A Great Review of Carpet Steam Cleaner Shampoo

I was on the hunt the other day for some shampoo for my carpet steam cleaner and ended up doing a couple of days worth of research just trying to figure out all the options that are out there. There are some that are approved by 3M not to void your scotch guard warranty, some that contain very toxic chemicals, some that don�t clean so well, and some that are considered �green� and environmentally friendly as well as same for your family.

As Hoover�s basic carpet shampoo it seems to perform reasonable well, and at a fairly good price for a gallon of solution. Their deep cleansing formulas is strong enough for cleaning heavy soiled carpets, but gentle enough to clean upholstery and drapes. It also includes a FiberCoat protectant which cleans as it protects. These seem to be an effective, but yet fair valued product.ProsConsHoover Premium Carpet ShampooNature�s Miracle is an enzyme based pet stain and odor remover which actually breaks down organic messes to leave no odor or any mess behind. I have used similar products before and the enzyme based products are the only ones that have totally eliminated smells and mess. I believe these are a must for any pet owner to have in their pantry.Because this is an enzyme based cleaner you may still want to use a regular carpet shampoo to clean the entire floor. I don�t believe in universal products that can do it all. This product may be harmful to some materials so testing an inconspicuous spot before cleaning the entire area is a good idea.These products do get really good reviews from users. But, in some cases, the price is over twice the amount per fluid ounce as their premium grade. At twice the price they should clean twice as good. That seems unrealistic to me. If you want a professional cleaning product, there are some that can be purchased on the retail market.Carpet cleaning products can come with a wide variety of uses as well as well as several levels of cause for concern. The user really needs to weigh the importance of eco-consciousness vs. the need to have chemically cleaned carpeting. Although the �green� eco-friendly cleaning products are getting better every day, many don�t believe that they are as good as the standard chemical cleaners used for so many years.The same problem exists with the Bissell Professional grade products as with the Hoover products, they are twice the cost as their standard line of cleaners and I wonder if the added price will add extra value to the cleaning process.Their Trashed Neutral product is a prespray and detergent all in one. It is gentle enough for cleaning on upholstery and drapes, but yet heavy duty enough to tackle carpets in restaurants and bars.Bissell has a good healthy green policy going on and almost all of their products are earth and health friendly with almost no phosphates, dyes, or heavy metals which are often linked to health hazards and environmental destruction. These products are also listed by the EPA for their DFE (Designed For Environment) program. Bissell has several scented product if you prefer different scents on your cleaned carpeting. Many of these products get excellent reviews and should do an excellent job cleaning your carpeting. According to Bissell the use of their Professional grade products, with the Scotch Guard protection, and using one of their carpet cleaning machines does not void the Scotch Guard warranty on your carpet.Bissell 2X Carpet Cleaning ShampooThis is truly a �green� carpet shampoo. It is non toxic, biodegradable, all natural shampoo. It has no artificial colors, or fragrances which mean it can be friendly to those with allergies. It contains all natural surfactants with extracts from coconut and corn. Although these are considered a professional grade cleaner, they do not contain some of the high PH caustics that other cleaners have.With all of that information out there it was really hard to figure out what is really the best type of carpet shampoo for cleaning my carpets. Well, after sifting through all this information I decided to sit down and review the best of each category and assemble a sort of plan of what was the best and who each would best suit.Hoovers Platinum Collection is a professional grade carpet shampoos that claim to remove some of the well know toughest stains in the industry; like wine, coffee, grease, and cosmetics. Users that have reviewed these products do say they clean exceptionally well. All these products are approved by the rug and carpet institute.Hoover has two different lines of their carpet cleaning products. On line, their standard grade is called their Premium line and their other, the top line, is called the Platinum Collection. The subdivided into both lines they have different formulas for pets, deep cleansing, or multi-surface cleaning.These are the basic carpet cleaning shampoos. So, professional quality should not be expected here.These are a professional cleaning product so they are sold in larger quantities and because of their dilution ratios you probably will have quite a bit left over if you only clean your carpets once a year.Some of the pet products do contain enzymes that will help break down organic pet messes, but there are products specifically designed on the market to do pet mess cleanups that will more than likely work better than one of the all in one product solutions. We�ll get to some products later in the article that will hand pet mess clean up much better.Magic Wand is a janitorial supply company which handles a line of professional grade carpet shampoos. All of these products get great reviews from previous customers and are designed to break down and extract some of the heaviest stains. These products have dilution ratios of up to 64 to 1 and can be mixed in heavier solution for spot cleaning of heavy stains.The Magic Wand line of Carpet ShampooBissell also has their own line of Professional grade cleaners that do have a Scotch Guard additive to protect your carpets from spills.Although some products are listed as being safe for both upholstery and carpeting, I would use caution and test surfaces first before using on entire piece. Some of their products are formulated with citrus which can be acidic and could possibly harm certain materials.Some users reported that since it is a green cleaner they did not feel it did the same quality of job that a chemical cleaner could have done, but was happy with the fact that there were no chemicals in the cleaner.Their product line varies for different applications or types of messes that need to be cleaned up. They are also safe for natural fibers such as wool or cotton.Nature's Miracle Stain & Odor RemoverThey also have a line of unscented for those who have allergies for certain scents. Their packaging contains 25% post consumer plastic.Biokleen Carpet and Rug ShampooSome of their products contain very high PH levels and extra safety precautions may be necessary.

Carpet cleaning products can come with a wide variety of uses as well as well as several levels of cause for concern. The user really needs to weigh the importance of eco-consciousness vs. the need to have chemically cleaned carpeting. Although the �green� eco-friendly cleaning products are getting better every day, many don�t believe that they are as good as the standard chemical cleaners used for so many years.

Vacuum Cleaner Market Estimated at $2.7 Billion

MarketResearch.com has announced the addition of the new report "Vacuum Cleaners - US," to their collection of Small Appliances market reports. For more information, visit http://www.marketresearch.com/product/display.asp?ProductID=6477187 .

Add to Digg Bookmark with del.icio.us Add to NewsvineFor more information, visit http://www.marketresearch.com/product/display.asp?ProductID=6477187Contact: Veronica Franco MarketResearch.com Email Contact 240.747.3016The $2.7 billion vacuum market has continued to face challenges as low consumer confidence and a depressed housing market have limited market growth. After a steep drop in sales in 2008, 2009 and 2010, growth has been positive, but modest. Interest in sanitizing steam mops, bagless uprights and multi-surface products have lifted sales in some segments, but not enough to compensate fully for consumers' economizing efforts in an uncertain economy. Looking to 2011 and beyond, the aging of the Baby Boomer population, the growth in multi-ethnic families and trends towards "greener" living in more compact homes with hard surfaces are all factors that will shape the future of the floor appliance market.MarketResearch.com is the leading provider of global market intelligence products and services. With over 300,000 research reports from more than 700 top consulting and advisory firms, MarketResearch.com offers instant online access to the world's most extensive database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends. For more information, call Veronica Franco at 240-747-3016 or visit www.MarketResearch.com .How has appliance ownership changed over the past five years? Which vacuums do different consumer groups tend to favor? Which show a preference for uprights, handhelds, canisters, wet/dry vacuums, carpet cleaners, sticks, robotics or other specialized vacuums? Which products do they intend to purchase? Which groups are most likely to own multiple vacuums? Who was most likely to have overseen the household's most recent floor care appliance purchase? Which groups are most likely to report having pets, allergies, asthma or being concerned with air quality? How do these factors in turn shape ownership, purchasing, interests in special features and other attitudes toward floor care? Which groups are aware of HEPA filtration and which are interested in bagless or energy-saving appliances? What was the average amount spent on the most recently purchased vacuum? Which groups plan to spend the most on their next vacuum? What factors motivated the most recent vacuum purchase? Which groups were most likely to be replacing a broken vacuum and which were making first time purchases? In buying a vacuum, which consumers are most likely to be influenced by better suction, bagless technology, air filtration, improved maneuverability, energy efficiency or other factors? How much research do different groups undertake prior to purchase? Which groups are most likely to turn to online research sources? Which are most likely to simply pick their vacuum from the in-store selection? Which are most influenced by TV commercials or magazine ads?About MarketResearch.comExclusive, up-to-date consumer research is analyzed by key demographic groups (gender, age, household income, region, race and Hispanic origin) as well as by homeownership status, pet owners, those with allergies or asthma and moms. It offers answers to the following questions:

