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Some blue polymers, called “DeconGel” were introduced in 2009 and are now providing a safe, efficient way to clean up hazardous waste spills from Hungarian toxic alkali sludge through nuclear waste from Japan‘s March earthquake.  The story of the invention of this product is right from a text book: “Mistake leads to new industry.”

Read more at CNN Money.

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Mark Phillips the COO at SeaSite a cruise portal dedicated to the meetings and events market. Cruising is ideal for business meetings and incentive trips because it offers greater value than a traditional land-based venue (providing savings of up to 40%) — all-inclusive dining and entertainment, state-of-the-art meeting facilities and function rooms, as well as the allure of travel to exotic destinations. Seasite.com is the first and only online cruise meeting planning tool that allows planners to submit an RFP online directly to the cruise lines to secure a competitive bid.

Gordon Roesler a Physicist from USC who studies the conversion of ocean wave to energy. He is working on how to integrate renewable sources of energy into the nation’s electric grid, as well as other challenges in keeping our growing, aging electric system reliable and secure.  Ocean waves are another source of non-polluting, renewable energy like wind and solar.  However, like everything the government controls, their regulations governing wave energy are in chaos, which is holding back the development of this important resource.

Roger Bason the President of Natural Currents Energy Services a leading U.S.-based green technology company producing revolutionary systems for emerging renewable energy markets with a primary focus on ocean tidal power generation. The company designs, manufactures and installs innovative hydro-turbine and wind-powered equipment that produces electricity from the movements of tides and water currents found in rivers, canals and industrial flows, as well as from the wind. With its proprietary technology, unmatched tidal project expertise, existing commercial hydro products and exclusive rights to an extensive portfolio of ocean tidal projects, Natural Currents Energy Services is positioned as one of the leading tidal energy companies addressing coastline tidal power generation opportunities.

Steve Williams the Chief Operating Officer at Itellicheck Mobilisa the maker of Intelligent Buoys that communicate wirelessly officially called the Littoral Sensor Grid (LSG) project is a buoy system that is capable of collecting environmental and security data and uses IDN’s Wireless Over Water (WOW) technology to transmit that data to a centralized section – called the shore Network Operations Center (NOC) for dissemination. The wireless buoys provide a high-capacity communications network grid to provide real-time monitoring for marine environments including sensors for both homeland security and
environmental purposes.  They are capable of detecting materials above, on or below the surface of the water, and can measure water temperature, pH balance, turbidity etc.

Craig McLean the Acting Administrator of Oceanic Reseach at NOAA. They are increasing Increasing our scientific knowledge and understanding about the ocean, including its Earth and atmospheric boundaries, its poorly known or unknown living and non-living resources, and its oceanic processes and identify how the ocean is changing in response to natural and anthropogenic changes in our planet. NOAA uses sensor technologies to analyze the ocean environment by collecting data from and around the ocean.  Sensors such as Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCP), Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD), buoys, sondes, and drifters can target specific ocean and environmental characteristics.  Other instruments (such as satellites)  provide generalized data from which a wide range of observations can be made. The information gathered from these instruments helps NOAA learn more about the Earth‘s oceans. Through the use of human occupied submersibles, scientists can be physically transported to great depths of the oceans, far beyond the physiological restrictions of wet diving on the human body.Submersibles owned by NOAA include the Pisces IV and V, two of only nine submersibles in the world that can dive to depths of more than 6,562 feet. Both carry a pilot and two scientists.

Dick Fischer the founder of Speedbump the App that helps your child become a better driver. Speedbump is a mobile phone app. that harnesses the power of mobile technology to combat teen driving fatalities and serious injuries by providing real-time feedback on driving performance. The Speedbump app. is integrated with our web based user portal and provides parents with a better sense of how their teenagers are driving.

Jen Funkhouser the CEO at CarCheckup allows you to get the information you need by Taking advantage of a little-known diagnostic function present in every automobile sold in America since 1996, On-Board Diagnostics Version 2 (OBD II), when combined with our patented technology, CarCheckup services will provide peace of mind by providing instant and reliable diagnosis of automotive problems and the ability for drivers to get detailed information on their driving performance.
Russ Rader the Director of Communications at the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing deaths, injuries, and property damage that result from crashes on the nation’s roads. Our research focuses on three main areas: human factors, or preventing crashes by changing driver behavior; vehicle factors, or reducing deaths and injuries by improving vehicle design; and environmental factors, or changing roadway design, signs, and signals to reduce crashes.

