Wednesday, April 29, 2009

20,000 gallon rain harvesting system installed by homeowner to offset drought

For Immediate Release

Media Contact
Robert Lenney
916-778-8777
Robert@Gutterglove.com

20,000 Gallon Rain Harvesting System Installed By Homeowner To Offset Drought

Monte Sereno, CA – The California drought may appear to have softened because of the last batch of rains, but Monte Sereno resident Jerry Block isn’t having second thoughts at all about having one of the largest rain collection systems in the Santa Clara Valley recently installed in his back yard.

You may wonder why he installed this system when he’s only saving a few hundred dollars a year. Jerry feels it’s all about being sustainable and preparing for the unknown.

“What if there is an earthquake and what if the drought continues?” says Jerry, “At least I will have water for my family and neighbors. Rainwater can also be used for fire suppression, irrigation, washing your car and even for keeping your swimming pool filled.“

On the surface, the news that Sierra snowpack measurements show water content at 81 percent of normal appears to be good news. But the Department of Water Resources (DWA) reports that the economic impacts of the California drought -- now in its third year -- will be devastating.

“Central Valley farm revenue loss is estimated to range between $325 million and $477 million,” according to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s California Drought Report. “Total income losses to those directly involved in crop production and to those in business related to crop production is estimated to range between $440 and $644 million.”

The result of the sustained drought, according to the report, will be an estimated loss of 16,200 to 23,700 full-time equivalent jobs.

“The overall water supply situation has not improved enough to make up for the two previous dry years and low reservoir conditions,” says DWR Director Lester Snow. “Water storage is about five million acre feet below average.”

Jerry is being sustainable about his efforts with his newly installed rain harvesting system because it saves the water agency electricity from not having to pump 20,000 gallons of water to his home anymore.

Collecting this much rainwater significantly reduces stormwater runoff and erosion problems. That’s 20,000 gallons less rainwater that could get contaminated by the time it gets to a stream or an underground aquifer. With the craze of the Victory Gardens, as popularized by Michelle Obama, rainwater catchment helps assure that water will be available for growing home gardens during hot summer months.

There are many benefits to a rain collection system that many times are overlooked, as described by John Lewis of Rain Harvesting Systems.

“Most people don’t really understand the sustainable reasons for having a rain harvesting system installed,” comments John. “The return on investment may never come, but having a rainwater supply is more than valuable, it’s responsible.”

Fremont based company Rain Harvesting Systems installed four 5,000-gallon rainwater tanks to achieve the 20,000 gallon capacity. Gutterglove Gutterguard was used on the roof gutters for filtering out all the leaves, pine needless and sand from the four rain tanks.

Tim Pope, president of the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA), sees a growing demand for information about collecing rainwater.

“Rain harvesting is growing tremendously in the United States, especially in California,” said Pope. “California seems to wait for a catastrophe (drought) before it goes after a cause like collecting rainwater.”

Pope recently led a two-day rainwater harvesting workshop in San Francisco, where demand for education is particularly high. The workshop prepares individuals and business owners for the ARCSA accredited professional test for rain harvesting.

Rain Harvesting Systems is hosting a special open house at the Block’s residence on Saturday May 23rd from 10am – 2pm. Attendees to the open house will need to RSVP and will be able to do so through the home page of www.RainHarvestingSystems.com. More information and the RSVP signup for the open house will be available on their website the first week of May.

For more information on the California drought you can visit the DWR at www.water.ca.gov/drought/. For more information on Rain Harvesting Systems you can visit their website at www.RainHarvestingSystems.com. For more information on ARCSA, you can visit www.arcsa.org.

About Rain Harvesting Systems

Rain Harvesting Systems, a Rocklin and Fremont California based company, is dedicated to water conservation by providing practical methods for collecting and storing rainwater. More information can be found at: www.RainHarvestingSystems.com, or by calling 877-662-5644.

