cleaning

NASA awards $100,000 in aviation contest

SONOMA COUNTY, Calif.--When it comes to flying, being green isn't easy.

Here at NASA's second annual General Aviation Challenge this weekend, one of the main prizes was the so-called "green prize," which challenged two-seater planes to fly a 400-mile-long course logging at least 30 miles to the gallon. None of the four planes entered won the $50,000 prize; the best attempt achieved 28.8 miles per gallon. (NASA's ultimate goal is to get the green prize to at least 100 miles per hour and the equivalent of 100 miles per gallon.

The shoe-in … Read more

Public paper towel convenience now private

The kitchen tool I have to replenish most often is paper towels. Thankfully, most brands now have the "select-a-size" half-sheet towels, so I can wipe up without being as wasteful, but it seems as if I still use more than I need. Although most of them are put to good use, many paper towels inevitably fall victim to accidental spoilage, like when I steady the roll with my left hand to tear off a sheet, leaving saucy fingerprints on the row of towels that are going to be used next. If the point of paper towels is to … Read more

GT Solar's shares slide following IPO

Shares of GT Solar stock fell by 15 percent on the second day of trading. The Merrimack, N.H., company calls itself one of the largest suppliers of silicon photovoltaic solar equipment.

Its stock, under the ticker symbol SOLR on the NASDAQ market, was priced at $16.50 per share for the $500 million initial public offering of 30.3 million shares Thursday. That fell to $12.36 per share in midday trading.

The company declined to comment.

GT Solar's stock was overpriced by as much as two times compared to close competitor Centrotherm of Germany, said Ted Sullivan, … Read more

Sticky goo does your computer good

It's neon yellow, putty-like, and looks like a toy, but Swiss-made Cyber Clean is actually a cleaning product for computers and other gadgets.

Made to squish in between keyboard keys and phone buttons, the yellow blob disinfects and picks up debris.

The Cyber Clean Web site claims keyboards harbor large amounts of germs, as well as waste that can be harmful to devices.

The site says the germ-killing goo is lemon-scented and biodegradable.

Though it's not available in U.S.stores, clean freaks (or goo lovers) can buy a one-pound pot for the equivalent of $16 on Expert Verdict.… Read more

Tracking food safety with clean tech

FREMONT, Calif.--First it was tomatoes, and now it's jalapenos.

The recent warnings of salmonella outbreaks show the difficulty of tracing sources of food contamination in the United States. Federal authorities this week couldn't say for sure whether contaminated jalapenos were tainted in Mexico where they were grown, at the distribution center in Texas, or while en route to markets.

A California clean-tech company is hoping to take advantage of an otherwise unsavory situation. Purfresh, a food and water ozone-purification company, makes software called Intellipur to monitor the quality of food and drinks as they move from harvesting … Read more

Volkswagen Jetta TDI clean diesel gets federal tax credit

According to information found on popular Volkswagen enthusiast site, VW Vortex, Volkswagen of America has announced that owners of the Jetta TDI sedan and SportWagen will be eligible for a $1,300 federal income tax credit. This announcement is affirmed by the Internal Revenue Service, which has issued a certification letter that defines the credit more specifically as the Advanced Lean Burn Technology Motor Vehicle income tax credit.

Factoring in this new tax credit, the clean diesel Jetta is only about $700 more expensive than the gasoline version. While this is good news for VW, it's not like they … Read more

New Reviews: The Mac uninstallers

As a software reviewer, I download a lot of programs to test them out. Some are great programs deserving of a space on my hard drive while others just are not up to snuff. With all the available software here at CNET Download.com, you've probably found a few gems worth keeping, but you've inevitably also downloaded a few programs that just didn't work out. We understand.

On a Windows machine, you can go to the control panel and choose the Add/Remove programs tool to find and uninstall software you don't want. But on a … Read more

California Clean Tech Open names 44 finalists

The California Clean Tech Open, dubbed the "start-up in a box" contest, named 44 finalists Tuesday. It awards $100,000 in cash, office space, and professional services to each of the six winners. Categories are air, water, and waste; energy efficiency; green building; renewables; smart power; and transportation.

The Google-sponsored contest, run by the nonprofit Acterra, touts success stories such as GreenVolts, which makes photovoltaic solar concentrating systems, and BuildFast, which sells eco-friendly house kits for developing regions. Contest organizers said that tech for the developing world has become an increasing area of focus.

Prizes are due to … Read more

The 404 147: Where we're looking for the big E

Self-proclaimed audiophiliac Steve Guttenberg sits in with us today and gives us the inside scoop on the many benefits of ear cleansing. Light candles in your ear, pouring hydrogen peroxide into the ear canal, what the...? We also talk more about the latest headphones on the market and even gain some insight into the Steve's former political agenda! We also play a heartbreaking voicemail that Natali received from our buddy Phil Ryan and EVENTUALLY get into the rundown at the tail end of the show, talking about (dare we say) hot, sweaty lesbians! 'Tis true, take a peek! EPISODE … Read more