Kal Gyimesi the Automotive Lead at IBM Institute for Business Value has technology that could make driving safer. With the ubiquity of telecommunications and the ability to process data so quickly, our cars are becoming even more like computers. IBM Watson (the computer that beat the jeopardy champs), with its ability to parse natural language, could eliminate these dangerous instances of “searching while driving” so there isn’t a need to change navigation destinations or look up information manually, for example. It could also help with service diagnostics for your car.

Erik Kretschmar the CEO at WebVideoArticles. WebVideoArticles specializes writing, recording, producing, and distributing out relevant keyword enhanced video & text articles.  All of our videos are distributed out to our exclusive network that includes YouTube, Metacafe, plus several niche industry specific websites.  Think of us as your VideoSEO experts!

New for this year is their EPA-certified E-TEC environmentally friendly outboard engine.  It has the lowest reportable emissions of any outboard engine and is 300 pounds lighter and 50% quieter than any other  two-stroke engines.   With their technological advanced engine management computer making 8 million calculations per second to assure that boaters use the precise amount of fuel at any given RPM it even uses 44% less fuel than engines that use older technology.

About Evinrude:  Ever since that landmark day when Ole Evinrude paddled to fetch ice cream of his love, sparking the idea for the boat motor, Evinrude has been pushing the boundaries of what boats and marine engines can do.  From manufacturing the first detachable boat row boat engine to setting speed records and building engines and parts for the U.S. military, Evinrude has been among the most trusted names in boating.  A member of the BRP family, a name synonymous with quality and innovation, Evinrude has its sights set on providing boaters

Evinrude recently launched the ICON, a state-of-the-art digital user interface system for E-TEC outboard engines.  The new system is designed to provide boaters with convenience and ease of operation and includes gear position indicators, neutral throttle advance, synchronized engine trim, RPM tune and a unique PowerSync control for multi-engine applications.

Congratulations to Tucker L. of Manchester NH.  He was the winner of the $100.00 Gift Certificate from Gladiator GarageWorks.  We hope you enjoy it and get your Garage perfectly organized.

Gladiator GarageWorks has a complete line of Garage Organization Modules so that you too can have the perfectly organized garage.  These products are available locally at Sears, Sears Essentials and Lowes.

So this week I decided to bring you some news on Technology that is being developed within and outside of the mainstream auto industry.  I interview CEO’s and even a professor about what they are doing and where they see the future of the American Auto industry.  Enjoy!

Following the EPA 511 Guideline test protocol, Blade underwent independent testing by the nation’s premier emissions testing lab, the Automotive Testing and Development Services, Inc. (ATDS).  ATDS is approved by the EPA and licensed by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) 

EPA guidelines for a fleet of five vehicles state that the fuel economy increase must average three percent to be considered a real effect. The fleet of five Bladed vehicles tested – including 4 cylinder, 6 cylinder, 8 cylinder, foreign, domestic and Hybrid vehicles – averaged a four percent increase.  This achievement is historic as it has never before been demonstrated by any aftermarket device.

TABLE 1: For each car tested, CO₂ reduction and fuel economy increases often exceeded expectations:

Vehicle Type CO₂ Emissions Reduction (up to … ) Fuel Economy Increase (up to…)

