The HTC Radar features the unibody aluminium design with the plastic portion around the base opening up to insert your SIM card. There is no way to access the battery and when you insert or remove your SIM card, the phone tends to restart. The silver colour of the unibody finish runs along the edge on the front portion and covers a majority of the rear portion. We had got the white coloured model.
It is also available in black. On the front fascia you have the three touch sensitive buttons - Back, Home and Bing search. On the top left hand corner you have the proximity sensor and the VGA front facing camera on the right hand corner. Coming to the top you have the power/sleep button on the right hand side and a 3.5mm audio jack on the left hand side.
The left hand edge has the micro USB slot whereas on the right hand edge you have long volume rocker on the top edge and camera shutter button below. Flip around the phone and you get the 5MP camera which has a fixed aperture of F2.2 beside which you have the LED flash and a speaker section on the other side.
The HTC Radar is a 3.8-inch capacitive touchscreen phone having an S-LCD screen with the gorilla glass on top. It houses the Qualcomm MSM 8255 system-on-chip with a 1 GHz Scorpion processor and Adreno 205 GPU. It comes with an internal storage of 8 GB without any option to add external memory, which effectively means that you have only 6.54 GB at your disposal after budgeting the memory taken up by the OS and native apps.
AS you cannot skin Windows Phone OS, HTC has added some native apps. Some of the interesting ones are HTC Hub – which gives you the weather readings of your area and you can add around five other cities; Photo Enhancer allows you to add filters to photos; Flashlight allows you to use your LED flash as a flashlight; Locations is very similar to FootPrints seen on Android phones which allows you to take pictures and geo tag them along with information such as directions, website etc and finally HTC Watch allows you to purchase movies and TV shows, but we could not get this working here as the screen always used to prompt us to download updates and it only had Trailers tab.
The interface as is the case with Windows Phone OS, does not appear cluttered and the live tiles are carried forward in this update. If you have more than 45 applications, then it divides them into alphabets which makes accessing them easy.
Multitasking is a major feature of this iteration, allowing you to play music in the background while you are on another app. But if you are downloading stuff and minimise the screen, it resumes from where it had stopped when its reactivated. Social integration includes Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and you can sync your Yahoo, Gmail and Windows Live account.
Users who are migrating from Android and Apple will have to do a lot of unlearning as the tile interface is the underlying theme in most apps. Twitter and Facebook apps for instance are completely different from those seen on the other OSes. Facebook tile on the homepage keeps flipping photos of your contacts. Messaging and Mail tiles keep getting updated the moment you get any new message, giving you a quick view of unread mails or messages.
The integration philosophy around contacts is quite good. You can have all your social connectivity and contact information under one umbrella, so that you get all the notifications related to a particular contact in one place. You can also create groups for group messaging.
2011年11月30日 星期三
2011年11月29日 星期二
LEDs Produced on Patterned Sapphire Substrates With MicroTech's Wet Process Improve Overall Efficiency
MicroTech has developed a wet process station for the etching of PSS (Patterned Sapphire Substrate) wafers used to increase light extraction and efficiency in high brightness LEDs. The wet station can improve manufacturing throughput, a major stumbling block to making LEDs price competitive with fluorescent lighting.
As LED manufacturers look to decrease costs, the use of PSS becomes more important. The average light output power is reported to be up to 37% larger on a PSS than a standard sapphire wafer. The use of patterned sapphire substrates reduces the dislocation density in the GaN (gallium nitride) layer and enhances the LEE (light extraction efficiency) from the LED chip.
Traditional dry etching on PSS produces highly efficient, very bright light but throughput is slow and scalability is impacted as wafer sizes increase. Typically, more dry etch tools are needed to keep throughput up as wafer size increases.
In the wet etch process in the MicroTech system, GaN or InGaN (indium gallium nitride) coated wafers are submerged in the etch tank with a mixture of etching and buffering agents. Prior to submersion, a silicon dioxide mask is patterned using PECVD (plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition). A lithography step exposes the desired pattern to etch. The sapphire etch process takes place between 260 degreesC and 300 degreesC. This ultra high temperature etches the wafers exponentially more quickly than the standard 150-180 degreesC process and therefore, speeds throughput.
Independent customer evaluations show a significant improvement in light extraction and efficiency in the substrates and a considerable cost savings, even if polishing work is performed on the wafers after etch to increase efficiencies. Development work is also being done to improve the dome shapes created on the wafers with a CMP (chemical mechanical polishing) process. New non-cone shapes are also under development.
Recently MicroTech announced the delivery of a similar concept process station to the solar industry that delivers high throughput and lower cost-of-ownership benefits by moving from a dry CVD process to an efficient, production-proven, environmentally friendly wet process.
About MicroTech Systems With over 25 years' experience in high technology equipment manufacturing, MicroTech Systems provides engineering, manufacturing and applications support for wet process and chemical distribution tools.
Their innovative "intelligent process station" to monitor, measure and control the process makes their tools more efficient with a lower cost-of-ownership. They supply the semiconductor, solar, MEMS, LED, Biotech and FPD industries from their Silicon Valley headquarters, which includes a state-of-the-art cleanroom and process development lab.
As LED manufacturers look to decrease costs, the use of PSS becomes more important. The average light output power is reported to be up to 37% larger on a PSS than a standard sapphire wafer. The use of patterned sapphire substrates reduces the dislocation density in the GaN (gallium nitride) layer and enhances the LEE (light extraction efficiency) from the LED chip.
Traditional dry etching on PSS produces highly efficient, very bright light but throughput is slow and scalability is impacted as wafer sizes increase. Typically, more dry etch tools are needed to keep throughput up as wafer size increases.
In the wet etch process in the MicroTech system, GaN or InGaN (indium gallium nitride) coated wafers are submerged in the etch tank with a mixture of etching and buffering agents. Prior to submersion, a silicon dioxide mask is patterned using PECVD (plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition). A lithography step exposes the desired pattern to etch. The sapphire etch process takes place between 260 degreesC and 300 degreesC. This ultra high temperature etches the wafers exponentially more quickly than the standard 150-180 degreesC process and therefore, speeds throughput.
Independent customer evaluations show a significant improvement in light extraction and efficiency in the substrates and a considerable cost savings, even if polishing work is performed on the wafers after etch to increase efficiencies. Development work is also being done to improve the dome shapes created on the wafers with a CMP (chemical mechanical polishing) process. New non-cone shapes are also under development.
Recently MicroTech announced the delivery of a similar concept process station to the solar industry that delivers high throughput and lower cost-of-ownership benefits by moving from a dry CVD process to an efficient, production-proven, environmentally friendly wet process.
About MicroTech Systems With over 25 years' experience in high technology equipment manufacturing, MicroTech Systems provides engineering, manufacturing and applications support for wet process and chemical distribution tools.
Their innovative "intelligent process station" to monitor, measure and control the process makes their tools more efficient with a lower cost-of-ownership. They supply the semiconductor, solar, MEMS, LED, Biotech and FPD industries from their Silicon Valley headquarters, which includes a state-of-the-art cleanroom and process development lab.
2011年11月28日 星期一
BMC mulls tough norms for hoardings
It was only after an eight -year-old lost his life that the municipal corporation has realised the dangers of hoardings placed on the city's 33,000 lamp posts. The corporation now plans to implement tougher norms for hoardings on lamp posts such as increasing the distance between the road and hoarding and specify what material it should be made of.
"After the Viraj Parmar's incident, it became necessary to consider changes in the specifications for hoardings, especially those put up on lamp posts," said Mohan Adtani, additional municipal commissioner. On November 23, Parmar, a Class 3 student of Sardar Vallabh Ashram English Medium School in Sion, stuck his head out of the school bus window to wave goodbye to his friends. His head hit against hoarding hanging precariously on a lamp post.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) mandates that hoardings on lamp posts be placed at a height of above 8ft so that they do not hit pedestrians. But, it does not specify the distance to be maintained between the road and hoarding.
The BMC plans to ensure that there should be at least 3 ft distance between the road and advertisements on lamp posts. "We will demand that the advertisements be on flex or cloth and its frame made of light material not metal," said Adtani.
The BMC should have a uniform policy for hoardings, said Rajhans Singh, opposition leader in BMC. "We never see the BMC pull down commercial hoardings. They always target the political ones." BJP corporator Ashish Shelar said that even parties pay the BMC for putting up hoardings. "Why target only political hoardings?"he asked.
One of the reasons could be that the BMC earns around Rs400 crore a year from commercial hoardings. Now, the BMC has decided to charge the same fee for all kinds of hoardings, said an official from the licence department.
Mr KC Venugopal minister of state for power informed the Lok Sabha that the Bachat Lamp Yojana scheme aims to distribute the Compact Fluorescent Lamps to the households at a price equivalent to the price of the conventional incandescent Lamp ie INR 15 per lamp.
Three types of ICL lamp wattages commonly in use viz. 40W, 60W and 100W are likely to be replaced by the CFL wattages of 9-10W, 12-15W and 20-23W respectively under the BLY scheme. The BLY scheme upon implementation would result in reducing:
1. 6000 MW of electricity generation capacity translating into a potential saving of INR 24000 crores per annum.
2. Combined Green House Gases emission savings of 20 million tonnes of CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) from grid connected power plants.
The CFL distribution has been undertaken in Kerala and few parts of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Assam has issued a tender to select the project implementor for Bachat Lamp Yojana and Tripura is negotiating with the project implementors for BLY implementation in the state.
"After the Viraj Parmar's incident, it became necessary to consider changes in the specifications for hoardings, especially those put up on lamp posts," said Mohan Adtani, additional municipal commissioner. On November 23, Parmar, a Class 3 student of Sardar Vallabh Ashram English Medium School in Sion, stuck his head out of the school bus window to wave goodbye to his friends. His head hit against hoarding hanging precariously on a lamp post.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) mandates that hoardings on lamp posts be placed at a height of above 8ft so that they do not hit pedestrians. But, it does not specify the distance to be maintained between the road and hoarding.
The BMC plans to ensure that there should be at least 3 ft distance between the road and advertisements on lamp posts. "We will demand that the advertisements be on flex or cloth and its frame made of light material not metal," said Adtani.
The BMC should have a uniform policy for hoardings, said Rajhans Singh, opposition leader in BMC. "We never see the BMC pull down commercial hoardings. They always target the political ones." BJP corporator Ashish Shelar said that even parties pay the BMC for putting up hoardings. "Why target only political hoardings?"he asked.
One of the reasons could be that the BMC earns around Rs400 crore a year from commercial hoardings. Now, the BMC has decided to charge the same fee for all kinds of hoardings, said an official from the licence department.
Mr KC Venugopal minister of state for power informed the Lok Sabha that the Bachat Lamp Yojana scheme aims to distribute the Compact Fluorescent Lamps to the households at a price equivalent to the price of the conventional incandescent Lamp ie INR 15 per lamp.
