VEXLabs’ Robotics Kits

SUSTAINABLE ENERGY IN SCOTLAND
Scotland has a large share of the EU’s not-as-yet captured wind, hydro, and tidal energy. Edinborough was the birthplace of Marine Current Turbines, MCT, which develops turbines driven by tides and ocean currents. While it may seem counter-intuitive, Solar Hot Water heating works well despite the cloud cover. The Scottish Community and Householders Renewable Initiative, SCHRI, offers grants of up to 30% for installation of solar hot water heating systems. See also The Renewable Energy Centre and for a general laudatory discussion Renewable energy in Scotland - Wikipedia. (0)

Flowing Data: 40 visualisation tools for Power users
Flowing Data: 40 visualisation tools for Power users - that’s our description of their post 40 Essential Tools and Resources to Visualize Data (0)

FORD HAS A BETTER IDEA: HYBRIDS
Following General Motors announcement of the Volt, Ford Motor Company has just announced two new hybrids for 2010: (Only 7 years after the first Priuses hit the streets!) The Ford Fusion Hybrid and the Mercury Milan Hybird.  They will get 39 to 47 mpg, better than the Toyota Camry Hybrid and can operate in battery only mode. The world is changing. (0)

ENERGY POLICY & PUBLIC HEALTH
There really is no such thing as “Clean Coal.” Mining coal destroys mountains, and often kills the miners.  Burning coal releases tons of carbon into the atmosphere and the oceans, and even if you could sequester the carbon, burning coal releases other pollutants, including mercury into the biosphere. The mercury makes its way into fish. This is why people, especially children and pregnant women, should not eat a lot of tuna or swordfish.  Wind, solar, geothermal, ocean current, and “negawatts,” on the other hand, really are clean energy.  Offshore wind turbines don’t release pollution. On the contrary, they create artificial reefs, which enhance fish habitat. This is also good for fishermen, the economy, etc. (0)

TALK MAY BE CHEAP, BUT
when the markets are falling, prices are rising, and credit is tightening, it’s a uniquely affordable indulgence. - Walter Kirn, What’s a Depression, Daddy? New York Times Magazine, Nov 9, 2008 (0)

SIERRA CLUB KILLS KING COAL (mini)
The EPA has ruled ( full text PDF ) that new and proposed coal plants must address their carbon dioxide emissions - essentially killing off the construction of new coal-fired power plants in the foreseeable future. The EPA says “You may burn coal, but you must do it cleanly.” ( Sierra Club Press Release / Full Post ) (0)

FOCUSED SOLAR MELTING STEEL?
Coolstuff and MetaCafe have videos which show the power of a focused solar array melting steel. (Click here for CoolStuff -  Here for MetaCafe) It’s basic college mechanics - and also pretty amazing. (0)

CONGRATULATIONS, BARACK OBAMA AND AMERICA!
President-Elect Obama’s campaign was focused, disciplined, and effective. He has shown himself to be bright, calm, and decisive. He listens, and he has good judgment. We at Popular Logistics wish him and the country well.  And we know this: If President Obama governs the way President-Elect Obama campaigned, the country will do well.  Very well. (0)