NEWS BRIEFS FOR THE WEEK OF
APRIL 27, 2006Is The Death Tax Headed
For Extinction? WASHINGTON (April 13, 2006) - "It's been said that having your own business means working 80 hours a week so you can avoid working 40 hours a week for somebody else," said President Bush in his address to a conference celebrating Small Business Week. The president acknowledged that owning your own business is a great responsibility. He added that two keys to the success of small businesses is the nurturing of an environment that keeps taxes low and putting pro-growth economic policies in place, starting with real, substantial tax cuts. While he mentioned several personal cuts, he spoke at length on repealing the death tax. Bush stated, "We passed something else that I think makes a lot of sense for the small business owner and the farmer and the rancher, ... we put the death tax on the way to extinction." He noted however there the death tax will return in 2011 unless Congress moves to abolish it permanently. He added, "It makes no sense for you to have to pay taxes while you're alive, and then pay taxes on the same business after you die." Under federal tax legislation passed in 2001, Congress reduced the death tax over time until it reaches zero percent for one year in 2010. However, it returns in 2011 to the confiscatory rate of 55 percent. The House approved the full repeal of the tax in April 2005. A Senate vote on full repeal is anticipated a month from now, following the Spring break. (Source: White House)Big Oil Under Fire BLOOMINGTON, IL (April 6, 2006) - Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has been joined by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Barack Obama in questioning large oil company policy that may be slowing the expansion of E85 fueling sites. The trio sent a formal letter to top executives of six of the nation's largest oil companies asking for documentation of corporate policies that act as a barrier to expansion of alternative fueling of E85 (85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline) and B20 (a biodiesel blend from soybeans). In the letter sent to the oil companies - Exxon Mobil, Conoco-Phillips, Chevron, Valero Energy Corp., Shell Oil and BP America - the three legislators expressed concern that out of 108 total E85 stations in Illinois, just a few are stations branded by the big oil companies. The letter stated, "Since Illinois is the nation's leading ethanol user and the nation's second largest ethanol producer, we are particularly interested in expanding the availability of E-85. We are concerned about the glaring lack of availability of E-85 and B-20 at gas stations branded by major oil companies. Of the gas stations in Illinois that sell E-85, only three are operated by franchises branded by major oil companies." Governor Blagojevich had also written in January to the Federal Trade Commission, asking them to investigate potentially illegal policies by major petroleum companies that discourage the sale of biofuels and asked U.S. Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman to review E-85 availability. In response, U.S. Energy Secretary Sam Bodman indicated he would speak with the oil companies and discuss their policies on promoting alternative fuels. (Source: Illinois Corn Growers Association) Diesel Vehicle Demand to Double Within 10 Years WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA (April 13, 2006) - Global demand for diesel light-duty vehicles is expected to nearly double over the next 10 years - increasing from 15 million sales in 2005 to 29 million in 2015 - according to J.D. Power Automotive Forecasting (JDP). JDP projects the global market share for diesel-powered cars and light trucks will reach 26 percent by 2015 - an increase from 18 percent in 2005. While Western Europe has been the key driver in the rapid growth of diesel vehicle demand for the past 10 years, the group says that increasing demand from consumers in other regions will drive growth during the next decade. JDP expects demand in Eastern Europe to eclipse that of Western Europe during the forecast period. The diesel share of U.S. light-vehicle sales is expected to increase from 3.2 percent in 2005 to more than 10 percent by the middle of the next decade. Conversely, prospects for diesel light-vehicle demand within Asian markets remains mixed. JDP says the market is still developing in China, but sees South Korea and India as markets for diesel growth in Asia, while near- and mid-term prospects for diesel vehicle sales in Japan remain limited. "As a proven, cost-effective and 'off-the-shelf' solution, diesel has a head start over other emerging fuel-efficient technologies," said Alastair Bedwell, senior manager for J.D. Power Automotive Forecasting. "With energy prices at elevated levels and new regulatory pressure to improve light-truck fuel efficiency, a range of fuel-efficient alternatives to the conventional gasoline engine will be required. The United States and Canada are markets with enormous potential for diesel light-vehicle sales." Volkswagen is expected to remain the largest global supplier of diesel-fueled light vehicles, followed by Ford Motor Company. Additionally, Toyota is slated to be the fastest-growing global diesel new-vehicle provider from 2005 through 2015. (Source: J. D. Power Automotive Forecasting) University Builds World's First Single-Molecule Car HOUSTON, TX (April 12, 2006) - Rice University researchers have built the world's smallest car: a single-molecule "nanocar" that contains a chassis, axles and four buckyball wheels.