About the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association

Founded in 1994 by Dr. Hari J. Krishna in Austin, Texas, to promote rainwater catchment systems in the United States. Our memberships consists of professionals working in city, state, and federal government, academia, manufacturers and suppliers of rainwater harvesting equipment, consultants, and other interested individuals. Membership is not limited to the US, and we encourage all rainwater harvesting enthusiasts to join our organization. For more information visit their website at www.arcsa.org or call them at 512-477-5445 or email at info@arcsa.org.

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Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Parents Demand Action and Apology from Steve Jobs!

For Immediate Release

April 22, 2009
Contact: Jennipher Dickens
(212) 201-0599 or Jennipher@thebrainproject.org

Something’s Rotten at Apple

Parents Demand Action and Apology from Steve Jobs!

NEW YORK, NY - The Sarah Jane Brain Foundation and its National Advisory Board released a public statement today condemning Apple’s new application for iPhone, "Baby Shaker."

The app, developed by Sikalosoft, begins with this description: "On a plane, on the bus, in a theater. Babies are everywhere you don’t want them to be! They’re always distracting you from preparing for that big presentation at work with their incessant crying. Before Baby Shaker there was nothing you could do about it."

Apple, Inc., which notoriously and routinely rejects new apps from developers with a "rigorous" vetting process, nonetheless apparently allowed this horrible application to be sold through its store.

Sikalosoft first released the app Monday and despite objections from concerned citizens, it was reportedly still available for purchase from the iPhone store for $0.99 on Wednesday afternoon.

Patrick Donohue, Founder of the Sarah Jane Brain Foundation, stated in an e-mail to Apple CEO Steve Jobs and several of his Vice Presidents, "As the father of a 3-year-old who was shaken by her baby nurse when she was only 5 days old, breaking 3 ribs, both collarbones and causing a severe brain injury, words cannot describe my reaction."

He continued, "You have no idea the number of children your actions have put at risk by your careless, thoughtless and reckless behavior! We will do everything we can to expose your reckless actions and reverse the horrific impact it will have on the innocent children throughout the United States."

The well-known website www.krapps.com first reported the new application shortly after its release, and also condemned Apple for approving the application.

"Ok, we get it... crying babies can indeed get annoying. On a plane, at a restaurant, in the hotel room next to yours... we get it, annoying... shut that kid up! But Apple, try using just half your freaking money-making brain and reject Baby Shake... tell Sikalosoft to make some revisions, call the damn thing Pacify Junior and mix in some pacifiers to calm the baby down. See how easy that was... simple stuff, sort of funny while protecting the integrity of the Apple brand," the site’s authors wrote in part of their posting.

Marilyn Barr, Founder of the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome and National Advisory Board member of the Sarah Jane Brain Foundation, was also horrified by Apple’s latest release.

"Not only are they making fun of Shaken Baby Syndrome but they are actually encouraging it. This is absolutely terrible," Barr stated Wednesday afternoon.

Jennipher Dickens, whose 2-year-old son Christopher was shaken by his 21-year-old biological father when he was only 7 weeks old, said, "This horrible iPhone app will undoubtedly be downloaded thousands of times by others in that same young male demographic - the population group that is already statistically the most likely to shake babies. As a result of the child abuse my son endured in the form of Shaken Baby Syndrome, my son now has irreversible brain damage."

She continued, "Words do not even adequately describe how much this disheartens me, both as a mother and as the communications director for the largest national organization preventing and helping children with Pediatric Acquired Brain Injuries."

Dickens also serves as the Communications Director for the Sarah Jane Brain Foundation and is the founder of another SBS prevention organization, Stop Shaken Baby Syndrome Inc.

