Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Biotech Funding: Never Mind!
Remember earlier when I mentioned that the state was proposing a $150 million investment in Arizona biotech advancement? Well, funny thing. Seems they've changed their mind. Since then, they've slashed the amount to $15 million. For you readers who aren't engineers (or who don't have your HPs available), that's one tenth of the amount. Worse than that, they're talking about taking it out of job training funds. Now while I grok the Indian Casino blackjack dealer argument, given the stability of the engineering profession, I'd really like to have the funds available to diversify my skills should the need arise.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Diversified Energy, LLC
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Arizona 21st in Industrial R&D Intensity
According to SSTI, Arizona ranks 21st in the nation in Industrial R&D Intensity based on the ratio of Industrial R&D expenditures to Gross State Product (GSP). Not bad, but you Arizona R&D entrepreneurs would be wise to budget for travel to California. They're #5 in the US but first in both R&D expenditure and GSP. Numbers are for 2003 which, upon a quick perusal of the links, is the latest year for which GSP data is available, I guess.
At first I misread the table and thought we were 44th ("Holy crap! We suck!"), but that distinction belongs to Arkansas. Alaska is dead last, which is fine. I like my fishing, hiking, and sight-seeing in Alaska; I don't need high-tech development screwing things up there.
Edit: New Hampshire is eighth. Huh.
At first I misread the table and thought we were 44th ("Holy crap! We suck!"), but that distinction belongs to Arkansas. Alaska is dead last, which is fine. I like my fishing, hiking, and sight-seeing in Alaska; I don't need high-tech development screwing things up there.
Edit: New Hampshire is eighth. Huh.
Friday, March 31, 2006
BattleBots Lives!
Six high-schoolers at the East Valley Institute of Technology have channeled their skills and talents into creating a robot whose sole purpose is to destroy other robots. The competition is tomorrow which means that, by the time you read this, it'll be over.
Man, I love BattleBots. I totally lost track of it when Comdedy Central cancelled the show. I'm happy to see it's still growing strong.
Now I have a serious decision to make as to what to do with my Saturday. BattleBots competition, or Book Festival? Quite the conundrum.
Man, I love BattleBots. I totally lost track of it when Comdedy Central cancelled the show. I'm happy to see it's still growing strong.
Now I have a serious decision to make as to what to do with my Saturday. BattleBots competition, or Book Festival? Quite the conundrum.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Governor's Council on Innovation and Technology Meeting
Shoot, they had one today and as an Arizona Tech blogger, I'd intended to try to attend these things and discuss them here. Oh well, I do have a real job that I get paid for, and I do this blog for free, so guess where my priorities lie. I see from the agenda that there will be a presentation on Science Foundation Arizona. I'm hoping that GCIT will have the presentation posted at their web site. If not, I'll try to get a copy and link it here.
Fascinating Discussion on Offshoring
Read the article here and then click on Read other comments on this issue. The comments are in reverse-chronological order so you'll probably want to go to the end and read backwards. I'm particularly impressed with the substantial research and concise commentary by Dr. W. J. Golz, although it probably helps that I agree with him.
Monday, March 27, 2006
Science Foundation Arizona's Lucky Charm
Science Foundation Arizona has named Bill Harris, former head of Science Foundation Ireland, as its director, according to the Arizona Republic. Mr. (Dr?) Harris is charged with building an industry in Arizona whose salaries will average about a tenth of his. While many people are excited about the prospects offered by the man credited for the growth of the "Celtic Tiger," others are more skeptical.
Personally, I'm excited excited about what future research we can look forward to with the former head of Science Foundation Ireland heading up our science efforts.
Mmmmm...Computational Fluid Dynamics. (Yeah, that's my comment down there.)
Personally, I'm excited excited about what future research we can look forward to with the former head of Science Foundation Ireland heading up our science efforts.
Mmmmm...Computational Fluid Dynamics. (Yeah, that's my comment down there.)
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Another Successful Pegasus Launch
Full disclosure: I work at Orbital Sciences.
After a slight glitch a few days ago, one of Orbital Science's Pegasus rockets was successfully launched today. The rocket contained three small satellites which are used to measure the earth's magnetic field as part of NASA's Space Technology 5 (ST5) program.
Since the launch was at mid-morning, we weren't treated to the light show we got with the twilight launch of the Minotaur a few months ago.
Rather than being launched from the ground, the Pegasus, which has wings (get it?) is carried to launch altitude by an L-1011, which essentially acts as its first stage. The Pegasus is then dropped from the aircraft at which point the motor ignites, lifting the rocket into space.
After a slight glitch a few days ago, one of Orbital Science's Pegasus rockets was successfully launched today. The rocket contained three small satellites which are used to measure the earth's magnetic field as part of NASA's Space Technology 5 (ST5) program.
Since the launch was at mid-morning, we weren't treated to the light show we got with the twilight launch of the Minotaur a few months ago.
Rather than being launched from the ground, the Pegasus, which has wings (get it?) is carried to launch altitude by an L-1011, which essentially acts as its first stage. The Pegasus is then dropped from the aircraft at which point the motor ignites, lifting the rocket into space.