Three types of ICL lamp wattages commonly in use viz. 40W, 60W and 100W are likely to be replaced by the CFL wattages of 9-10W, 12-15W and 20-23W respectively under the BLY scheme. The BLY scheme upon implementation would result in reducing:
1. 6000 MW of electricity generation capacity translating into a potential saving of INR 24000 crores per annum.
2. Combined Green House Gases emission savings of 20 million tonnes of CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) from grid connected power plants.
The CFL distribution has been undertaken in Kerala and few parts of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Assam has issued a tender to select the project implementor for Bachat Lamp Yojana and Tripura is negotiating with the project implementors for BLY implementation in the state.
2011年11月27日 星期日
Residents digest turkey and then break out the decor
Turkey dinners and midnight trips to big-box stores aren't the only hallmarks of Thanksgiving weekend. Many spent the time decking the halls — and lawns, decks, windows, mantels and just about everything else imaginable.
Chris Race of Delran had started decorating Saturday and continued Sunday with a trip to Riverton Pool and Garden Center in Cinnaminson to get a tree. He said he always decorates in the days following the turkey holiday.
"(Decorating on) Thanksgiving weekend? Always!" said Race as he strapped a 10-foot Fraser fir to his car's roof. A townhome resident, Race said he breaks out as many holiday adornments as his homeowners association will allow.
Inside the store, Jane Phillips of Cinnaminson browsed the selection of artificial holly boughs. This year was the first time she expanded her annual holiday decorating to the backyard, which is festooned in lights.
"It's like a winter wonderland," she said. "Now I'm working on the inside."
Like every year, the store offered photos with Santa, a petting zoo and free popcorn during the holiday décor rush. Manager Brenda Ainsworth said the same families return year after year to start their decorating tradition.
Santa held court in the Christmas tree room, while Stoney the Llama entertained outdoors along with two sheep, a goat, a pony, a potbellied pig, an alpaca, a rabbit and geese. Most wore reindeer antlers and holiday vests.
Similar fun could be found at Stellwag's Hidden Acres Farm in Delran, where live animals, model train displays and sleigh rides spice up the holiday shopping pilgrimage. Owner Dawn Gorbe said the trains are a new offering meant to give customers a rare treat while shopping.
Many area retailers say holiday lawn ornaments, greenery, lights, figurines and garland are flying off the shelves with gusto, a finding that contrasts with projections of lackluster consumer behavior for the season. According to holiday spending research findings by the Consumer Federation of America and the Credit Union National Association, 41 percent of 1,011 adults surveyed said they were planning to spend less on the holidays this year than last year and only 8 percent said they planned to spend more.
But Thanksgiving weekend was good as always at Moorestown Hardware on Mill Street, said owner Pete Bender.
"We're having a good season with decorating. There's no doubt about that people are in the spirit," said Bender, who describes retailing in a slumped economy as "flying, but at a low altitude."
"This weekend, we're really seeing a nice little blip of sales. Next week, it will probably flatten out," Bender said.
Both Bender and Beth Perkins, owner of Haines Farm and Garden Supply in Cinnaminson, said the usual hot sellers haven't really changed but the popularity of energy-efficient LED lights over traditional incandescent ones is definitely growing. The technology now illuminates everything from traditional garland to holiday photos to figurines, such as the flower-shaped "hyacinth" lights sold at Riverton Pool and Garden Center.
"Snowsicle" lights that adorn outdoor trees and solar-powered LED lawn snowflakes that change color are key items this year at the store, said Perkins.
Chris Race of Delran had started decorating Saturday and continued Sunday with a trip to Riverton Pool and Garden Center in Cinnaminson to get a tree. He said he always decorates in the days following the turkey holiday.
"(Decorating on) Thanksgiving weekend? Always!" said Race as he strapped a 10-foot Fraser fir to his car's roof. A townhome resident, Race said he breaks out as many holiday adornments as his homeowners association will allow.
Inside the store, Jane Phillips of Cinnaminson browsed the selection of artificial holly boughs. This year was the first time she expanded her annual holiday decorating to the backyard, which is festooned in lights.
"It's like a winter wonderland," she said. "Now I'm working on the inside."
Like every year, the store offered photos with Santa, a petting zoo and free popcorn during the holiday décor rush. Manager Brenda Ainsworth said the same families return year after year to start their decorating tradition.
Santa held court in the Christmas tree room, while Stoney the Llama entertained outdoors along with two sheep, a goat, a pony, a potbellied pig, an alpaca, a rabbit and geese. Most wore reindeer antlers and holiday vests.
Similar fun could be found at Stellwag's Hidden Acres Farm in Delran, where live animals, model train displays and sleigh rides spice up the holiday shopping pilgrimage. Owner Dawn Gorbe said the trains are a new offering meant to give customers a rare treat while shopping.
Many area retailers say holiday lawn ornaments, greenery, lights, figurines and garland are flying off the shelves with gusto, a finding that contrasts with projections of lackluster consumer behavior for the season. According to holiday spending research findings by the Consumer Federation of America and the Credit Union National Association, 41 percent of 1,011 adults surveyed said they were planning to spend less on the holidays this year than last year and only 8 percent said they planned to spend more.
But Thanksgiving weekend was good as always at Moorestown Hardware on Mill Street, said owner Pete Bender.
"We're having a good season with decorating. There's no doubt about that people are in the spirit," said Bender, who describes retailing in a slumped economy as "flying, but at a low altitude."
"This weekend, we're really seeing a nice little blip of sales. Next week, it will probably flatten out," Bender said.
Both Bender and Beth Perkins, owner of Haines Farm and Garden Supply in Cinnaminson, said the usual hot sellers haven't really changed but the popularity of energy-efficient LED lights over traditional incandescent ones is definitely growing. The technology now illuminates everything from traditional garland to holiday photos to figurines, such as the flower-shaped "hyacinth" lights sold at Riverton Pool and Garden Center.
"Snowsicle" lights that adorn outdoor trees and solar-powered LED lawn snowflakes that change color are key items this year at the store, said Perkins.
2011年11月24日 星期四
Lighting up for the season
"Instead of lighting the huge tree like we normally do, we'll be having a Christmas village atmosphere and lighting the smaller trees along the perimeter of the fire hall and public works offices there," said Councillor Amy Coady-Davis, chair of the parks, recreational and special events committee.
"Our tree didn't take root like we had planned, and there was some damage to the tree with high winds, so we removed the tree. And because we are trying to be environmentally conscious we will not be purchasing and transplanting another tree so we are going to make it a village-type atmosphere, which will be nice."
This way, the cost of purchasing and transplanting a tree is eliminated, she said, adding this is the second, if not third time a big tree has had to be transplanted.
"And obviously there is no guarantee that the tree will root and continue to grow," Coun. Coady-Davis said.
"You'll still get the same effect. It will be dark and we'll flick the switch and everything will illuminate."
The event will take place at 6:30 p.m. in front of the fire hall and Public Works Depot.
Coun. Coady-Davis said everything else included will be the same as previous years.
"We'll still have our regular activities, the Salvation Army Band and the greetings from the dignitaries," she said. "Well still be serving our hot chocolate and wieners and loot bags for the children and I'm sure Santa Claus will also make an appearance."
There will be somebody from the community appointed to help Mayor Al Hawkins flick the switch to light up the Christmas village.
"The absence of the tree, obviously, is going to be noticeable, but we want to make it as pretty and Christmassy as possible, so we usually have the little reindeer set and usually the float is there from the Santa Claus parade that the Town enters each year," Coun. Coady-Davis said. "We usually have some other lit figurines, so we're going to add to that this year and really try and step it up a little bit and make it a real Christmassy feel.
"We will have our Christmas carols with the Salvation Army band, they always come and play some beautiful music for us, and everybody looks forward to that," she said. "With the children there getting their hot chocolate and their treat bags, they are usually really excited. All we need I guess is a little sprinkle of snow to add to the moment."
Council purchased new LED lights for the tree last year.
In keeping with Christmas tradition and helping get people in the holiday mood, the Grand Falls Lions Club annual Santa Claus Parade will take place on Dec. 3, and the Keep Christ in Christmas Walk, which is co-sponsored by the Town of Grand Falls-Windsor and the Knights of Columbus, will take place on Dec. 11 and will be leaving from the fire hall at 2:30 p.m.
"Our tree didn't take root like we had planned, and there was some damage to the tree with high winds, so we removed the tree. And because we are trying to be environmentally conscious we will not be purchasing and transplanting another tree so we are going to make it a village-type atmosphere, which will be nice."
This way, the cost of purchasing and transplanting a tree is eliminated, she said, adding this is the second, if not third time a big tree has had to be transplanted.
"And obviously there is no guarantee that the tree will root and continue to grow," Coun. Coady-Davis said.
"You'll still get the same effect. It will be dark and we'll flick the switch and everything will illuminate."
The event will take place at 6:30 p.m. in front of the fire hall and Public Works Depot.
Coun. Coady-Davis said everything else included will be the same as previous years.
"We'll still have our regular activities, the Salvation Army Band and the greetings from the dignitaries," she said. "Well still be serving our hot chocolate and wieners and loot bags for the children and I'm sure Santa Claus will also make an appearance."
There will be somebody from the community appointed to help Mayor Al Hawkins flick the switch to light up the Christmas village.
"The absence of the tree, obviously, is going to be noticeable, but we want to make it as pretty and Christmassy as possible, so we usually have the little reindeer set and usually the float is there from the Santa Claus parade that the Town enters each year," Coun. Coady-Davis said. "We usually have some other lit figurines, so we're going to add to that this year and really try and step it up a little bit and make it a real Christmassy feel.
"We will have our Christmas carols with the Salvation Army band, they always come and play some beautiful music for us, and everybody looks forward to that," she said. "With the children there getting their hot chocolate and their treat bags, they are usually really excited. All we need I guess is a little sprinkle of snow to add to the moment."
Council purchased new LED lights for the tree last year.
In keeping with Christmas tradition and helping get people in the holiday mood, the Grand Falls Lions Club annual Santa Claus Parade will take place on Dec. 3, and the Keep Christ in Christmas Walk, which is co-sponsored by the Town of Grand Falls-Windsor and the Knights of Columbus, will take place on Dec. 11 and will be leaving from the fire hall at 2:30 p.m.
2011年11月23日 星期三
International film festival opens in Goa
Film star Shah Rukh Khan inaugurated the 42nd edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa, by lighting the ceremonial lamp at the Ravindra Bhavan at Margao on Wednesday evening, in the presence of Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ambika Soni.
Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat; Secretary, Ministry of I&B, Uday Kumar Varma; actor Rituparna Sengupta; and IFFI Director Shankar Mohan were among those who attended the event.
Chief guest Shah Rukh Khan, while expressing happiness on his being a part of this cinematic extravaganza, shared his views on cinema as a medium that bound people in a shared experience. Cinema was a modern art of storytelling, "a collective focus addressed to all, open to all and including all."
Festivals such as the IFFI were a manifestation of human happiness and should be seen as a sharing of India, as people gathered to share their joy and creativity. An honest effort was critical for producing anything of value. He complimented the organisers for making that honest effort.