The Sarah Jane Brain Foundation encourages parents and citizens to contact executives at Apple and demand:

1. Immediate removal of the offensive application
2. A personal apology to parents of SBS victims and survivors from Steve Jobs
3. A significant effort to reverse the damage they have already undoubtedly caused

Contact information:

Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Inc. - E-mail: sjobs@apple.com, Phone: 408-996-1010, Fax: 408-996-0275

Scott Forstall, Senior Vice President, iPhone Software - E-mail: sforstall@apple.com, Phone: 408-996-1010, Fax: 408-996-0275

Sina Tamaddon, Senior Vice President, Applications - E-mail: stamaddon@apple.com, Phone: 408-996-1010, Fax: 408-996-0275

Donohue and Dickens can be reached by calling 212-201-0599. Barr can be reached by calling 801-627-3399. For more information on the Sarah Jane Brain Foundation, visit www.TheBrainProject.org.

#####

The mission of the Sarah Jane Brain Foundation is to create a model system for all children suffering from Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury (PABI), the number one cause of death and disability for children in the United States. PABI affects children and young adults from birth through age 25 and includes both traumatic and non-traumatic causes. Traumatic causes include Shaken Baby Syndrome and other forms of abusive head trauma as well as motor vehicle accidents, falls, blast injuries from war, being struck by an object and sports concussions. Non-traumatic causes include strokes, meningitis, ischemia, poisoning, pediatric AIDS, lack of oxygen to the brain, brain tumors, and substance abuse.

The Sarah Jane Brain Foundation has gathered the "best of the best" in the field of pediatric neurology and neurorehabilitation on its National Advisory Board, and together these experts drafted a 65-page National PABI Plan, which outlines the proper continuum of care for children with PABI from prevention, acute care, rehabilitation and on through integration into adult systems. Sarah Jane Brain State Lead Centers of Excellence are being established in every state as well as D.C. and Puerto Rico. These centers will ensure the full implementation of the PABI Plan, the goal of which is to develop a "seamless, standardized, evidence-based system of care universally accessible for all individuals and their families regardless of where they live."

The organization is hosting a 15-city American PABI Heroes Tour from May 3-17, 2009, featuring musicians who are sponsoring families of children and young adults with PABI, including a 2-hour panel discussion around one of the 7 PABI Categories of Care in each city (prevention, acute care, reintegration/long-term, mild TBI, rural/tele-health, registry/healthcare IT, and adult transition).

Thursday, April 16, 2009

New Affiliate Program Kicks Off With Flagship Product, What Odor?®

New Affiliate Program Kicks Off With Flagship Product, What Odor?®

Scottsdale, AZ (MandarichPR) April 15, 2009 – For the Earth Corp. announces the launch of an affiliate marketing program for their line of environmentally friendly products.

Affiliate marketing has become a common practice for many Internet-based businesses and website owners, and has the potential for earning a high residual income.

Upon registration for the affiliate program (http://www.what-products.com/affiliatepro/affiliate) affiliates have access to fifteen different banners, uniquely designed to fit any industry and website. In addition to the variety of banners, For The Earth Corp. offers pre-written text ads to assist affiliates with promotion of their products. The company also offers high commission structure for their products.

The first product offering in this affiliate program is What Odor?®. This eco-friendly, 100% biodegradable odor eliminator has been available nationwide at home shows and on the Internet since August 2008, with the official product launch on March 2, 2009.

Famous pitchman, Billy Mays began endorsing What Odor?® in infomercials on national television in March 2009. The infomercial can also be found on the popular video sharing website, YouTube® (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m40Oa2VzIVs)

“We’re excited to be able to offer What Odor?® through an affiliate program,” says Grist, CEO of For The Earth Corp. “And with Billy Mays promoting this product on national television, affiliate marketers could realize even higher earnings.”

About What Odor?®

What Odor?® is an eco-friendly odor eliminating spray made up of over 40 essential oils that works within seconds to eliminate odors. It works differently than other products that are made of just fragrance and water; its unique combination of essential oils break down odor-causing bacteria, rather than masking it, leaving behind a fresh, clean scent. The product is safe for both people and pets, and users have experienced success with diaper pails, smoke odors, fish, restaurants, restrooms, sports equipment, pet bedding and kennels, potty accidents and skunk odor, among others. Though it is a spray, What Odor?® can be poured in with laundry, run through a fogging device, or used in steam vacuum cleaners. For more information, visit http://www.what-products.com

About For The Earth Corp.