2004 Honda Civic 6% 6%

2008 Hyundai Sonata 12% 12%

2007 Ford E-250 6% 5%

2008 Pontiac G6 6% 4%

2007 Toyota Prius 6% 3%

William J. O’Brien CEO, Founder

In addition to leading Sabertec, Mr. O’Brien is a co-founder and general partner of Saber Capital. In this capacity, Mr. O’Brien oversees the selection and management of the investment firm’s portfolio companies. Mr. O’Brien served as Chairman and CEO of Octave Software, a provider of next-generation content management solutions. In addition to launching Octave’s product line, Mr. O’Brien developed its key partnerships, recruited its managers, and played an instrumental role in securing its major customers. He also led the company in a $4 million preferred round financing from Sigma Partners. Mr. O’Brien was also actively involved in the direction of Saber Capital’s Austin-based professional services firm, Neogent, Inc., which it funded in 2000 and sold to Sun Microsystems (NASDAQ: SUN) in 2006. Mr. O’Brien also holds board seats at San Jose based, Jetalon Solutions, a maker of precision, liquid chemical sensor and control systems. Since the initiation of Mr. O’Brien’s involvement, the company has increased shareholder value nearly 17x. Before co-founding Saber Capital, Mr. O’Brien spent over 12-years in the high technology industry, most recently serving as Vice President of Sales for the Americas at Vignette Corporation (NASD: VIGN). Benefiting from Mr. O’Brien’s direction, Vignette became the fastest growing enterprise software company in industry history, with annual revenues growing from $3 million to over $500 million in a three-year period.

About Sabertec

Sabertec, based in Austin, Texas, is on the vanguard of solving environmental challenges through technology, education and the inspiration of behavioral change. Sabertec products reduce fossil fuel burning engine emissions that are known contributors to global warming, as well as health consequences including cancer, strokes and respiratory diseases. Launched in 2008, Blade, www.bladeyourride.com is the company’s first consumer product available in the United States. Blade was developed utilizing Sabertec’s patent-pending impact filtration method, which is the core technology in their IDPF product. IDPF has been reducing toxic diesel particulate matter emissions on commercial bus fleets in Sao Paulo, Brazil since 2005.  www.Sabertec.org

Sabertec’s product, Blade easily attaches to the tailpipe of a car to reduce CO2 emissions and toxic particulate matter – a type of pollution that includes dust, soot, and tiny bits of solid materials suspended in the air.

President Obama has spoken about the need to increase the production of sustainable energy here in the US and reducing our dependence on foreign oil.  Although his ideals may be laudable he does not understand the infrastructure to make it happen.  Congresses legislative push to make this happen has caused numerous problems around the world included massive food shortages and riots over food.  Although it is technologically possible to retrofit automobiles to accommodate sustainable fuels such as biodiesel there are significant stumbling blocks to making it work seamlessly.  Our entire infrastructure is based on petroleum distribution.  The cars were designed to run on petroleum and the government created laws and rules that all but eliminated diesel for passenger cars in favor of gasoline.  Going from petroleum diesel to bio-diesel is not a huge jump however going from gasoline to bio-diesel creates a technological and supply rift that must be overcome before it will be viable.  Bio-diesel needs to be made from sustainable crops such as algae and stink-weed that do not affect the world food supply.

There are many who are lamenting about the economy and the end of American manufacturing — but John Fox of Innovation Fuels has taken the bear by the scruff of the neck and now produces up 950,000 barrels of biodiesel a year.  They export over 80 percent of that to Europe because our automotive diesel industry dwindled due to a lack of understanding by congress who imposed legislation that favored gasoline over diesel.

Among alternative fuels, biodiesel is growing rapidly.  Made from vegetable oils and animal fats the biodiesel is being blended with petroleum diesel fuel by Innovation Fuels into the finished product which is being sold to power diesel engines and to heat homes.  The advantage of biodiesel over full petroleum diesel is that it produces 60 percent less greenhouse gases than diesel.  Biodiesel provides a substantial reduction in exhaust emissions, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, unburned hydrocarbons and black smoke.  It is safe to say then that using biodiesel helps to protect the environment and that is good for all our health.  John Fox puts his money where his mouth is and drives a car that runs on biodiesel.  He says there is no noticeable difference when driving this vehicle because biodiesel releases the same amount of power as petroleum diesel. It also provides the same lubricating function as petroleum diesel with low sulfur. Additional benefits of using biodiesel is that it is a renewable resource that can be produced here in the United States reducing our demand on imported oil and it is safer to transport than gasoline.  This cheaper alternative can be used in any diesel engine or home heating oil burner.  There are major technological hurdles required to change our infrastructure from petroleum based vehicles to electric vehicles including the development of a clean power grid.  The research and development will depend on huge outlays of private funds and protection of the private intellectual property.  The technological development of high mileage vehicles will make the US economically competitive for decades on the international marketplace.  The US is on the threshold of a vital and transformative change and getting biodiesel and other sustainably powered vehicles into production and then on the road is the future of the American Auto Industry.

