GLG News by Copper Mining Experts

Jack LiftonCo-founder and DirectorTechnology Metals Research, LLC

The absurd economics of the Chevrolet Volt Have Now Been Addressed By Carnegie Mellon University's Learned Professors. When Will GM's Management Do The Same?

March 6, 2009

Analysis of:Does GM's Volt Make Sense? | www.technologyreview.com

For the US Federal Government to bailout GM's current business model is a futile exercise in welfare state economics. There is no hope of success if GM's flawed "public relations" driven business model is not terminated and replaced.

Jack LiftonCo-founder and DirectorTechnology Metals Research, LLC

Braking Wind: Where's the Neodymium Going To Come from?

March 4, 2009

Analysis of:Top wind-turbine firms: U.S. parts makers needed | www.freep.com

It has been estimated that to build the latest and most efficient one megawatt capacity wind turbine powered electric generator requires one ton of the rare earth metal neodymium for use in a permanent magnet made from the alloy neodymium-iron-boron. The total amount of neodymium produced annually in the USA is at most 600 tons, and all of it is used already to build nd-fe-b magnets for various applications. The current US installed capacity for electricity generation is 1,000 gigawatts (a gigawatt is 1000 megawatts), of which 0.6%, 6 gigawatts, is generated from wind turbines. The global annual production of neodymium, essentially all of which is mined in China, is today at an all time historical high of 26,500 metric tons.

Jack LiftonCo-founder and DirectorTechnology Metals Research, LLC

General Motors No Longer Has The Capacity To Develop Or Follow A New Business Model Based On Alternate Energy Powered Vehicles, So Why Prolong Its Agony?

March 4, 2009

Analysis of:General Motors Hybrid Blitz halted by Lack of Batteries, Electric Motors | blogs.internetautoguide.com

The foolish article that I am analyzing here says that GM's only problem now is a shortage of batteries and electric (I assume, drive train) motors. The author's answer is simple: GM must build its own batteries and electric motors. The fact that such a resolution of GM's problems is impossible tells everyone except this author that GM is finished as an industry leading vehicle maker.

Jack LiftonCo-founder and DirectorTechnology Metals Research, LLC

The Non-Silicon "Solar" Bubble May Be Popping: Reality Finally Catches Up With Thin Film Photovoltaic Solar Cells

March 3, 2009

Analysis of:Solar Panel Drops to $1 per Watt: Is this a Milestone or the Bottom for Silicon-Based Panels? | www.popularmechanics.com

There are two factors, which present obstacles that must be overcome if solar energy conversion is ever to be practical and widespread:   1. The limitations on the availability and/or production of the natural resources needed to manufacture the best currently known technologies, and 2. The comparative economics of "solar" energy conversion and all other alternate energy conversion technologies.

Jack LiftonCo-founder and DirectorTechnology Metals Research, LLC

Fiscal lithium has now overwhelmed electrochemical lithium as a driver for the electrification of private passenger carrying vehicles.

March 2, 2009

Analysis of:Study Finds That Cars With Large Lithium-Ion Batteries Don't Provide the Best Value | www.allcarselectric.com

The economic meltdown has now exposed the plug-in lithium battery as a power train energy storage device to be far too early in its development and testing to be worth the risk for private capital. This doesn't mean that it should be developed by taxpayer generated funds; it means that we should step back and see just how we should allocate our resources of money, time, and people.

Jack LiftonCo-founder and DirectorTechnology Metals Research, LLC

The Real Effect of Bankruptcy Talk On GM Sales. It Is GM, Itself, That Can't Get Credit! The Poor Market For Electrified Cars As Measured By Iron V8 Engine Blocks Poured By General Motors.

February 23, 2009

Analysis of:The Electric Car Returns (and This Time It’s Personal) | commongroundmag.com

General Motors sole remaining iron foundry in Defiance, Ohio, is having two problems: 1. It is having difficulty meeting expanded production schedules for vehicles the production of which is supposedly tanking, and one emblamatic reason is that 2. Its suppliers of pig iron, the necessary raw material, won't give it credit.

Jack LiftonCo-founder and DirectorTechnology Metals Research, LLC

GM's Management Is Almost Restructured Already. It Just Needs Rick Wagoner To Leave

February 19, 2009

Analysis of:Reactions to Automakers’ Survival Plans | wheels.blogs.nytimes.com

Bob Lutz, A "car Guy" has now resigned as Vice Chairman and product "czar" of General Motors. He has already been replaced by a first class "car guy," more savvy than Lutz, Tom Stephens. Rick Wagoner, a finance guy whose best days are far in the past brought Fritz Henderson in as a finance guy whose best days may well be ahead of him. If the clueless politicians and their Wall Street toadies don't interfere then GM will shortly have a finance guy, Hendersen as CEO and a "car guy," Stephens as his partner to make a try at guiding GM out of the mess that it and the politicians have made of it during the last 25 years and more.

Jack LiftonCo-founder and DirectorTechnology Metals Research, LLC

Earth Fundamental is A Meaningless Category. The Important Category Of Raw Materials For Any Technology Is "Mining Accessible."

February 18, 2009

Analysis of:Can We Build a Better Battery Without Lithium? | industry.bnet.com

The opacity of the world view of even MIT's materials' scientists is staggering. What exactly is meant by the statement that a natural resource is "earth fundamental?"

Jack LiftonCo-founder and DirectorTechnology Metals Research, LLC

Requiem For Detroit

February 17, 2009

Analysis of:How the Crash Will Reshape America | www.theatlantic.com

Overlooked in all of the angst over the future of the American OEM automotive industry is the effect this crisis is having on the city of Detroit. The once "Motor City" is now a shambles increasingly unable to maintain a level of basic services, police, fire, utilities and health, to name the most critical, necessary to making it liveable.

Jack LiftonCo-founder and DirectorTechnology Metals Research, LLC

Wouldn't A Hasty Transition To Renewable Energy Be Hazardous To Our Economic Health?

February 17, 2009

Analysis of:Saudi Oil Minister Warns Against Hasty Transition to Renewable Energy | redgreenandblue.org

Most of us view a Saudi Oil Minister's admonition to beware of a hasty transition to renewable sources of energy to be cynical and self-serving. But the fact is that such a profiund change done in haste would not only destroy the economy of a petrostate such as Saudi Arabia but could also dmage our own severely.

Previous Page : 45678910111213Next81 to 90 of 533