October 17, 2008 AAMA hosted local architects during the Architects of a Better Mind educational seminar presented at the Las Vegas Convention Center on October 6 and 7. The event focused on up-to-date insights on residential and commercial fenestration product applications. Offered concurrently with the GlassBuild America trade show, the seminar featured eight one-hour AIA-accredited Learning Unit courses, each qualifying for Health, Safety and Welfare continuing education credits.

October 16, 2008 By significantly reducing uncertainty in delicate measurements of microwave signals, amplifier could boost speed and precision of quantum computing and communications systems. Unit is tunable and operates between 4 and 8 GHz according to JILA group leader Konrad Lehnert. Consisting of 5 mm long niobium cavity lined with 480 magnetic sensors, device is first amplifier to boost signals sufficiently to overcome noise generated by next amplifier in serial along signal path.

October 16, 2008 Using highly uniform samples of carbon nanotubes, sorted by centrifuge for length, scientists at NIST have made precise measurements of concentrations at which delicate mats of nanotubes become transparent, conducting sheets. Experiments point out importance of using relatively homogeneous nanotubes for making conducting films. Potential applications include transparent electrical shielding materials, flexible video displays, thin-film chemical sensors, and other foldable electronics.

October 16, 2008 Using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, NIST scientists demonstrated that gold nanostars exhibit optical qualities that make them superior for chemical and biological sensing and imaging. Team tested optical properties using 2-mercaptopyridine and crystal violet molecules and found that Raman signal of 2-mercaptopyridine was 100,000 stronger when nanostars were present. Nanoparticles may one day be used in applications ranging from disease diagnostics to contraband identification.

October 16, 2008 Released by NIST scientists, updated technical specification for Personal Identity Verification cards will assist federal departments and agencies that are implementing PIV system as well as vendors and systems integrators that supply PIV system components and services. NIST Special Publication 800-73-2, Interfaces for Personal Identity Verification, details what data objects are stored on PIV card, how they are encoded, and how to retrieve and use data objects from card.

October 16, 2008 Carried out by NIST and USCAR, tests indicates that automotive manufacturing facilities are highly reflective, reverberant environments that can complicate performance of wireless technology. Measured results provide key parameters that describe wireless propagation environment, which is useful for assessing deployment of wireless technology in industrial manufacturing, for standards development, and qualifying performance of wireless equipment in highly reflective environments.

October 16, 2008 The Fieldbus Foundation announced it has registered the FOUNDATION(TM) fieldbus H1 cable. Registration helps ensure reliable physical layer performance and that the cable withstands high-temperature and corrosive environments. Specification test cases from Document FF-844, based on IEC 61158-2:2003 standard, include impedance, capacitive unbalance, connector pin-outs, and attenuation. Belden, Northwire, Phoenix Contact, and Rockbestos-Surprenant Cable Corp. have passed the registration process.

October 16, 2008 Scheduled for Nov 4-5 in Singapore, IPC Executive Market and Technology Forum Conference will include business outlook by Walt Custer, market and industry analyst, and president of Custer Consulting Group. Attendees will also learn about environmental megatrends that are shaping future of industry, latest research in photovoltaics, opportunities in industrial electronics market, and trends in cross-border mergers and acquisitions in industry.

October 15, 2008 On Oct 28-29, 2008, IPC and SMTA will host cleaning symposium titled "High-Performance Electronics Assembly Cleaning." Keynotes will cover evolution of manufacturing residues and their effects on electronics assembly, as well as nozzle design and implementation for cleaning residues from high-density, low-profile assemblies. Event will also address cleaning standards and regulations, electronic cleaning fluid designs, cleanliness assessment, and lead-free cleaning.

October 15, 2008 The Association supports the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act 2008, which extends the R&D tax credit to December 31, 2009. This allows businesses to apply for a dollar for dollar reduction of tax for qualified activities and also increases the Alternative Simplified Credit (ASC) to 14% in 2009. However, IPC says that if tax credits were assured, then businesses could extend long-range plans leading to more technology breakthroughs, jobs, and sustained economic growth.