About John:

John Fox is President and Chief Executive Officer of Innovation Fuels. He has been building businesses and product offerings for the past 15 years, seven years of which have been in US energy industry. Mr. Fox started a renewable energy project development company, Homeland Energy Resources Development, Inc. in 2001, and subsequently its biodiesel division in 2005, which was merged into Innovation Fuels. He led Homeland Energy to an average 50 percent year-over-year revenue growth and managed a team that developed more than $5 million alternative fuel projects. Prior to founding Homeland Energy, Mr. Fox led the business development of a biogas technology company, the financing of an independent oil and gas company, and the product development of a Lucent Technologies company. Since 1991, Mr. Fox has served as General Partner at Renard Properties, a Mid-Atlantic real-estate development and management company. He holds a BA from Syracuse University and an MBA from Columbia Business School and is currently a member of the National Biodiesel Board, American Council on Renewable Energy, Environmental Business Association of New York State, and U.S. Green Building Council. 

About Innovation Fuels:

As a leading biodiesel manufacturer, Innovation Fuels cares about making the world a better place to live today and tomorrow. But taking care of our customers is our number one business priority. Our goal is to help you choose biodiesel as a viable, sustainable, high-performance fuel. Let us put our extensive experience in the fuel industry to work for you.

Biodiesel is the fastest growing alternative fuel. It’s clean and non-toxic so it’s good for you. It’s high-quality and easy to integrate into your operation so it’s good for your business. And it’s biodegradable and renewable so it’s good for the world. Biodiesel contains no petroleum but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel and works in any diesel engine.

Innovation Fuels…Good for You, Good for Your Business, Good for the World.

Additionally, their Servace Alloy product is used by some of the most prestigious country clubs in the nation.  They are specialty small electric vehicles that brush and roll clay tennis courts and cause no noise pollution and cost only about seventy-five cents a night to charge.  They also build mini ambulances for use in production plants and large theme parks.  Due to their size they can be used in crowded areas where a full size unit cannot operate.

In 2009 they will introduce a new mini hybrid fire truck specifically designed for the forest industry.  They are the leader in the airline industry where they design an manufacture push back tractors, belt loaders, and high lifts on both their electric and hybrid chassis.

About John:

John graduated from Forest Hill High School in West Palm Beach, Florida and went right into running his own company. John’s company manufactures (and mainstreams) diesel-hybrid and electric vehicles. Their cars, trucks, etc. are pulling US Airways passenger jets on the tarmac at some of America’s busiest airports and are on the short list to save the U.S. military billions in fuel costs by supplying them with vehicles.

About Giliberti:

Giliberti is a research, development & manufacturing company for vehicles in the airline, golf, tennis, and emergency medical services (EMS) industries.

The quality of our vehicles is the highest priority for Giliberti. We work closely with our customers to insure our products are not only the finest built, but are also serve a variety of needs and purposes.

Giliberti’’s mission will always be to develop, design and manufacture efficient, affordable, and reliable electrically powered utility vehicles to meet our customers needs. We have never lost sight of this goal and keep it at the forefront of every project we undertake. Giliberti continues to be on the cutting edge by finding new opportunities to design and develop products to meet niche market needs.

About Jeff:

Dr. Naber joined MTU in August of 2004. Prior to joining MTU, he worked in the automotive industry on R&D of engine-management-systems for gasoline and diesel engines. He also worked at Sandia National Laboratories, CRF investigating sprays and combustion processes of diesel, natural gas, and hydrogen engines utilizing laser based diagnostics. He and fellow colleagues direct the Advanced Internal Combustion Laboratories (AICE) at the University. His research interests are in IC engines and after-treatment and the development and application of advanced experimental techniques, signal processing technologies, theoretical models, and embedded control to characterize the thermo-physical processes.

The areas under investigation include:

• Combustion processes and combustion control of hydrogen and hydrogen dual fuelled engines,

• Biofuels including ethanol with production from forest products and application in advanced combustion engines,

• Gasoline IC engine research and the development of physical based correlations and models,

Development of combustion measurement techniques for diesel, gasoline, and HCCI and PPCI engines.

About Michigan Tech University:

• The Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics at Michigan Tech is proud to have been selected as the THE FIRST MECHANICAL ENGINEERING PROGRAM in the Peace Corps Masters International Program.