Contact: Veronica Franco MarketResearch.com Email Contact 240.747.3016

Inflatable Airbeds - No Fuss Sleeping Gear

Inflatable airbeds can be really useful at times when we have guests staying over for a night. They can be quickly deployed in the living room or study room. When not used, they can be deflated and stored away in the cupboard. This is useful especially in smaller houses without a dedicated guest room. However, they do not provide sufficient comfort and support and thus should not be considered for long term usage. They are best suited for temporary stow-away beds for guests or when you need to work overtime in the office till very night and may as well sleep in.

These portable air mattresses are available in a variety of designs and sizes, and you should be able to find one that suits your needs. Most come packaged with an electric or manual pump for you to quickly fill up the airbed. Do not try to inflate the mattress using your mouth as if it is a balloon. You will not be able to complete the job before your mouth starts to ache and suffer. Because there many companies making and selling these air mattresses, you have more choices than ever.Do you have kids? Do your kids have to stay at home alone after school until you get home from work? Then this is a very good reason for you to need home security. You will want to talk to your kids about safety and how to keep themselves safe when they are home by themselves. You also want to go over with them why family security and safety are so important. It is possible to keep your family safe when you find the right system.

These portable air mattresses are available in a variety of designs and sizes, and you should be able to find one that suits your needs. Most come packaged with an electric or manual pump for you to quickly fill up the airbed. Do not try to inflate the mattress using your mouth as if it is a balloon. You will not be able to complete the job before your mouth starts to ache and suffer. Because there many companies making and selling these air mattresses, you have more choices than ever.

Author: Sam Leong

Why Is Family Security And Safety So Important?

Why is family security and safety so important? There are a couple of different reasons. Find out what these reasons are because they will help you when you need to choose the right home security for you.

Before you attach the stripping to the sides,you need to be very careful and measure out how much space you have.The last thing you want is to nail in all of this weather stripping only to find out you cannot even close your door any longer.Once you have everything measured out,use roofing nails or the nails that came with your kit to fit everything into place.Make sure you test the door several times during this process to ensure that you do not have to do everything over.These portable airbeds are typically made of plastic, textile-reinforced plastic, or rubber. Some light weight airbeds actually look and feel no different from the inflatable sun tan beds found in the swimming pools and lagoons. The mattress support is provided by the contained air which is compressed under your body weight when you lie down on it. Due to the lack of solid support, it is unable to support and alleviate stress from your body's spine effectively and if you sleep on such a bed for several days continuously, you will soon feel the strain on your body. Sleeping on air does not necessarily mean comfort.Everyone wants to keep their family safe from any dangers that may happen when you are at home. Family security and safety will always be something that people are worried about. You can do something about it by getting home security so that you will know you are safe when you are at home.First off,you will have to choose the right weather stripping for your particular garage door.The average hardware store has a stunning number of choices,but the two that you want to pick are the bottom door gasket and a flange style stripping that goes around the outside of the door.The flange style stripping is fairly easy to find.It often comes in two varieties one with dual flexible sides and one that has a hard side and a flexible side that looks a lot like wood molding.There you have it, easy solutions for the problem of family security and safety that you may have never considered as easy solutions for resolving home security. Use these tips and breathe a little easier.

There you have it, easy solutions for the problem of family security and safety that you may have never considered as easy solutions for resolving home security. Use these tips and breathe a little easier.

Author: Ron McBride

How To Adjust or Replace Garage Door Weather Stripping

Our garages have fast become one of the most important places in our homes.Just like the basement,the garage has gone from a place where we might store a few things,but otherwise neglect,to becoming a vitally important workshop,TV room, and laundry room.Keeping our garage warm is much more important today than it used to be.If you are looking for ways to save on your energy bill,you may want to consider installing some weather stripping.It should only take you a few minutes and you will not need a hardware store full of tools,either.

Family security and safety always starts at home. So you need to take the time to find the home security system that you help you with this. You will want to make sure that you look at more than one system. You don't want to rush into any decision when it comes to the safety of your family or you could end up regretting it.Being portable sleeping solutions, they can be used when needed and tuck away neatly to save space when not needed. It sure beats sleeping on the sofa or contort yourself into a chair or lying on the cold floor with a towel when you do not have a bed around. It is also an acceptable sleeping arrangement if you are frequently relocating among different locations due to work and you prefer to bring a personal bed along rather than to sleep on a mattress that has been used by someone else. If you spent a lot of time outdoor such as camping or hunting trips, a cheap inflatable mattress can be brought along such that you need not sleep on hard and uneven terrain.Here are some final tips before you finish up.Make a point of checking on your garage door weather stripping in a few days after installation.You want to make sure that nothing is getting in the way of the garage door opening or closing.It is not that weather stripping is so expensive you cannot just replace a piece if you have a problem,but you need to look out for the motor so that you are not putting too much stress on it every time you leave your home.Done correctly,good garage door weather stripping can save you considerable cash on your next heating bill.

Here are some final tips before you finish up.Make a point of checking on your garage door weather stripping in a few days after installation.You want to make sure that nothing is getting in the way of the garage door opening or closing.It is not that weather stripping is so expensive you cannot just replace a piece if you have a problem,but you need to look out for the motor so that you are not putting too much stress on it every time you leave your home.Done correctly,good garage door weather stripping can save you considerable cash on your next heating bill.

Author: Doron Kim

Affordable Bathroom TVs, Luxurious Lifestyle

The idea of having a bathroom TV may seem like bit of a luxury and the type of thing you only get to see in movies or on MTV, but they are actually quite assessable. For safety�s sake you must make sure that you buy a bathroom TV which is designed purely for the job of providing you with entertainment in the steamiest room in the home.

