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The article reports on developments in renewable energy development in Great Britain citing the operations of the NaREC's Clothier Laboratory and renewable energy center in the northeast. The laboratory has equipment that can test electrical equipment performance under extreme conditions. It also houses a transformer to test electrical equipment for optimum grid operation.

The article describes the design of a vertical axis wind turbine by American inventor, Robert Hunt based on pairs of rotatable shutters which are mounted on a carousel-like device with a circular disc and vertical turbine shaft. The turbine may be installed on the rooftops of homes, office buildings and industrial facilities.

The article reports on the development of a paper battery that generates electricity from urine by researchers at Singapore's Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology. The battery was designed to produce power for disposable health care test-kits using urine and was made from a layer of paper-soaked in copper chloride.

The article reports on trends pertaining to the printing of flexible, lightweight solar cell architectures onto foils and polymers by solar power companies using a production line of coating machines and rollers. The photovoltaics are produced at reduced costs and are made by spraying a thin film of an electrically conductive material into a metal foil or polymer substrate.

The article reports on the development of an ultra-clean coal by researchers in Australia that could reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional coal power stations. The coal was pioneered by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization and support by UCC Energy which could be burned directly in combined cycle gas turbines and may improve the thermal efficiency of gas turbines.

The article focuses on plans by the United States Department of Energy to design a portable, tamper-proof, sealed nuclear power reactor that could be delivered to its generation site through ship or haulage truck. In this regard, the researchers are in the process of designing a small lead or lead bismuth cooled fast reactor with plans of starting a prototype testing in 2025.

The article reports on the discovery of the bacteria, Desulfitobacterium by microbiologists, Charles Milliken and Harold May of South Carolina's Medical University which may be used to create electricity. Researchers stressed that the bacteria can continuously generate electricity to operate small electronic devices.

The article comments on key issues pertaining to regulations governing transport-related emissions including greenhouse gas and carbon dioxide emissions in Great Britain and the rest of Europe in commercial aeronautics, trains and power stations. In Great Britain, the government has set standards to cut emissions by 60 percent in 2003 relative to 1990 levels. This initiative has emphasized the obligation of the aviation industry to reduce carbon emissions including other sectors from households and industry to road transport and shipping. In this regard, the European Commission has proposed to include aviation emissions in the European Union emissions trading scheme.

Discusses why engineers do not get the right recognition and status that they deserve. Treatment of engineering as a vocational career; Need to draw the distinction between professional engineers and trained technicians who operate machine tools or fix cars; Efforts of engineers to change misconceptions about their profession.

Reports on developments in the use of biofuel in motor vehicles in Great Britain. Sale of GlobalDiesel, a blend of ultra-low sulphur diesel and rapeseed-based biodiesel, by supermarket giant Tesco; Ability of the biofuel to be mix in any ratio with petro-diesel; Impact of the bioethanol lower energy density on automobiles.

Focuses on agreements on how to reduce the effects of global warming and climate changes. Symposium entitled "Avoiding Dangerous Climate Change" held in Great Britain; Kyoto Protocol which requires industrialized countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide by 5.2 percent based on 1990 levels; Expectation that China and the U.S. will stop the exploitation of coal reserves.

Assesses the state of the semiconductor industry as of December 2004 and forecast its prospect for 2005. Forecast slowdown of the semiconductor industry according to executives; Attendance during the 2004 Electronica show dedicated to electronics applications, held in Munich, Germany;

Focuses on the thrill for space tourism in the U.S. Success of spacecraft pioneer Burt Rutan in winning the Ansari X Prize, a competition created to increase private sector presence in space; Trend in spin-off in the sector; Speculation on the possibility for private companies to take the lead role in the space industry.

Focuses on solutions to energy crisis. Debate on nuclear versus renewable energy generation; Round up of European energy activity; Information on how to participate in the Power Engineering reader debate.

Reports on the impact of the government's eagerness to meet Kyoto Protocol demands on the energy industries in Great Britain. Set of carbon dioxide emission targets; Increase in electric power capacity with new wind installations; Prediction on fossil fuel-based electricity production. INSET: Timms hints at fresh nuclear builds.

Reports on the advocacy for wind power as a renewable energy source in Great Britain. Prevention of the impending energy crisis; Alternative to the carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel plant; Environmental response to the accusations of landscape industrialization.

Reports on the potential impact of a move to a low carbon economy to the nuclear power industry in Great Britain. Efforts to cut carbon emissions by 20% by 2050; Challenges in the shift towards nuclear energy.

Focuses on the debate on the role of market forces in the security of supply of electricity in Great Britain and Europe. Contention of Stephen Timms, British energy minister, that the National Grid Transco (NGT) is responsible for short-term balancing, but not long term generation build; Impact of market dynamics on long-term investment; Contention among 91 percent of European utilities that blackouts will become a regular occurrence.

The article presents the author's views on the power sector industry. In the recent price control review, Ofgem unveiled incentives to encourage network operators to connect distributed generation to their low voltage networks. Returning to other sectors, it is no secret that, across the board, power is crying out for new blood. The IEE is launching the Electrical Engineering Academy, aimed at inspiring youngsters to join the industry and second, the Energy and Utility Skills Sector has been set up to plug the skills gap and recruit new employees. And this is just the start; similar schemes across the world are poised to provide the industry with what it really needs. It's not just about cash or a new network or words of wisdom from an ancient philosopher but what is needed is fresh talent to greet the change with open arms.

Shares insights on the crucial role of wind farms in providing decent jobs and in cutting carbon dioxide emissions in Great Britain. Fears of local reports on the effects of these turbines on the environment; Risks of having these wind farms; Actions taken by the government in limiting these risks.

Reports on the failure of fusion partners to agree on a location for their multi-billion pound International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project in Europe. Comments of Great Britain's head of fusion program Sir Christopher Llewellyn Smith. Use of ITER as a test-bed; Difference of processes of fusion and fission. INSET: NO HOME FOR FUSION.

This research examined the relationship between exemplar characteristics and concern for maternal health disparities. A two-wave 2 (familiarity) X 2 (vividness) between-subjects experiment tested the effects of exemplar familiarity and vividness on attitudes toward maternal health and maternal health disparities, perceptions of disparate risk, and policy support after exposure to a story about a mother who faced complications during childbirth and again three to five days later. The moderating role of political ideology was also examined. Results revealed positive effects of vividness on attitudes toward maternal mortality in general, attitudes toward maternal health disparities, and support for policies to address them in the short-term. Effects on general attitudes persisted three to five days later. Contrary to predictions, no effects were found for familiarity at Time 1. A familiar exemplar elicited more negative attitudes toward maternal mortality at Time 2. Examination of the moderating role of politics revealed the impact of vividness on general attitudes and policy support was greater among conservative participants, compared to more liberal participants. In addition to extending the applicability of exemplification theory to perceptions of risk toward others and subsequent policy support, this research has practical applications for bringing public attention to racial health disparities.