we don't even glance at, but at the moment, there's not much of an alternative for feeding the beast that is a big-screen HD television. Thu, 29 May 2008 10:48:00 GMT http://shingo1988.spoonylife.com/static-control-components-from-4687.html Active Components Active Components is a supplier of electronic components and other production equipment. Active Components was established in 1983 in Auckland, New Zealand. Active Components offers extensive range of products which adhere to quality standards and specifications. Extensive range of products from Active Components includes anti-static products, batteries, bridge rectifiers, battery holders, buzzers, bumpons, cable assemblies, cable tiles, cable accessories, capacitors, cam locks, chokes, ceramic resonators, crystals, connectors, crystal oscillators, DIP switches, Diodes, fasteners, fans, ferrites and many more. Static control products from Active Components includes anti-static measures, anti-static training, bags, containers, foam, field service kits, test and monitoring equipment, wrist straps, etc. Anti-static tapes are used as a conductive polymer adhesive that suppresses static during removal from the surface and unwind from the roll. Ionised air blower is an ideal choice to control static charge on circuit board substrates and plastics like non-conducting materials. Anti-static measure like ionised air blower forms a blanket over the work area with ionised air containing equal proportion of positive and negative ions. Thu, 29 May 2008 10:48:00 GMT