October 29, 2010 Wi-Fi Alliance® announced that it has begun certifying products capable of making device-to-device connections, designating those products Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Wi-Fi Direct. Wi-Fi Direct devices meet important consumer need of directly connecting devices for applications such as content sharing, synching, printing, and gaming anywhere. They include push-button set up mechanism, employ latest WPA2(TM) security protections, and bring typical Wi-Fi throughput and range.

October 28, 2010 FAA dedicated modernized 195 ft tall air traffic control tower at Reno-Tahoe International Airport. Controllers will now have multicolor radar displays, touchscreen voice communications, and touchscreen work stations that provide instant information on everything from weather conditions to air traffic manuals. Double-thick sun shades will help prevent glare inside 610 sq-ft controller work area, while two backup power systems will help ensure uninterrupted operations.

October 28, 2010 Highlighting latest advancements in biotechnology, BIO International Convention will return to Philadelphia, PA in 2015. Convention attracts more than 15,000 industry leaders from 48 states and 60 countries. Pennsylvania Bio is proud that Philadelphia has been chosen for convention as Pennsylvania offers world renowned research institutions; emerging and mature biotechnology, pharmaceutical, device, and diagnostic companies; and strong network of supportive service companies.

October 28, 2010 Taking place from December 6-9, 2010 ISPE Philadelphia Classroom Training will feature 7 training courses, including one session focused on complying with 21 CFR Part 11. Intermediate-level course will feature information about FDA's re-examination of 21 CFR Part 11 and European regulatory expectations as reflected in draft revised Annex 11. Participants will learn how to implement risk management approach to ensure compliance of regulated electronic records and signatures.

October 28, 2010 Formed within PlasticsEurope, Engineering Thermoplastics Working Group supports and promotes benefits of the engineering thermoplastics class of polymeric materials and their responsible use in industry. Group's mission is to serve as focal point for issues related to ETP resins in EU, endorse attractiveness of ETP industry in terms of career potential, and support content, priorities, and implementation of general work of PlasticsEurope.

October 28, 2010 IPC announced rigid PCB shipments and bookings in September 2010 were up compared to September 2009, year-to-date, and previous month, with book-to-bill ratio of 1.03. Flexible circuit bookings were down compared to September 2009 and previous month, as ratio fell to 0.97. For rigid PCBs and flexible circuits combined, shipments and bookings increased as ratio declined to 1.03. Denny McGuirk of IPC noted that growth in orders has led to sales growth which has decreased book-to-bill ratio.

October 28, 2010 Scheduled for Nov 12, 2010, ANSI Caucus Luncheon will feature remarks by Melissa Hathaway, continuing ANSI's efforts to develop and promote solutions for mitigating cyber risk. Ms. Hathaway is president of Hathaway Global Strategies, LLC and senior advisor at Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center. From Feb-May 2009, Ms. Hathaway led President Obama's 60-Day Cyberspace Policy Review, which found that American business losses due to cyber attacks had grown to more than $1 trillion from 2008-2009.

October 28, 2010 ANSI Homeland Security Standards Panel (ANSI-HSSP) reminds interested stakeholders that registration for HSSP's ninth annual plenary meeting closes November 1. To be held in Arlington, VA from November 9-10, meeting will focus on standards for aviation, border and maritime security, crisis management, and global supply chain security. Attending experts will share information on these topics, focusing on identifying areas where standards may be needed.

October 28, 2010 Reporting economic activity for equipment finance sector, ELFA's Monthly Leasing and Finance Index (MLFI-25) shows overall new business volume for September as $5.8 billion. This figure is up 23% compared to 2009 and is largest annual increase in 2 years. Credit quality is mixed, with receivables over 30 days decreasing to 3.4% in September from 4.3% in August and losses increasing to 1.7% from 1.3%. Improving from 56.9 in September, Monthly Confidence Index for October is 58.8.

October 28, 2010 Recognizing the challenge of controlling spread of infection, ASHRAE will hold its IAQ 2010 Conference series in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Nov 10-12, 2010. Conference will explore related questions on role of HVAC in airborne infectious disease transmission, evaluation of various design and control strategies and technology, pandemic preparedness, and airborne infection control for various applications such as healthcare facilities, air/surface transportation, schools, and offices.

