Most Clicked AIChE SmartBrief Stories
1. Dow Chemical's solar shingle gets recognition as one of 2009's best
AIChE SmartBrief | Nov 17, 2009
Dow Chemical's Powerhouse Solar Shingle placed 13th in Time Magazine's 50 best inventions of 2009. The solar shingle, which features thin-film cells made of copper indium gallium diselenide, provides more energy savings and is installed just like traditional roof shingles. CoolerPlanet.com (11/16) Saginaw News (Mich.), The (11/16)
2. Dow Chemical to pursue $10B project with Shenhua Group in China
AIChE SmartBrief | Nov 10, 2009
Dow Chemical reportedly will pursue its $10 billion coal-to-chemical joint venture with Shenhua Group in Shaanxi province in China. The companies recently held a cornerstone-laying ceremony, which was attended by officials from the Chinese province and the U.S. Embassy. Reuters (11/05)
3. 5 key habits of successful CEOs
AIChE SmartBrief | Nov 17, 2009
To succeed in business, you've got to learn from those who have already made it to the top of the heap, writes Steve Tobak. The best CEOs have laserlike focus, a knack for surrounding themselves with successful people and a broad perspective of the whole company, Tobak notes. BNET (11/12)
4. British biofuel plant prompts new support for green technology
AIChE SmartBrief | Oct 27, 2009
The construction of an ethanol plant in the Great Britain community of Teesside is creating support for green technology. The plant, which will turn wheat into fuel, may come online by Christmas. BBC (10/22)
5. Small chemical maker plans $5 million expansion
AIChE SmartBrief | Nov 03, 2009
Equinox Chemicals is planning a $5 million expansion program, including an increase in its workforce, amid rising demand for its services. Despite the recession, the company says, many of its U.S. customers are opting to have their chemicals made domestically instead of overseas. WALB-TV (Albany, Ga.) (11/02)
6. Don't let difficult conversations catch you off balance
AIChE SmartBrief | Nov 03, 2009
Active communication is the key to handling awkward conversations, says Peter Bregman: ask lots of questions, actually listen to the answers and repeat what you're told to make it clear that you're paying attention. If you can make genuine communication your instinctive response to conflict, says Bregman, you can defuse most situations before they spiral out of control. HarvardBusiness.org (10/27)
7. Research gives methane more credit for global warming
AIChE SmartBrief | Nov 03, 2009
A research team led by Drew Shindell of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York reports in the journal Science that greenhouse gases other than carbon dioxide factor in global warming more than previously believed. Methane in particular played a bigger role in climate change, according to the findings. USA TODAY (10/29)
8. Don't let failure slow you down
AIChE SmartBrief | Oct 27, 2009
Everyone fails sometimes, writes David Silverman, but the best business leaders don't allow themselves to be paralyzed by remorse or self-doubt. Silverman has talked to CEOs about their past failures, and he found that when things went wrong they sought to fix the problem fast and then move on to the next challenge. "Faced with failure, they stayed in motion," Silverman writes. HarvardBusiness.org (10/21)
9. Northeastern wins 11th annual Chem-E-Car Competition
AIChE SmartBrief | Nov 17, 2009
Northeastern University took top honors at the Chem-E-Car Competition at AIChE's annual meeting in Nashville last week. The team's car, "The Aluminator," powered by a hydrogen fuel-cell stack, defeated 30 other shoebox-size cars. Congratulating all the competitors, AIChE Executive Director June Wispelwey said, "In today's economy, innovation is more important than ever. These chemical engineering students displayed amazing creativity and enthusiasm." Watch highlights from the competition.
10. Japan pilot plant begins testing carbon capture
AIChE SmartBrief | Nov 03, 2009
Japanese scientists are testing carbon capture and storage methods at the Toshiba coal plant in Mikawa. The pilot project has begun capturing emissions, separating the carbon dioxide and turning it into a liquid. In the future, Toshiba plans to pump the liquid underground, possibly into a geological formation. Google (10/31)
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