August 8, 2008 Physicists at JILA, a joint institute of NIST and University of Colorado at Boulder, use photoemission spectroscopy to study superfluidity: how atoms in Fermi gas behave as they cross over from acting like Bose Einstein Condensate to behaving like pairs of separated electrons in superconductor. Technique simultaneously probes energy and momentum, allowing scientists to study microscopics involved in pairing of two atoms.

August 8, 2008 To help engineers improve process designs, NIST research paper details fundamental processes involved in extracting sugars from biomass. With enzymes to speed reactions, team used calorimetry and chromatography to measure thermodynamic property values of several reactions associated with breakdown of cellulosic and hemicellulosic substances. Data obtained in investigation represent small but significant step toward maximizing efficiency of biomass utilization.

August 8, 2008 The NIST and the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute (UMBI) will cosponsor an international conference on Accelerating Innovation in 21st Century Biosciences: Identifying the Measurement Standards and Technological Challenges, on October 19-22, 2008, in Gaithersburg, MD. It will focus on agriculture, energy, the environment, and medicine and is designed to yield a detailed list of measurement, standards, and technology needs to inform and guide researchers worldwide.

August 8, 2008 NIST has published Special Publication 800-55 Revision 1, Performance Measurement Guide for Information Security. The update provides additional program-level guidelines for measuring information security performance in support of organizational strategic goals. It also aligns performance measurement with the security controls in NIST SP 800-53, Recommended Security Controls for Federal Information Systems.

August 8, 2008 James Turner, Deputy Director of NIST and acting NEHRP chair, has appointed James E. Beavers, director, Construction Industry Research and Policy Center, University of Tennessee, Knoxville; Michael K. Lindell, Professor, Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University; and Brent H. Woodworth, President/CEO of Global Crisis Services, Inc., Calabasas, CA, to the ACEHR. They join 13 previously appointed academic, industry, and government experts on the committee.

August 8, 2008 Scheduled to visit 28 states in 7 weeks with stops at Democratic and Republican National Conventions, CEA's America Wins with Trade bus tour will highlight CE companies that operate domestically and drive nation's economy. As global leader of residential and commercial control and automation systems, Crestron Electronics, Inc., exemplifies American business and innovation by designing, manufacturing, and shipping worldwide from northern New Jersey.

August 8, 2008 With FOUNDATION(TM) Device Coupler Test Specification, FF-846 FS 1.0, coupler manufacturers can perform standard set of tests against their implementation. Specification includes criteria from IEC 61158-2:2003 and additional functional tests such as input impedance, short-circuit reaction time, and bus voltage consumption. Registered products will be tested to perform optimally with registered power supplies and conditioners, as well as registered H1 cable.

August 5, 2008 According to Dr. Chris Kuehl, economic analyst for FMA, manufacturing executives should monitor 5 key indicators to best plan their companies' growth strategies. Factors include actions of Federal Reserve, employment trends, manufacturing orders for durable goods, consumer expectations about economy's performance and their own actions, and inflation. Economist also noted it is important to look at wage-driven inflation, as this is the most dangerous type.

August 5, 2008 The IPC will hold a conference to discuss IPC-9592, Requirements for Power Conversion Devices for the Computer and Telecommunications Industries, on November 6, 2008 in Irving, Texas. The conference will outline the process and input that went into developing the standard and its agenda will cover the complete range of power conversion product attributes. Various sessions will be presented by members that contributed to the 90-pg document's individual sections.

August 5, 2008 Scheduled for Sept 29-Oct 1, 2008, Tooling for Composites is designed to bring together aerospace, motorsports, and wind power industries, and will provide knowledge on approaches and materials for fabricating tooling for composites, common pitfalls, and best practices. Event kicks off with pre-conference workshop, Tooling for Advanced Composites: An Overview. Workshop will be followed by 2 days of conference sessions including presentations from practitioners and solution providers.

August 5, 2008 Helping manufacturing community sort through options available to support their efforts to remain competitive, SME announced call for nominations for 2009 Innovations That Could Change The Way You Manufacture list. List will showcase new and emerging technologies, currently available to industry, that are making a difference in manufacturing. Innovations for consideration should cause change, bring business and financial benefits, and improve product quality and performance.

August 5, 2008 Revised version of NACD Security Vulnerability Assessment Methodology for Chemical Distribution Facilities is consistent with Center for Chemical Process Safety criteria when applied to chemical distribution facilities. Under Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act, facilities assigned to preliminary risk Tiers 1, 2, and 3 must use on-line DHS SVA tool. Tier 4 facilities can submit different SVA as alternative security plan, but it must meet CCPS criteria to be accepted by DHS.

August 4, 2008 Partnering with KRM Information Services and CRK Interactive, PMA Education Foundation is offering online learning opportunities for metalforming companies to train management staff. KRM's online courses target topics and issues that will enhance skills and knowledge of senior management, customer service, sales and marketing, financial services, human resources, and workforce development staff. CRK Interactive courses focus on how to effectively coach and interact with staff.

August 4, 2008 According to NTSB, FAA should install and maintain weather cameras at critical areas of air tour routes within Misty Fjords National Monument and other scenic areas in Southeast Alaska that are frequently traveled by air tour operators. FAA should also develop permanent mechanism to provide en route and ground-based observations of air tour flights in Southeast Alaska at least once a month during tour season to ensure operators are adhering to safe flying practices.

August 4, 2008 As member of Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo introduced Pathway for Biosimilars Act, which will create crucial regulatory pathway for FDA approval of follow-on biologic medicines, while protecting patient safety and fostering continues innovation. Eshoo is an ardent supporter of biotechnology and has demonstrated her dedication through leadership on national policy.

August 4, 2008 BIO is concerned that revised language for SB 2863 - Act to Control Cost Containment, Transparency and Efficiency in Delivery of Quality Health Care could stifle life science innovation in Commonwealth. State is investing $1 billion to enhance development of new treatments and create new companies that will employ high-skill workforce. If bill becomes law, state would restrict ability of biotech companies to educate physicians whose use of new technologies could save patients' lives.

August 4, 2008 The RIA hosted a 1-day meeting of prominent industry individuals on Thursday, July 24, 2008 with Charles (Chuck) Rumbarger, CAE, facilitating the meeting discussion and assisting the group in developing a Heads of Agreement. Rumbarger said that associations are a creation of law and, to be legally compliant, they must conform to various authorities. He also addressed issues such as organizational transitions, aggregation of resources, and inter-organizational cooperation.

August 1, 2008 According to ATA President and CEO, James C. May, HR 6604 bill to amend Commodities and Exchange Act is a good first step to limit excessive speculation. ATA strongly supports firm position limits for energy commodities in over-the-counter market. OTC position limits in this bill are discretionary, but should be mandatory.

August 1, 2008 According to ATA President and CEO, James C. May, ATA was disappointed that House of Representatives did not pass Commodity Markets Transparency and Accountability Act, which would have been first step toward curbing excessive speculation that has contributed to massive run-up in oil prices. ATA will still continue to urge strong, bipartisan action by Congress on both speculation and energy development.

August 1, 2008 Small businesses that are majority-backed by venture capital, many of which are producing biotech therapies and cures, will be eligible for portion of Small Business Innovation Research grants under bill reported out of Senate Committee on Small Business today. Historically, SBIR program has provided critical financial support to biotech companies while its rigorous review process has conferred high level of credibility. Of 252 FDA-approved biologics, 32% received at least one SBIR/STTR award.