manufacturing

Let's just say it's a good thing this breakthrough didn't come around when I was in my early twenties, or I may have been tempted to spend a little more time at my favorite neighborhood watering hole.

Scientists at the Institute for Regenerative Medicine at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center say they've successfully used human liver cells to create miniature livers that function like their larger, more naturally derived counterparts.

Using a process called decellularization, the team rinsed real livers from an unspecified animal with detergent, stripping them of all their cells and leaving only … Read more

With all the hype and hoopla surrounding blockbuster releases from powerhouse cell phone manufacturers (we mean you, Samsung, LG, and Motorola), it's nice to shine a light on the lesser-knowns.

We've gathered up five phones produced by five different handset-makers and signed by different carriers.

Since all these phones are either entry-level or midrange feature phones, they're worth a look from those of you in search of a device to do what phones do best: make calls and text.

Check out our roundup here.

Though Steve Jobs, after handing out free Bumpers to current iPhone 4 customers, assured users waiting for the white version of the iPhone 4 that the device is still on schedule to ship at the end of July, reports around the Web suggest Apple could see some major supply issues and availability could be limited.

Translated from Chinese newspaper 21st Century Business Herald, manufacturing issues for the white iPhone 4 are apparently related to problems with painting the glass surfaces of the device at the Lens Technology manufacturing plant (where iPhone 4 glass is processed, pressed, and painted).

According to Engadget, &… Read more

Ford is making its 2011 Fiesta even more festive with new interior and exterior accessories and graphics. Ford's new accessories include a rear roof spoiler, which is exclusive to the hatchback, and a four-piece, race-inspired body kit with a sculpted front air dam, side skirts, and a sleek rear valance.

Ford is also giving you the option to add custom graphics by Original Wraps, which lets you choose the size and design of body-side graphics from a portfolio of images. Original Wraps has more than 18 designs to choose from and they are available in several colors, and include … Read more

The solar power division of energy giant BP said on Friday it plans to close its Maryland manufacturing facility, a sign of the heightened international competition in solar.

BP Solar opened a facility in Frederick, Md., three and a half years ago to make solar panels but decided to find locations where it can "manufacture cheaply," BP CEO Tony Hayward told The Washington Post. The move will result in 320 lost jobs. BP Solar will retain about 100 people to work in research and development, according to reports.

Although demand for solar panels is generally strong, solar manufacturers … Read more

Thank heavens for Windows 7. If you're Microsoft, at least, you may be doing that.

While most of Microsoft's businesses were flat to down year over year, Windows 7 generated record profits (and units sold) for the software giant. That's great for Microsoft. It's not so great for anyone else.

On the not-so-fortunate list: the PC makers who actually distribute Windows 7, as The Wall Street Journal reports. Windows 7 helped drive demand for new machines, but not higher prices, leaving Microsoft partners with sagging profits, according to the report.

In other words, when budget-conscious consumers … Read more

British speaker manufacturer Bowers & Wilkins doesn't revise its top-of-the-line 800 Series models often. It must have been a good five years ago when the company first introduced diamond tweeter equipped models.

The 800 Series speakers are not only highly regarded by serious audiophiles, but also they can be found in the best recording studios and mastering houses in the world including Abbey Road Studios in London, George Lucas' Skywalker Sound in California, and here in New York City at Sterling Sound. I've heard the 800 at Sterling, so I know it really deserves to be a benchmark design for audiophiles and professionals. Also, the 800 series is also drop-dead gorgeous.

The just announced diamond tweeter models are the sixth-generation 800 Series, but only the second with diamond tweeters. The new 800 line is also the first to feature diamond tweeters in every speaker in the seven-model range.

Why diamond? The vast majority of dome tweeters used in other speakers, including very high-end models, use either cloth or metal dome designs, but thanks to diamond's superior strength, the 800 Series tweeter produces less distortion and greater high frequency extension and resolution. The new diamond tweeter uses a quad-magnet design that offers superior efficiency, and greater dynamic range than the previous models' tweeters. Therefore, when the drummer whacks a cymbal or the trumpet player really wails, you'll hear it.

… Read more

Chip manufacturing equipment is yet another tech sector eyeing a recovery this year, according to projections from market researcher iSuppli.

Global spending on chip manufacturing gear will grow by 46.8 percent over 2009, according to the report released Friday. The growth will follow nearly three down years. This upturn could be good news for the tech industry. Makers of chip manufacturing equipment are often considered the proverbial canary in the coal mine for the rest of tech, because new orders often indicate a growing confidence in consumer or business spending.

The chip industry was hit by a particularly severe … Read more

BS1 Enterprise Accounting with Manufacturing provides a comprehensive look at all accounting aspects for a small business. While it is a great product, users must decide if it is better than the free version.

The program's interface initially surprised us, as it was a simple toolbar on our desktop. However, the Help file's instructions explained that this was actually an intuitive way of managing various aspects of finance. We were able to build and view all imaginable aspects of our business, from Accounts Payable and Receivable, to Stock, Orders, and Manufacturing. All popped up in small grid-like screens … Read more