• Mechanical Engineering is the Top In-Demand Major according to the Yahoo Hot Jobs, and based on the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) in the Spring 2008 Salary Survey. Mechanical engineering grads received a healthy 5.3 percent increase over 2007, boosting their average offer to $57,009. More about Engineering Jobs

• Michigan Tech ME Team wins Regional Student Design Competition
A ME Senior Design Team (Team 20) won the Regional Student Design Competition at the Student Professional Development Conference held in Columbia, Missouri on March 28-30, 2008.

• Our Graduate Program is ranked 48th nationally among the 165 doctoral granting Mechanical Engineering Departments in the U.S. by the 2009 U.S. News & World Report: America’s Best Graduate Schools

• NSF ranked the ME-EM Department 21st in Research Expenditures in FY2006 with $10.238 Million among all Mechanical Engineering Departments in the U.S.

Our Undergraduate Program is ranked 22nd nationally among doctoral-granting Mechanical Engineering Departments in the U.S. by the 2008 U.S. News & World Report: America’s Best Colleges

ME-EM Undergraduate Program is currently 9th in the U.S. in BSME degrees granted. We have been in the top 9 in this category for the past 24 consecutive years.

The Keweenaw Research Center and the Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering at Michigan Tech will host the 2009 SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge (CSC) during March 16-21, 2009 and has hosted it for the last 6 years.

In today’s economic climate, this ability to bring innovative technology to the masses is more important now than ever before. So at the recent Consumer Electronics Show, Ford announced the revolutionary Ford SYNC with Traffic, Directions and Information.

Beginning this Spring, drivers of Ford cars and trucks will be able to get personalized, real-time information by using simple voice commands.  Ford is able to bring these innovations to market quickly by partnering with INRIX and other best-in-class technology companies.

INRIX was selected to power the personalized traffic, directions, and alerts that are delivered to drivers via voice and SMS alerts on their phones. INRIX’s traffic, directions and alerting technologies transforms the in-car navigation experience into one as personal as the contact list on your phone. SYNC users can get answers to questions such as “Traffic Ahead,” “Fastest Route Home,” and “Traffic Around Me,” leveraging the integrated GPS feature in new vehicles shipping with Ford SYNC. That is the kind of personalized service consumers – and the marketplace – require right now in order to stay afloat and to thrive.

The technology in the new SYNC does not require a $2,000 navigation system with an in-car screen. All it requires is a cell phone with Bluetooth, which is why Ford expects to ship over 1 million vehicles with SYNC by this Fall. INRIX provides accurate real-time, historical and predictive traffic information in North America and Europe to over 65 customers including Ford, MapQuest, TomTom and the I-95 Corridor Coalition. INRIX delivers traffic reliably, quickly and better than anyone else.

About Scott

Scott Sedlik is responsible for the marketing of INRIX products and services. He has 20 years of experience in strategic marketing, product management, brand development and go-to-market strategies. He has a successful track record of building leadership positions with public and startup companies in emerging markets from early-stage to international presence. Sedlik’s domain expertise includes mobile and embedded devices, telematics, wireless, enterprise software, Internet services, and e-commerce.

Sedlik was most recently Vice President of Marketing at BSQUARE, the leading solutions provider for the smartphone and embedded device markets, where he was responsible for product management, marketing strategy, strategic planning and partnerships. He served as Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing at Sageport, an Internet services company acquired by BSQUARE in 2001. Sedlik also held Vice President of Marketing roles at InfoMove, USWeb/CKS, and at iCat Corporation, an e-commerce pioneer, where he led a large team during the rapid growth of the company and its acquisition by Intel.

Early in his career, Sedlik directed marketing and business development at Corbis Corporation and led OEM sales and product management at Reference Software International (acquired by WordPerfect). Sedlik holds a MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management and a B.S. from San Francisco State University.

About INRIX

INRIX is the leading provider of real-time, historical and predictive traffic information offering the broadest coverage, exceptional accuracy, innovative technologies and a unique approach to ensuring the success of our customers’ navigation and traffic-enabled solutions.

Building on a unparalleled technology portfolio and the industry’s broadest network of partnerships, INRIX’s traffic data saves businesses and consumers time and money by predicting the future – not only showing what traffic is like right now, but what it will be like an hour, a week or even a year from now. Device manufacturers, public sector agencies, Web sites and mobile solution providers are using INRIX’s technologies and services today to deliver richer, more useful traffic services that help their customers drive smarter.