For The Earth Corp. established by Nelson Grist in 2008, is focused on becoming an industry leader in green and biodegradable products. With over 30 years of combined experience in product development, For The Earth Corp.’s management team and staff are committed to providing consumers with effective and sustainable solutions for people, pets, and the planet Earth. For more information, visit http://www.fortheearthcorp.com


For more information contact Mandarich LLC (www.Mandarich.com), 7047 East Greenway Parkway, Suite 190, Scottsdale, AZ, 85254; 480-277-7888.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Nationally Recognized Cheese Carver Sculpting at Raley’s Grand Opening

Contact:
Angela Hemauer
Food Insight Public Relations
Email: ahemauer@foodinsight.net
Phone: 515-669-3664

Nationally Recognized Cheese Carver Sculpting at Raley’s Grand Opening

Who: Nationally Recognized Cheese Carver, Sarah “The Cheese Lady”

What: "The Cheese Lady" will carve works of art into wheels of cheese at Raley’s Grand Opening Celebration in Petaluma, CA. Images of medals and awards ribbons along with the popular dairy cow, cheese making images and symbols will be sculpted into multiple 40-pound wheels of Reserve Raspberry Bellavitano and Gold Bellavitano specialty cheeses.

When & Where: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 – 9 AM to 5 PM

Raley’s Market
Petaluma’s South Plaza Shopping Center
157 McDowell Blvd
Petaluma, CA 94952
Phone: 916-373-6043

Why: The Bellavitano line of cheeses are creating a new taste in cheese. They are a unique blend of hard and soft Wisconsin cheeses patterned after Northern-Italian farmstead cheeses. Consumers will find these cheeses rich and creamy with a combined taste of aged cheddar and full-flavored Parmesan. Samples will be available for consumers to enjoy.

Interviews: Sarah is available for in-store interviews Wednesday, April 22 from 9 AM to 5 PM. Media has permission to show up at the store for photographs, video footage or in-person interviews.

For any additional information on Sarah “The Cheese Lady” contact Angela Hemauer, Food Insight Public Relations, ahemauer@foodinsight.net or 515-669-3664.

About Sarah “The Cheese Lady” - Sarah “The Cheese Lady” is a nationally recognized cheese sculptor. Since 1996, she has received hundreds of commissions for her cheese creations, which have captured countless media impressions. Kaufmann creates some sculptures in her studios in Cincinnati and San Diego and also appears in person to sculpt cheese at a variety of venues: food & wine festivals, supermarkets, tradeshows, state fairs, sporting events, civic celebrations and other special occasions. Some sculptures can be viewed by visiting www.sarahcheeselady.com.

About Raley’s Markets - Founded in 1935 by Tom Raley, Raley’s Family of Fine Stores is a major grocery chain best known for high quality products, fresh produce and outstanding customer service. With around 15,000 employees, Raley’s is a $3.4 billion company based in West Sacramento, CA. The company operates 133 stores in Northern California and Northern Nevada under four banners: Raley’s Supermarkets, Bel Air Markets, Nob Hill Foods and Food Source. Built on strong family traditions, Raley’s continues to be family owned and operated. www.raleys.com

Two Long Island, New York Federal Superfund Sites to get American Recovery and Reinvestmant Act Money

ATTENTION: 2 Superfund Sites on Long Island, Old Roosevelt Field and Lawrence Aviation, are getting additional funding from ARRA. See text of both press releases below.


Recovery Act Funding to Accelerate Cleanup, Boost Economy, Create Jobs and Protect Human Health at Long Island Hazardous Waste Site

Up to $5 million in Recovery Act funds added to cleanup at Lawrence Aviation Superfund Site

Contact: Beth Totman (212) 637-3662

(New York, N.Y. – April 15, 2009) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced up to $5 million in new funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for the Lawrence Aviation Superfund site in Port Jefferson, New York. The money will accelerate the hazardous waste clean-up already underway at the site. It will also jumpstart the local economy by creating jobs in the Port Jefferson area. This Recovery Act funding is part of the $600 million that Congress appropriated to the Federal Superfund remedial program.

