Newly-discovered lithium reserve could satisfy US demand for hundreds of years

via theverge.com

Researchers at the University of Wyoming have discovered a new lithium reserve that could radically alter where the US sources a key component of the li-ion batteries used in consumer electronics, electric vehicles, and other technology. Currently the United States imports a vast majority of its lithium, but the newly-unearthed reserve — located at Rock Springs, Wyoming — could transform the US from "a significant lithium importer to an independent lithium producer" according to experts at the university's Carbon Management Institute...

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Why the Galaxy S4 won't be shedding its plastic roots

via news.cnet.com

There's one complaint that often crops up with the Galaxy S III: it feels "plastic-y."

At a time when competitors are using glass, aluminum, and even higher quality plastics such as polycarbonate, Samsung has stuck to its guns with a thin, bendable plastic body.

Which is why the Galaxy S4 won't stray too far from that design philosophy.

CNET sat down with Y.H. Lee, executive vice president of Samsung's mobile business, to discuss the company's thoughts on design. When Samsung looks at what materials to use, it isn't just taking into consideration the aesthetic quality of the device, Lee said. The company also assesses how quickly and efficiently it can manufacture the product, knowing that it will have to ship a high volume.

Lee said that because Samsung will ship large units, it must consider the smartphone's manufacturability and durability.

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6 Reasons Original Marketing Materials Sell

via openforum.com

The siren call of a premade print design can be hard for a small-business owner to ignore. As CEO of Company Folders, Inc., I’ve spent nearly a decade providing clients with original die-cut marketing materials. I’ve also run into plenty of people who seem more interested in using a generic “cookie cutter” design. Whether from print-on-demand sites or the templates in your publishing software of choice, the appeal of a quick, inexpensive and easy solution to your marketing needs is sometimes too tempting to pass up.

However, actually using a premade design can spell disaster for your small business and hurt the reputation of your brand. Here’s why...

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25 Scrap Material Sculptures by Brain Marshall

via webneel.com

Brian Marshall makes cute looking robots out of old greasers, aluminum spoons, pencil and other throw away scraps. Adoptabots are cute little sculptress, created by Delaware-based artist, Brian Marshall, using various discarded objects. Brian Marshall is a middle-school teacher, from Delaware, who creates these lovely Adoptabots, in his spare time. The fact that he’s not even a full-time artist makes his work even more impressive. Instead of leaving old kitchen utensils, cameras, and all kinds of other stuff rot at the landfill, this talented artist decided to offer them a second chance at life, by transforming them into Adoptabots.

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Top 40 Book Recommendations For Designers

via inspirationfeed.com

The proverbial fact is that knowledge is power, that “the more you know, the better off you are.” Books are often known for changing people’s values, their worldview, and their ideas about design. In doing this we hope to focus attention on how books can be important and inspired sources of creativity, innovation, and invention. We spend time to find books that have been important, meaningful, and formative for others.

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9 Easy Ways to Remember Your Presentation Material

via openforum.com

One of the most common reasons we experience presentation anxiety is the fear that we will forget what we have to say and risk losing credibility. A method many use to address this fear is to create PowerPoint slides as a memory aid. However, this is short-sighted because nothing erodes your credibility as a speaker faster than signaling to the audience that you are dependent on your slides.

Seasoned presenters are able to announce a slide before showing it. At a minimum, they know their material so well that all they need to do is briefly glance at the slide to know what's coming next. You can achieve this by doing simple memory boosting practices to remember your presentation material and, in turn, reduce your anxiety.

Here are nine tips to help you remember what you have to say.

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23 Business & Money Books You Must Read

via whodesigntoday.com

Books are an essential source of inspiration and advice for the aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners. I don’t care what you say, but reading books (no matter what the niche) is very helpful in gaining knowledge and the drive to achieve your goals.

But the main debate at the minute for many e-commerce stores is, why sell books and not e-books? However, Amazon has claimed that e-book sales are outstripping real books for the first time, on their store anyway. Engadget also reported on US e-book sales doubling in 2011.

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Body Armor Made From Spider Silk

via news.discovery.com

After decades of trying, scientists may have finally found a way to make body armor out of spider silk.

Aside from being very cool, this would mean ultra-lightweight, super-strong, flexible body armor that would provide highly improved protection for America’s soldiers and law enforcement officers.

Posted via email from Inspiration