Friday, 8 May 2015

Channeling valleytronics in graphene

CARBON WORLDS
Channeling valleytronics in graphene
Berkeley CA (SPX) May 07, 2015 - To the list of potential applications of graphene - a two-dimensional semiconductor of pure carbon that is stronger and much faster than silicon - we can now add valleytronics, the coding of data in the wavelike motion of electrons as they speed through a conductor. Berkeley Lab researchers have discovered topologically protected one-dimensional electron conducting channels at the domain w ... more


Nuclear deal can make Iran region's 'No.1' energy power

CIVIL NUCLEAR
Nuclear deal can make Iran region's 'No.1' energy power
Tehran (AFP) May 6, 2015 - A nuclear agreement will allow Iran to become the number one energy player in the Middle East and herald major opportunities for foreign companies, top government officials in Tehran said Wednesday. The remarks, at an industry event, underlined the broader political and economic implications should sanctions on Iran be lifted under a deal, following long-running diplomatic efforts with six w ... more


IEA: Holistic effort needed in renewables

SOLAR DAILY
IEA: Holistic effort needed in renewables
Paris (UPI) May 4, 2015 - More than just U.N. intervention is needed to advance the low-carbon economy needed to meet climate goals, the International Energy Agency said Monday. An annual report from the IEA, a Western-backed agency based in Paris, said clean energy developments are far short of what's needed to keep the expected increase in global average temperatures in check. "Today's annual government ... more


US calls off protection mission for US-flagged vessels in Gulf

OIL AND GAS
US calls off protection mission for US-flagged vessels in Gulf
Washington (AFP) May 6, 2015 - The US Navy has halted a mission to accompany American-flagged vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, the Pentagon said Wednesday, in a sign of reduced tensions in the strategic waterway. The protection mission had been ordered last week after a Marshall Islands-flagged ship was seized by Iran's Revolutionary Guard forces and a US-flagged vessel was harassed. The mission came t ... more


China to start building 3rd generation nuclear reactor

CIVIL NUCLEAR
China to start building 3rd generation nuclear reactor
Beijing (AFP) May 6, 2015 - Construction of China's first "third generation" nuclear reactor will start on Thursday, a state-run company said, as Beijing attempts to export its atomic energy designs globally. Unit five of the Fuqing nuclear power plant in Fujian province will incorporate an ACP1000 reactor developed by the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), the firm said Wednesday. The ACP1000 is one of a " ... more


Airbus DS, Cisco partner in key business areas

AEROSPACE
Airbus DS, Cisco partner in key business areas
Paris (UPI) May 7, 2015 - A global partnership between Airbus Defense and Space and Cisco has been formed to combine complementary technology. The teaming of products and expertise in the defense, security and satellite communication industries will focus on developing products and systems in software-defined networking, cyber-security, mobility, cloud, data intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT). ... more


Texas attack inspired but not directed by IS: Pentagon chief

TERROR WARS
Texas attack inspired but not directed by IS: Pentagon chief
Washington (AFP) May 7, 2015 - An attempted attack on an exhibit of caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed in Texas was inspired - but not ordered by - the Islamic State group, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said Thursday. IS jihadists had claimed credit for Sunday's failed attack in which two gunmen armed with assault rifles were shot dead by a police officer before they could storm the event in a Dallas suburb. ... more