The year-round warm ocean waters are responsible for the equally balmy air temperature. On their long journey, the trade winds pick up the cleanest ocean water and drop it onto our mountains. Rain is not gloomy here, but nurturing, cleansing, warm and refreshing. Towering cumulus clouds tend to build up over the volcanoes on sunny warm afternoons, resulting in brief, intense and localized showers. One may ask where all the rainwater goes, if not used by vegetation or running back to sea? Accumulated rainwater is filtered through rocks and pools between ancient layers of lava, creating gigantic aquifers of the purest fresh water deep in the earth to be tapped by future generations.The AirCoffee trees cannot withstand dryness, heat or frost. For these reasons only the world's premium coffees are grown under shade trees, which protect against the overhead tropical sun. Other commercial or inexpensive coffee varieties require additional fertilizers and pesticides in order to thrive in harsh, sunny terrains. Without a lush tree canopy for protection, the thin tropical soil of these sun-loving varieties is exposed to blazing rays and eroding rains. The sun literally scorches the much-needed microorganisms that exist within the earth. Once destroyed, they must then be replenished artificially. Naturally shade grown Kona coffee maintains a nutrient rich soil, which reduces acidity and produces dense and more flavorful beans. During the course of any given Kona day the land is gently heated by the sun, which draws moist breezes up the slopes to create what's called vector clouds. These clouds not only make shade trees obsolete, but they prompt drizzly convection rains throughout the afternoon. Therefore only in Hawai'i is coffee grown at lower altitudes and naturally irrigated. Each day around 20,000 gallons of pure, fresh Pacific rainwater is poured onto each acre of happy coffee trees. But moments after these periodic rains disappear, one may witness the sun once again pushing its way through at the coast below, creating magnificent rainbows and the most breathtaking Hawaiian sunsets.Those are your choices for cleaner and safer water. As you can see, I recommend only the RO water because it's cheaper and safer than filling gallon jugs out of a RO machine in a supermarket!The Smallest Room in the Home May Require the Largest TVThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the tap water standards, and promotes a Minimum Federal Standard for cities and states. They have no jurisdiction over bottled water, so there are no real standard to protect us. (Can you trust any water bottler, or all of the employees of same?)

In order to prevent the screen from getting misty, the bathroom TV will come with a heated screen. Condensation need not get in the way of your viewing pleasure. You are able to have it wall mounted or embedded into your bathroom wall.

Author: Garethhoyle12@gmail.com

Best Gourmet Coffee - The Top Ten Ingredients

Premium arabica coffee is a gift from the sun and the earth, born only under perfect environmental conditions in the mountainous regions between the tropics of Capricorn and Cancer. The best coffee requires light, fertile volcanic soil, abundant rainfall, some cloud cover, warm temperatures, very little wind, sunny mornings, rainy afternoons and the purest air. But where on earth can these ideal conditions be found? How about Kona, Hawaii? At the base of volcanoes Mauna Loa and Hualalai, the view is bounded on one side by mountains of perpetual green and pacific blues on the other. The morning air is soft and balmy, yet pure and refreshing. There is no place more beautiful where one would desire to pass their allotted time on earth, nor is there any other place better suited for growing specialty coffee! This is the Kona Coffee Belt, a 20-mile long by 2-mile wide band, which rests 700 to 2,500 feet above sea level. Spanning between the slopes of two volcanoes, lush green hills are covered by small, family owned plantations made up of trees that are sometimes more than a hundred years old. Here's are the 10 key reasons why Kona coffee, one of (if not THE) worlds top gourmet coffees can come only from Kona, Hawaii.

