Ceres Monthly Newsletter - Flaring of Gas/NatGas

See this blog over at SustainZine: http://sustainzine.blogspot.com/2013/08/smaller-cities-get-startup-style.html

Ceres Monthly Newsletter:

This report starts to document the amount of gas (nat gas) that is flared in the production of oil/gas.

In the US we can't get the nat gas to market, so it is imply flared in many cases. The oil (wet particulates) are much more valuable so that is shipped by pipe if possible, but by truck or train if not.

One statement from a CEO in the oil patch has commented that half of the nat gas produces in the US is being flared. Safety, of course is critical. But this is a humongous waste of energy and environmental waste as well.

Check out the article and then look at the report here: http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/flaring-up-north-dakota-natural-gas-flaring-more-than-doubles-in-two-years/view

Basic economics is one approach to this issue. If NatGas were more valuable, then there would be very little flaring. Right now it is about $3.50 (per ... unit) in the USA. So Nat gas is a byproduct of the production of oil unless it can be readily distributed to market (pipeline).  But for the world markets, NatGas is very valuable, let's say $10. If we can bridge the gap from domestic only to world, then the price would jump and the flaring would, well, burn out. :-)

The key is liquefied natural gas (LNG). Not coincidentally, LNG is the trading symbol of Chaniere Energy, one the the leading players in infrastructure for exporting LNG.

The Intellectual Property Landscape: USPTO to Update Patent Bar Exam Again Reports Wysebridge Patent Bar Review

The Intellectual Property Landscape: USPTO to Update Patent Bar Exam Again Reports Wysebridge Patent Bar Review:

Raising the BAR on the IP Bar.

The exam would change because of all the new laws. As well, the backdrop in the courts is very fluid.

Some of the problems, of course, is that a lot of the changes are just starting to filter into the books and web sources.

With 1/3 of the Patent Bar exam new, it will be a bit of a trick for the lawyers to come up to speed. And the ones that are faced with the bar will have to do so in a hurry.

Plus it may be that the exam is simply harder too.

Ouch... Double Ouch.

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The Rise of the Intangible Economy: U.S. GDP Counts R&D, Artistic Creation - Businessweek

The Rise of the Intangible Economy: U.S. GDP Counts R&D, Artistic Creation - Businessweek:

WOW. GDP is going to be re-calibrated to include Intangible assets. They hadn't been included because, well, they were kinda hard to measure. ? Huh ?

So expenses on a bridge or a factory becomes part of GDP and part of the "capital" of a working economy, but investment in R&D is simply an expense, with no intrinsic value for the future of the economy and economic development.

It is about time that Intangible assets finally get some respect.! Intellectual Property has been the Rodney Dangerfield of assets. Yet they are far more important than anyone in business schools will admit. And more critical than most companies realize (except media like Disney and Big Pharma).

It looks like the book Perpetual Innovation: A(tm): Guide to Strategic Planning, Patent Commercialization, and Enduring Competitive Advantage, Version 2.0. is simply ahead of its time.

Reference

Hall, E. B. & Hinkelman, R. M. (2013). Perpetual Innovation™: A guide to strategic planning, patent commercialization and enduring competitive advantage, Version 2.0. Morrisville, NC: LuLu Press. (Available at the LuLu Press Store for SBP at: http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/SBPlan.)

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SustUcation: Education eZine on Innovation, Sustainability and Competitive Advantages: To Cheat or not to Cheat... The China Syndrome.

SustUcation: Education eZine on Innovation, Sustainability and Competitive Advantages: To Cheat or not to Cheat... The China Syndrome.: So there's a BIG to do about cheating in china. WOW, what's the chance. Here's a fun video... China uncensored. http://www.yo...

3-D Printer Brings Dexterity To Children With No Fingers : Shots - Health News : NPR

3-D Printer Brings Dexterity To Children With No Fingers : Shots - Health News : NPR:

This is just a little of the types of innovation that are possible with such new tech as 3-D printers and an open learning and open sharing mentality.

One guy is a puppeteer, one is great at building prosthetics. Bring them together and hands can be rapidly developed for kids without fingers. Very cool. And if they share their 3D diagrams (CAD/CAM) then everyone following behind can use and/or modify the artificial hand. For example, two kids have similar had problems but one is older (bigger). Image how easy it would be to build for the second kid, once the first had was designed and printed. Simply make the hand proportionately bigger, print and try it. :-)

Very cool.

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NetAppVoice: Crowdsourcing: Great For Your Business (A Handy Primer) - Forbes

NetAppVoice: Crowdsourcing: Great For Your Business (A Handy Primer) - Forbes:

Here's a quick overview of Crowd sourcing... and the genius of crowds.

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After DNA patent ruling, Congress must encourage genetic research - The Washington Post

After DNA patent ruling, Congress must encourage genetic research - The Washington Post:

Wow, a unanimous ruling!

This is a good thing. Firms cannot patent DNA. That's a discovery, not an invention.

It appears however, that they can patent synthetic DNA, so if they invent a new type of....
... of seed or
... new type of person,

Then they can patent it.

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