Ms. Soni stressed on the growing eminence of Indian cinema and described the IFFI as an agent of the growing acceptance of Indian cinema. This acceptance had given an impetus and an identity to the industry, making it one of the most prosperous film industries of the world. "Let IFFI become truly an international event, an international people's festival," she said.
Chief Minister Digambar Kamat spoke of his government's plans to make Goa a more desirable and a permanent destination for film shooting.
Life Time Achievement award, which was revived after almost 10 years, was conferred on French film maker Bertrand Tavernier.
The event showcased an extempore painting by Mr. Vilas Nayak on Mr. Tavernier, followed by the screening of a two-minute clip on the acclaimed filmmaker. Ms. Soni presented him with a certificate, a cheque for Rs.10 lakh, a scroll and a shawl.
The international jury panel led by renowned filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan and Members Dan Wolman from Israel, Lawrence Kardish from the U.S., Lee Yong Kwan from the Busan Film Festival and Tahmineh Milani from Iran were felicitated by Rituparna Sengupta.
The opening film of the festival, 'The Consul of Bordeaux,' directed by Francisco Manso and Joao Correa portrayed the story of Aristides de Sousa Mendes, a man of conviction who saved 30,000 lives during the World War II. The cast and crew of the Portuguese film were honoured by the hosts.
Curtains will come down on the 42nd IFFI with the Asia premiere of the film 'The Lady' directed by Luc Besson, on December 3.
A group of "Save Old Goa" activists held demonstrations outside the venue, demanding that the closing ceremony of the IFFI be changed from December 3. The date clashed with the annual Old Goa Church festival and would cause inconvenience to the devotees due to the inevitable traffic problems associated with the IFFI ceremony.
The organisers had recently said they would seriously consider the request for a change in the closing date of the IFFI next year.
Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat; Secretary, Ministry of I&B, Uday Kumar Varma; actor Rituparna Sengupta; and IFFI Director Shankar Mohan were among those who attended the event.
Chief guest Shah Rukh Khan, while expressing happiness on his being a part of this cinematic extravaganza, shared his views on cinema as a medium that bound people in a shared experience. Cinema was a modern art of storytelling, "a collective focus addressed to all, open to all and including all."
Festivals such as the IFFI were a manifestation of human happiness and should be seen as a sharing of India, as people gathered to share their joy and creativity. An honest effort was critical for producing anything of value. He complimented the organisers for making that honest effort.
Ms. Soni stressed on the growing eminence of Indian cinema and described the IFFI as an agent of the growing acceptance of Indian cinema. This acceptance had given an impetus and an identity to the industry, making it one of the most prosperous film industries of the world. "Let IFFI become truly an international event, an international people's festival," she said.
Chief Minister Digambar Kamat spoke of his government's plans to make Goa a more desirable and a permanent destination for film shooting.
Life Time Achievement award, which was revived after almost 10 years, was conferred on French film maker Bertrand Tavernier.
The event showcased an extempore painting by Mr. Vilas Nayak on Mr. Tavernier, followed by the screening of a two-minute clip on the acclaimed filmmaker. Ms. Soni presented him with a certificate, a cheque for Rs.10 lakh, a scroll and a shawl.
The international jury panel led by renowned filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan and Members Dan Wolman from Israel, Lawrence Kardish from the U.S., Lee Yong Kwan from the Busan Film Festival and Tahmineh Milani from Iran were felicitated by Rituparna Sengupta.
The opening film of the festival, 'The Consul of Bordeaux,' directed by Francisco Manso and Joao Correa portrayed the story of Aristides de Sousa Mendes, a man of conviction who saved 30,000 lives during the World War II. The cast and crew of the Portuguese film were honoured by the hosts.
Curtains will come down on the 42nd IFFI with the Asia premiere of the film 'The Lady' directed by Luc Besson, on December 3.
A group of "Save Old Goa" activists held demonstrations outside the venue, demanding that the closing ceremony of the IFFI be changed from December 3. The date clashed with the annual Old Goa Church festival and would cause inconvenience to the devotees due to the inevitable traffic problems associated with the IFFI ceremony.
The organisers had recently said they would seriously consider the request for a change in the closing date of the IFFI next year.
2011年11月22日 星期二
Vote on outdor Lighting Regulations Delayed Over Requests for Exemptions
Concerns about spoiling holiday displays and hindering agricultural operations prompted the Riverside County Board of Supervisors today to postpone -- for a second time -- a decision on whether to impose fines up to $500 on residents or businesses whose outdoor lights create a nuisance.
"I had no intention to restrict people from lighting their houses for Christmas," Supervisor John Tavaglione said of his proposed "light trespass" ordinance. "I don't care how long they want to leave their lights on. The more holiday lights we see, the better."
One of the measure's provisions stipulates that outdoor holiday decorations are to be turned off by 11 p.m. That restriction, along with concerns that wine growers might face penalties if they use mobile lights during nighttime grape-picking in vineyards, led County Counsel Pamela Walls to request additional time to modify the proposal so that exemptions could be put in place.
Supervisor Jeff Stone mentioned during a hearing on the measure last week that homeowners' associations and community centers are also worried about being fined for running high-intensity security lights.
"You're never going to make everybody happy," Corona-area resident William Larsen told the board today. "There are a few things I'd like to see more of (in the ordinance), and a few things I'd like to see less of."
Larsen inspired Tavaglione to start researching a light trespass law in February 2010 when he presented pictures to the board demonstrating how a neighbor's security lights were illuminating the second-floor of his home every night, all night.
Mead Valley resident Jeff McKinley said he has the same problem, and his only current remedy is to file a lawsuit against his neighbor, who has refused to adjust his exterior lights.
"I can't do anything about it," McKinley told the board today. "I don't have the resources to go to civil court."
Tavaglione said when he introduced the ordinance last month that it would provide the county with the necessary tools to "to deal with individuals who want to harass neighbors through lighting, or who have lighting in place that impacts communities."
The proposal would set penalties for property owners who allow their exterior "luminaires" to shine too brightly, infringing on neighbors' lots. Tavaglione said excess lighting not only wastes resources but affects people's health.
The proposed ordinance would require that all outdoor light fixtures "be located, adequately shielded and directed such that no direct light falls outside the parcel of origin, or onto the public right-of-way" and "shall not blink, flash or rotate."
Exceptions would be made for street lights and lights utilized by public safety agencies, as well as lights used for public or private monuments.
A complaint of light trespass would have to be filed with the sheriff's or code enforcement departments, whose personnel would conduct a follow-up investigation to confirm a violation.
The first two violations in a six-month period would be classified as infractions. A third offense in a six-month period would be treated as a misdemeanor.
The minimum fine for a first offense would be $100. The penalty for a second offense would be $250, and the penalty for three or more offenses would be $500 -- with the possibility of up to six months in county jail.
"I had no intention to restrict people from lighting their houses for Christmas," Supervisor John Tavaglione said of his proposed "light trespass" ordinance. "I don't care how long they want to leave their lights on. The more holiday lights we see, the better."
One of the measure's provisions stipulates that outdoor holiday decorations are to be turned off by 11 p.m. That restriction, along with concerns that wine growers might face penalties if they use mobile lights during nighttime grape-picking in vineyards, led County Counsel Pamela Walls to request additional time to modify the proposal so that exemptions could be put in place.
Supervisor Jeff Stone mentioned during a hearing on the measure last week that homeowners' associations and community centers are also worried about being fined for running high-intensity security lights.
"You're never going to make everybody happy," Corona-area resident William Larsen told the board today. "There are a few things I'd like to see more of (in the ordinance), and a few things I'd like to see less of."
Larsen inspired Tavaglione to start researching a light trespass law in February 2010 when he presented pictures to the board demonstrating how a neighbor's security lights were illuminating the second-floor of his home every night, all night.
Mead Valley resident Jeff McKinley said he has the same problem, and his only current remedy is to file a lawsuit against his neighbor, who has refused to adjust his exterior lights.
"I can't do anything about it," McKinley told the board today. "I don't have the resources to go to civil court."
Tavaglione said when he introduced the ordinance last month that it would provide the county with the necessary tools to "to deal with individuals who want to harass neighbors through lighting, or who have lighting in place that impacts communities."
The proposal would set penalties for property owners who allow their exterior "luminaires" to shine too brightly, infringing on neighbors' lots. Tavaglione said excess lighting not only wastes resources but affects people's health.
The proposed ordinance would require that all outdoor light fixtures "be located, adequately shielded and directed such that no direct light falls outside the parcel of origin, or onto the public right-of-way" and "shall not blink, flash or rotate."
Exceptions would be made for street lights and lights utilized by public safety agencies, as well as lights used for public or private monuments.
A complaint of light trespass would have to be filed with the sheriff's or code enforcement departments, whose personnel would conduct a follow-up investigation to confirm a violation.
The first two violations in a six-month period would be classified as infractions. A third offense in a six-month period would be treated as a misdemeanor.
The minimum fine for a first offense would be $100. The penalty for a second offense would be $250, and the penalty for three or more offenses would be $500 -- with the possibility of up to six months in county jail.
2011年11月21日 星期一
Goodbye Incandescents
After 130 years of using incandescent lamps, China is determined to abandon the energy-guzzling bulbs in favor of more energy-efficient ones.
On November 1, the Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and five other government departments jointly released a joint circular, vowing to gradually halt imports and sales of the traditional incandescent lamps.
Those lamps are widely used for both household and commercial lighting. Electricity is used to heat up the thin wire filament inside the bulb until it glows and produces light. Unfortunately, while incandescent bulbs are effective at illuminating even the darkest of spaces, they are not energy efficient. Much of the electricity is used to make heat, and light is only a by-product.
In 1882, China's first incandescent lamp was used in Shanghai, providing a more reliable alternative to oil lamps and candles. In the past 130 years, China has become the world's largest producer and consumer of incandescent bulbs. In 2010, the country's output of such bulbs stood at 3.85 billion, with sales hitting 1.07 billion yuan ($168.47 million).
As China embarks on a greener path of development, it is aiming to phase out these less efficient bulbs.
"This move is part of the government's vigorous efforts to push forward energy conservation and emission reduction," said Xie Ji, Deputy Director of Resource Conservation and Environment Protection under the NDRC.
The effort to replace incandescent lamps with energy-efficient ones nationwide will help save 48 billion kwh of electricity and reduce 48 million tons of carbon dioxide emission annually, said Xie.
"This year marks the beginning of the 12th Five-year Plan (2011-15), which is focused on economic rebalancing. Meanwhile, the United Nations Climate Change Conference is about to convene in Durban, South Africa," said Xie. "Against this background, China is taking swift action to propel green lighting and implementing effective measures in response to climate change."
Xie said some manufacturers of incandescent lamps in the country have been transforming their businesses and reducing production. NDRC data showed that in 2010 there were 10 enterprises nationwide with annual output of more than 100 million incandescent lamps, accounting for at least 70 percent of the industry's total output of such lamps.