October 28, 2010 AIM Expo, taking place from November 1-3, will feature case studies that give specifics about how leading companies improve operations, streamline production, increase performance, and enhance overall business fluidity throughout manufacturing process. Faculty - global manufacturing representatives from Ford Motor Company, Lockheed Martin, Michelin, and The Boeing Company - will share their opinions on evaluating and implementing viable Auto ID and mobile IT solutions.

October 28, 2010 Apple Computer Co-Founder Steve Wozniak will deliver keynote address, How to Foster Creativity and Innovation in a Technical Environment, at IPC APEX EXPO(TM) on Tuesday, April 12, 2011. Following address, Wozniak will sign copies of autobiography, iWoz: From Computer Geek to Cult Icon. He will also attend PCB and EMS Executive Management Meetings dinner on April 11. Event runs from April 12-14, 2011, at Mandalay Bay Resort & Convention Center in Las Vegas.

October 27, 2010 U.S. EPA's Energy Star program has announced that Morrison Residence Hall at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has won first EPA National Building Competition, which challenged teams from 14 buildings across country to measure their building's energy use and reduce waste with help from Energy Star program. Morrison Residence Hall reduced its energy use by 35.7% in 1 year, saving more than $250,000 on energy bills and reducing more than 730 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

October 27, 2010 For its December 8-9 meeting, ASTM Committee G02 on Wear and Erosion is including plans for field trip to Tribology Laboratory in mechanical engineering department at University of Florida in Gainesville. Tribology Laboratory primarily conducts studies in solid lubrication, with research goals to engineer and design materials that have improved wear resistance, have reduced friction coefficient, and can survive environments where conventional fluid lubricants are not effective.

October 27, 2010 The Manufacturing Mandate, being brought forward by AMT, asks political leaders to establish strategy of collaboration between government, industry, and academia. This federal strategy would incentivize innovation and research and development in new products and manufacturing technologies, assure availability of capital, increase global competitiveness, minimize structural cost burdens, and build better educated and trained smartforce.

October 27, 2010 U.S. Department of Energy's NREL has appointed Dana C. Christensen as its new Deputy Laboratory Director for Science and Technology. Dr. Christensen comes to NREL from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where he has been Associate Laboratory Director for Energy and Engineering Services. He has 27 years of management experience in materials science, fossil and renewable energy, and scientific research in support of U.S. DOE and other government agencies.

October 27, 2010 Newly named as executive director of Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force, John H. Hankinson, Jr. will coordinate interagency efforts, oversee staff and outreach efforts, and develop regional ecosystem restoration strategy. Hankinson has spent 30 years working on environmental issues in private, public, and non-profit sectors, where he brought together industry, government, and stakeholder groups to form partnerships to restore ecosystems across southeast.

October 26, 2010 Automotive Division of SPE® selected 1985MY Chevrolet® Cavalier® sedan from General Motors Corporation as 2010 Hall of Fame winner of 40th annual Automotive Innovation Awards Competition. This vehicle was first to use front and rear thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) bumper fascias, and that application proliferated throughout North American vehicle production in addition to being adopted in Europe and Asia. Today, estimated 65-70 million vehicles are equipped with TPO fascias each year.

October 26, 2010 U.S. EPA and U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced first national standards to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve fuel efficiency of heavy-duty trucks and buses. In addition to projected reductions of ~250 million metric tons of GHG emissions and, project will save 500 million barrels of oil over lives of vehicles produced within first 5 years of implementation. Lisa Jackson, EPA Administrator, said that this will also help shrink fuel costs for small businesses.

October 26, 2010 TIA EAC Forum: Making 'Green' Work, will provide environmental forum at 2010 Global Tire Expo for those in tire industry. Powered by TIA, Expo is part of 2010 SEMA Show that takes place November 1-5 in Las Vegas, NV. Forum will take place on November 3 from 12-1 pm and moderated by Dick Gust, TIA EAC co-chair and president of Liberty/Lakin National Tire Recycling. Gust said this will enable attendees to learn how to make becoming eco-friendly effective and financially viable.