APRIL 27, 2006Is The Death Tax Headed
For Extinction? WASHINGTON (April 13, 2006) - "It's been said that having your own business means working 80 hours a week so you can avoid working 40 hours a week for somebody else," said President Bush in his address to a conference celebrating Small Business Week. The president acknowledged that owning your own business is a great responsibility. He added that two keys to the success of small businesses is the nurturing of an environment that keeps taxes low and putting pro-growth economic policies in place, starting with real, substantial tax cuts. While he mentioned several personal cuts, he spoke at length on repealing the death tax. Bush stated, "We passed something else that I think makes a lot of sense for the small business owner and the farmer and the rancher, ... we put the death tax on the way to extinction." He noted however there the death tax will return in 2011 unless Congress moves to abolish it permanently. He added, "It makes no sense for you to have to pay taxes while you're alive, and then pay taxes on the same business after you die." Under federal tax legislation passed in 2001, Congress reduced the death tax over time until it reaches zero percent for one year in 2010. However, it returns in 2011 to the confiscatory rate of 55 percent. The House approved the full repeal of the tax in April 2005. A Senate vote on full repeal is anticipated a month from now, following the Spring break. (Source: White House)Big Oil Under Fire BLOOMINGTON, IL (April 6, 2006) - Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has been joined by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Barack Obama in questioning large oil company policy that may be slowing the expansion of E85 fueling sites. The trio sent a formal letter to top executives of six of the nation's largest oil companies asking for documentation of corporate policies that act as a barrier to expansion of alternative fueling of E85 (85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline) and B20 (a biodiesel blend from soybeans). In the letter sent to the oil companies - Exxon Mobil, Conoco-Phillips, Chevron, Valero Energy Corp., Shell Oil and BP America - the three legislators expressed concern that out of 108 total E85 stations in Illinois, just a few are stations branded by the big oil companies. The letter stated, "Since Illinois is the nation's leading ethanol user and the nation's second largest ethanol producer, we are particularly interested in expanding the availability of E-85. We are concerned about the glaring lack of availability of E-85 and B-20 at gas stations branded by major oil companies. Of the gas stations in Illinois that sell E-85, only three are operated by franchises branded by major oil companies." Governor Blagojevich had also written in January to the Federal Trade Commission, asking them to investigate potentially illegal policies by major petroleum companies that discourage the sale of biofuels and asked U.S. Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman to review E-85 availability. In response, U.S. Energy Secretary Sam Bodman indicated he would speak with the oil companies and discuss their policies on promoting alternative fuels. (Source: Illinois Corn Growers Association) Diesel Vehicle Demand to Double Within 10 Years WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA (April 13, 2006) - Global demand for diesel light-duty vehicles is expected to nearly double over the next 10 years - increasing from 15 million sales in 2005 to 29 million in 2015 - according to J.D. Power Automotive Forecasting (JDP). JDP projects the global market share for diesel-powered cars and light trucks will reach 26 percent by 2015 - an increase from 18 percent in 2005. While Western Europe has been the key driver in the rapid growth of diesel vehicle demand for the past 10 years, the group says that increasing demand from consumers in other regions will drive growth during the next decade. JDP expects demand in Eastern Europe to eclipse that of Western Europe during the forecast period. The diesel share of U.S. light-vehicle sales is expected to increase from 3.2 percent in 2005 to more than 10 percent by the middle of the next decade. Conversely, prospects for diesel light-vehicle demand within Asian markets remains mixed. JDP says the market is still developing in China, but sees South Korea and India as markets for diesel growth in Asia, while near- and mid-term prospects for diesel vehicle sales in Japan remain limited. "As a proven, cost-effective and 'off-the-shelf' solution, diesel has a head start over other emerging fuel-efficient technologies," said Alastair Bedwell, senior manager for J.D. Power Automotive Forecasting. "With energy prices at elevated levels and new regulatory pressure to improve light-truck fuel efficiency, a range of fuel-efficient alternatives to the conventional gasoline engine will be required. The United States and Canada are markets with enormous potential for diesel light-vehicle sales." Volkswagen is expected to remain the largest global supplier of diesel-fueled light vehicles, followed by Ford Motor Company. Additionally, Toyota is slated to be the fastest-growing global diesel new-vehicle provider from 2005 through 2015. (Source: J. D. Power Automotive Forecasting) University Builds World's First Single-Molecule Car HOUSTON, TX (April 12, 2006) - Rice University researchers have built the world's smallest car: a single-molecule "nanocar" that contains a chassis, axles and four buckyball wheels.