China has been firmly committed to improving energy efficiency. In 1996, the Chinese Government launched a green lighting program, promoting wider use of energy-efficient lamps with heavy subsidies. Moreover, the country has joined hands with the United Nations Development Program and Global Environmental Facility to initiate a project aimed at lifting the quality and competitiveness of China's energy-efficient lighting products.
The circular said those projects have significantly helped China's lighting industry move up the value chain and improve product quality. In 1996, China's output of energy-efficient lamps was barely 3 percent of that of incandescent bulbs, but the ratio jumped to 1:1 in 2010. Last year, the country's output of energy-efficient lamps amounted to 4.26 billion, accounting for 80 percent of the world's total. There were around 20 manufacturers with annual output surpassing 50 million, making up 82.2 percent of the industry's overall output.
On November 1, the Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and five other government departments jointly released a joint circular, vowing to gradually halt imports and sales of the traditional incandescent lamps.
Those lamps are widely used for both household and commercial lighting. Electricity is used to heat up the thin wire filament inside the bulb until it glows and produces light. Unfortunately, while incandescent bulbs are effective at illuminating even the darkest of spaces, they are not energy efficient. Much of the electricity is used to make heat, and light is only a by-product.
In 1882, China's first incandescent lamp was used in Shanghai, providing a more reliable alternative to oil lamps and candles. In the past 130 years, China has become the world's largest producer and consumer of incandescent bulbs. In 2010, the country's output of such bulbs stood at 3.85 billion, with sales hitting 1.07 billion yuan ($168.47 million).
As China embarks on a greener path of development, it is aiming to phase out these less efficient bulbs.
"This move is part of the government's vigorous efforts to push forward energy conservation and emission reduction," said Xie Ji, Deputy Director of Resource Conservation and Environment Protection under the NDRC.
The effort to replace incandescent lamps with energy-efficient ones nationwide will help save 48 billion kwh of electricity and reduce 48 million tons of carbon dioxide emission annually, said Xie.
"This year marks the beginning of the 12th Five-year Plan (2011-15), which is focused on economic rebalancing. Meanwhile, the United Nations Climate Change Conference is about to convene in Durban, South Africa," said Xie. "Against this background, China is taking swift action to propel green lighting and implementing effective measures in response to climate change."
Xie said some manufacturers of incandescent lamps in the country have been transforming their businesses and reducing production. NDRC data showed that in 2010 there were 10 enterprises nationwide with annual output of more than 100 million incandescent lamps, accounting for at least 70 percent of the industry's total output of such lamps.
China has been firmly committed to improving energy efficiency. In 1996, the Chinese Government launched a green lighting program, promoting wider use of energy-efficient lamps with heavy subsidies. Moreover, the country has joined hands with the United Nations Development Program and Global Environmental Facility to initiate a project aimed at lifting the quality and competitiveness of China's energy-efficient lighting products.
The circular said those projects have significantly helped China's lighting industry move up the value chain and improve product quality. In 1996, China's output of energy-efficient lamps was barely 3 percent of that of incandescent bulbs, but the ratio jumped to 1:1 in 2010. Last year, the country's output of energy-efficient lamps amounted to 4.26 billion, accounting for 80 percent of the world's total. There were around 20 manufacturers with annual output surpassing 50 million, making up 82.2 percent of the industry's overall output.
2011年11月20日 星期日
Hundreds turn out for Festival of Lights
With the mercury at a warm 64 degrees, the weather Saturday didn't do much to invoke thoughts of Christmas.
That's especially true for a Canadian like Bud Reiser, the new morning host for Star 92.9 FM. The native of Newfoundland oversaw the ceremony kicking off Springfield's Festival of Lights. The centerpiece of the event was turning on the lights for a 33-foot Norway spruce growing near Mediacom Ice Park.
Reiser's northern roots were on full display when he referred to the weather as a nice fall day.
"Bud, this is winter in the Ozarks," said Bob Stephens, the mayor pro tem.
More than 1,000 people joined Reiser and Stephens for the official tree-lighting ceremony. First- and second-grade students ran around the park shaking silver jingle bells and talked about meeting Santa Claus. Other children and adults stood in line for cups of hot chocolate or other goodies.
Christmas is still five weeks away, and Reiser stood outside in a sweater. But the Canadian said he's used to seemingly unseasonable winter weather. Before living in Missouri, Reiser and his wife, also a Canadian, lived in Honolulu. He said they returned to Canada for just two years and two winters -- long enough to realize they wanted to live somewhere warmer.
"The first one was kind of a novelty," he said "The second one last year was like, 'Oh, brother.'"
Timing the festival right is difficult because of a variety of considerations, including the city's desire to have a full six weeks of activities, said Vince Crunk, the city's co-interim public information director. Weather is also a factor.
"It would be more seasonal if it were colder, but it's more comfortable if it's warmer," Crunk said.
Crunk said he was happy with the turnout, especially after the city decided to cancel the annual fireworks display because of high winds.
Even if the temperature didn't invoke thoughts of cold weather and cozy fires, Springfield residents said it wasn't too early to be in the Christmas spirit.
"No, it's never too early," said Chastity Chew of Springfield.
This was Chew's first Festival of Lights. Chew brought her children to the event. It was also the first time the Jordan Valley Park crew put a special lighting system on the tall spruce allowing the blinking bulbs to synchronize with music. It's called a Monster Brain, said Jeff Cumley, the park's manager. The system, once set up, allows lights to dance in syncopated patterns up and down the tall spruce
That's especially true for a Canadian like Bud Reiser, the new morning host for Star 92.9 FM. The native of Newfoundland oversaw the ceremony kicking off Springfield's Festival of Lights. The centerpiece of the event was turning on the lights for a 33-foot Norway spruce growing near Mediacom Ice Park.
Reiser's northern roots were on full display when he referred to the weather as a nice fall day.
"Bud, this is winter in the Ozarks," said Bob Stephens, the mayor pro tem.
More than 1,000 people joined Reiser and Stephens for the official tree-lighting ceremony. First- and second-grade students ran around the park shaking silver jingle bells and talked about meeting Santa Claus. Other children and adults stood in line for cups of hot chocolate or other goodies.
Christmas is still five weeks away, and Reiser stood outside in a sweater. But the Canadian said he's used to seemingly unseasonable winter weather. Before living in Missouri, Reiser and his wife, also a Canadian, lived in Honolulu. He said they returned to Canada for just two years and two winters -- long enough to realize they wanted to live somewhere warmer.
"The first one was kind of a novelty," he said "The second one last year was like, 'Oh, brother.'"
Timing the festival right is difficult because of a variety of considerations, including the city's desire to have a full six weeks of activities, said Vince Crunk, the city's co-interim public information director. Weather is also a factor.
"It would be more seasonal if it were colder, but it's more comfortable if it's warmer," Crunk said.
Crunk said he was happy with the turnout, especially after the city decided to cancel the annual fireworks display because of high winds.
Even if the temperature didn't invoke thoughts of cold weather and cozy fires, Springfield residents said it wasn't too early to be in the Christmas spirit.
"No, it's never too early," said Chastity Chew of Springfield.
This was Chew's first Festival of Lights. Chew brought her children to the event. It was also the first time the Jordan Valley Park crew put a special lighting system on the tall spruce allowing the blinking bulbs to synchronize with music. It's called a Monster Brain, said Jeff Cumley, the park's manager. The system, once set up, allows lights to dance in syncopated patterns up and down the tall spruce
2011年11月17日 星期四
The Island Garden Growing indoors during the winter
Brrr! The cold winter months are coming, but there is no need to give up growing altogether. At this time of year you can simply take your gardening indoors. All you need is a sunny windowsill, a brightly lit area, or some space in your basement with a few grow lights.
You can start seeds under fluorescent lights, but to get the plants to grow larger you'll need stronger lights. This usually means that you should invest in grow lights.
At a minimum you'll need about 40 watts per square foot of light for at least 14 hours a day to get plants to grow indoors. If you can provide 60 to 80 watts of light over your grow area and some water and fertilizer, you'll have the basis of a terrific indoor garden.
Of course, you'll need to water your indoor garden. One way to do that is to set up a hydroponic system. It's not that difficult and you don't have to get really fancy. I use 10-foot plastic gutters as the basis for my vegetable growing hydroponic system. A five-gallon bucket serves as the reservoir and a fish tank water filter pump moves the water from the bucket to the top end of the water system. All I do is turn the pump on and leave it until the bucket is empty. Fifteen minutes later the water has circulated around the system and is dripping back into the bucket. The water gets turned on twice a day. Occasionally, I'll turn it on a third time if the greenhouse has become quite hot, but that's not often at this time of year.
Last winter I grew snow peas, beets and lettuce in the hydroponic gutters, and this year I plan to grow even more vegetables. The only problem is that the snow peas hang downwards instead of growing upwards and yields are slightly lower. Because my gutters hang on wires from the top of the greenhouse, there is always a danger that they will overturn if the plants become too top heavy, but I have not gone that far yet.
Another way to grow large plants is to keep them warm, well lit, and well watered in regular potting soil. I don't recommend using soil from your yard. After a while it packs down and water has difficulty penetrating it, plus it can contain a lot of weed seeds. However, there are more trace nutrients in the soil from your yard so mixing up to 25 percent with potting soil and vermiculite or sand is not a bad idea, but make sure that the top layer of your pot is potting soil to control weeds.
If you grow indoor ornamental plants, make sure their leaves are clean. The leaves of many plants get dusty indoors and that affects the plants ability to photosynthesize. Keeping the leaves clean is one way to help your plant. Another way to help your indoor plant is not to overwater. The most common method to kill an indoor plant is to overwater, especially during winter when the plant's respiration rates have slowed down.
Keep your ornamentals in an area where they will get moderate sunlight. If your plants are in an interior room where they will not get sunlight, you might want to shine a grow light on them to help them survive.
Incidentally, plants in the home are good for you. They help absorb carbon dioxide and provide oxygen during the day when they are respiring. However, at night the reverse occurs and they give off carbon dioxide and absorb oxygen. Thus, you do not want to keep plants in your bedroom where you spend the night. You are best off keeping them in a sunny living area where you spend your days.
You can start seeds under fluorescent lights, but to get the plants to grow larger you'll need stronger lights. This usually means that you should invest in grow lights.
At a minimum you'll need about 40 watts per square foot of light for at least 14 hours a day to get plants to grow indoors. If you can provide 60 to 80 watts of light over your grow area and some water and fertilizer, you'll have the basis of a terrific indoor garden.
Of course, you'll need to water your indoor garden. One way to do that is to set up a hydroponic system. It's not that difficult and you don't have to get really fancy. I use 10-foot plastic gutters as the basis for my vegetable growing hydroponic system. A five-gallon bucket serves as the reservoir and a fish tank water filter pump moves the water from the bucket to the top end of the water system. All I do is turn the pump on and leave it until the bucket is empty. Fifteen minutes later the water has circulated around the system and is dripping back into the bucket. The water gets turned on twice a day. Occasionally, I'll turn it on a third time if the greenhouse has become quite hot, but that's not often at this time of year.