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Bioscience Seed Fund Matched
66.67% of it anyway, which is a much higher percentage than I, personally, would be able to contribute.
A local philanthropist is pledging $100 million to Arizona's bioscience industry if the state Legislature agrees to contribute $150 million over the next four years.Edit: Robert Robb, a columnist at the Arizona Republic, doesn't like it. He calls the offer of funding only if the legislature approves the $150 million package blackmail and the idea of using taxpayer money to invest in bioscience highly speculative.
Jerry Bisgrove, chairman of Stardust Charitable Group, has pledged to give $25 million in each of the four years to boost research, development and other areas in bioscience without spelling out how it should be spent. His main stipulation: that the Legislature earmark $50 million of taxpayer money for the same purpose this year and pass a current bill that would add $100 million over the next four years. The bill requires renewal each year.
Friday, February 24, 2006
Honeywell Scores Huge APU Contract
Honeywell's Aerospace Division, based in Phoenix, has won a $4 billion contract to supply the new long-range A350 aircraft with the HGT1500 auxiliary power unit (APU).
The new HGT1500 is a high-power density gas turbine APU configured to provide pneumatic and electric power to support aircraft operations. The pneumatic and electric power supports cabin conditioning and main engine starting during ground operations and emergency power for in-flight operation.
Conehead Man, Conehead Man. Does Whatever a Conehead Can.
A little more info on that Homeland Security Grant recently awarded to ESA Corp. Seems that Martin came up with the "crazy idea" (probably over a pint of Guinness) of firing a sticky web of any size into the undercarriage of fleeing vehicles. This would enable pursuing cops to catch the thieves, just like flies*. The "web" would have applications for the military, Border Patrol, and local law-enforcement. In response to the idea, the Department of Homeland Security has awarded ESA with a $100,000 SBIR to do a feasibility study. He has six months to get it working after which he can possibily win another $750,000 grant to develop a prototype, which I suppose could be tested on vehicles that cut him off or pull out in front of him (that's how I would test it, anyway).
By the way, Martin turned 45 a few days prior to this posting. I just want to make sure all the information discussed here is accurate.
*I could keep going, but I won't.
By the way, Martin turned 45 a few days prior to this posting. I just want to make sure all the information discussed here is accurate.
*I could keep going, but I won't.
Four Out of Five Politicians Agree: Bioscience is Good
They've said so by proposing a $150 million fund to invest in medical, bioscience, and bioengineering advancement. This is in response to the Innovation Arizona fund proposed by Governor Napolitano.
The planets are truly aligned on this proposal, gaining the backing of Republican House Speaker "Ho-Hum is the Governor Done with Her Speech Yet?" Weiers and liberal business columnist Jon "I'd Rather Be Writing Mystery Novels" Talton.
$150 million, huh? Surely there's something I can do with these fuzzy green leftover hot dog buns I discovered in the back of my pantry.
The planets are truly aligned on this proposal, gaining the backing of Republican House Speaker "Ho-Hum is the Governor Done with Her Speech Yet?" Weiers and liberal business columnist Jon "I'd Rather Be Writing Mystery Novels" Talton.
$150 million, huh? Surely there's something I can do with these fuzzy green leftover hot dog buns I discovered in the back of my pantry.
Raytheon and General Dynamics Celebrates Engineer's Week
They did it by giving presentations on engineering to local students, according to the Arizona Daily Star. Raytheon also participated in science fair judging, math enrichment programs and a careers display.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
TIME: Is America Flunking Science?
I saved $4 at Albertson's by reading this article online. The article provides a fascinating overview of the current state of scientific innovation, from an academic, political, corporate, and individual perspective. The other links are good reads as well.
For my part, I am mostly in agreement with the statements in the article. This past weekend at the Barnes and Noble I took a gander at The Innovator's Dilemma by Clayton Christianson and noticed some definite tie-ins between why previously dominant companies have lost their footing and the culture and trends currently surrounding scientific innovation in the U.S. I don't feel that the state of affairs is as doom and gloom as the Time article makes it appear--we're still leaps and bounds ahead of the rest of the world in our technical capabilities--but I do feel that we need to make some serious changes in our attitudes and values to retain our competitive edge.
For my part, I am mostly in agreement with the statements in the article. This past weekend at the Barnes and Noble I took a gander at The Innovator's Dilemma by Clayton Christianson and noticed some definite tie-ins between why previously dominant companies have lost their footing and the culture and trends currently surrounding scientific innovation in the U.S. I don't feel that the state of affairs is as doom and gloom as the Time article makes it appear--we're still leaps and bounds ahead of the rest of the world in our technical capabilities--but I do feel that we need to make some serious changes in our attitudes and values to retain our competitive edge.
National Engineers Week
Hey everyone, this week is National Engineers Week! If you're not an engineer, you can participate in the festivities by hugging at least one engineer this week. If not that, then at least you can avoid walking away when the engineer you meet at the club tells you what he does for a living.