Your health is up to you. I hope this helps you to make good choices.The coffee tree is one of the few plants that can simultaneously grow a blossom as well as a ripe fruit on the same branch. These trees develop a deep root system in our porous, deep and well-drained soil. Not really huge trees, they appear more like bushes with heavily ridged leaves and long whip like branches that bend toward the ground once heavy with fruit. Members of the gardenia family, they produce amazingly fragrant, brilliantly white flowers that coat the hills many times throughout the year. Over here the folks like to call these blooms 'Hawaiian snow'. Century old coffee trees are handpicked to obtain the best flavor, assuring that only the reddest, ripest and finest cherries make it into your cup. Picking cherries too early or too late in the season will affect the taste of coffee, so only a trained eye knows exactly which fruit is at the right stage. Not many people know this, but the average Kona coffee tree yields about 13 pounds of raw cherry, which results in about 2 pounds of roasted coffee. So when you order 2 lbs from a Kona coffee farm, you're actually buying the yearly fruit of an entire tree! If you want to avoid consuming higher levels of caffeine,make sure to always serve coffea arabica beans, as they have half the caffeine, but double the aroma of the cheaper coffea robusta beans. To know that you got any of the other aforementioned benefits buy only pure Hawaiian Kona coffee (100% Kona Coffee).The FireLet�s look at some labels and see what they really mean.5. Distilled Water. This is excellent for your steam iron or making Colloidal Silver, but unless it's distilled in glass, it may have high amounts of Copper or Nickel from the distilling piping used. It also usually has no taste - pretty flat. But, it's still better than what probably comes out of your faucet.Latest Bathroom TVsIt�s usually recommended that we each drink 64 ounces of water per day - that�s 8 each 8 ounce glasses (full) every day. Actually, the better recommendation for good health is 1 gallon per 50 pounds of body weight. Few of us ever get even those minimum 8 glasses per day. The majority of adults in the US are borderline dehydrated. This is a mostly unsuspected cause, or a contributor to almost all disease or illnesses. You cannot drink too much water, so for better health start forcing yourself to drink more! You�ll enjoy better health as a result.In order to cope with the steam of the bathroom and the dangers of water the bathroom TVs are built to be completely waterproof. This means that they are able to be used even in the wettest room in the home. The speakers will also be waterproof, and should you wish to have external speakers you will need to make sure that they are waterproof also.Most likely any coffees you ever drank came from ultra-productive, low-waged labor, machine-picked and pesticide sprayed coffee farms in other parts of the world. Large companies who trade in coffee are interested in buying the cheapest beans available, resell, ship, store it for many months to the point where they have to infuse coffee aromas back into the beans during the roasting process! And you wonder why your stomach rebels against that second cup... Intense hand labor, only ripe beans, a unique climate and soil in Kona combined with natural processing gives this coffee its greatness. Real, fresh 100% Kona coffee is hard to come by outside of Kona, which is why many coffee drinkers are easily duped. Companies all over the world mislead customers and profit on the reputation of the Kona fame by mixing few Kona coffee beans with much, much cheaper inferior Central or South American beans. This combination produces an atypical, cheaper taste, and is commonly referred to as '10% Kona Blend', 'Kona Roast', or 'Kona Style'. Yet this name misleads folks to believe that the bag of coffee they've purchased contains a mix or 'blend' of various Kona coffees. The law of Hawai'i stipulates that a bag of pure Kona coffee must have printed on its label the words 100% KONA COFFEE to guarantee its contents. So watch out for it and check the bag or cross check the coffee websites carefully before you order!The Hawaiian islands were created by a fine crack in the mantle of the earth, which leaked so much lava onto the deep ocean floor that it created the world's highest volcano. And if measured from the ocean floor, it is also the world's highest mountain. Magnificent steam explosions occur where the glowing lava flow enters the ocean and creates new land out of rocks, pebbles and sand. The volcano is believed by Hawaiian's to be an incarnation of the goddess Pel�, who is soothed by sacrifices and offerings of respect. Occasionally one may find stony strands of her 'hair' or pellets like shiny 'tears' on the beach, from when she wanders amongst us mortals in the figure of an old woman.I found a simple under-counter Reverse Osmosis unit at Costco or Home Depot for under $150. It wasn�t too difficult to install, and it works well for a year without changing filters in a two person household. (Otherwise, change filters every six months.)The WaterIn order to prevent the screen from getting misty, the bathroom TV will come with a heated screen. Condensation need not get in the way of your viewing pleasure. You are able to have it wall mounted or embedded into your bathroom wall.Water alone cures many so-called �diseases�. It even eases aches and pains. Dehydration is a major problem, and it�s estimated that 4/5ths of the human population is dehydrated. To further multiply this problem, as we get older, we tend to lose the �thirsty� feelings that urge us to drink.People are becoming aware that their drinking water (out of the tap) isn't very good any more. The market for bottled water is huge and becoming more and more profitable every year as a result. But, is all bottled water safe? Here are a few of the problems:Waterproof TechnologyFamily owned plantations produce the finest, estate-grown coffee with superior large, dense and flavorful beans. Kona coffee maintains individual subtleties; much better tasting than pooled, generically sold cheaper alternatives. Kona is comparable to the Champagne region in France, which produces the only legitimately named 'Champagne' product. And like Champagne, 100% Kona coffee is distinguished from commercial blends not only by region and the ideal growing conditions, but also by the enormous amount of care taken throughout each step of the farming, harvesting and roasting processes. Whether it's from the individual pruning of the trees, handpicking only the ripest coffee cherries, carefully sun-drying on large open decks and roasting prior to packaging the coffee in specially sealed bags to ensure freshness--you can be assured that Hawaiian Kona coffee is comparable to no other. Only 14,000 to 16,000 sacks of this precious Kona coffee is produced each year by the few hundred farms dotting the hills of this region, making pure Kona coffee the rare and sought after gourmet coffee in the world.During the pulping process the harvested red berries are soaked in the freshest and purest rainwater to ferment overnight. This labor-intense 'wet method' is the preferred way of processing high grown arabicas. The soaked skins and pulp are then removed from the beans, which are later washed and spread out to dry on a wooden dry deck. The moist beans are raked many times throughout the day so that the drying happens uniformly. Kona's warm sun and gentle breezes dry the beans slowly to the perfect moisture level. Commercial grades of coffee utilize a mechanical drying method, which forces hot air over the beans to speed up the drying process. This method proves less labor intensive, therefore lowering the price. Sundried coffee maintains more of a delicate, mellow flavor--whereas kiln dried coffee will oftentimes lose some of the aromas Kona coffee is famous for. The only way to safely preserve coffee and its rich aromas for as long as possible is to keep it in its parchment form. Yet most coffee is processed very quickly to its green bean form in their respective country of origin. Once the green beans are exposed to air, light and humidity, the surface oxidizes and bacteria, yeasts and moulds start their deteriorating work. Many months journeys in the stuffy hold of a ship, various cargo trucks and warehouses go by before the green beans get to the roasters and ultimately to your cup. Better to only hull the parchment of the beans right before they are roasted. It's simply healthier and tastier.There are different sized televisions to suit any size of bathroom in your home. The smallest bathroom TV ranges from just 15� which are perfect to have built into the wall at the end of your bath. If you have a great deal of room in your bathroom then you could afford to go for a larger television screen. The biggest bathroom TV is an impressive 42�, which is ideal if you love the idea of watching movies or even sports while taking a relaxing bath at the end of a busy day.The Shade of Vector CloudsThe Big Island is a bit smaller than the state of Connecticut and slightly larger than the island of Cyprus in the Mediterranean Sea. It's the largest of the seven Hawai'ian islands though, yet only 130,000 inhabitants call this place home. Due to Hawai'i's remoteness, the islands have been spared many diseases and countless pests have never landed on its shores, which enables the land, the sea, even the air to remain abundant, fertile and pure. The disintegrating volcanic rock on the Big Island is rich in natural minerals and erodes easily. This geologically young, porous and well-drained soil, mixed with decayed vegetation creates nutritious and healthy pastures for Hawaii's flowers, fruits and verdant greens. The Big Islands broad slopes and high peaks obstruct the flow of weather patterns over the Pacific, causing 13 of the world's 16 global climates to be found here: sunny beaches, tropical rain forests, cool alpine regions and stony deserts - each with its own unique weather, plants and animals.1. Bottled Spring water: All too often this is just a scam. Yes, it's from a "spring", but there is no guarantee that the water from this spring is pure. Often, it's bottled from a local water supply directly from a tap. It's from a spring OK, but what spring? There's big money in bottled water, and if you haven't noticed, it's sometimes even more expensive than soft drinks.

Life seen through the eyes of a little Hawaiian girl growing up on a genuine small coffee farm in Kona: http://www.athenaofhawaii.com/ (moderate pricing; celebrity clientele; presented in handcrafted wooden gift boxes and unique tapa cloth pouches)

Author: Joachim Oster

Water: The Overlooked Nutrient

When people talk about nutrition, they usually overlook one of the most important nutrients necessary for good health. WATER! That's mostly because we've taken it for granted for thousands of years.