Rice University's nanocar.
(Photo: Rice University/ Y.
Shira) "The synthesis and testing of nanocars and other molecular machines is providing critical insight in our investigations of bottom-up molecular manufacturing," said Professor James M. Tour. "We'd eventually like to move objects and do work in a controlled fashion on the molecular scale, and these vehicles are great test beds for that. They're helping us learn the ground rules." The nanocar consists of a chassis and axles made of well-defined organic groups with pivoting suspension and freely rotating axles. The wheels are buckyballs, spheres of pure carbon containing 60 atoms apiece. The entire car measures just 3 to 4 nanometers across, making it slightly wider than a strand of DNA. A human hair, by comparison, is about 80,000 nanometers in diameter. Assistant Professor Kevin F. Kelly, the study co-author, said that while other researchers had built nanoscale objects shaped like automobiles, the Rice discovery was the first vehicle that actually functions like a car, rolling on four wheels in a self-propelled direction perpendicular to its axles. In addition, the research team has found a way to grab the cars with a probe tip and pull them. The Rice team has already followed up the nanocar work by designing a light-driven nanocar and a nanotruck that's capable of carrying a payload. The nanovehicles pave the way for other molecular machines that can help provide innovation across a wide range of industries, say researchers. (Source: Rice University)Tool Combines Best of
Wrench, Pliers CHICAGO, IL (April 23, 2006) - Loggerhead Tools LLC has introduced an innovative "Bionic Wrench" to hand tool users across a number of industries. Recently patented, the new wrench is a hybrid of an adjustable wrench with the ease of use of a pair of pliers. The Bionic Wrench attacks a bolt or nut on all 6 flat sides, removing the stress and strain on the corners of the bolt, says Loggerhead. This design, coupled with the gripping action of the jaws, allows the user to complete work without the wrench slipping off and damaging the bolt. The design of the wrench multiplies gripping force, so the user can more easily tighten/loosen bolts. Three Bionic Wrenches are available - 6-, 8- and 10-inch models - that cover 16 SAE sizes and 22 metric sizes. (Source: LoggerHead Tools
LLC) USB Flash Keys Provide Easy-To-Retrieve Backup For Records BOCA RATON, FL (April 19, 2006) - With the recent havoc that tornadoes have caused, one is reminded of the many types of emergencies in which a quick escape is the harsh reality.
Emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere. Being prepared is your best defense.
(Photo: Emergency File Inc.) Whether a hurricane, flood, fire, toxic spill, terror threat or some other disaster, the need to proactively protect and preserve personal and business records is paramount. Yet according to a recent survey conducted by the Wirthlin Group, a research based consulting firm, fewer than two in 10 respondents say they are prepared for a sudden emergency. One method to organize vital data and memories is to utilize USB flash keys. Having emergency information organized and readily available facilitates a faster response time by medical, emergency services. Preserving business financial documents, pictures of the facility and equipment for insurance purposes, and other important records will facilitate insurance claims and enable a shop to get back into the flow of business faster and more accurately in the recovery period after a disaster and beyond. The anti-shock, water-resistant flash key can be plugged into a USB port on any computer, whether uploading data prior to an event or downloading material afterwards. Flash keys can be attached to a key ring, with duplicates (keys or printouts in binders) stored in safe places as a backup. In addition, there are firms such as Emergency File Inc. that provide flash keys with built-in password protection and data encryption to provide users with security for sensitive records. (Source: Emergency File Inc.) BW, EPA Announce Technology Development Partnership AUURN HILLS, MI (April 18, 2006) - BorgWarner (BW) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement to develop advanced air management technologies that will enable the automotive and trucking industries to use EPA's Clean Diesel Combustion (CDC) and High-Efficiency Gasoline combustion technologies. The partnership is particularly focused on air management, advanced turbocharging and electronic sensor technologies that lead to products that improve efficiency with lower emissions, and have the best potential for commercialization. BW CEO Tim Manganello said, "BorgWarner and the EPA are working quickly to develop these concepts into market-ready products, in order to provide automotive and truck manufacturers with hardware and know-how to improve both clean diesel engines and create more efficient gasoline engine technologies." Manganello said. "These clean combustion technologies attack emissions at the source - in the combustion chamber - instead of solely relying on after-treatment. They provide the technical means for diesels to meet EPA's Tier 2 Light Duty and 2010 Heavy Duty Diesel rules." Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum, said that the next generation of clean diesel engines features extremely attractive technologies to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil and to reduce emission of greenhouse gases. He pointed out the impact on U.S. oil imports by saying, "If clean diesel cars and light trucks made up 30 percent of the U.S. auto market, we'd save about 1.4 million barrels of oil a day. The technical challenge has been to cost-effectively make these engines clean, while maintaining or improving fuel efficiency. This partnership between BorgWarner and the EPA addresses that challenge head-on." (Source: BorgWarner, EPA) Nissan Adds Distance Control Assist to Its Safety Concept GARDENA, CA (March 16, 2006) - Nissan has announced details of a new electronic Distance Control Assist (DCA) system that will be integrated into its Safety Shield program. The system will be of particular benefit in heavier traffic situations.
