Researchers at the University of Maryland have taken a huge step forward toward significantly enhancing energy efficiency and conversion. Using a unique hybrid nanostructure they have discovered a previously unknown type of light matter interaction and displayed the first full quantum control of qubit spin (we had trouble understanding exactly what that meant too – read on for more info) inside tiny particle nanostructures. The advancement pushes them one step closer to a real quantum computer and already has them on the road to developing super efficient photovoltaic cells.

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Post tags: "energy efficiency", advanced energy efficiency, advanecd solar panels, energy efficiency technology, light matter interaction, nanoparticle technology, quantum mechanics

Mostly cloudy 25°C

Humidity:

88%

Wind Speed:

Calm

Barometer:

1012 mb

Dewpoint:

23°C

Heat Index:

26°C

Wind Chill:

25°C

Visibility:

11 km

We’ve been hearing more and more about airships being a greener transportation alternative to regular planes, and now we have a chance to see one in action. The US Navy has deployed their colossal MZ-3A airship to assist in cleaning up the massive BP oil spill that we’ve been reporting on and it was expected to have arrived in the Gulf yesterday. The blimp will support and coordinate oil skimming efforts and be on the lookout for animals in need of help along the coastline.

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Post tags: airship, blimp, blimps cleaning up oil, BP, british petroleum, deepwater horizon, green transportation, gulf of mexico, Gulf oil spill, lower emissions, MZ-3A airship, navy, oil spill, US Navy

Khazanah Nasional Bhd, Malaysia's sovereign wealth fund, started talks with five banks for loans that would enable it to increase an offer for Parkway Holdings Ltd, according to three people with knowledge of the matter. Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd., CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, DBS Group Holdings Ltd, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. and United Overseas Bank Ltd. were approached by the Kuala Lumpur-based company, the people said, asking not to be named because the talks are private. Khazanah told the banks it may need to borrow at least S$1 billion (US$720 million), two of the people said. A different person said Khazanah will increase a planned sale of Islamic bonds to as much as S$1 billion from an initial S$500 million if it decides to offer more for Parkway. Khazanah on May 27 offered S$1.18 billion to more than double its stake in Singapore-based Parkway and gain control of Asia's biggest hospital operator with a 51.5 per cent holding. Billionaire brothers Malvinder and Shivinder Singh's Fortis Healthcare Ltd. trumped the bid on July 1 with a S$3.2 billion offer for the 75 per cent of Parkway it didn't already own, pledging 2 Singapore cents a share more than Khazanah. Parkway runs 16 hospitals with more than 3,400 beds in China, India and Malaysia among other Asian countries, according to its website. Singapore assets include the Gleneagles and Mount Elizabeth hospitals, both located close to the central Orchard Road shopping belt. Offer Expiry Khazanah's partial offer is scheduled to expire at 5:30 p.m. Singapore time on July 8, Parkway said in a June 21 notice to shareholders. Khazanah planned to sell as much as S$500 million of Islamic bonds to help finance its bid with help from banks including CIMB, two people said on June 2. It has revised its sale target to between S$800 million and S$1 billion and will probably seek to issue so-called Ijarah sukuk with maturities of between five and seven years, the person familiar with that matter said today. Asuki Mohd Abas, a spokesman for Khazanah, declined to comment on the company's financing arrangements in a telephone interview today. Shares of Parkway rose 0.8 per cent to close at S$3.87 in Singapore trading today. - Bloomberg

CARREFOUR Malaysia and Singapore said today that it is business as usual for all its stores in Malaysia and in the republic. Denying any store closure in Malaysia and in Singapore, the hypermarket said four Carrefour outlets opened for business in Malaysia this year and another four hypermarkets were slated to open by year-end," Carrefour said in a statement in response to recent reports about the French retail giant's operations in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. Recent reports said Carrefour was in early stages of selling its units in Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore which could raise up to US$1 billion and planned on shutting down its operations in these three countries. - Bernama

. Excluding breakfast. Ideally located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur's lively Chinatown is Hotel China Town Inn offering affordable accommodations with free wireless internet access in public areas. Rooms offer a TV, comfortable bed and attached bathroom. Most rooms offer air conditioning. Services offered by Hotel China Town Inn include a tour desk, car rental and laundry services. Hotel China Town Inn is close to the LRT (light rail) Station, Pudu Raya Bus Station and Bukit Bintang Shopping Centre. It is also within walking distance from various attractions.

EON Capital Bhd said its board members, with the exception of Ng Wing Fai, agreed to seek shareholder approval for an offer by Hong Leong Bank Bhd to buy the company. A notice to convene an extraordinary general meeting will be sent to shareholders in "due course," EON Capital said in a stock exchange statement in Kuala Lumpur today, without specifying a date. Shareholders have been split over whether to accept a RM5.06 billion (US$1.57 billion) all-cash offer for EON Capital from billionaire Quek Leng Chan's Hong Leong Bank Primus Pacific Partners Ltd, EON Capital's biggest shareholder, is suing some directors of EON Capital, claiming they handled Hong Leong's bid improperly. Ng is managing director at Primus Pacific, which holds 20 per cent of EON Capital's shares. Hong Leong's bid values EON Capital at RM7.30 a share, less than the RM9.55 a share Primus paid for its stake in 2008. The Court has fixed Sept 20 to Sept 23 and Sept 27 and Sept 28 for Primus' lawsuit. EON Capital said today Hong Leong's offer is also dependent on the result of the Primus lawsuit and approval from the Minister of Finance. Government-owned Khazanah Nasional Bhd, the Employees Provident Fund, and businessmen Rin Kei Mei and Tiong Hiew King jointly hold more than 50 percent of shares in EON, according to a statement from the bank on May 21. For the sale to go through, the board needs acceptance from 50 per cent plus 1 share. - Bloomberg

This is Dave, and as you can tell, he is pretty proud of his latest invention. It’s a toilet cart that he made himself out of two recycled toilets, a couple of water coolers, six rolls of toilet paper, one old toilet bowl seat (for the steering wheel) and some scrap metal. This little DIY go-cart has got some nice pickup with 6.5 hp in the engine and to top it all off — as if it couldn’t get any weirder — it actually flushes out the exhaust pipe!

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Post tags: diy car, diy transportation, go cart, toilet bowl go-cart, toilet bowl golf cart, toilet car, toilet go-cart, toilet golf cart

Cumulonimbus clouds observed 25°C

Humidity:

88%

Wind Speed:

3 KMH

Wind Direction:

W (270°)

Barometer:

1011 mb

Dewpoint:

23°C

Heat Index:

26°C

Wind Chill:

25°C

Visibility:

11 km