There is an island, which is far away from any other land. So far actually, that when the winds finally arrive, the air is cleaner and clearer than anywhere else on earth. Naturally filtered of pollutants and oxygenated by thousands of miles of ocean in each direction, it feels like breathing pure silk. This is Hawai'i, the most isolated archipelago in the Pacific and in the world. Hawaiian weather patterns are affected primarily by high-pressure zones in the north Pacific that send cool, moist trade winds to the island's northeastern slopes. The winds are forced up-slope, where moisture condenses into rain producing clouds - a phenomenon that creates the rich tropical environment for Hawai'i's flowers and vibrant greens.The Sun DryingThe Small EstatesSun drenched mornings and misty afternoons are not all Kona needs in order to produce the perfect Hawaiian coffee climate. Large steam plumes on the other side of the island are produced where lava enters the ocean. These clouds contain a mixture of light hydrochloric acid and water droplets, which is created when the intense heat of lava evaporates salty seawater. This hazy mixture we call 'laze'. The constant airborne emissions of the Kilauea crater releases sulfur dioxide gases, which react chemically with sunlight and oxygen. They form a sulfuric acid fog we call 'vog' (volcanic fog). The trade winds dilute these cloud mixtures and send them on a hundred mile journey around the southern tip of the island to Kona. Here in the coffee belt this cloud mixtures serve as a gentle and natural fertilizer for the coffee trees. Volcanic soil is sometimes too alkaline and requires these acids in order to balance the pH value, which in turn creates the perfect growing conditions for coffee arabica trees. This unique combination is yet another reason that Kona coffee beans come from the most productive trees on earth!You can expect everything from your bathroom TV that you would with any television. The latest models are flat screen, and use LCD technology which provides you with a crisp, clear and bright resolution. The bathroom TV will be HD ready and have built in Freeview with a digital tuner which will give you access to fifty channels and meets the requirements for the digital switch over.Life seen through the eyes of a little Hawaiian girl growing up on a genuine small coffee farm in Kona: http://www.athenaofhawaii.com/ (moderate pricing; celebrity clientele; presented in handcrafted wooden gift boxes and unique tapa cloth pouches)City and municipal water requirements are usually much more stringent than are bottling rules. In a study of 103 brands of bottled water the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) found that 1/3rd of the over 1000 bottles tested contained bacteria, as well as synthetic organic chemicals, and one sample even contained arsenic above state health limits.The Trade WindsThe plastic it is usually packaged in varies. The �cloudy� type isn�t nearly as stable a plastic as the clear type. And, all plastic gives up a few molecules to water (the universal solvent of the philosophers). This is not good for any of us. Hard plastic or glass is best.6. Reverse Osmosis Water. This is probably the "best" of all drinking water, PROVIDED that the filters are changed regularly. Ideally, there are several "particle" filters and at least one carbon block filter prior to the Reverse Osmosis filter. This RO filter is a rubbery sheet, and by osmotic action, (and water pressure) molecules of water pass from the "dirty" side to the "clean side. This type of filter can also get clean drinking water from the ocean. It is by far the best drinking water. (For a great taste, you can add about � teaspoon of sea salt per gallon, and/or even a few drops of lemon juice.)Did you know that many deaths in nursing homes are actually caused by dehydration? Dehydration of the frontal lobes is a major factor in senility and is often misdiagnosed as Alzheimer�s.Throughout most of the year Hawaiian weather patterns are affected primarily by high-pressure zones in the north Pacific that send cool, moist trade winds to the island's northeastern slopes. The strength of these winds build as the heat of the day rises and reach a peak in the afternoon, only to diminish in the evening and start again the next day. The trade winds are forced up-slope by the mountain heights where moisture condenses into rain producing clouds. Most of this rain falls then in the mountains and valleys on the wet, windward (northeastern) side of the island and it is this weather phenomenon that creates the rich tropical environment for Hawaii's flowers and vibrant greens. Shelter on the dry, leeward (southwestern) side from the prevailing trade winds and occasional tropical storms is provided by the 14,000 foot height of the volcano Mauna Loa. But there is enough wind left for the Kona coffee belt for some cooling breezes during tropical nights.4. Carbon Filtered Water. These are those little "screw-on" or "pitcher" water filters. Some even have a silver nitrate element to kill bacteria included. Few are good enough to remove most of the worst contaminants. And, few people change the filters often enough, so contamination creeps in again. They give you a false sense of security, and because of the carbon filtering, the water smells and tastes better, but in most areas, it simply isn't very good. (Perfume can cover up a contamination smell, but it doesn't remove the source.)The Earth3. Catching Rainwater. This time-honored way to get "pure water" just doesn't work very well anymore. The amount of toxic material in the air results in "Acid Rain" in much of the US. When my wife and I sailed around the Caribbean some years ago, we caught all our water that way, and simply filtered it thru a carbon block filter after putting in some chlorine to kill the possible airborne bacteria. It worked because the ocean rain is much purer than most of the rain over land.We cannot absorb water properly in anything that contains caffeine or sugar, so soda, coffee and tea don�t count in your daily intake. Some experts say that we should take enough water in so that our urine looks almost clear. (Since I take a multivitamin with excess B vitamins, my urine is always slightly yellow colored.See many pictures and read more of how a small farm produces delicious, affordable 100% Kona coffee: http://www.bluehorsekona.com/ (low end pricing)

Your health is up to you. I hope this helps you to make good choices.

Author: Dr. Phil Bate

The Grill Daddy

THE GRILL DADDY is an ultra-lightweight grill brush that uses the power of steam. This tool is specially crafted for convenience and safety. Ergonomic handles keep hands away from heat and provide maximum leverage for better cleaning. The Grill Daddy is made with all FDA-approved materials and its stainless steel bristles are great for breaking up caked on debris without harming the grates. With a push of a button, steam is released to help liquefy grease. This steam cleaning method prevents future grease build-up on the brush and returns grates down to their original surface. An added bonus is the water-only cleaning. The brush is available in two sizes: a smaller travel size, Grill Daddy and a larger master cleaner, Grill Daddy Pro.

The Company boasts a highly experienced engineering team, whose vision and technical capabilities are driving the development and implementation of this unique hybrid fuel technology.0870 606 1248)

WWW.BUYGRILLDADDY.COM

TO THE TEST: Floor cleaners

Steam & Vac, pounds 299 (www.

Mr Abdul Mitha, President and CEO of Clean Power Technologies Inc., said: "This is an exciting collaboration for us, which will provide additional engineering capability in the development of a refrigeration engine that is cleaner and more fuel-efficient. The cost of operating diesel engines has been steadily rising as the price of oil increases. This cost is beginning to be passed on to consumers and is already being reflected on the grocery shelves. The transportation industry is therefore looking for a solution that will improve fuel and cost efficiencies whilst reducing emissions, all of which would provide substantial monetary savings. We believe we have that solution."The CESAR system can be used to power auxiliary truck systems, such as trailer refrigeration and cab cooling or heating, in regulatory 'no idle' and 'quiet' zones. In addition to initial truck applications, CESAR can be further applied in Clean Power's well developed passenger car programme in addition to having longer-term potential in the locomotive and marine sectors.steam mop with patioClean Power's Clean Energy Storage and Recovery (CESAR) technology is designed to increase vehicle fuel economy and reducing emissions by capturing, storing and reusing otherwise wasted heat from the exhaust of a conventional combustion engine. A heat exchanger captures waste energy, which is then stored in the form of steam in an accumulator, for 'on demand' use either in the same 'primary' engine, or in a secondary vapour engine. Power can be produced solely by the secondary vapour engine even after the primary combustion engine has shut down.Clean Power's proprietary automotive hybrid technology, Clean Energy Storage and Recovery ('CESAR'), captures otherwise wasted exhaust heat of a conventional combustion engine and utilizes the recovered heat as steam to generate clean power for the vehicle. The technology provides 40% better fuel efficiency and a corresponding reduction in emission levels, as verified by comprehensive tests.(www.amazon.co.uk,The Company listed on XETRA on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in October 2006, and is also traded on the OTC Bulletin Board in the US.THIS two-in-one cleaner has six accessories to vacuum and steam clean carpets, hard floors and upholstery. Although parts feel quite flimsy all the sections lock together securely and it's extremely easy to use. Sadly the vacuum performance let it down.Thomas Twin Aquafilter, pounds 249Light 'n' Easy HT824YPContacts: Clean Power Technologies Inc. Abdul Mitha President & CEO (403) 277-2944 or UK mobile: 44 (0) 782 436 5198 Email: mithaa@shaw.ca Clean Power Technologies Inc. 436-35 Avenue N.W. Calgary, Alberta Canada T2K 0C1 Website: www.cleanpowertechnologies.com Media enquiries: Abchurch Communications Limited Gareth Mead / Monique Tsang 44 (0) 20 7398 7700 Email: monique.tsang@abchurch-group.com Website: www.abchurch-group.comHEPA filtered multi-vac with an excellent 2000W vacuum with brush head, hot water cleaner and attachments for carpets and hard floors. Cleaning carpets is easy - the detergent has Scotchguard to protect from stains. And the hard floor attachment picks up loads of dirt.Mr Abdul Mitha, President and CEO of Clean Power Technologies Inc., added: "Voith Turbo GmbH & Co. KG has the outstanding engineering capability to undertake development of very specialized and complex technologies. We are confident that this collaboration will produce an engine that will be one of the most fuel-efficient and least polluting engines available on the market."Clean Power Technologies operates out of its development facility in Newhaven, East Sussex. In 2006, testing of the CESAR system began on a Mazda RX8 passenger vehicle engine, with trials on a second identical engine commencing later that year. In June 2007 testing also began on a Caterpillar C15 diesel engine to explore applications, such as auxiliary power and trailer refrigeration, within the industrial vehicle and truck industries. Testing on the CESAR process began in late October 2007, with initial results already recording a 40% improvement in fuel efficiency.SUPERB deep cleaning on both hard floors and carpets thanks to the rotating brush heads that scrub the surface. The hose attachment and handheld scrubber also works brilliantly on stains and upholstery. Sadly it's heavy to manoeuvre, the cable gets in the way as you work backwards and it's enormous, so not ideal if you're running short on storage.ABOUT VOITH AG AND VOITH TURBO GmbH & Co. KGABOUT CESAR(866) 605-9511, OR