Last winter I grew snow peas, beets and lettuce in the hydroponic gutters, and this year I plan to grow even more vegetables. The only problem is that the snow peas hang downwards instead of growing upwards and yields are slightly lower. Because my gutters hang on wires from the top of the greenhouse, there is always a danger that they will overturn if the plants become too top heavy, but I have not gone that far yet.
Another way to grow large plants is to keep them warm, well lit, and well watered in regular potting soil. I don't recommend using soil from your yard. After a while it packs down and water has difficulty penetrating it, plus it can contain a lot of weed seeds. However, there are more trace nutrients in the soil from your yard so mixing up to 25 percent with potting soil and vermiculite or sand is not a bad idea, but make sure that the top layer of your pot is potting soil to control weeds.
If you grow indoor ornamental plants, make sure their leaves are clean. The leaves of many plants get dusty indoors and that affects the plants ability to photosynthesize. Keeping the leaves clean is one way to help your plant. Another way to help your indoor plant is not to overwater. The most common method to kill an indoor plant is to overwater, especially during winter when the plant's respiration rates have slowed down.
Keep your ornamentals in an area where they will get moderate sunlight. If your plants are in an interior room where they will not get sunlight, you might want to shine a grow light on them to help them survive.
Incidentally, plants in the home are good for you. They help absorb carbon dioxide and provide oxygen during the day when they are respiring. However, at night the reverse occurs and they give off carbon dioxide and absorb oxygen. Thus, you do not want to keep plants in your bedroom where you spend the night. You are best off keeping them in a sunny living area where you spend your days.
2011年11月16日 星期三
Finding magic in the great outdoors
Those are a few ways that science educator Melissa Levi has been able to inspire that "aha!" moment in children. Levi has led Lambton Wildlife's Young Naturalist and Junior Conservationist groups for six years, bringing her own energetic brand of hands-on environmental activities.
"She has really imaginative ideas and she's devoted to this (youth education)," said Janet Bremner, president of Lambton Wildlife. "We feel it's one of our most important programs."
It comes at a time when academics fear children are longing for contact with the great indoors. In 2005, American author and journalist Richard Louv coined the term "nature deficit disorder" to describe the trend. He suggests children growing up in front of television and computer screens will have a lack of respect for the environment.
Sean Jenniskens isn't one of those children. The 16-year-old who lives outside of Watford has always had an interest in the environment, participating in the Young Naturalist and then the Junior Conservationist groups the past eight years.
The club is a great change of pace because "it's nice to share ideas," he said.
He has enjoyed several one-of-a-kind experiences through the program.
"Every other month this year, and the last couple of years, we've been going to a raptor rehabilitation centre," he said. "You go to help feed the raptors with broken wings or a problem like that and then clean their cages, which is really fun."
While that might not be everyone's cup of tea immediately, both adults and children can come around to appreciating the environment with exposure, said Levi, who use to work at the Insect Zoo in Victoria, B.C.
"I was able to take people who came in (to the Insect Zoo) and said, 'Ew, bugs are gross,' and sort of turn them around," she said. "In the end, they'd be holding the bugs and they'd be so excited and thrilled for each other."
Levi now tries to bring that excitement to Sarnia-Lambton youth.
"Some kids, it takes them a little while to get into it, but once they do, there's no turning back," she said.
When she took some of the members to a snake restoration project, she soon "couldn't drag the kids away."
Simple activities, like tending to a school garden, can be just as effective in harvesting an appreciation for the environment.
"It doesn't have to be grandiose — polar bears or dolphins — but it can still create that same perspective change, that same sort of enthusiastic light bulb," Levi said.
Both the Young Naturalist Group, for ages 7-11, and the Junior Conservationist Group, age 12 plus, meet monthly. Membership is $15 for the first child and $5 for each additional child.
"She has really imaginative ideas and she's devoted to this (youth education)," said Janet Bremner, president of Lambton Wildlife. "We feel it's one of our most important programs."
It comes at a time when academics fear children are longing for contact with the great indoors. In 2005, American author and journalist Richard Louv coined the term "nature deficit disorder" to describe the trend. He suggests children growing up in front of television and computer screens will have a lack of respect for the environment.
Sean Jenniskens isn't one of those children. The 16-year-old who lives outside of Watford has always had an interest in the environment, participating in the Young Naturalist and then the Junior Conservationist groups the past eight years.
The club is a great change of pace because "it's nice to share ideas," he said.
He has enjoyed several one-of-a-kind experiences through the program.
"Every other month this year, and the last couple of years, we've been going to a raptor rehabilitation centre," he said. "You go to help feed the raptors with broken wings or a problem like that and then clean their cages, which is really fun."
While that might not be everyone's cup of tea immediately, both adults and children can come around to appreciating the environment with exposure, said Levi, who use to work at the Insect Zoo in Victoria, B.C.
"I was able to take people who came in (to the Insect Zoo) and said, 'Ew, bugs are gross,' and sort of turn them around," she said. "In the end, they'd be holding the bugs and they'd be so excited and thrilled for each other."
Levi now tries to bring that excitement to Sarnia-Lambton youth.
"Some kids, it takes them a little while to get into it, but once they do, there's no turning back," she said.
When she took some of the members to a snake restoration project, she soon "couldn't drag the kids away."
Simple activities, like tending to a school garden, can be just as effective in harvesting an appreciation for the environment.
"It doesn't have to be grandiose — polar bears or dolphins — but it can still create that same perspective change, that same sort of enthusiastic light bulb," Levi said.
Both the Young Naturalist Group, for ages 7-11, and the Junior Conservationist Group, age 12 plus, meet monthly. Membership is $15 for the first child and $5 for each additional child.
2011年11月15日 星期二
GE, The Fresh Market, Taiwan, Lighting Association, UV LED Curing Association
GE Lighting recognized The Fresh Market and Walmart for fleet-wide installations, while Taiwan begins street-lighting projects. The Lighting Association introduces an LED product verification program and three companies found the UV LED Curing Association.
GE Lighting honored The Fresh Market with its LED Retailer-of-the-Year award at GE's recent 3rd annual retail conference, held at its headquarters in East Cleveland, OH. Recipients of this award must have retrofit 20% or more of their fleet of stores to LED-based lighting, demonstrated at least 20% energy savings, and visually improved the appearance of the store as recognized by its customers. The Fresh Market has incorporated LED PAR38s into 40% of its stores for accent and general lighting applications.
Walmart, the multinational retailer based in Bentonville, AK, was a featured retailer at the conference and has set a goal to use 100% LED lighting in all of its 5366 stores through new construction and retrofitting. "Switching to LEDs was a no brainer," said Charles Zimmerman, vice president of international design and construction with Walmart. "Now we're using LEDs in display cases, parking lots and throughout the store, and now our LED lights are outliving our refrigerated display cases, providing zero maintenance."
A Walmart parking lot installation was the subject of a US DOE Caliper demonstration report published in May. The new installation revealed an estimated 40% energy savings versus high-pressure sodium lamps and a simple payback period of 6 years.
Also at the GE retailer conference, GE recognized Walgreens with its Retailer-of-the-Year award. Criteria for the award included the use of energy-efficient products in 80% or more of its fleet, demonstration of innovative lighting techniques with improved visual aesthetics, and demonstration of a positive impact on the community. Walgreens transitioned from F28 to F25 linear fluorescent lamps, which allowed a 9% energy savings and a 10% longer lamp life. The full release is provided here.
According to an article published in Taiwan Today, Shih Yen-shiang of Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), has announced a NT$700 million project that will involve the replacement of 53,000 fluorescent street lamps with LED street lamps.
The ROC government will begin the 3-year replacement project, valued at $23.25 million, in January 2012. It will involve LED lamp installations in the cities of Keelung, Hsinchu and Chiayi. Shih announced the plan after meeting with LED companies including Everlight Electronics, Epistar and Delta Electronics.
"This replacement project will not only provide the nation with energy efficient lighting," Shih said, "it will also give local LED manufacturers a tremendous boost, as the experience they acquire from manufacturing and installing the new lights will help make them more competitive internationally."
Shih noted the importance of standards and stated that the government will accelerate its efforts to promote standards for the LED industry. The ministry noted that the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection has already set 49 specifications for the LED industry, on matters such as acceptable power density and energy-efficiency levels.
GE Lighting honored The Fresh Market with its LED Retailer-of-the-Year award at GE's recent 3rd annual retail conference, held at its headquarters in East Cleveland, OH. Recipients of this award must have retrofit 20% or more of their fleet of stores to LED-based lighting, demonstrated at least 20% energy savings, and visually improved the appearance of the store as recognized by its customers. The Fresh Market has incorporated LED PAR38s into 40% of its stores for accent and general lighting applications.
Walmart, the multinational retailer based in Bentonville, AK, was a featured retailer at the conference and has set a goal to use 100% LED lighting in all of its 5366 stores through new construction and retrofitting. "Switching to LEDs was a no brainer," said Charles Zimmerman, vice president of international design and construction with Walmart. "Now we're using LEDs in display cases, parking lots and throughout the store, and now our LED lights are outliving our refrigerated display cases, providing zero maintenance."
A Walmart parking lot installation was the subject of a US DOE Caliper demonstration report published in May. The new installation revealed an estimated 40% energy savings versus high-pressure sodium lamps and a simple payback period of 6 years.
Also at the GE retailer conference, GE recognized Walgreens with its Retailer-of-the-Year award. Criteria for the award included the use of energy-efficient products in 80% or more of its fleet, demonstration of innovative lighting techniques with improved visual aesthetics, and demonstration of a positive impact on the community. Walgreens transitioned from F28 to F25 linear fluorescent lamps, which allowed a 9% energy savings and a 10% longer lamp life. The full release is provided here.
According to an article published in Taiwan Today, Shih Yen-shiang of Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), has announced a NT$700 million project that will involve the replacement of 53,000 fluorescent street lamps with LED street lamps.
The ROC government will begin the 3-year replacement project, valued at $23.25 million, in January 2012. It will involve LED lamp installations in the cities of Keelung, Hsinchu and Chiayi. Shih announced the plan after meeting with LED companies including Everlight Electronics, Epistar and Delta Electronics.
"This replacement project will not only provide the nation with energy efficient lighting," Shih said, "it will also give local LED manufacturers a tremendous boost, as the experience they acquire from manufacturing and installing the new lights will help make them more competitive internationally."
Shih noted the importance of standards and stated that the government will accelerate its efforts to promote standards for the LED industry. The ministry noted that the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection has already set 49 specifications for the LED industry, on matters such as acceptable power density and energy-efficiency levels.
2011年11月14日 星期一
Your Prius' Deepest, Darkest Secret
So you're considering buying a hybrid car. Or maybe you already have. Good for you! You're saving a bundle on gas and reducing your environmental footprint at the same time. But fuel isn't the only natural resource that your car requires. Its motor also contains a small amount of neodymium, one of 17 elements listed at the very bottom of the periodic table. Known as the rare earths, these minerals are key to all kinds of green technology: Neodymium magnets turn wind turbines. Cerium helps reduce tailpipe emissions. Yttrium can form phosphors that make light in LED displays and compact fluorescent lightbulbs. Hybrid and electric cars often contain as many as eight different rare earths.