(Photo: Emergency File Inc.) Whether a hurricane, flood, fire, toxic spill, terror threat or some other disaster, the need to proactively protect and preserve personal and business records is paramount. Yet according to a recent survey conducted by the Wirthlin Group, a research based consulting firm, fewer than two in 10 respondents say they are prepared for a sudden emergency. One method to organize vital data and memories is to utilize USB flash keys. Having emergency information organized and readily available facilitates a faster response time by medical, emergency services. Preserving business financial documents, pictures of the facility and equipment for insurance purposes, and other important records will facilitate insurance claims and enable a shop to get back into the flow of business faster and more accurately in the recovery period after a disaster and beyond. The anti-shock, water-resistant flash key can be plugged into a USB port on any computer, whether uploading data prior to an event or downloading material afterwards. Flash keys can be attached to a key ring, with duplicates (keys or printouts in binders) stored in safe places as a backup. In addition, there are firms such as Emergency File Inc. that provide flash keys with built-in password protection and data encryption to provide users with security for sensitive records. (Source: Emergency File Inc.) BW, EPA Announce Technology Development Partnership AUURN HILLS, MI (April 18, 2006) - BorgWarner (BW) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement to develop advanced air management technologies that will enable the automotive and trucking industries to use EPA's Clean Diesel Combustion (CDC) and High-Efficiency Gasoline combustion technologies. The partnership is particularly focused on air management, advanced turbocharging and electronic sensor technologies that lead to products that improve efficiency with lower emissions, and have the best potential for commercialization. BW CEO Tim Manganello said, "BorgWarner and the EPA are working quickly to develop these concepts into market-ready products, in order to provide automotive and truck manufacturers with hardware and know-how to improve both clean diesel engines and create more efficient gasoline engine technologies." Manganello said. "These clean combustion technologies attack emissions at the source - in the combustion chamber - instead of solely relying on after-treatment. They provide the technical means for diesels to meet EPA's Tier 2 Light Duty and 2010 Heavy Duty Diesel rules." Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum, said that the next generation of clean diesel engines features extremely attractive technologies to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil and to reduce emission of greenhouse gases. He pointed out the impact on U.S. oil imports by saying, "If clean diesel cars and light trucks made up 30 percent of the U.S. auto market, we'd save about 1.4 million barrels of oil a day. The technical challenge has been to cost-effectively make these engines clean, while maintaining or improving fuel efficiency. This partnership between BorgWarner and the EPA addresses that challenge head-on." (Source: BorgWarner, EPA) Nissan Adds Distance Control Assist to Its Safety Concept GARDENA, CA (March 16, 2006) - Nissan has announced details of a new electronic Distance Control Assist (DCA) system that will be integrated into its Safety Shield program. The system will be of particular benefit in heavier traffic situations.
DCA System
(Photo: Nissan) Using a front bumper-mounted radar system, DCA is able to determine the following distance of the driver, as well as the relative speed of both cars. If the driver releases the gas pedal or is not pressing the gas pedal, the system automatically applies the brakes when needed, while sounding a warning buzzer in the cabin and turning on a warning light. While under braking, the gas pedal automatically moves upward to assist the driver in switching to the brakes, if not already done. (Source: Nissan) Toyota Fine-T Concept Is Consumer-, Environment-Friendly
NEW YORK, NY (April 19, 2006) - Toyota displayed its Fine-T concept car to the American public at the New York International Auto Show this week, following up it's debut (as the Fine-X) in Tokyo and North American debut last January in Detroit. The concept is designed to minimize environmental impact while maximizing passenger expectations, together with providing high levels of safety, says Toyota.
