May 28, 2009 Based on May 2009 PMA Business Conditions Report, companies expect economic activity to decrease somewhat during next 3 months, with 46% anticipating no change. Metalformers overall expect slight decline in incoming orders, while 17% predict rise in shipping levels over 3 months. Companies with workforce on short time or layoff decreased to 80% in May. There are early indicators of economic recovery, according to William E. Gaskin, but modest recovery isn't expected until Q4 2009.

May 27, 2009 Conducted for NADCA by TCG Consulting, census of Die Casting Industry details latest findings on North American die casting business, covering more than 500 captive and custom die casters. Divided into 4 parts, report includes count of die casting companies, alloys cast, employment and additional services provided; analysis of 2007 vs 2008 shipment data and estimates for 2009 and 2010 volumes; die casting machine estimates; and end-market analysis to assist with targeting and planning.

May 27, 2009 Freight Stakeholders Coalition, which is comprised of 17 members including AASHTO, has released 2009 Surface Transportation Reauthorization Platform. Mandating development of National Multimodal Freight Strategic Plan, 10-point platform also calls for funding for freight mobility/goods movement and creation of freight office in Office of the Secretary of Transportation. In 20 yr, number of U.S. commercial trucks could double, handling 70-80% of freight, while rail freight may increase by 60%.

May 27, 2009 For 9 days starting May 26, 2009 Hydrogen Road Tour will pass 28 American and Canadian cities between Vancouver, BC, and southern CA. It will include caravan of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles from 7 major automakers, stopping in communities where hydrogen technologies such as passenger vehicles, transit buses, and hydrogen stations will likely enter market first. Recent NHA report shows vehicles powered by hydrogen can cut greenhouse gas pollution by 80% below 1990 levels.

May 27, 2009 At the 2009 annual convention, the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) Board of Directors elected a new slate of officers and 10 new board members. BIO President and CEO, Jim Greenwood, was quoted as saying that "Each of these individuals brings exceptional perspective, insight, and experience that will contribute to the health and growth of the industry, as well as the judicious oversight of BIO as a membership organization."

May 27, 2009 National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) has announced that the NACD OPSEM2009 - Operations Seminar and Trade Show is scheduled to take place September 16-18, 2009 at the Cleveland Convention Center/City Centre in Cleveland, OH. Also, the NACD 38th Annual Meeting, will be held November 30 through December 4, 2009 at the Marco Island Marriot Resort in Marco Island, FL.

May 27, 2009 Designed to help managers take advantage of evolving market opportunities and business trends, hour-long webcasts will take place at 1:00 pm Central time. Topics will include Solar Part I: Prepare to Take Advantage of the Solar Market on June 2nd, Solar Part II on June 9th, An International Overview of Electronics Industry on June 18th, Growing Customer Partnerships in Current Economy on June 25th, and You and the Stimulus Package on June 30th.

May 26, 2009 NEMA, founding member of High Performance Building Congressional Caucus Coalition, has joined other members in issuing report to Congress that focuses on federal buildings as principal targets to incorporate characteristics of high-performance buildings. Some components of report include requirements for true life-cycle analysis and decision-making for acquisition of federal buildings, total building commissioning, integrated project delivery, and building information modeling.

May 26, 2009 National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) Vice President for International Economic Policy, Frank Vargo, issued a statement commending the Senate Finance Committee for holding a hearing on the U.S. - Panama Trade Promotion Agreement and urged the Senate to move rapidly to approve the pact. To quote Vargo, "The more facts that can be brought to light, the clearer it will become that delay in approving the agreement will only harm U.S. manufacturing."

May 26, 2009 AIA (Aerospace Industries Association) President and CEO, Marion Blakey, issued a statement concerning the Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act. She relayed the sense of being "encouraged that the defense reform bill passed by Congress will make the acquisition system more accountable and efficient." Blakey also pointed out that "Bolstering the acquisition workforce and creating a senior position in the Defense Department responsible for cost estimating are important steps forward."

May 22, 2009 AEM has recognized 55 member manufacturers with Statistics Outstanding Merit Awards for exemplary performance in data reporting programs, which enhances association's ability to provide meaningful market information to members. Annual awards are based on statistical data reporting timeliness, accuracy, consistency, and good corporate citizenship. Statistics activities cover information ranging from county-level retail sales data in North America to shipments data on global basis.

May 22, 2009 In forthcoming paper in The Journal of Research of NIST, John Jendzurski and Nicholas Paulter examined 4 methods used by law enforcement officers to calibrate DTR radar devices, including radar target simulator, tuning forks, calibrated speedometer, and fifth wheel. Based on data obtained, researchers developed and published uncertainty measurement formulas for each calibration method, which will help DTR radar users understand impact of proper calibration for making accurate speed measurements.

May 22, 2009 NIST is establishing testing program to assure that U.S. government purchases new computers and networking products that work properly on next-generation Internet traffic system while meeting standards for federal government use. Addressing U.S. government standards profile known as USGv6, testing program is heralded by new publication, preliminary set of tests, and upcoming meeting to discuss its management.

May 22, 2009 U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office for Interoperability and Compatibility announced that it has recognized first 8 laboratories approved to test interoperability of emergency communications equipment under Project 25 Conformity Assessment Program. P25 CAP, a joint effort of DHS and NIST, helps ensure that first responders, public safety officers, and military personnel can always talk with each other no matter what communications equipment they are using.

May 22, 2009 According to a report issued by UK-based PG Economics, farmers around the world are growing more crops in a more environmentally sustainable manner. Sharon Bomer Lauritsen, executive VP for food and agriculture for BIO noted, the Global Impact Study shows that agricultural biotechnology contributes to both environmental and economic sustainability. The PG Economics annual Global Impact Study quantifies the impact of agricultural biotechnology on the environment and on farmer incomes.

May 22, 2009 Dr. Keasling, CEO of Joint BioEnergy Institute, Professor of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, and Deputy Director of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, was selected for his professional accomplishments to date, as well as for potential that his research holds. Keasling is working on synthetic biology technique that, at commercial scale, will diversify supply of artemisinin, the key component in artemisinin-based combination therapies for treatment of malaria.

May 22, 2009 Assessing middle- and high-schools in 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia, a report indicated that institutions were failing to prepare students for pursuing biosciences in higher education. It also showed an uneven record across states in incorporating biosciences in science standards, supporting focused bioscience education programs and higher level bioscience courses, and ensuring science and bioscience teachers are well qualified.

May 22, 2009 According to Brent Erickson, EVP of BIO Industrial and Environmental Section, biofuel companies are ready to deploy their technology and begin meeting requirements of National Renewable Fuel Standard. Analysis by EPA shows that biofuels produced with biotech tools will dramatically reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. Biotechnology can also help farmers increase yields per acre and reduce petroleum inputs in agriculture.

May 22, 2009 Researchers from NIST, along with University of Maryland College Park and Rutgers University, found that theoretical model for mitigating defects between on/off states of transistors is inaccurate. According to Jason Campbell of NIST, fluctuation frequency is same even in nanometer-sized transistors, implying theory is wrong. Also, fluctuations observed grew more pronounced as power decreased, said Campbell, who presented group's findings at May 19, 2009, industry conference in Austin, TX.

May 22, 2009 Study found that NIST Combinatorial Methods Center (NCMC), part of effort to develop combinatorial techniques in polymer research, realized economic benefits of at least $8.55 for every dollar invested by NIST and partners. Between 1998 and 2007, study estimates NCMC has yielded 161% social rate of return and has accelerated industry's adoption of combinatorial methods by average of 2.3 yr. The program has since branched out into nanostructured materials, organic electronics, and biomaterials.