October 15, 2008 NAM President, John Engler, called upon White House to expedite $25 billion loan package for auto industry approved by Congress as commitment to key industry that affects jobs of millions of American manufacturing workers. In address to Detroit Economic Club, Engler spelled out actions government should take to strengthen fundamentals of U.S. economy, including smarter tax policy, national energy strategy, and commitment to economic growth that comes from trade.

October 15, 2008 NAM President, John Engler, welcomed President Bush's signing of Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2008, calling it a shining example of bicameral, bipartisan effort to advance legislation to protect consumers, jobs, and businesses from IP piracy and counterfeiting. According to Engler, strong IP laws and effective enforcement around the world are critical for NAM members and American workers in competitive global economy.

October 15, 2008 Scheduled for Oct 20-23, World Standards Week 2008 will bring together members of diverse U.S. standardization community for series of forums, meetings, and ceremonies. Event will include meetings by International Policy Committee, Intellectual Property Rights Policy Committee, and Copyright Group, as well as Annual Business Meeting and Luncheon, which will combine overview of ANSI's current pursuits and milestones with celebration of Institute's 90th anniversary.

October 15, 2008 Held September 18-19 in Geneva, 2-day conference sought to advance public-private partnership for developing and implementing e-business standards. Conference included business cases and individual feedback from public and private-sector organizations that have implemented e-business standards. Participants also discussed broad range of standards that are currently available, and suggested that more guidance is needed for organizations looking to implement these standards.

October 15, 2008 On Oct 2, 2008, ANSI held its 7th annual Homeland Security Standards Panel Plenary, which addressed private sector preparedness, voluntary certification programs, and Title IX of Public Law (PL) 110-53. Keynote speaker, Dennis Schrader, deputy administrator of national preparedness for FEMA, emphasized that goal of Title IX program is to improve private sector preparedness in disaster management, emergency management, and business continuity to enhance nationwide resilience.

October 14, 2008 According to independent study conducted by Glass, Lewis, and Co., LLC, current revenue recognition accounting principles continue to place unnecessary challenges on small and medium-sized biotechnology companies who enter into collaborative arrangements. Uncertainty underlying current revenue recognition principles have caused many biotechnology companies to restate their financial statements, which can shake confidence in reliability of company's financial prospects.

October 14, 2008 ASHRAE has named 14 new Distinguished Lecturers who provide Society chapters with noted authorities who speak on relevant topics that impact the HVAC&R industry. The new lecturers will serve a two-year term. There are 75 Distinguished Lecturers representing 15 countries for 2008-09 available to present on 326 topics.

October 14, 2008 According to AMT and AMTDA, August U.S. manufacturing technology consumption totaled $323.07 million, which was up 4.0% from July but down 11.5% from total of $365.14 million reported for Aug 2007. With year-to-date total of $3,001.95 million, 2008 is up 12.7% compared with 2007. These numbers are based on totals of actual data reported by companies participating in USMTC program. Analysis provides leading economic indicator as manufacturing industries invest in capital metalworking equipment.

October 14, 2008 Beyond show floor, hundreds of industry leaders participated in more than 80 IPC standards development meetings at IPC Midwest Conference and Exhibition. Technical conference and professional development courses were also well attended, especially those on environmental initiatives impacting electronic interconnect industry. Total verified attendees for show was 1301, which was an increase over last year.

October 14, 2008 According to trade figures released by Commerce Department, manufactured goods exports continued rapid growth pace in August, up 15% over August 2007. More rapid growth of exports over imports has led to decline in manufactured goods trade deficit, which is running 16% smaller than same period last year. Thus exports, and particularly manufactured goods exports, which account for 75% of total U.S. export growth, continue to be strongest part of U.S. economy.