Asia's Most Active Undercoats

What do priming a tooth and etching metal have in common?

Adhesion is an important property in materials science, as well as medicine. Dental crowns, for example, tend to eventually fall out. After much research, a Japanese team patented a method to self-etch or prime a tooth preparing the tooth for bonding to metal, resin or an orthodontic bracket (U.S. patent 7614879). For more details, see my article, "Asia's Most Active Undercoats" in the February/March 2011, issue of APCJ: Asia Pacific Coatings Journal, pp. 31-32.

Transparent and Innovative Fillers

If you are interested in fillers for paint, you might wish to read my article in the Dec/Jan 2011 issue of APCJ: Asia Pacific Coatings Journal, p 16, 18.

I mention food grade fillers in the article too. Food fillers help dysphagia. I am thankful for the food fillers as use them everyday for my 93 year young Mom. The thickeners make swallowing so much easier for her.

Unfortunately, per the APCJ website, the journal is nolonger free full text online and one needs to contact their subscription services.

Should you desire the reference for this article, check my website at http://www.raskinfo.com/publications.html.

Statistics on the Sales of the Book You Authored!

I have had this question more than once from authors interested in the sales of their books.

For book authors who wish to double check sales of their books, in addition to the figures given to them from their publisher, Nielsen Bookscan is one possible source, accessed free for those authors registered with AMAZON.

A recent article in the LA Times (Dec 9, 2010) details how and when authors may obtain the information they seek per the sales of their book.

Please note the LA Times article says the data is free for authors --

Authors, link to the LA Times web site article and let me know if the information is helpful:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/jacketcopy/2010/12/amazon-gives-nielsen-bookscan-to-authors.html

Thanks in advance,
Rosa

U.S. Department of Energy Report

The U.S. Department of Energy's report entitled "Critical Materials Strategy" published December 2010, is online.


If you are involved in materials science or energy, find the full report at
http://www.energy.gov/news/documents/criticalmaterialsstrategy.pdf

Table of Contents of the full text DOE report includes:

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY..6
CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION..10
CHAPTER 2. USE OF KEY MATERIALS IN CLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES..14
CHAPTER 3. HISTORICAL SUPPLY, DEMAND AND PRICES FOR THE KEY MATERIALS..27
CHAPTER 4. CURRENT DOE PROGRAMS..53
CHAPTER 5. OTHER U.S. GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS..58
CHAPTER 6. MATERIALS STRATEGIES FROM OTHER NATIONS..61
CHAPTER 7. SUPPLY AND DEMAND PROJECTIONS..69
CHAPTER 8. CRITICALITY ASSESSMENT..95
CHAPTER 9. PROGRAM AND POLICY DIRECTIONS..100
APPENDIX A: CRITICALITY ASSESSMENTS BY ELEMENT..111
APPENDIX B: MARKET SHARE ASSUMPTIONS AND MATERIAL CONTENT CALCULATION..127
APPENDIX C: 111TH CONGRESS RARE EARTHS AND CRITICAL MATERIALS LEGISLATION ..133
APPENDIX D: TREM CONFERENCE 2010 ADDRESS – ASSISTANT SECRETARY DAVID SANDALOW..140
APPENDIX E: U.S.–JAPAN ROUNDTABLE ON RARE EARTH ELEMENTS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR CLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES AGENDA..146
APPENDIX F: TRANS-ATLANTIC WORKSHOP ON RARE EARTH ELEMENTS AND OTHER CRITICAL MATERIALS FOR A CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE..149
APPENDIX G: ARPA-E WORKSHOP AGENDA

Research

Fascinating new discovery while studying nature's models in regard to de-icing!

If you have any interest in de-icers or coatings read:

Harvard University's work on new de-icing methods based on nature:


"Breaking the ice before it begins."


There is no end to what a seemingly simple yet most complex, Lotus plant, having a superhydrophobic structure capable of repelling water droplets can teach us!

Publications from Rosa S. Raskin & Associates

I love the cover of the October 2010 issue of PPCJ:
Polymers Paint Colour Journal.

