VOL   18
SEP 2011

Connecting Fukuoka to the globe.

MILSTONE NEWS

Boeing Commercial Airlines has delivered its first 787 Dreamliner to launch customer All Nippon Airways. The 787 is a mid-size aircraft with a long flight range, so it may be used for long routes that until now were in low demand because they were only possible with larger aircraft. Over 50% of the aircraft is a carbon fiber composite. Compared to the Boeing 767, the Dreamliner consumes 20% less fuel.

GAME CHANGERS

»Amazon Kindle : Amazon.com has announced that it will begin shipments of its Kindle Fire tablet computer in November. The tablet runs the Android operating system and at $199 sells for less than half the cost of the iPad. The company announced three other new Kindle e-readers at the same time.

»University of Leeds : Researchers have developed a gel that cures tooth cavities. The fluid penetrates the affected area to regenerate tooth tissue from the inside. Experiments replacing conventional treatment methods with the gel have shown positive results.

»Aidan Dwyer : A 13-year-old boy in New York has pointed out that arranging solar panels like the branches of a tree in accordance with Fibonacci numbers is more efficient than traditional flat arrays.

FUKUOKA HIGHLIGHTS

Airlines Revive Fukuoka-Honolulu Route

Delta Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines plan to resume regular flights between Fukuoka and Honolulu on December 28 and April 16, respectively. The opening of all lines of the Kyushu Shinkansen was a factor in the return of the route after a six-year absence. » More

Fukuoka Prefecture Utilizes Urban Mines

At the Fourth Advanced Policy Creation Conference, the National Governors’ Association recognized Fukuoka Prefecture’s rare metal recycling project. The Conference honors outstanding policy-making by Japan’s prefectural and municipal governments. Fukuoka’s project was chosen as the best among 2,325 policies. » More

Ruby to Attain ISO Certification

Adoption of ISO standards for the Ruby programming language via the fast-track procedure has been unanimously approved. Ruby is expected to receive certification next year. Ruby was developed by Japanese software programmer Yukihiro Matsumoto. Fukuoka is the site of Japan’s largest Ruby community. » More

Fine-Tec to Start Factory at Former Renesas Site

Industrial blades maker Fine-Tec will establish a new factory at the former site of Renesas Semiconductor’s Fukuoka plant. Fine-Tec has 30% of the world market in precision blades for cutting electronic components. » More

Kyushu University Develops Nickel Fuel Cell

Professor Seiji Ogo at Kyushu University has developed a fuel cell that uses nickel instead of platinum as catalyst. Fuel cells are growing in popularity because they do not emit carbon dioxide, but the high cost of the platinum catalyst has posed a problem. Nickel has the benefit of being less expensive. » More

"Think different." - Steve Jobs

© 2003-2011 Fukuoka Center for Overseas Commerce in America All rights reserved. | Translation: HC Language Solutons, Inc. | Unsubscribe | Contact