About Rick Casper:

Richard J. Kasper is the President and Chief Operating Officer, Global Electric Motorcars, LLC (GEM), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chrysler, LLC.  He was GEMs Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer until being named President and COO on December 1, 2002.

Prior to joining GEM in 1999, Richard spent 11 years with the Jack Kent Cooke organization, which included responsibilities as the Chief Financial Officer for the Los Angeles Daily News. 

Mr. Kasper received his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting at Minnesota State University ñ Moorhead (MSUM) in Moorhead, Minnesota. He was named the MSUM Business and Industry Alumni of the Year in 2002.  He is also a member of the MSUM School of Business Advisory Board. 

Richard was the Chairperson for the Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA) Conference in December of 2006, the EVS-23 International Conference in December 2007 and was the Chairman of the World Electric Vehicle Association (WEVA) in 2006 and 2007.  Richard is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce of Fargo Moorhead.  He has also been involved in a number of community and charitable organizations including President of the West Valley Boys and Girls Club, Chairman of the Warner Center Association, Vice-President of the San Fernando Economic Alliance, and a volunteer for a number of philanthropic events.

He and his family live in Fargo, North Dakota, the headquarters for Global Electric Motorcars, LLC.

About Global Electric Motor Cars:

Global Electric Motorcars, a Chrysler company, has been in operation for ten years. Located in Fargo, North Dakota, Global Electric Motorcars manufactured its first vehicle in April 1998, a 48-volt GEM car that accommodated two passengers and had a top speed of 20 mph. Less than two months later, a significant breakthrough occurred in the market as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) designated a new class of motor vehicle, the low-speed vehicle, also known as the Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV). The low-speed vehicle class allowed GEM cars to be driven on public roads if they met certain safety criteria such as having safety belts, headlamps, windshield wipers, and safety glass. GEM cars always come equipped with these safety features making them a benchmark in the industry.

GEM battery-electric vehicles not only represent a relatively new vehicle in an emerging market segment, but also a new and growing brand within the Chrysler family. Just like Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep®, or many of the other well-established brands in the company’s portfolio, GEM stands for innovation and leadership.

Global Electric Motorcars aims to establish its brand presence both as the maker of the top-selling NEV in the market and the purveyor of one of the smartest solutions to traffic congestion and air quality problems yet to be introduced. The solution: zero-emissions personal transportation that is well integrated with traditional alternative transportation choices such as mass transit and carpooling.

GEM models are sophisticated yet simple. They represent a new kind of personal transportation, that expands the capacity to have fun. They represent a versatile and efficient way to get the job done, as well as a clean way to do everyday work. GEM cars harness and put to work the power of silence. 

Today, Global Electric Motorcars remains committed to maintaining its leadership position in the NEV market with product improvements, innovations, and offerings. Currently, GEM cars are available in six unique models and are seen in cities, master planned communities, universities and colleges, industrial complexes, security companies, airports, and resorts throughout the world. Looking to the future, Global Electric Motorcars is strategically positioned within the Chrysler family to aid in the company’s continuing efforts and commitment to developing, producing, and selling the world’s most environmentally-friendly vehicles.

The SmartMirror is an OEM grade rearview mirror replacement that has touch screen navigation built-in, that runs on a Samsung 400MHZ processor and Windows CE.NET 4.2. It is an alternative to suction GPS and has GPS navigation, Bluetooth wireless calling and microphone built sturdy right into the rearview mirror. additionally there is also an optional rearview camera that displays rear images to the SmatMirrors touch screen whenever a vehicle is put in reverse.

The advantage of having your navigation directly and permanently mounted in an expected location on the windshield enables drivers to keep their eyes on the road as they glance at their route display.  With both 2D and 3D routes as well as complete verbal turn by turn driving directions drivers can keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. This latest technology was released in October 2008 and is available for $799.00 at local car dealerships across the US, Europe and Australia.

About Azentek:

Founded in 2002, Azentek is an OEM of innovative in-vehicle computer systems for both the consumer and commercial markets as well as GPS tracking. The first product to launch in 2008 is the Azentek SmartMirror navigation system, which launched with record sales. After spending several years in the development and testing phases, Azentek’s revolutionary in dash PC product line will be ready to ship in 2009. Each product in the line includes features never-before seen from any mobile electronics manufacturer.