And the stuff is good for more than just renewable energy technology. Walk down the aisles of your local Best Buy and you'll be hard-pressed to find something that doesn't contain at least one of the rare earths, from smartphones to laptop batteries to flat-screen TVs. They're also crucial for defense technology—radar and sonar systems, tank engines, and the navigation systems in smart bombs.
Given all this, it's not surprising that the rare-earths industry is booming. Demand for the elements has skyrocketed in the past few years, and a recent report predicted it to grow by 50 percent by 2017.
For the last few decades, China controlled the world's market for rare earths, producing about 97 percent of the global supply. But in late 2010, China cut its exports by 35 percent in order to keep the valuable metals for its own manufacturers. The prices of rare earths rose almost immediately. Fearing a shortage, US legislators sprang into action. This past April, Rep. Mike Coffman introduced a bill that would kick-start a domestic rare-earths renaissance in the United States.
A few rare-earths mines are slated to open in the United States in the next few years, the most hyped of which is a facility called Mountain Pass in California's Mojave Desert. (It's actually been around off and on since the '50s, but a company called Molycorp has given it a major makeover.) When it's running at full capacity, Mountain Pass will be the largest rare-earths mine in the world, producing upwards of 40,000 tons of the stuff every year.
Which means Molycorp will also have to deal with a whole lot of waste. Rare earths occur naturally with the radioactive elements thorium and uranium, which, if not stored securely, can leach into groundwater or escape into the air as dust. The refining process requires huge amounts of harsh acids, which also have to be disposed of safely. Molycorp claims that its new operations are leak-proof, but the company's ambitious plans have raised a few eyebrows among environmentalists, since the site has a history of spills.
But no matter how quickly new mines open, the United States won't be able to produce enough rare earths on its own—it's thought that North America contains only 15 percent of the world's supply. A recent Congressional Research Service report (PDF) recommended that the US seek reliable sources in other countries.
And the stuff is good for more than just renewable energy technology. Walk down the aisles of your local Best Buy and you'll be hard-pressed to find something that doesn't contain at least one of the rare earths, from smartphones to laptop batteries to flat-screen TVs. They're also crucial for defense technology—radar and sonar systems, tank engines, and the navigation systems in smart bombs.
Given all this, it's not surprising that the rare-earths industry is booming. Demand for the elements has skyrocketed in the past few years, and a recent report predicted it to grow by 50 percent by 2017.
For the last few decades, China controlled the world's market for rare earths, producing about 97 percent of the global supply. But in late 2010, China cut its exports by 35 percent in order to keep the valuable metals for its own manufacturers. The prices of rare earths rose almost immediately. Fearing a shortage, US legislators sprang into action. This past April, Rep. Mike Coffman introduced a bill that would kick-start a domestic rare-earths renaissance in the United States.
A few rare-earths mines are slated to open in the United States in the next few years, the most hyped of which is a facility called Mountain Pass in California's Mojave Desert. (It's actually been around off and on since the '50s, but a company called Molycorp has given it a major makeover.) When it's running at full capacity, Mountain Pass will be the largest rare-earths mine in the world, producing upwards of 40,000 tons of the stuff every year.
Which means Molycorp will also have to deal with a whole lot of waste. Rare earths occur naturally with the radioactive elements thorium and uranium, which, if not stored securely, can leach into groundwater or escape into the air as dust. The refining process requires huge amounts of harsh acids, which also have to be disposed of safely. Molycorp claims that its new operations are leak-proof, but the company's ambitious plans have raised a few eyebrows among environmentalists, since the site has a history of spills.
But no matter how quickly new mines open, the United States won't be able to produce enough rare earths on its own—it's thought that North America contains only 15 percent of the world's supply. A recent Congressional Research Service report (PDF) recommended that the US seek reliable sources in other countries.
2011年11月13日 星期日
Retailers told to save energy to cut costs
SAVING energy is one practical way for retailers to cut costs, a representative from TUV Rheinland Phililippines Inc. said last week.
Speaking before the General Membership Meeting of the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA)-Cebu Chapter last Wednesday, Jong Fernandez of TUV Rheinland Phils. said reducing energy consumption should be part of a company’s program as this would help businesses of any size become competitive and profitable.
He said retailers should use effective energy measures considering the hike of power prices as well as the power supply problem faced by the country today. He said power outages and rotation brownouts caused by the tightening of power supply has affected business operations.
“Saving energy can translate into big savings for the company,” Fernandez said.
According to PRA, power consumption accounts for 35 percent to 55 percent of a retailer’s operational costs.
Fernandez reported the global demand on energy usage is projected to increase by 57 percent in the next 25 years and while more economic activities are geared toward Asia, energy demand in Asia would likely increase by 40 percent in 2032.
Fernandez said that energy is a crucial requirement in any business operation and retailers should employ measures to help them keep track of their energy usage and do corrective actions. He encouraged organizations to look into ISO 50001, an energy management standard that provides organizations with management strategies to increase energy efficiency, reduce costs and improve performance.
Fernandez said companies can use an incentive-driven approach where achievements on energy management are recognized.
He also shared “no-cost practices” in achieving energy management such as habit changes like turning off lights or equipment that are not in use; using compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) instead of incandescent bulbs; using CFL fixtures with reflective backing; and cleaning lamps every six months for efficient energy use.
Fernandez also encouraged Cebuano retailers to participate in the ConservePhil Project, a public-private partnership program on energy conservation.
During the event, PRA also named Casa Verde, Cafe Georg, Shamrock and Cebu Home Builders as outstanding retailers. The group also introduced new members, including Anita’s Bakeshop. KOC with Careen L. Malahay, USJ-R Mass Comm Intern.
Speaking before the General Membership Meeting of the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA)-Cebu Chapter last Wednesday, Jong Fernandez of TUV Rheinland Phils. said reducing energy consumption should be part of a company’s program as this would help businesses of any size become competitive and profitable.
He said retailers should use effective energy measures considering the hike of power prices as well as the power supply problem faced by the country today. He said power outages and rotation brownouts caused by the tightening of power supply has affected business operations.
“Saving energy can translate into big savings for the company,” Fernandez said.
According to PRA, power consumption accounts for 35 percent to 55 percent of a retailer’s operational costs.
Fernandez reported the global demand on energy usage is projected to increase by 57 percent in the next 25 years and while more economic activities are geared toward Asia, energy demand in Asia would likely increase by 40 percent in 2032.
Fernandez said that energy is a crucial requirement in any business operation and retailers should employ measures to help them keep track of their energy usage and do corrective actions. He encouraged organizations to look into ISO 50001, an energy management standard that provides organizations with management strategies to increase energy efficiency, reduce costs and improve performance.
Fernandez said companies can use an incentive-driven approach where achievements on energy management are recognized.
He also shared “no-cost practices” in achieving energy management such as habit changes like turning off lights or equipment that are not in use; using compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) instead of incandescent bulbs; using CFL fixtures with reflective backing; and cleaning lamps every six months for efficient energy use.
Fernandez also encouraged Cebuano retailers to participate in the ConservePhil Project, a public-private partnership program on energy conservation.
During the event, PRA also named Casa Verde, Cafe Georg, Shamrock and Cebu Home Builders as outstanding retailers. The group also introduced new members, including Anita’s Bakeshop. KOC with Careen L. Malahay, USJ-R Mass Comm Intern.
2011年11月9日 星期三
Panasonic Bets the House on Solar and Fuel Cells
As consumers become more aware about electronic waste, conflict minerals and the overall depletion of natural resources, they will start to focus more attention on electronic gadgets and appliances the way they express concerns over their food and clothing. To that end, Panasonic is shifting its strategy as it moves closer to its 100th anniversary in 2018.
Panasonic is now determined to become the number one green innovation company in the electronics industry. The company, which employs over 360,000 people around the globe, plans on minimizing its overall impact on the planet by driving innovation with the environment central in all of its business activities. Hence the Osaka-based giant has a two-pronged approach: “green life” innovation and “green business” innovation.
While most of us in North America grew up with Panasonic with cassette players, CD players, and cutting-edge television sets, Panasonic is a leading home appliance manufacturer in the Asia Pacific region. Panasonic’s drive to push for those innovations, combined with its progress on solar technology and fuel cell development, will drive such changes throughout its operations. The future, as Panasonic sees it, is on display in a prototype house in Tokyo’s Odaiba district–and those homes’ features will be showcased in a co-housing community in Fujisawa, a city of 400,000 that lies between Tokyo and Osaka.
That Panasonic would take the lead in such efforts in no surprise. First you have the legacy of the company’s founder, Konosuke Matsushita, who combined the industrial drive of Henry Ford with a humble style of servant leadership that may remind some Silicon Valley old timers of David Packard and William Hewlett. Add the trauma of this year’s earthquake, tsunami and Fukushima plant horror, and companies on the western side of the Pacific realize they have to step up their efforts on the sustainability front.
Panasonic’s Eco Ideas House channels ancient Japanese construction practices that relied on heat, wind, water and light. Bathrooms showcase water-saving features including a seated spray shower that uses a fraction of the water of a conventional shower–and yes, you still have that iconic Japanese heated toilet seat only it is turned on and off with sensors. Sensors also control both lighting and blinds so that the house stays cool on scorching summer days. LED lights not only turn on and off automatically, but adjust their hues depending on the type of light inhabitants need during the days and evenings.
A fuel cell stands in a garden, partially fueled by heat generation from the air. In the living room, a “wind passage tower” draws cool air from under the house and detects people’s movements to offer comfort with minimum energy consumption. Solar panels on the roof adjacent to a garden eliminates the need for fossil fuels and pushes the home’s efficiency towards carbon neutrality.
Features from these homes will find themselves in the Fujisawa Sustainable Smart Town (SST), which will launch with 200 homes in 2013. Located on a former Panasonic manufacturing site, 1000 homes will generate 30 percent less water consumption and 70 percent less energy usage. Smart grid technologies, or what Panasonic calls a home energy management system (HEMS) will allow homes to contribute energy to the community center and local grid. Electric car chargers will be dotted throughout the development, and open spaces will encourage gardening and outdoor activities.
Panasonic is now determined to become the number one green innovation company in the electronics industry. The company, which employs over 360,000 people around the globe, plans on minimizing its overall impact on the planet by driving innovation with the environment central in all of its business activities. Hence the Osaka-based giant has a two-pronged approach: “green life” innovation and “green business” innovation.
While most of us in North America grew up with Panasonic with cassette players, CD players, and cutting-edge television sets, Panasonic is a leading home appliance manufacturer in the Asia Pacific region. Panasonic’s drive to push for those innovations, combined with its progress on solar technology and fuel cell development, will drive such changes throughout its operations. The future, as Panasonic sees it, is on display in a prototype house in Tokyo’s Odaiba district–and those homes’ features will be showcased in a co-housing community in Fujisawa, a city of 400,000 that lies between Tokyo and Osaka.