“EPA has an answer to these challenging economic times,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “Under the Recovery Act, we're getting harmful pollutants and dangerous chemicals out of these communities and putting jobs and investment back in.”

EPA will use the up to $5 million in Recovery Act funds allocated to this site to implement a portion of the ground water remedy for the site, which consists of an extraction and treatment system and the in-situ chemical oxidation process. These actions, aimed at source control, will prevent the further migration of ground water contaminants beyond the LAI plant site boundary. Over time, the actions also will eliminate further contamination of down-gradient surface waters and sediments in Old Mill Pond and Old Mill Creek in Port Jefferson.

“The Superfund program lends itself perfectly to the goals of the Recovery Act,” said George Pavlou, Acting Regional Administrator. “New jobs will be created immediately because these projects are ‘shovel ready,’ and the surrounding communities benefit because the funds allow us to continue the important work of cleaning up the sites.”

The Federal Superfund program was created in 1980 to clean up uncontrolled hazardous waste sites that pose unacceptable risks to human health and the environment. Superfund sites are often found in industrial areas hardest hit by the recession. Superfund cleanups are major construction projects which employ thousands of workers nationwide. The Superfund program is implementing new or expanded cleanup actions at 50 sites around the country and since it began, the program has completed construction of remedies at more than 1,060 of the 1,596 sites on its National Priorities List.

By starting or speeding up cleanup at Superfund sites, Recovery Act funding is also increasing the speed with which these sites are returned to productive use. When a Superfund site is redeveloped, it can offer significant economic benefits to local communities including future job creation.

President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on February 17, 2009 and has directed the Recovery Act be implemented with unprecedented transparency and accountability. To that end, the American people can see how every dollar is being invested at www.Recovery.gov.

For more information on this and other sites funded through ARRA, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/region02/eparecovery For more information about the Lawrence Aviation site, visit http://www.epa.gov/region02/superfund/npl/lawrenceaviation/index.html.

09-047

Recovery Act Funding to Accelerate Cleanup, Boost Economy, Create Jobs and Protect Human Health at Long Island Hazardous Waste Site

$5 million to $10 million in Recovery Act funds added to cleanup at Old Roosevelt Field Superfund Site

Contact: Beth Totman (212) 637-3662

(New York, N.Y. – April 15, 2009) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced between $5 million and $10 million in new funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for the Old Roosevelt Field Superfund site in Garden City, New York. The money will accelerate the hazardous waste clean-up already underway at the site. It will also jumpstart the local economy by creating jobs in the Garden City area. This Recovery Act funding is part of the $600 million that Congress appropriated to the Federal Superfund remedial program.

“EPA has an answer to these challenging economic times,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “Under the Recovery Act, we're getting harmful pollutants and dangerous chemicals out of these communities and putting jobs and investment back in.”

EPA will use the up to $5 million in Recovery Act funds allocated to this site to implement a portion of the ground water remedy for the site, which consists of an extraction and treatment system and the in-situ chemical oxidation process. These actions, aimed at source control, will prevent the further migration of ground water contaminants beyond the LAI plant site boundary. Over time, the actions also will eliminate further contamination of down-gradient surface waters and sediments in Old Mill Pond and Old Mill Creek in Port Jefferson.

“The Superfund program lends itself perfectly to the goals of the Recovery Act,” said George Pavlou, Acting Regional Administrator. “New jobs will be created immediately because these projects are ‘shovel ready,’ and the surrounding communities benefit because the funds allow us to continue the important work of cleaning up the sites.”

