Editor Blogs

October 2022

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wants to end the EU's dependance on Russian natural gas and oil (which has led to high energy prices across Europe), but it won't be easy.

With Energy Costs Skyrocketing, Europe Girds Itself for a Cold Winter

Jason Lomberg, North American Editor, PSD

Europe is preparing for what could be an especially cold winter, and the culprit isn’t mother nature, but geopolitical politics. While the U.S. previously acquired a relatively small percentage of its natural gas from Russia, they haven’t done so since 2019, and this year, President Biden took the largely

. . . Learn More

Date:

10/31/2022

Lithium Processing Plant

Tesla Announces Plans to Build Lithium Refinery in Texas

Ally Winning, European Editor, PSD

Tesla has committed to build a lithium refinery in Texas. The new facility, will be near Corpus Christi, possibly in or around Robstown. The company had floated the idea of building a refinery to safeguard its supply chain on the Gulf Coast last month, but now its CEO, Elon Musk has confirmed in an analysts mee

. . . Learn More

Date:

10/26/2022

Scientists Reach Important Milestone with Nuclear Fusion

Jason Lomberg, North American Editor, PSD

One of the most promising quasi-unlimited, futuristic energy sources just took an important step towards mainstream viability. We’ve all heard the adages – to paraphrase Otto Octavius from Spider-Man 2, “the power of the sun in the palm of your hand.” Nuclear fusion – when the nuclei of two

. . . Learn More

Date:

10/24/2022

Englandâ€™s newly installed environment secretary, Ranil Jayawardena, has asked officials to redefine which land is acceptable for solar usage, an act which could prohibit solar panels from up to 58% of agricultural land.

England Could Ban Solar Panels from 58% of its Farmland

Jason Lomberg, North American Editor, PSD

There’s an interesting battle going on in England right now between renewable energy and agricultural proponents. Many would argue that the two aren’t mutually exclusive, but for others, renewable energy – specifically, solar power -- is an implicit threat to English farmland. Thus, the new environme

. . . Learn More

Date:

10/17/2022

adobe

Researchers from Shinshu University in Japan have developed a new textile that can store and release heat

New Fabric Cools and Heats Wearer

Ally Winning, European Editor, PSD

I think everyone has hesitated before leaving their home wondering if an extra layer of clothes will be needed, even for short journeys. I know I normally check the weather before departing just for that purpose. Other people have it much worse. They may work in hot or cold workplaces, or have regular transitio

. . . Learn More

Date:

10/12/2022

Amazon to Experiment with E-Fuels

Jason Lomberg, North American Editor, PSD

You can’t say they’re not trying. E-tail giant Amazon recently announced that it plans to experiment with electrofuels, as part of a deal with Infinium, in 2023. And while Jeff Bezos’s pet conglomerate hasn’t discussed pricing, it did mention that it plans to cover “approximately 5 million miles of travel per

. . . Learn More

Date:

10/10/2022

adobe

ST Secures SiC Substrate Supply With New Italian Facility

Ally Winning, European Editor, PSD

The COVID 19 pandemic has caused many manufacturers to rethink their operational strategies. The disruption of the supply chain that the pandemic caused has made them take stock and ask themselves the best way to guarantee the supply of materials that they need. As massive growth is expected in some areas, espec

. . . Learn More

Date:

10/05/2022

Meyers Manx Goes Old-School with its Electric Dune Buggy

Jason Lomberg, North American Editor, PSD

Volkswagen didn’t want to make it, but an electric Meyers Manx dune buggy will soon see the light of day. The Meyers Manx dune buggy was originally designed by Californian engineer, artist, boat builder and surfer Bruce F. Meyers in 1964. It was intended to fit over the chassis of Volkswagen Beetles,

. . . Learn More

Date:

10/03/2022