Delivering on our mission to become a leading supplier of innovative mobile technologies, Azentek strives to provide value-added design through combining extensive research and development with quality customer support.

Azentek is a privately held American-owned company headquartered in Grand Blanc, Michigan with partners throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. With a total commitment to the development of innovative technology, we have established strategic alliances with numerous world-renowned corporations including Microsoft, Intel, General Motors, and Ford. Using the combined resources of our partners in addition to our in-house engineering team, Azentek is poised to always remain ahead of the competition.

About Pete Muller:

Pete Muller, VP Sales & Marketing – Joined Azentek in 2007.  Mr. Muller has spent nearly 15 years working in the mobile electronics industry.  Most recently, he was with Dual Electronics, a start-up manufacturer focusing on the aftermarket segment of the mobile electronics industry.  During his tenure at Dual, Mr. Muller helped to establish a network of more than 600 dealers across the country and grow sales to over $100,000,000 by its 3^rd year in business.  It is this same network of dealers that will be used as the conduit to get our products to market.

Malcom Bricklin began Visionary vehicles to design automotive products that resonate with consumers while meeting the growing consumer demand for a full range of hybrid vehicles. They are able to deliver performance and amenities normally reserved for high line vehicles at affordable prices that allow them to appeal to a wide range of consumers.

He believes that PHEVs (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles) are the future of Green   Technology and where the research and development of the auto industry should be focusing.  However, that being said there is a delay in this technology due to insufficient battery technology and manufacturing capabilities.  So what is the stop gap solution?  Hydrogen fuel-injection systems.  This technology will increase gas mileage and create cleaner exhaust output.  This technology is readily installed on new cars as well as used cars and will assist the auto industry  in business and people employed.  These systems have been retooled in professional high-profile labs and are not the internet kits that are plagued with problems.

Malcolm’s Bio:

Malcolm Bricklin is recognized as one of the automobile industry’s leading entrepreneurs, innovators and visionaries. He was the founder and Chief Executive of Subaru of America, Bricklin Vehicle Corporation, International Automobile Importers, Yugo America and now Visionary Vehicles. He has 40 years of experience in designing, engineering, manufacturing, remanufacturing, importing and marketing automobiles. Mr. Bricklin is known throughout the industry as one of the most original and imaginative automobile executives in history.

In 1968 he founded Subaru of America, Inc. During the 1970s, Mr. Bricklin founded Bricklin Motors and produced the world’s first “safety sports car,” the Bricklin SV1, which was well designed, easy-to-drive, and decades ahead of its time in terms of driver safety. In the 1980s, he formed Yugo America, Inc. With 160,000 vehicles sold during its launch phase, the Yugo quickly became the fastest selling European import in automotive history.

Today, Mr. Bricklin, fulfilling his lifelong commitment to improving the environment through innovative fuel efficient vehicles, has set his sites on delivering the first full line of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) to consumers. His innovative strategy will be the catalyst to jump start the hybrid and electric industry and transform the automobile industry as we know it.

With the growing threat of global warming and a need for the reduction, if not the elimination of automobile emissions, there is an urgent need to place new technologies within reach of the general public and to deliver these innovations without sacrificing high performance, safety or luxury.

Visionary Vehicles is an international automobile company on a mission to bring an exciting new brand of environmentally friendly, aggressively priced, beautifully styled, high-quality vehicles into North America. Visionary Vehicles will also introduce a new retail experience for its consumers, by developing destination locations to make available the very latest hybrid products and in the process it will create a revolutionary new consumer-friendly environment for its retailing facilities.

Visionary Vehicles:

Visionary Vehicles’ innovative strategies, alliances, and plans are rooted in common sense (common sense seems to be quite uncommon in the automobile business these days). They flow from an unobstructed sense of clarity and urgency regarding the critical challenges and unmet opportunities that North America faces today —- specifically, the automotive industry and its impact on the environment and the economy.

Founded by legendary automotive entrepreneur, Malcolm Bricklin, Visionary Vehicles is new and original, yet rich in relevant expertise and experience. It can research, innovate and implement without a vested interest in a particular legacy or direction. The most powerful example of this is the commitment Visionary Vehicles has made to deliver the first full… line of Plug-In Electric Hybrid Vehicles (PHEVs) to market by 2010.