(Photo: Nissan) Using a front bumper-mounted radar system, DCA is able to determine the following distance of the driver, as well as the relative speed of both cars. If the driver releases the gas pedal or is not pressing the gas pedal, the system automatically applies the brakes when needed, while sounding a warning buzzer in the cabin and turning on a warning light. While under braking, the gas pedal automatically moves upward to assist the driver in switching to the brakes, if not already done. (Source: Nissan) Toyota Fine-T Concept Is Consumer-, Environment-Friendly
NEW YORK, NY (April 19, 2006) - Toyota displayed its Fine-T concept car to the American public at the New York International Auto Show this week, following up it's debut (as the Fine-X) in Tokyo and North American debut last January in Detroit. The concept is designed to minimize environmental impact while maximizing passenger expectations, together with providing high levels of safety, says Toyota.
Originally introduced in Japan as the Fine-X, the Toyota Fine-T can turn 360 degrees in either
direction within its own length. Inset: As the gull-wing doors open, the driver's seat rotates outward to assist in boarding.
(Photo: Toyota) The Fine-T features gull-wing doors with seats that swivel outwards making entry or egress effortless. Once settled inside, the seat glides automatically back into the operating position. Much of the Fine-T's interior is made from plant-based carbon-neutral materials, such as the floor mats, door trim and top liner. Together with its low-emission fuel cell system, the Fine-T delivers consumer conveniences and close to zero environmental impact, adds the automaker. Maneuvering "on-the-spot" in cramped quarters, such as dead-end streets, narrow lanes or exiting from tight parallel parking spaces is facilitated by its four-wheel independent drive control, large steering angle mechanism and in-wheel motors. The vehicle can turn 360 degrees within its own length in either direction. Occupant safety is enhanced by the deployment of video cameras in the front, rear and side door handles. The Fine-T is built on an advanced fuel cell hybrid-electric platform. The fuel cell stack, battery and other hybrid-electric components are mounted beneath the vehicle, enabling a lower center of gravity, lower moment of inertia and more cabin space, says the automaker. In addition, a drive-by-wire system connects the driver's controls to actuators that operate a number of vehicle functions. (Source: Toyota) Louisiana Looking to License
Glass Installers BATON ROUGE, LA (April 21, 2006) - Auto glass installers will have to earn a license in Lousiana if a bill that passed the Lousiana House of Representatives becomes law. House Bill 259, sponsored by Representative Joe Salter (D-Florien) would require that automotive glass installers pass a test and pay a fee of up to $75 to certify that they are qualified to install windshields and other windows in the state. Salter said that improperly installed windshields are a problem in the state. The measure passed by a 70 to 30 vote. Glass installers who operate without a license could face fines of up to $1,000 per day.
(Photo: Toyota) The Fine-T features gull-wing doors with seats that swivel outwards making entry or egress effortless. Once settled inside, the seat glides automatically back into the operating position. Much of the Fine-T's interior is made from plant-based carbon-neutral materials, such as the floor mats, door trim and top liner. Together with its low-emission fuel cell system, the Fine-T delivers consumer conveniences and close to zero environmental impact, adds the automaker. Maneuvering "on-the-spot" in cramped quarters, such as dead-end streets, narrow lanes or exiting from tight parallel parking spaces is facilitated by its four-wheel independent drive control, large steering angle mechanism and in-wheel motors. The vehicle can turn 360 degrees within its own length in either direction. Occupant safety is enhanced by the deployment of video cameras in the front, rear and side door handles. The Fine-T is built on an advanced fuel cell hybrid-electric platform. The fuel cell stack, battery and other hybrid-electric components are mounted beneath the vehicle, enabling a lower center of gravity, lower moment of inertia and more cabin space, says the automaker. In addition, a drive-by-wire system connects the driver's controls to actuators that operate a number of vehicle functions. (Source: Toyota) Louisiana Looking to License
Glass Installers BATON ROUGE, LA (April 21, 2006) - Auto glass installers will have to earn a license in Lousiana if a bill that passed the Lousiana House of Representatives becomes law. House Bill 259, sponsored by Representative Joe Salter (D-Florien) would require that automotive glass installers pass a test and pay a fee of up to $75 to certify that they are qualified to install windshields and other windows in the state. Salter said that improperly installed windshields are a problem in the state. The measure passed by a 70 to 30 vote. Glass installers who operate without a license could face fines of up to $1,000 per day.
(Source: Louisiana
State Legislature)
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