That Panasonic would take the lead in such efforts in no surprise. First you have the legacy of the company’s founder, Konosuke Matsushita, who combined the industrial drive of Henry Ford with a humble style of servant leadership that may remind some Silicon Valley old timers of David Packard and William Hewlett. Add the trauma of this year’s earthquake, tsunami and Fukushima plant horror, and companies on the western side of the Pacific realize they have to step up their efforts on the sustainability front.
Panasonic’s Eco Ideas House channels ancient Japanese construction practices that relied on heat, wind, water and light. Bathrooms showcase water-saving features including a seated spray shower that uses a fraction of the water of a conventional shower–and yes, you still have that iconic Japanese heated toilet seat only it is turned on and off with sensors. Sensors also control both lighting and blinds so that the house stays cool on scorching summer days. LED lights not only turn on and off automatically, but adjust their hues depending on the type of light inhabitants need during the days and evenings.
A fuel cell stands in a garden, partially fueled by heat generation from the air. In the living room, a “wind passage tower” draws cool air from under the house and detects people’s movements to offer comfort with minimum energy consumption. Solar panels on the roof adjacent to a garden eliminates the need for fossil fuels and pushes the home’s efficiency towards carbon neutrality.
Features from these homes will find themselves in the Fujisawa Sustainable Smart Town (SST), which will launch with 200 homes in 2013. Located on a former Panasonic manufacturing site, 1000 homes will generate 30 percent less water consumption and 70 percent less energy usage. Smart grid technologies, or what Panasonic calls a home energy management system (HEMS) will allow homes to contribute energy to the community center and local grid. Electric car chargers will be dotted throughout the development, and open spaces will encourage gardening and outdoor activities.
2011年11月8日 星期二
Civic Center Authority cuts ties with Johnson Controls
The Knox County Civic Center Authority Board voted during a special meeting Monday to cut ties with Johnson Controls after trying for 18 months to settle on a contract to oversee the installation of the Orpheum Theatre’s antiquated heating and air conditioning system, a $515,000 project.
At its regular meeting last month, the board was told by Orpheum President Kate Francis that Johnson Controls had indicated it was unable to commit to any of the work for completion by a March 2012 deadline.
The March 2012 deadline is in place for $100,000 in funding from the Western Illinois Regional Council.
At Monday’s meeting, Francis told the board that representatives from two firms – Midwest Engineering Professionals, Morton, and KJWW Engineering Consultants, Rock island, — recently toured the Orpheum and provided information on what work would be able to be completed by the March 2012 deadline.
That work revolves around the energy efficiency retrofit of the theater’s lighting system.
The board opted to move forward with KJWW of Rock Island to oversee the retrofit portion of the project, which is estimated to cost around $125,000. That would still allow the theater to use the WIRC grant of $100,000 and then look at the next phase of addressing the heating/air/ventillation systems.
The board also expressed interest in seeking a proposal from KJWW for that next phase.
KJWW serves the healthcare, education, corporate office, government, community arts and industrial markets. Their services include infrastructure assessments, master plans, medical equipment planning, sustainable/green design, BIM, LEED certification, architectural lighting, acoustical design and systems commissioning. The company has eight U.S. office locations and two international offices.
The firm has done work at the Adler Theatre in Davenport, Iowa, Dahl Chapel in Monmouth and Paramount Theatre in Iowa City, Iowa.
“Their resume is more compatible with our facility,” Francis told the board, explaining KJWW understands the age of the Orpheum and the various funding and bidding processes that must be followed by law.
KJWW will oversee the project and bid out the trade work, she said.
“Both firms admit they are on a tight deadline, but both admit it’s doable if we get moving on it,” Francis said.
At its regular meeting last month, the board was told by Orpheum President Kate Francis that Johnson Controls had indicated it was unable to commit to any of the work for completion by a March 2012 deadline.
The March 2012 deadline is in place for $100,000 in funding from the Western Illinois Regional Council.
At Monday’s meeting, Francis told the board that representatives from two firms – Midwest Engineering Professionals, Morton, and KJWW Engineering Consultants, Rock island, — recently toured the Orpheum and provided information on what work would be able to be completed by the March 2012 deadline.
That work revolves around the energy efficiency retrofit of the theater’s lighting system.
The board opted to move forward with KJWW of Rock Island to oversee the retrofit portion of the project, which is estimated to cost around $125,000. That would still allow the theater to use the WIRC grant of $100,000 and then look at the next phase of addressing the heating/air/ventillation systems.
The board also expressed interest in seeking a proposal from KJWW for that next phase.
KJWW serves the healthcare, education, corporate office, government, community arts and industrial markets. Their services include infrastructure assessments, master plans, medical equipment planning, sustainable/green design, BIM, LEED certification, architectural lighting, acoustical design and systems commissioning. The company has eight U.S. office locations and two international offices.
The firm has done work at the Adler Theatre in Davenport, Iowa, Dahl Chapel in Monmouth and Paramount Theatre in Iowa City, Iowa.
“Their resume is more compatible with our facility,” Francis told the board, explaining KJWW understands the age of the Orpheum and the various funding and bidding processes that must be followed by law.
KJWW will oversee the project and bid out the trade work, she said.
“Both firms admit they are on a tight deadline, but both admit it’s doable if we get moving on it,” Francis said.
2011年11月7日 星期一
Starry-eyed resident has qualms about new lights
Farmington residents may have noticed a change in some of the street lights on their blocks.
The city received stimulus funds to buy 130 light-emitting diode street lights, all but 15 of which have been installed.
"We're close to having them all put up," said Gary Rollstin, engineering supervisor for Farmington's Electric Utility System. "We're putting them up on secondary streets and culs-de-sac."
For the most part, the light replacement has gone smoothly, other than one complaint received by Farmington's City Council.
"At the end of Ute Street a light was changed, and I don't know why, but it's very, very bright," said Councilor Mary Fischer. "If it were in my yard, I would be unhappy about it as well."
Fischer went by to see the light in question and agrees it is a definite and noticeable change.
"The other street lights seem to have a pinkish, orangish cast and are much softer," Fischer said.
According to Rollstin, the LED lights shouldn't be that much brighter than the mercury vapor lights they are replacing.
"The mercury vapor kind is pretty much obsolete. The newest one is 35 years old," Rollstin said. "Night sky people don't like mercury vapors very much. We put these up because they give an equivalent amount of light."
According to Rollstin, the biggest difference other than being more efficient with a longer life span, is in the color of the lights.
"Mercury vapor will look a little purple," Rollstin said. "LEDs are whitish bluish, and the other orange lights that you see most everywhere are high pressure sodium."
Fischer believes there are places where LED lights would be fitting, but she questions the most recent placement.
"This was an instance where no one asked for it to be changed." Fischer said. "Now it makes it almost impossible to do any type of stargazing. I think if somebody seriously objects to them, they should switch them back because it is a very noticeable change. But there are certainly times where these would be ideal, like high-crime areas and places that need to be especially well lit."
The city received stimulus funds to buy 130 light-emitting diode street lights, all but 15 of which have been installed.
"We're close to having them all put up," said Gary Rollstin, engineering supervisor for Farmington's Electric Utility System. "We're putting them up on secondary streets and culs-de-sac."
For the most part, the light replacement has gone smoothly, other than one complaint received by Farmington's City Council.
"At the end of Ute Street a light was changed, and I don't know why, but it's very, very bright," said Councilor Mary Fischer. "If it were in my yard, I would be unhappy about it as well."
Fischer went by to see the light in question and agrees it is a definite and noticeable change.
"The other street lights seem to have a pinkish, orangish cast and are much softer," Fischer said.
According to Rollstin, the LED lights shouldn't be that much brighter than the mercury vapor lights they are replacing.
"The mercury vapor kind is pretty much obsolete. The newest one is 35 years old," Rollstin said. "Night sky people don't like mercury vapors very much. We put these up because they give an equivalent amount of light."
According to Rollstin, the biggest difference other than being more efficient with a longer life span, is in the color of the lights.
"Mercury vapor will look a little purple," Rollstin said. "LEDs are whitish bluish, and the other orange lights that you see most everywhere are high pressure sodium."
Fischer believes there are places where LED lights would be fitting, but she questions the most recent placement.
"This was an instance where no one asked for it to be changed." Fischer said. "Now it makes it almost impossible to do any type of stargazing. I think if somebody seriously objects to them, they should switch them back because it is a very noticeable change. But there are certainly times where these would be ideal, like high-crime areas and places that need to be especially well lit."
2011年11月6日 星期日
Lamp designs can set the tone for a room
While they range in style from classic to whimsical, all lamps are practical and help to brighten any space.
Local interior designer Mary Jane Tallant Fitzerald, owner of Tallanted Interiors, said a lamp from her childhood influenced her passion for design. The small, bedside lamp features a young boy and girl joyfully dancing in front of a welcoming gingerbread-like house.
“My mother did not want to part with it, [but] I have it now,” Fitzgerald said. “[The lamp] had a lot to do with who I am. I believe this lamp is where the seed was planted for me to become a designer.
“The colors shaped who I’ve become. That’s why I believe the design of a room is so important. You must be surrounded by what you love.”
“I call it the ‘I can be anything lamp’ because you can change a look with the lamp,” she said, explaining that the “bunny lamp” is whimsical and fun.
She has it placed on a stack of books to allow for proportion and height, she said. The lamp also helps to establish a theme of a room.
To offer a subdued light, Fitzgerald spruced up a rooster lamp.
“The rooster lamp came from Home Goods about 10 years ago,” she said, noting that she added a rooster ornament she found at a local lighting store, and feathery trim to the shade. “It is sitting on books to give it height,” she said. “It’s a fabulous one-of-a-kind lamp.”
Fitzgerald said she has a passion for lamps.
“I am always buying lamps, swapping shades, covering shades with up to four different fabrics and adding trim — that’s what makes an ordinary lamp extraordinary,” she said.
Devoted Tennessee and McCallie School football fans (son Walker plays football at McCallie), the Fitzgeralds have a University of Tennessee themed playroom. Included in the decor is a football lamp.
“We are extreme Vols football fans, so it lights up that collection,” she said. “The shade is interesting because (it’s) laser cut to show footballs when the light shines through.”
Another lamp high on her list of favorites is a St. Andrew’s lamp she bought in Scotland.
“It has a very special meaning to me, so I made one of our guest bedroom’s have a golf theme,” she said. “And my boys are golfers.” The lamp sits on a stack of golf books and business books. “They are color coordinated and proportionate — very important.”
An annual must-have for every home is an oriental lamp, Fitzgerald said. “It adds character and dimension,” she said.
While Fitzgerald said she routinely dresses up lamp shades with fabrics and trims, she sometimes adds jewelry to the mix.
“I love giving it that little extra touch,” she said. “I do it quite often with velvet ribbon and old beautiful pins. I just try different types of pins until I find what I like.”
