How About 500,000 New Jobs?

A new study from the American Council on Global Nuclear Competitiveness estimates 500,000 jobs would be created in the construction and operation of planned nuclear power plants. The council projects 52 new reactors, one fuel recycling plant and four uranium enrichment plants to be built.

Ancient Natural Nuclear Reactor

Two billion years ago parts of an African uranium deposit spontaneously underwent nuclear fission. My graduate Professor, Paul K. Kuroda predicted this in 1956. The scientific community thought he was nuts. His vindication occurred in 1972 with the discovery of the ancient reactor in the Oklo Mines in the Belgian Congo. This was "thinking outside the box." He was an amazing man and a brilliant scientist. He passed away in 2001.

I personally met George A. Cowan at Prof. Kuroda's home in 1977. A group of us graduate students sat in the Kuroda's living room a did a lot of listening. We were eating it up.

The Real Costs of Fuel Efficient Autos

This article describes the increased cost in producing more fuel efficient autos and how politicians are not very willing to tell you how this will affect your bank account.

There is a very interesting paragraph about why SUV sales skyrocketed to 50% of all vehicles sold in recent years. This is a good example of unintended consequences of government policies.

It is my opinion that the mpg can be increased without additional cost using several existing technologies. One in particular is using carbon composites in place of metals. Amory Lovins has been trying to convince the automakers to use more carbon composite for year. It is safe and super light weight.

DTV Antenna & Steadycam on MAKE: television

Got your digital converter box? Great reception on those rabbit ears? Probably not. Click here to get a video instruction on building a very functional antenna. There is a bonus of how to build a steadycam.

What Companies Are Actually Doing Well?

Here is an article from the NYT that gives a list of companies that are actually thriving during this economic downturn.

The Car of the Future Promised for October

Contending to win the $10 million Progressive Automotive X Prize, Aptera Motors is rolling out this fall the 2e, an all-electric three wheeled two-seater that gets 200 mpg and goes 100 miles on a charge.

Watch out for those tractor trailer rigs!

Nuclear Archaeology

Some of the old original plutonium (99.96% pure) from the Manhattan Project was unearthed in Hanford, WA back in 2004 and has stirred up some historical interest.

This plutonium was determined to originate in Oak Ridge, Tenn.  Be sure to check out the photos.