· First, we believe that recent technological advances make it possible to manufacture batteries with sufficient power and range at an acceptable cost.

· Second, taking advantage of low-cost manufacturing will make this advanced, environmentally friendly technology accessible to a mass market in North America.

· Third, in addition to the incentive provided by the fuel and emissions advantages, the expected pricing advantage is intended to encourage consumers to consider a new and untested brand.

· Fourth, by contracting with existing manufacturers with facilities in place and experience in manufacturing, we expect to substantially reduce the time required to bring models to market and thus expect to     gain a first-mover advantage relative to legacy manufacturers and to have the opportunity to firmly establish our brand.

· Fifth, we do not have to invest in manufacturing facilities; ample funding is available, especially for those companies able to provide environmental benefits through the development and adaptation of advanced technologies

Malcolm Bricklin has engaged his team of automotive and technology experts in an objective, “no fault” formulation to determine the best way:

To design products that resonate exceptionally well with consumers, while meeting the growing consumer demand for a full range of hybrid vehicles, able to deliver performance and amenities normally reserved for highline vehicles, yet at prices affordable to a wide range of consumers.

To drive the establishment of a new PHEV industry within the automobile sector in order to address, not add to our environmental concerns, while decreasing our dependence on foreign oil.

Establish an organization and processes that profitably satisfies consumers, while positioning our Visionary Vehicles’ dealer partners far beyond a conventional dealership by making them the retail centers of choice for virtually every future hybrid transportation innovation

Can you manage your airflow at home from your cell phone from a distance?  It’s now possible with Trane ComfortLink II Residential Communicating System.

Trane is the world leader in air conditioning systems, services and solutions. Trane controls the comfort of the air for people in homes and many of the world’s largest and most famous commercial, industrial and institutional buildings. Trane applies its expertise in environmental technology and energy conservation to make a difference in energy efficiency around the globe.

Trane has been catering cooling systems to residential homes besides commercial. Trane has developed a new communication system which can talk to one another. Most people are not aware what’s happening behind their home.

If you have the Trane ComfortLink II fully integrated, self-configuring system, then it will verify proper installation and maintain proper airflow calibration over the whole life of the system. Your Trane heating and cooling products are now started talking to one another about how to keep your family comfortable — whether they’re in the living room or thousands of miles away.

The Trane ComfortLink II Residential Communicating System represents a breakthrough in product design and efficiency. Advanced technology has been incorporated inside. Specific air conditioning and heating system products allows components to communicate with one another so that they’re always automatically configured and calibrated to your preferred settings, constantly troubleshooting to achieve utmost efficiency.

Special technology is built into specific Trane products, allowing them to “communicate” with each other. Consumers can receive the benefits of the Trane ComfortLink II by having a complete heating and cooling system that’s perfectly matched and designed for how and where they live.

The hallmark of the Trane ComfortLink II Residential Communicating System is very ease to set-up, install and service.

You can view more ComfortLink II products here.

Randy Scott
Vice President, Product Systems Management
Trane Residential Systems

Randy Scott – A biography

Randy Scott, Vice President, Product Systems Management for Trane Residential Systems, has an extensive career in sales, marketing and business development roles with the company. Randy has twenty four years of experience in the HVAC industry.

Randy recently led the successful commercialization of several industry exclusive products including Trane CleanEffects, XV95 gas furnace, XL16c packaged unit and most recently the ComfortLink II communicating system with Charge Assist.

Randy is a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Management with Honor.

Trane Inc. (NYSE: TT), previously named American Standard Companies Inc., provides systems and services that enhance the quality and comfort of the air in homes and buildings around the world. The company offers customers a broad range of energy-efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; dehumidifying and air cleaning products; service and parts support; advanced building controls and financing solutions. Selling under both the Trane and American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning brand names, the company’s systems and services have leading positions in premium commercial, residential, institutional and industrial markets; a reputation for reliability, high quality and product innovation; and a powerful distribution network.

In 2006 the business generated annual revenues of approximately $6.8 billion with $4.9 billion coming from equipment systems and $1.9 billion from parts, services and solutions. Trane has more than 29,000 employees and 29 production facilities worldwide. For more information, visit www.trane.com.