The Federal Superfund program was created in 1980 to clean up uncontrolled hazardous waste sites that pose unacceptable risks to human health and the environment. Superfund sites are often found in industrial areas hardest hit by the recession. Superfund cleanups are major construction projects which employ thousands of workers nationwide. The Superfund program is implementing new or expanded cleanup actions at 50 sites around the country and since it began, the program has completed construction of remedies at more than 1,060 of the 1,596 sites on its National Priorities List.

By starting or speeding up cleanup at Superfund sites, Recovery Act funding is also increasing the speed with which these sites are returned to productive use. When a Superfund site is redeveloped, it can offer significant economic benefits to local communities including future job creation.

President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on February 17, 2009 and has directed the Recovery Act be implemented with unprecedented transparency and accountability. To that end, the American people can see how every dollar is being invested at www.Recovery.gov.

For more information on this and other sites funded through ARRA, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/region02/eparecovery For more information about the Old Roosevelt Field site, visit http://www.epa.gov/region02/superfund/npl/oldroosevelt.

09-050

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Aricent Simplifies Long Term Evolution LTE Development With eNodeB Software Framework on Intel(R) Architecture

Pre-integrated Multi-Layer Software Framework and Hardware Platform Combination Accelerates Time to Market and Offers Highly Integrated Solution for LTE eNodeB Equipment Manufacturers

PALO ALTO, Calif., April 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Aricent(TM), a global innovation, technology and services company focused exclusively on communications, today announced that the company will create a complete Long Term Evolution (LTE) eNodeB reference solution that includes Layer 1 (PHY) and Layer 2 protocol stacks based on the next-generation Intel® Xeon® processor for LTE base station applications.

Intel® architecture provides the Aricent solution performance benefits and simplifies the OEM development of eNodeB solutions. The combination of advanced integrated software on Intel architecture provides high-performance processing, high-speed packet processing, and security capabilities on a single energy efficient platform. Network equipment providers can use the integrated platform to rapidly develop new equipment for next generation LTE wireless networks.

"This solution reflects our continued emphasis and investment in growing our ecosystem of technology leaders in the LTE space," explained Ajeet Velankar, business development director at Aricent. "Intel's semiconductor expertise combined with Aricent's software solution simplifies development complexity and risk for customers, allowing them to focus on their core competencies and improve their competitive position in future design decisions."

"Aricent has invested heavily in Long Term Evolution technology and by running it on Intel's advance hardware architecture, customers will benefit from a highly integrated, optimized LTE solution," said Rose Schooler, general manager, Performance Processor Division, Intel.

Aricent LTE eNodeB Framework (eNBF) is a leading software solution for LTE eNodeB nodes that combines Layer 1, 2 and 3 components. The software enables complete LTE Uu functionality of the Layer 1 (DAP-PHY) processing, Layer 2 (MAC, RLC and PDCP), Layer 3 (RRC, Cell control, Call control) and S1AP, GTPu and SCTP. This framework accelerates and simplifies development of a carrier deployable solution. Aricent eNBF harnesses the power of Intel® technology to integrate signal processing, packet processing and security capabilities, in addition to Macro eNodeB.

For more information on Aricent's eNodeB frameworks, visit http://www.aricent.com/lte.

Keywords & tags: eNodeB, LTE, LTE Base Stations, Intel, LTE Chipset, L1/L2/L3 Protocol Stack, LTE Reference Designs

About Aricent

Aricent is a global innovation, technology and services company focused exclusively on communications. Aricent combines the leading innovation capabilities of frog design with unparalleled domain expertise in communications as a strategic supplier to the world's foremost infrastructure, application and service providers. The company's investors include Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., Sequoia Capital, The Family Office and Flextronics International Ltd. For more information, visit www.aricent.com.