HEPA filtered multi-vac with an excellent 2000W vacuum with brush head, hot water cleaner and attachments for carpets and hard floors. Cleaning carpets is easy - the detergent has Scotchguard to protect from stains. And the hard floor attachment picks up loads of dirt.

Author: Zena Alli

Clean Power Signs Engine Development Agreement With Voith Turbo GmbH & Co. KG

Clean Power Technologies Inc. ("Clean Power" or the "Company") (OTCBB: CPWE)(FRANKFURT: C1L), developer of a unique heat recovery and hybrid power system to reduce vehicle emissions, is pleased to announce that it has signed a collaboration agreement with Voith Turbo GmbH & Co. KG to develop steam and heat energy recovery engines for Clean Power's proprietary heat recovery technology for refrigeration trailers for the grocery market.

Voith Turbo, the specialist for Hydrodynamic drive, Coupling and braking systems for road, rail and industrial applications, as well as for ship propulsion systems, is a Group Division of Voith AG. Voith sets standards worldwide for papermaking technology, power transmission, energy technology and industrial services. Voith was founded in 1867. With approximately 37,000 employees, annual sales of EUR 4 billion and over 270 locations worldwide, Voith is one of the largest family-owned companies in Europe. Voith is an official partner of the initiative "Germany-Land of Ideas."Voith is a multi-national company with significant interest in the development of expand in engine and braking systems. As part of its own drive systems and components development programme Voith Turbo GmbH & Co. KG has already developed hybrid systems, waste recovery systems and expansion engines based on the internal combustion engine which are used on the road, on rail, on water and in other industries.WWW.BUYGRILLDADDY.COMCHOOSE between a powerful HEPA filtered vacuum that uses a water tank to contain the dust, or turn it into a wet and dry multi- tasker that has a brilliant window squeegee and an effective hard floor wet vac. It's well built - but the attachments can work loose.ABOUT CLEAN POWER TECHNOLOGIES(www.vax.co.uk,(www.bissel.com, 0870 225 0109)GRILL DADDYThere are over 7 million refrigerated trailers in the US and about 2.5 million in the EU. The UK alone has approximately 40,000 refrigerated trailers while the overall global truck market is growing at 8% per annum.VERSATILE steam mop with three interchangeable heads for hard floors, patios and carpet. The Velcro cloth head shifted loads of dirt on lino without soaking the floor, the patio brush took some effort but worked wel l, but the carpe t attachment was hopeless.For more information see www.voith.com .Clean Power Technologies is committed to developing hybrid fuel technology and alternative fuel for a range of vehicles, including locomotives, heavy trucks and light cars. The Company's proprietary technology significantly reduces pollution through its Clean Energy Storage and Recovery (CESAR) system, which takes otherwise wasted heat from the exhaust of a conventional combustion engine and modifies it through a heat recovery system to generate clean power for the vehicle.V-125 All Terrainbrush, pounds 59.990800 279 6620)PROHeat Allrounder, pounds 249Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, Clean Power and Voith Turbo GmbH & Co. KG will analyse data from the testing of an existing refrigeration engine, results from which will be used to build and test a new engine that incorporates Clean Power's proprietary heat recovery technology. Clean Power is currently collecting initial data from an existing refrigeration engine at the Company's headquarters in Calgary, Canada.Mr Stephan Bartosch, Voith Turbo's Vice President Powertrain Technology responsible for the collaboration, commented: "We know there is demand across the transport sector for greater fuel efficiency and for improvements in the emissions levels of diesel engines. Our work on a next generation of steam engines will be allied with a means to capitalise on the previously wasted heat energy with Clean Power for refrigeration trailers. While the technology is complex, the solution which this collaboration aims to provide to meet this growing market need is simple."

Contacts: Clean Power Technologies Inc. Abdul Mitha President & CEO (403) 277-2944 or UK mobile: 44 (0) 782 436 5198 Email: mithaa@shaw.ca Clean Power Technologies Inc. 436-35 Avenue N.W. Calgary, Alberta Canada T2K 0C1 Website: www.cleanpowertechnologies.com Media enquiries: Abchurch Communications Limited Gareth Mead / Monique Tsang 44 (0) 20 7398 7700 Email: monique.tsang@abchurch-group.com Website: www.abchurch-group.com

Alternative Cheaper, Green Paving Using Polymer

Will polymer replace asphalt?

