Many newsworthy happenings are bubbling up in the pool of activity surrounding clean-water technology. One is that India has launched the world's first floating desalination plant. Kapil Sibal, minister for science, technology and earth sciences, said Wednesday that the barge-mounted plant will produce up to one million liters of fresh water daily, and that the water would be superior to what's now available. The plant uses colder, deep sea water to assist in the cooling and condensation processes, resulting in a more efficient operation and using less energy.

General Electric (NYSE: GE) is supporting an initiative by Dynoil LLC to improve power and clean water resources in underdeveloped countries. GE is contributing solar energy modules and water filtration technology bearing its "ecomagination" certification to Dynoil's efforts to establish self-sustaining water filtration facilities in remote parts of India, Southeast Asia and Africa. Switzerland Guide News reported that Vic Abate, vice president of renewables for GE Energy, said, "We are very pleased and excited to have the opportunity to demonstrate how GE's ecomagination products can enable projects, like Dynoil's alternative energy/clean water initiative. These projects will help improve the health and safety conditions of areas lacking adequate infrastructure, transmission grids and direct access to safe water supplies." (The Switzerland Guide link is a must read!)

Accelerating Technology has reported that researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have developed a new membrane material which could revolutionize water purification technology for the long term and reduce the cost of desalination by as much as 75%, when compared with reverse osmosis systems. Reverse osmosis is the current standard water purification technology, which involves forcing water molecules through a restrictive membrane. The lab's new carbon nanotube membranes sort molecules by size and using electrostatic forces. Although the new membranes have reduced pore size, they allow the same flow-through volume as the current, less restrictive membranes. The development could mean energy savings, as less force is required to accomplish standard flow rates. Researchers say the carbon nanotube membrane also holds promise for applications in capturing and reducing carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and similar operations.

Refreshing news about drinking water originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 20 Apr 2007 19:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Putting the first quarter behind us, as many wish we would, gives us pause to look ahead in hopes of finding the gems of success that wait for us. Here are some of my areas of interest as dictated by gut instinct. Please, before you groan and wretch and move on to the next post, remember that in defiance of one major writer's claim that no one warned you of the bear(ish) market that passed by this way ... I did.

I had also suggested steering clear of big pharma quite some time ago. You may take note that all but a few of them have, at least temporarily, splattered on the wall. The clear exception I see at this time is Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE), which I consider to be in turn-around mode. I'll even be so bold as to hint that you may want to watch it for some acquisition movement of some kind. Pfizer has a sharp, well-run operation with some fine projects on the table. I like Pfizer and have no reason to change my attitude towards it.

Here are some of my watch words for at least the next two quarters:

• Watch natural fibers including cotton, glass derivations, carbon, and cellulose. Apply liberal amounts of nano-technologies and your world vastly increases in breadth and scope.
• Pay attention to water in all it's forms and applications. You shall benefit if you move it ,use it ,split it, spend it, clean it, or own it.
• Continue to avoid bonds unless your slopping around with bundles of loose cash that you have nothing better to do with.
• Scrap metals remain solid and steady. Beware of mining, at least temporarily.
• Watch for increased use of wood as raw material in things other than home construction. In cost of materials, the dynamics are changing. Stay on top of what the manufacturing sector is hinting towards.
• Look hard at the building and maintenance of diesel engines. I'm receiving reports that biodiesel is having some negative impact on the current trucking fleet. Adaptations in materials and design will be needed soon to accommodate the changes in fuel make up. Be there and be ready.

That's what I have to offer you for right now. At this time I need to make one small apology. I hope those fine people who hold shares in General Electric (NYSE: GE) haven't lost faith in me yet. I promised you $40 per share and I still believe it's coming. Hold tight my friends, nothing good ever comes easy.

One quarter down -- digging deeper for the rest of 2007 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 08 Apr 2007 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Intel's breakthrough 'nano' chip technology originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 06 Feb 2007 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Each year Steven Halpern, editor of TheStockAdvisors.com, surveys the leading financial newsletter advisors asking for their favorite stocks for the coming year. This article is part of his 24th annual Top Picks Report.