Aricent is a trademark of Aricent Inc. in the United States and other jurisdictions.
Intel and Intel Architecture are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Steve Manuel of Aricent, +1-650-391-1621, steven.manuel@aricent.com; or Aricent Americas, Chris Lalli of Cohn & Wolfe, +1-415-365-8540, chris.lalli@cohnwolfe.com; or Aricent Europe, Paula Muezerie of AxiCom, +44 208 392 4081, aricent@axicom.com; or Aricent India, Shikha Singh Sehrawat of Text 100, +91 989 107 1999, shikhas@text100.co.in, all for Aricent

University of Minnesota professor Dr. David Pui to speak at American Filtration and Separation Society Conference

Minneapolis, MN – April 6, 2009 -- The American Filtration and Separations Society (AFS) will be holding its’ 22nd Annual Conference, May 4-7, 2009 at the Sheraton Hotel in Bloomington Minnesota. Dr. David Y.H. Pui, Distinguished McKnight University Professor at the University of Minnesota will be the opening keynote speaker for the technical conference on May 5th.

Dr. Pui will speak on “Integrative Filtration Research: Filtration of Nanoparticles, Bioparticles and Agglomerates; Nanofiber Filtration; Liquid-borne Particle Filtration”.

Dr. Pui will discuss why an integrative approach to filtration research is needed to meet the demands of modern filtration requirements. Examples will be given to show how knowledge in powder technology is applied to model aerosol soot loading; how liquid-borne engineered nanoparticles and bioparticles are dispersed using aerosol technique for filtration efficiency evaluations. As a result of integrative filtration research there is development of better composite filter media, pleated filters and respirators, leading to improved environment and lower health risk for workers and the general public.

Joining Dr. Pui at the opening session of the AFS conference is Dr. Steve Tarleton, Senior Lecturer at Loughborough University. Dr. Tarleton will speak on “Filter Selection, Scale-up and Simulation in the 21st Century”.

Dr. Tarleton will detail recent developments in equipment for the automated testing and monitoring of cake filtration and the filter cycle and will show how the level of sophistication can be varied according to requirements.

On Wednesday, May 6th, John T. Peichel, Global Product Manager, Spiral-wound Membranes & Housings, at GE Water & Process Technologies, will speak on “Six Sigma: Product Development and Product Management at GE Water & Process Technologies”.

This presentation will highlight the theory and application of Six Sigma in the areas of product development and product management. Real life examples will underscore the advantages of a structured approach in the development of new products.

Also speaking at the Wednesday morning session is Prof. Dr. Gerhard Kasper from the Universität Karlsruhe. He will speak on “The Kinetics of Dust Filtration”

AFS will also have featured speakers at its’ lunches on May 5th and 6th. On May 5th, Elizabeth Carey, Chief Technical Officer, Cummins Power Generation Group, will speak on “A Customer’s Perspective on the Importance of Filtration”.

On May 6th, Dr. Debra Wilfong of Donaldson Company, Inc., will speak on the “Emerging Challenges of Fuel Filtration”.

In addition to these presentations, the conference will feature over 90 additional technical presentations over 3 days.

On Monday, May 4th AFS offers 12 short courses on various filtration and separation topics.

On Thursday, May 7th, the Center for Filtration Research, University of Minnesota, will supplement the AFS conference with two sessions of presentations based on its’ research.

For information on the AFS 22nd Annual Technical Conference go to:
http://afssociety.org/spring2009/

For information on the short course offerings go to:
http://afssociety.org/shortcourse/

For information on the Center for Filtration Research contact Dr. David Pui:
http://www.me.umn.edu/research/faculty/pui.shtml

AFS is the premier organization in North America dedicated to R&D, problem solutions and technology transfer in filtration and separation for the benefit of industrial processes, individual health and a clean environment.

The AFS conferences and events bring together the industry leaders, presenting the greatest opportunity to meet and hear the newest information in filtration and separation technology.

Over the past two years over 300 organizations have sent representatives to AFS events. These companies understand the value of employees with knowledge of the latest information in filtration and separation technology.

For information on AFS go to:
http://www.afssociety.org

Contact Information:
Suzanne Sower
American Filtration and Separations Society
7608 Emerson Ave S.
Richfield, MN 55423
Phone: 612-861-1277
Fax: 612-861-7959