How can I tell what I'm looking at?"It feels good to finally be in the limelight again, to have the absolute right models and technical solutions in place at the right time," said Jan Ake Jonsson, CEO of Saab.The small car company, which now seems posed for enduring profitability, lost money during the majority of years it's been owned partly or wholly by cm. The U.S. car giant bought a 50 percent stake and management control of Saab in 1989, then the remainder in December 1999. Why would you take a job such as the one of CEO at Saab after so many hard years?NaphthaleneBIOPOWER IN THE UNITED STATESNaphthalene is a common component in not only many carpet cleaning shampoos, but can also be found in moth balls and toilet bowl deodorizers. Naphthalene destroys the red blood cells ability to carry oxygen and also has been linked to liver and kidney damage. Common symptoms of overexposure to Naphthalene include: headaches, increased heart rate, convulsions, low urine output, yellowing of skin, and can even lead to coma.PolymerPaving.com markets accessory products that enhance the already good characteristics of the DirtGlue polymer exponentially. These accessory products allow DGp to cure faster, to be applied at lower temperatures, to tolerate high plasticity soils such a clays and silts much better, and to enhance overall bond strength. This is the only polymer soil stabilization company that has this new and superior technology.National Park Service, Colorado State University - Environmental Contaminants, Asphalt"Of our customers in Europe, 45% buy the car because it is environmentally friendly," he said. "35% buy it because of the economic incentives."How does polymer address the strength problem?Over the last two decades we have had summers so hot, that the temperature retained by asphalt is becoming newsworthy problem in larger metropolitan areas worldwide, especially with the elderly population.Jonsson believes Saab clients are progressive and modern and, most important, want to be responsible.Consumer interest in cleaner and greener auto technology is exploding, even in the United States. From fuel cells to plugin hybrids, the industry is showing more research and development zeal than at any time since the golden days of 1900, when gasoline, steam and electric vehicles (ev's) competed in the marketplace. This spring's car salon in Geneva, Switzerland was greener than ever, and one manufacturer dominated the headlines for its BioPower engines: Saab Cars of Sweden. These days wholly owned by gm, Saab introduced yet another BioPower model - the 9-3 production car - now available with a flex-fuel engine which runs on regular gas or gas with an 85% ethanol content. But the star and talk of the show, the car that became the favorite image for major European news media was the Saab 9-5 concept car, optimized to run on pure bioethanol (EIOO) fuel. Run with bioethanol, Saab turbocharged engines create a whopping 300 hp from its 2.0-liter engine, all with substantially reduced C02 emissions. Wherever you looked, BioPower and Saab's new concept car became the symbol for this year's wave of environmental concerns among consumers, politicians and automakers.Environmental issues of asphalt:Saab's production processes have had a productivity development of 5% to 15% per year, Jonsson said. "All of Saab's development, all of its cars are based on social responsibility; cars have always had to be secure and functional - today, also responsible in the environmental sense: Driving Saabs should make sense in every way. And yet, at Saab we have taken our concept one step further, making sporty, progressive design and performance part and parcel of the cars' looks and driving experience as well.""It's certainly not the financial benefits or the media exposure. It's just that it's really hard to say no to such an opportunity after so many years with the company," said Jonsson."Center for Disease Control (CDC) - Research on Asphalt ToxicityWhat is asphalt? (wiseGeek.com)It is refreshing that there are product alternatives that we can use to keep our carpets clean as well as keeping us and our environment safe along the way.Whatever you feel about which cleaner technology to use - the now oh-so-popular hybrids, diesel engines, biodiesel or what many consider the ultimate future: fuel cells - most of them do have a problem. They either, consume more energy and adversely affect the environment in the production process, or they are simply not available at the right price point. The technology behind BioPower is not necessarily smarter or better or less polluting in the long run, but it is here, now, at an affordable price (for you and the environment), not sometime in the future."We're in a transition period," Jonsson said. "And there are options available today to make a difference. We at Saab want to show that environmental cars don't have to be boring. They can be fun!"Another company that has a natural enzyme based line of cleaners is Natures Miracle. They offer a regular natural carpet shampoo, but their most recognizable line of cleaners are enzyme based cleaners designed to clean up and totally eliminate pet messes. Some of these enzyme cleaners are actually precleaners designed to clean up specific pet messes or eliminate odors. Although these products do contain fragrances which can sometimes contain their own line of toxins, their carpet shampoo is phosphate free.Polymer molecules are long, allowing a great level of elasticity without compromising road strength. Polymer will remain elastic for many, many years after asphalt starts to crack."There's no question we would have liked to be there now, not tomorrow, but this being said, we also have to look at realities; very few states offer you the opportunity to fill your car with the E85 fuel. As soon as we see the infrastructure and the availability of E85 taking off we will be ready. Realistically, this will probably take a couple of years."Polymer technology (advances in chemistry which allow us to make long strings of molecules) has gradually entered the paving industry, as it has into many other areas. The first to cross into the paving industry were companies which provided dispersible polymer for dust control.Heat Island Effect

Additional details are available from projects@polymerpaving.com

Author: Dan Banici

Caution - Do You Know the Dangers That Could Be Coming Out of Your Carpet Steam Cleaner

There are some very scary things going on right beneath our noses. Toxic chemicals have slowly infiltrated our houses without us even noticing. Some of the worst chemicals are the ones we pour in to our carpet steam cleaner. When cleaning a carpet we need to get as much cleaning action without too much soap residue. Most carpet cleaners do not have options to rinse with fresh water, so the soap solution needs to clean without leaving too much soap behind.

With chemicals like these being released in to our air by our carpet steam cleaner, what can we possibly do to protect our health and our environment. Well, there are alternatives that are healthy and green which don�t contain these chemicals at all.The knowledge of the imminent danger from our reckless use of non-renewable resources has prompted a need for a complete reversal in our transport system for the future according to Jonsson.Virginia Dept of Transportation - Leaching & Toxicity of Recycled Asphalt Pavement to Aquatic OrganismsThe Swedish manufacturer has for many years been the choice of the independent souls, the choice of those who not only value security and responsible driving but design and performance... these days of the right kind. In Europe, Saab is first and foremost also the choice for more environmentally correct performance. Saab drivers leave a smaller C02 footprint, and yet, receive a lot of muscle in their cars. More performance at less cost for nature... an oxymoron? Hardly. For Saab, which started developing turbo-driven engines with lower cylinder volumes before everyone else, the connection is a natural: BioPower in the form of cars fueled by ethanol mixes of 85%, sometimes now even 100%, brings more horsepower to less cylinder volume. "It's natural and it's a natural for us," said Jonsson, CEO of the formerly fledgling Swedish car company. "The effect you get from any given engine is the result of the efficiency of the mix of air and fuel, optimized by our turbo engines. More air to a given volume of fuel brings less emissions but also more power to the car."My pick for the safest natural carpet shampoo is a solution from Biokleen. Biokleen is Natural, Non-Toxic, and Biodegradable solution. It is not artificially fragranced or colored which many times deceivably adds to the toxicity of the cleaning products. It is biodegradable and friendly to the environment. We won�t have to worry about poisoning our ground water, rivers or streams with the disposal of the waste products.Asphalt makes an excellent road surface, there is no denying it. However, it is toxic not only to the workers absorbing the fumes, but also to the ground, water and generally the environment it sips into.Natures MiracleConcrete has always been a great alternative to asphalt. However, it comes with a drawback. If you don't have top notch equipment and engineering from the first layer of base to the last day of work, any missed step or corner cut will inevitably transform into a costly tragedy of proportions unimagined just a few short years later. Concrete as an alternative is cleaner but costs are about the same. Do concrete properly, and it probably costs much more than asphalt. You do get a long lasting, durable road in return.Perchlorethylene, better known as PERC, has been common in the dry cleaning industry for years and is known for its excellent degreasing properties without damaging the base material. The problem with PERC is that it is extremely toxic to not only to us, but also the environment. PERC is considered to be a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and is extremely damaging to both the kidneys and the liver. PERC is also a central nervous system depressant that can cause dizziness, loss or coordination, unconsciousness, and even possibly death in over exposure.Additional details are available from projects@polymerpaving.comEarth Friendly ProductsThe carpet cleaning industry has turned to some of the most toxic chemicals often found in the dry cleaning industry to try and cure this problem. Chemicals like Perchlorethylene (PERC) and Naphthalene are prime examples of these chemicals.

It is refreshing that there are product alternatives that we can use to keep our carpets clean as well as keeping us and our environment safe along the way.

Author: Kevin Katzenberg

DRIVING SOLUTIONS BASED ON 'GREEN FUELS'

NR sat down with Jan �kejonsson, CEO and President of Saab cars to talk about the future of Saab, cars and the environment.

