Science and Enterprise

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Science for business people. Enterprise for scientists.

  • Window Glass Solar Power Prototype in Development

    Researchers at New Energy Technologies Inc. of Burtonsville, Maryland report achieving scientific and technical breakthroughs allowing completion in the upcoming weeks of a working prototype of the world’s first glass window capable of generating electricity. Current solar energy systems use opaque panels. The ability to generate electricity with transparent glass windows, however, is limited by…

  • Cornell, Nanotech Company to Develop Self-Charging Batteries

    To meet an expanding demand for autonomous power for wireless sensors, MicroGen Systems LLC, of Ithaca, New York and Cornell University’s Energy Materials Center (emc2) have agreed to develop self-charging batteries that use background vibrations for their energy source. The battery, say the partners, will look like a microchip, but with a vibrating core, which…

  • Biotech Company Delivers Algae-based Jet Fuel to U.S. Navy

    Solazyme Inc. in South San Francisco, California has delivered 1,500 gallons of 100 percent algae-based jet fuel for the U.S. Navy’s testing and certification program. The delivery fulfills a contract awarded to Solazyme in September 2009. The Navy previously announced its objective to operate at least 50 percent of its fleet on renewable fuel by…

  • Research Funding Boosted in Europe, Targets Small Business

    The European Commission (EC) announced today nearly €6.4 billion of investment in research and innovation. The funding, its largest to date, covers a vast range of scientific disciplines and commercial sectors, with a special emphasis on smaller businesses. The EC says this funding will increase European competitiveness and address critical policy issues, with some €800…

  • Cosmetics Group Calls for More FDA Oversight of Ingredients

    A cosmetics and personal care products trade group on Friday called for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to play a larger role in assessing the safety of ingredients used in their products. The Personal Care Products Council says it favors establishment of formal processes for FDA to review ingredients for safety at the…

  • Nanotech Material Insulates Saudi Pipeline

    Industrial Nanotech Inc., a maker of energy-saving products based on nanotechnology in Naples, Florida, reported today development of thermal insulation coating that can work on surfaces of at least 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The nanotech-based product called Nansulate Extreme High Heat was made from a request by the Saudi European Petrochemical Company, Ibn Zahr, to insulate…

  • Drug Discovery Company Cutting 30% of Staff

    Adolor Corporation, a drug discovery and development company in Exton, Pennsylvania will reduce its staff by 30 percent to meet an expected cash flow reduction over the next two years. The company specializes in pharmaceuticals for pain management. In its press release, Adolor says sales of its flagship product Entereg, developed for upper and lower…

  • Canadian Joint Venture to Produce Nanotech Fibers

    Domtar Corporation and FPInnovations today announced a new joint venture to build a commercial-scale nanocrystalline cellulose demonstration plant. During its pilot phase, the plant, located at Domtar’s Windsor, Quebec pulp and paper mill site, will produce one metric ton of the material per day. Nanocrystalline cellulose is an abundant nanomaterial made of cellulose fibers from…

  • Science Sectors Help Power 2Q Jump in Venture Financing

    Venture capitalists invested $6.5 billion in 906 deals in the second quarter of 2010, with both numbers representing sizeable gains over the first quarter of the year. And in the second quarter, science-based industries were among the leaders in attracting venture capital (VC). PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and the National Venture Capital Association provide these findings in…

  • Academic-Business Partnership Proposals Sought by NSF

    National Science Foundation (NSF) wants innovative ideas on energy, sustainability, and the education of next generation entrepreneurs from small business and academic institutions, and is prepared to pay $7 million for those ideas. This NSF program, called Partnerships for Innovation, aims to produce academic scientists better able to adapt their findings to practical applications and…