The BASF Group (NYSE: BF) is the top conservative idea for 2007 from Gregg Early, editor of The Real Nanotech Investor: A Small World of Big Profits. He notes, "BASF is one of the premier chemicals companies in the world and it's well positioned to be the most dominant and influential chemical company of the 21st century.

"Nanotech is to this century what chemistry was to the 20th century -- one of the most pervasive advancements in every aspect of our lives.

"Like penicillin or the transistor, it will take society decades to fully realize the implications. BASF is already well on its way to applying the lessons it has long been learning on this front.

Continue reading Top Picks 2007: BASF has an "Early" lead in nanotech

Top Picks 2007: BASF has an "Early" lead in nanotech originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 01 Jan 2007 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Each year Steven Halpern, editor of TheStockAdvisors.com, surveys the leading financial newsletter advisors asking for their favorite stocks for the coming year. This article is part of his 24th annual Top Stocks Report.

Symyx Technologies (NASDAQ: SMMX) is the top speculative pick for 2007 from nanotech expert Josh Wolfe. The editor of the Forbes/Wolfe Nanotech Report says, "Santa Clara, California-based Symyx is one of the nanotech materials companies in our model Nanosphere portfolio.

"SMMX is a research services company focused on serving the chemical, energy, pharmaceutical, and electronics industries. It works closely with alliance partners ExxonMobil and Dow Chemical to provide research services, develop and sell discovery tools systems, and license software and intellectual property.

"We believe that the biggest source of value in Symyx is in spin-off opportunities. Two have, in fact, been funded by venture capital firms. In addition, materials that they are commercializing are now coming to market and will earn them royalties on top of the service and hardware revenues they already receive.

"For the four financial quarters ended September 30, 2006, Symyx generated $33 million in cash flow on revenues of $116 million. Revenues for the first nine months of 2006 were up 10% versus the same period in 2005. Symyx shares bottomed just below $20 in October of 2006."

Top Picks 2007: Josh Wolfe's nanotech bet on Symyx originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 26 Dec 2006 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Each year Steven Halpern, editor of TheStockAdvisors.com, surveys the leading financial newsletter advisors asking for their favorite stocks for the coming year. This article is part of his 24th annual Top Picks Report.

Maxwell Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: MXWL) is the top speculative pick for 2007 from Gregg Early. The editor of The Real Nanotech Investor: A Small World of Big Profits explains, "Maxwell specializes in a very arcane field, even in nanotechnology companies.

"Most of the press goes to bio-nano, batteries, or cosmetics when the press gets a hold of a nanotech story. Sure they're sexy -- curing cancer, electric vehicles, rub-on facelifts -- but they don't always have the substance that a business needs to make a real breakthrough.

"Maxwell is one of the few companies that specializes in capacitors and increasingly, ultracapacitors. This new generation of capacitor has the potential to revolutionize motive and stationary power storage and distribution as we know it. The company has just inked a deal for a 3 million unit order from one of Europe's largest wind turbine makers, which doubled the initial order the wind company previously placed. A very good sign.

"Maxwell is also working with a German OEM (original equipment manufacturer) regarding ignition systems that could make car batteries obsolete. There's certainly risk here but there's also plenty of potential reward. Buy Maxwell up to 14.35 as a 'home run' play."

To see Gregg's favorite conservative stock for 2007, click here.

Top Picks 2007: Gregg Early bets on ultracapacitors originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 23 Dec 2006 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Nanotechnology is an emerging science that involves manipulating matter at the atomic level. Believers in this advanced field - myself among them - see this sector as one of great long-term promise with potential applications in a wide variety of industries.

Here I will cover three diverse applications of nano-based technologies: pharmaceuticals, alternative energy, and a new means of protecting soldiers - liquid armor.

The latter market is discussed by Gregg Early, editor of The Real Nanotech Investor - who is a fan of Armor Holdings (NYSE: AH), a leading player in providing body armor to law enforcement and the military.

According to Early, the company has gained the sole marketing and distribution rights to liquid armor, which he explains is based on a polymer that, when struck with force, hardens instantaneously.

Continue reading Three nanotech stocks: Invest in matter manipulation

Three nanotech stocks: Invest in matter manipulation originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 21 Nov 2006 12:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.