Saab and its BioPower engines and cars have in Europe become synonymous with the new trend of environmentally friendly cars. "Our BioPower car is the number one environmental car in Sweden, and it was introduced close to two years ago. It outsold, for instance, the Toyota Hybrid by 5 to 1 in 2006," according to the noticeably pleased Saab CEO.Jonsson, after a couple of years of leadership, seems relaxed, with a positive, confident outlook.Saab BioPower, a flex-fuel vehicle available in both the 9-5 and smaller 9-3 models, is a premium-class car with plenty of horsepower, a combination, which makes its drivers feel good about themselves. Over 80% of all Saab cars sold in Sweden have the BioPower engine. Why is the car so successful in Sweden?Polymer as an alternativeElasticityDespite these numbers and the proliferation of cars such as the Toyota Prius, hybrids still made up only about 1% of the market in 2006. The share for environmentally friendly cars, however, is growing and by 2013, j.d. Power predicts green cars will have five percent. A wide range of hybrids entered the market this year, so why then isn't the BioPower engine available already in the U.S.? Jonsson, whose two-year post at the helm of the company isn't long enough to have had any serious impact on that particular decision, has no readily available answer."It used to be that we'd need a much larger volume to break even. After cost-cutting efforts of late, where we eliminated at least one third of overall costs, we're ready for our next leap. Saab will be one of the most efficient and productive car companies in the world. We are at present able to turn in a profit at between 150,000 and 175,000 sold cars."He started working for Saab as a Trainee in 1971, in computer systems development. "At the time, we were working with main frames that were as large as today's cars. The good thing with being part of the early development of information systems and intra-company structure was you learned the company, inside and out."BiokleenAn easy way to determine polymer quality and type is by reviewing the respective product's MSDS. An MSDS that shows a wide range of pH will be inconsistent, will likely be a vinyl copolymer blend, and if the pH is below 7 it will likely be all vinyl. An MSDS that has a range for percent solids will be inconsistent, and so will be your road.Asphalt is a thick brownish or black substance derived from the same crude oil which produces kerosene, gasoline and vinyl. It is literally scraped from the bottom of the barrel after all other petroleum-based products have been refined or processed. The tar from the crude oil is usually mixed with sand or gravel (often called aggregate) to form the finished product we call asphalt. The black tar forms a strong adhesive bond with the aggregate, which makes it durable. When used in road construction, asphalt is usually poured over a bed of heavier aggregate in a heated state, then pressed into place by an extremely heavy steam roller. Asphalt does have some drawbacks as a construction material, however. The sulphur fumes released during the heating process can be hazardous to workers and very unpleasant for passers-by. Traffic and constant exposure to the elements can cause asphalt to wear out faster than anticipated. Because the ground beneath the asphalt can repeatedly freeze and thaw, asphalt roads are susceptible to cracks and pothole formation.The first series of products that offer relief from the potential of the toxic poisoning is from a company called Earth Friendly Products. This line only uses non toxic earth friendly compounds to create a line of safe products you can feel good about putting in your carpet steam cleaner. Their carpet shampoo contains no phosphates, chlorine, petrochemicals or toxins. This is a great alternative to the traditional carpet shampoos on the market.Concrete as an alternativeIn 2007, America's auto fleet is hardly green, but it's getting greener. With seesawing gasoline prices and uncertainty about the future of oil, consumers are finally focusing on fuel economy and looking beyond big suv's for their next vehicle. A 2006 consumer survey by j.d. Power and Associates found an amazing 57 percent of respondents would consider buying a hybrid car for their next vehicle, and 49 percent would consider a car powered by E85 ethanol.PerchlorethyleneA good polymer will bond just like asphalt. Just like with asphalt sourcing for good aggregate will make your road as strong as the rock you are bonding with the polymer. Some projects use crushed rock to gain incredible bond and surface strength.For the same reason we still pump gas in cars. We often assume that science and technology will secure the continuous improvement of productivity and quality, all at decreasing expense. While noble in theory, current business practices demonstrate that we rarely maintain this never-ending path of improvements, and even resist fundamental breakthroughs due to carefully protected investments and comfortable profit margins.Where to buy the correct polymer for road paving applications?"It's a combination of the vehicle industry, the government and the consumer," Jonsson said. "The environment is definitely the number one priority in Sweden right now. The Swedish government has come up with a battery of incentives such as a 20% lower car tax, and no taxation on biofuels as well as free parking in the bigger cities. Then there are the benefits of bioethanol (E85 in Sweden) as a renewable fuel, which reduces greenhouse gas and helps us to not get dependent on petroleum."Why do we still use asphalt after 40 years?The dark color of asphalt is due to the fact that is is 80 ACRYLIC.

Saab's production processes have had a productivity development of 5% to 15% per year, Jonsson said. "All of Saab's development, all of its cars are based on social responsibility; cars have always had to be secure and functional - today, also responsible in the environmental sense: Driving Saabs should make sense in every way. And yet, at Saab we have taken our concept one step further, making sporty, progressive design and performance part and parcel of the cars' looks and driving experience as well."

Author: M�rtensson, Ulf

Forward to the Steam Age?

Energy

“This project demonstrates Duke’s commitment to providing cleaner energy and jobs for its local communities,” said Clarence Ray, chief executive officer of Shaw’s Power Group. “Shaw is proud to help Duke ensure an affordable, reliable and cleaner energy supply for the future.”Several Norwegian companies and organizations- including SINTEF, which has experience with petroleum exploration- are planning an ambitious pilot project that would harness the geothermal energy from 5,500 meters deep in the earth-about the same depth as some of the more recent onshore oil wells. According to researchers, the energy is there-all that is needed is a truly safe, effective means to tap into it.The Norwegian coalition is planning to go two or even three times deeper if the pilot plant is successful. That would require new technologies, however, and greatly increases the likelihood of incurring very serious risks. Most severely, fracturing or eroding the crust's bedrock in order to recover its heat could trigger earthquakes in the region. This notably occurred in Basel, Switzerland, in 2006, when Geothermal Explorers Limited's field operations set off a series of quakes.After around three decades, this process will have cooled the bedrock to the point where it is no longer hot enough to be productive, not unlike a tapped oil field run dry. The wells would be sealed off and the power plant shut down.The Shaw Group Inc. (NYSE: SHAW) is a leading global provider of engineering, construction, technology, fabrication, remediation and support services for clients in the energy, chemicals, environmental, infrastructure and emergency response industries. A Fortune 500 company with fiscal year 2010 annual revenues of $7 billion, Shaw has approximately 27,000 employees around the world and is the power sector industry leader according to Engineering News-Record’s list of Top 500 Design Firms. For more information, please visit Shaw’s website at www.shawgrp.com.Then, three decades later, the temperature will have risen again, and it will be time to unseal the wells and begin the process anew, after upgrading the plant. This "ace in the hole" helps make geothermal power plants more cost-effective than oil rigs, researchers argue.Source: SINTEF, www.sintef.no.Geothermal plants could have a seismic impact on energy demand-literally.Among the factors that could cause future events or transactions to differ from those we expect are those risks discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2010, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended February 28, 2010, May 31, 2010 and November 30, 2010, and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Please read our “Risk Factors” and other cautionary statements contained in these filings. Our current expectations may not be realized as a result of, among other things:The Buck and Dan River projects will use state-of-the art environmental control technology to minimize plant emissions. These controls, combined with the retirement of the older units on the two sites, will help reduce environmental emissions of NOX and SO2 at the sites.This press release contains forward-looking statements and information about our current and future prospects, operations and financial results, which are based on currently available information. Actual future results and financial performance could vary significantly from those anticipated in such statements.The undisclosed value of the contract will be included in Shaw's Power segment's backlog of unfilled orders in the second quarter of fiscal year 2011.

Source: SINTEF, www.sintef.no.

Author: Cohen, Aaron M