PPCJ and a companion journal, APCJ, include vivid color pictures and exquisite graphics. A beautiful photograph of trees and the title of the issue, "Natural world: Creative colours measure up", reflect the beauty of fall's color palate.

"Eye catching" is the subheading in PPCJ's Table of Contents where one can read the reference to my article entitled "Living Colour: Functional Pigments". The term "living" was so much on my mind when I wrote the article on pigment qualities as I had immediate family in the hospital. Survival, "living" was the issue of the day.

My family has done remarkably well. We had the best Thanksgiving ever. The world looks more colorful.

Thanks PPCJ, you are more than an "eye catching, informative, trade" journal to me --

You reflect life itself!

Unclaimed Funds

When browsing the web, don't forget to check unclaimed funds. Each time I enter surnames of family and friends, I find a list of persons I know having unclaimed monies from a variety of sources. Not all institutions report or forward unclaimed funds that are held by participating states but I have never searched the database without finding someone I know that has unclaimed funds.

If you enjoy "treasure hunting" start your free search at http://unclaimed.org/

You will be glad you did and so will your family and friends.

Happy hunting!

Social Networking Search Sites

There are many social networking search sites to check what is being said about companies, brands, people, and any topic of interest.

Some of the search sites list the names of persons who have searched for the company or brand most often, and comments are interpreted as positive or negative. The reach of the brand, sentiment, and/or passion may be included. Sites may check blogs, videos, conversations, or anything searchable on the web. One generally has a choice as to what to include. I suggest doing a broad search including all types of information at regular intervals to see what is out there.

Once you know who is talking about your brand you may chose to answer or have someone answer for you.

Want to know who is searching your company, brand, or what people are saying about your product? To be ready to reply in a timely manner, you need regularly scheduled updates on what is being said about your brand.

Many articles on searching social networking web sites are published on the web and more search sites will be created in the future. One rarely finds the same materials on the sites as some include the information sooner than others, some may delete if after a time period, and is no one comprehensive social search tool is available. Each site has its advantages. Many social networking "search" sites are free while others are fee-based.

If you do not have time to keep up with what is being said about your product or company, hire an information professional to do the search for you on a regular basis.

Of course I would be pleased if you "Keep Askin for Raskin" at rosa@raskinfo.com or call 440-461-4125 for help with your brand or any scientific or business research topic.

Automotive Coatings Article

My article entitled, Automotive Coatings: Innovation and Collaboration is published in the current, May 2010 issue of PPCJ: Polymers Paint Colour Journal, Volume 200,
Number 4548, on pp 24-26.

The picture of the honey bee is most relevant to the article -- read it and let me know if you agree?

Soon to be published, "Secrets of Marine Coatings," (PPCJ) "Biocides and Nature,"(PPCJ) and "Flame Retardants" (APCJ).

Did you miss my February article in APCJ on smart coatings, check it full text online in the
February/March 2010 issue of APCJ, pp 29-31 at http://www.asiapacificcoatingsjournal.com/

An Exciting Week!

A most special "thank you" to Dr. Jackie Savoca, Executive Director of Coatings Research Group, Inc., CRGI, who inspired me to attend the incredible American Coatings Show in Charlotte, North Carolina.

I was surprised when an exhibitor asked me to autograph an article on smart coatings published in the February/March 2010, issue of the APCJ: Asia Pacific Coatings Journal.

I was pleased to meet the Senior Editor of PPCJ: Polymer Paints Colour Journal, Sue Tyler, at the international show in Charlotte.

While catching up on my email I read that the Library of Congress is digitizing all tweets since Twitter's inception in March 2006 -- see:

How Tweet It Is!: Library Acquires Entire Twitter Archive
April 14th, 2010 by Matt Raymond

As I catch up on tweets, I am viewing the tremendous cloud from the eruption of the volcano in Iceland on T.V., wonder how my new international and U.S. friends will get home from the show with many flights cancelled per volcanic ash, and continue to be in awe of the forces of nature.