Vintage lamps add character to a home, she said.
“Tole lamps with metal shield shades are interesting,” she said. “The shade is like an old fan or shield but the light is really good and comes out the bottom and top. They are great on my piano.”
The cost of a lamp does not have to be a budget breaker, she said.
Fitzgerald’s coral-like base lamp from Home Goods with a linen shade represents a modern design trend, she said. It cost $50.
Fitzgerald said she does not like twisted, compact fluorescent bulbs.
“Don’t get me started about the new bulbs — a bulb in the lighting world is called a lamp,” she said. “I hate them. The light they put out is terrible. Just give me a soft 75-watt incandescent or a three-way soft, of course, and I’m happy.”
Local interior designer Mary Jane Tallant Fitzerald, owner of Tallanted Interiors, said a lamp from her childhood influenced her passion for design. The small, bedside lamp features a young boy and girl joyfully dancing in front of a welcoming gingerbread-like house.
“My mother did not want to part with it, [but] I have it now,” Fitzgerald said. “[The lamp] had a lot to do with who I am. I believe this lamp is where the seed was planted for me to become a designer.
“The colors shaped who I’ve become. That’s why I believe the design of a room is so important. You must be surrounded by what you love.”
“I call it the ‘I can be anything lamp’ because you can change a look with the lamp,” she said, explaining that the “bunny lamp” is whimsical and fun.
She has it placed on a stack of books to allow for proportion and height, she said. The lamp also helps to establish a theme of a room.
To offer a subdued light, Fitzgerald spruced up a rooster lamp.
“The rooster lamp came from Home Goods about 10 years ago,” she said, noting that she added a rooster ornament she found at a local lighting store, and feathery trim to the shade. “It is sitting on books to give it height,” she said. “It’s a fabulous one-of-a-kind lamp.”
Fitzgerald said she has a passion for lamps.
“I am always buying lamps, swapping shades, covering shades with up to four different fabrics and adding trim — that’s what makes an ordinary lamp extraordinary,” she said.
Devoted Tennessee and McCallie School football fans (son Walker plays football at McCallie), the Fitzgeralds have a University of Tennessee themed playroom. Included in the decor is a football lamp.
“We are extreme Vols football fans, so it lights up that collection,” she said. “The shade is interesting because (it’s) laser cut to show footballs when the light shines through.”
Another lamp high on her list of favorites is a St. Andrew’s lamp she bought in Scotland.
“It has a very special meaning to me, so I made one of our guest bedroom’s have a golf theme,” she said. “And my boys are golfers.” The lamp sits on a stack of golf books and business books. “They are color coordinated and proportionate — very important.”
An annual must-have for every home is an oriental lamp, Fitzgerald said. “It adds character and dimension,” she said.
While Fitzgerald said she routinely dresses up lamp shades with fabrics and trims, she sometimes adds jewelry to the mix.
“I love giving it that little extra touch,” she said. “I do it quite often with velvet ribbon and old beautiful pins. I just try different types of pins until I find what I like.”
Vintage lamps add character to a home, she said.
“Tole lamps with metal shield shades are interesting,” she said. “The shade is like an old fan or shield but the light is really good and comes out the bottom and top. They are great on my piano.”
The cost of a lamp does not have to be a budget breaker, she said.
Fitzgerald’s coral-like base lamp from Home Goods with a linen shade represents a modern design trend, she said. It cost $50.
Fitzgerald said she does not like twisted, compact fluorescent bulbs.
“Don’t get me started about the new bulbs — a bulb in the lighting world is called a lamp,” she said. “I hate them. The light they put out is terrible. Just give me a soft 75-watt incandescent or a three-way soft, of course, and I’m happy.”
2011年11月2日 星期三
Larson Electronics' Magnalight Announces Addition of Versatile Magnetic Mount LED Task Light
Larson Electronics' Magnalight has announced the addition of a portable LED task light to its line of LED lighting products. The SCLED-H5 rechargeable LED task light provides both a spot beam and floodlight capability for applications where distance as well as wide area illumination is needed. A magnetic mounting base and integrated grappling hook allow users to easily secure this light in a variety of locations and a rechargeable and removable battery provides an economical power source.
The SCLED-H5 rechargeable LED task light provides operators with a versatile and effective portable lighting solution that lasts longer and is more durable than traditional incandescent task lights.
Producing as much illumination as a standard 75 watt incandescent light bulb, this rechargeable light can be hung overhead from grates, ladders, scaffolding, or similar structures or simply mounted to a flat metallic surface via a 100lbs grip magnetic base. A durable housing and LED lamp assembly produces a rugged unit that will resist damage from impacts and vibrations and provides a lamp life rating of 50,000 hours. A rechargeable battery pack provides power and is recharged with an included 120VAC wall charging unit.
This LED task light produces a spotlight/floodlight combination that is operated via a front mounted switch, similar to our line of hunting lights, and has a light color temperature of 6500 Kelvin. The Magnalight compact LED task light is ideal for workers in jobs that require a high degree of mobility and a readily available source of temporarily mounted illumination. This lightweight and durable LED task light is ideal for illuminating small areas where hands free operation is needed and will provide plenty of runtime on a single charge of its battery pack.
"Many of our industrial machine operators are looking for magnetic mount, vibration resistant LED lights that they can move from machine to machine," said Rob Bresnahan with Larson Electronics' Magnalight. "The SCLED-H5 magnetically mounted, rechargeable LED task light that can be used as a portable trouble light or as a magnetically mounted LED work light."
Larson Electronics' Magnalight carries an extensive line of LED lights, LED flashlights, rechargeable lights, hunting spotlights, and portable work lights.
The SCLED-H5 rechargeable LED task light provides operators with a versatile and effective portable lighting solution that lasts longer and is more durable than traditional incandescent task lights.
Producing as much illumination as a standard 75 watt incandescent light bulb, this rechargeable light can be hung overhead from grates, ladders, scaffolding, or similar structures or simply mounted to a flat metallic surface via a 100lbs grip magnetic base. A durable housing and LED lamp assembly produces a rugged unit that will resist damage from impacts and vibrations and provides a lamp life rating of 50,000 hours. A rechargeable battery pack provides power and is recharged with an included 120VAC wall charging unit.
This LED task light produces a spotlight/floodlight combination that is operated via a front mounted switch, similar to our line of hunting lights, and has a light color temperature of 6500 Kelvin. The Magnalight compact LED task light is ideal for workers in jobs that require a high degree of mobility and a readily available source of temporarily mounted illumination. This lightweight and durable LED task light is ideal for illuminating small areas where hands free operation is needed and will provide plenty of runtime on a single charge of its battery pack.
"Many of our industrial machine operators are looking for magnetic mount, vibration resistant LED lights that they can move from machine to machine," said Rob Bresnahan with Larson Electronics' Magnalight. "The SCLED-H5 magnetically mounted, rechargeable LED task light that can be used as a portable trouble light or as a magnetically mounted LED work light."
Larson Electronics' Magnalight carries an extensive line of LED lights, LED flashlights, rechargeable lights, hunting spotlights, and portable work lights.
2011年11月1日 星期二
Nordic Naturals is First NSF Certified Dietary Supplement Company
Nordic Naturals has become the first NSF certified supplier and marketer of dietary supplements in the US to build a new LEED Gold certified facility. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), is an internationally recognized green building certification system that promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability. At 87,000 square feet, Nordic Naturals' two-story Watsonville, CA headquarters with warehouse and fulfillment is the largest LEED Gold certified building in the tri-county area and sits amid 108,500 square feet of undisturbed wildlife habitat.
According to Joar Opheim, Nordic Naturals Founder and CEO, "Visitors are surprised to see that most of the flooring is cork. Cork oak bark can be harvested up to 20 times during its lifetime and is extremely resistant to heat, sound, and wear, making it an ideal green building material. Employees have commented on enjoying a nicer work environment and increased productivity due to improved lighting, sound, air circulation, and a noticeable absence of chemicals used in typical construction."
Some of the building highlights include: skylights and localized radiant heat in warehouse; gym/workout/shower area with recycled rubber flooring; manually operated folding partitions and flexible lighting controls to divide conference rooms into smaller areas; water purification systems in kitchens and coffee bars; bathroom wall and floor tile made from 40% recycled material without solvents in their glazes; bicycle parking; landscaping that uses 55% less water; 44% water savings from low-flow toilets, faucets, and showerheads; electrical energy use reduction by 31%; recycled material use throughout the structure accounts for almost 26% of the total material costs; local products and regional materials at 32% of the total material costs; reduction of indoor contaminants; and no PVCs, VOCs, formaldehyde or heavy metals in wall coverings. At each step, Nordic Naturals partnered with green builders and designers to incorporate products that conserve resources and improve health.
Nordic Naturals' builder Ausonio Inc., a design & construction company in Castroville, won a prestigious Tilt-Up Achievement Award for the new headquarters. The project management and interior design was completed by Vivian Gunnerengen with Interior Lighting and Design of Santa Cruz.
Since 1995, Nordic Naturals has been the industry leader in fish oil supplementation, setting standards of excellence in the areas of purity, freshness, taste, and sustainability. With their reputation for efficacy and potency, Nordic Naturals fish oils and EFA blends are regularly chosen for study by independent research institutions and universities.
According to Joar Opheim, Nordic Naturals Founder and CEO, "Visitors are surprised to see that most of the flooring is cork. Cork oak bark can be harvested up to 20 times during its lifetime and is extremely resistant to heat, sound, and wear, making it an ideal green building material. Employees have commented on enjoying a nicer work environment and increased productivity due to improved lighting, sound, air circulation, and a noticeable absence of chemicals used in typical construction."
Some of the building highlights include: skylights and localized radiant heat in warehouse; gym/workout/shower area with recycled rubber flooring; manually operated folding partitions and flexible lighting controls to divide conference rooms into smaller areas; water purification systems in kitchens and coffee bars; bathroom wall and floor tile made from 40% recycled material without solvents in their glazes; bicycle parking; landscaping that uses 55% less water; 44% water savings from low-flow toilets, faucets, and showerheads; electrical energy use reduction by 31%; recycled material use throughout the structure accounts for almost 26% of the total material costs; local products and regional materials at 32% of the total material costs; reduction of indoor contaminants; and no PVCs, VOCs, formaldehyde or heavy metals in wall coverings. At each step, Nordic Naturals partnered with green builders and designers to incorporate products that conserve resources and improve health.
Nordic Naturals' builder Ausonio Inc., a design & construction company in Castroville, won a prestigious Tilt-Up Achievement Award for the new headquarters. The project management and interior design was completed by Vivian Gunnerengen with Interior Lighting and Design of Santa Cruz.
Since 1995, Nordic Naturals has been the industry leader in fish oil supplementation, setting standards of excellence in the areas of purity, freshness, taste, and sustainability. With their reputation for efficacy and potency, Nordic Naturals fish oils and EFA blends are regularly chosen for study by independent research institutions and universities.
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