Inventor Spot

Surface Reactions Impact Many Industries

So far this week, the 2007 Nobel Prizes have been awarded to the "fathers" of certain modern technologies, specifically the recipients of the Nobel Prize for Medicine and the Nobel Prize for Physics. Today's announcement of the 2007 Nobel Prize for Chemistry winner is no exception: Gerhard Ertl, of the Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Berlin, Germany, is a father of the science of surface chemistry. Let's see what developments his seminal work has led to....

Sometimes, it does take a really big ad to make a really big presence and send a really big message. Here are my picks for some of the best in oversized advertising:

Everywhere you look, you are surrounded by advertising. So, being inundated with advertising what would make you stop and pay attention to an ad? If you are on the streets, something witty and playful may do the trick.

Here are my picks for some of the most brilliant street ads I've seen lately:

Because Cinderella was kind and worked hard she was rewarded with an elegant gown and a pumpkin carriage to carry her away to the ball. You are not Cinderella, but you have been good and worked hard too so don't you deserve something special? Unfortunately there is no magical pumpkin carriage awaiting you today, but there is hope. Give the Pumpkin Swing a try.

If you thought drinking toilet water was just for the dogs, think again. A new $300 water bottle now allows you to join in and share toilet water with your dog or anyone else you wish to share it with. Think I'm kidding? Then you probably haven't heard about the Lifesaver bottle.

Molly Sims, model and actor (she was on the TV show Las Vegas), wore this $30 million diamond-studded bikini for the centerfold of the 2006 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue.

The $30 million diamond bikini was created by Susan Rosen with Steinmetz Diamonds. The bikini contains no fabric. The bikini features over 150 carats of D Flawless diamonds, including a 51 carat D Flawless Pear Shape, a 30 carat D Flawless Emerald Cut, a pair of 15 carat D Flawless Rounds and a pair of 8 carat D Flawless Pear Shapes all set in platinum.

What do you get when you combine a unicycle with a skateboard and a scooter? You get a new innovative form of transportation for the young and the young at heart. It's called The Magic Wheel and was invented by a "bored" Swiss designer whose name is never mentioned.

According to the Eco-Libris website, about 20 million trees are cut down every year to produce books in United States alone. So, how can we keep reading without leaving behind a heavy carbon footprint in the process? We can print books on recycled paper, buy used books and we can also offset the environmental damage we've already made through Eco-Libris .

It appears that some of the most creative and inventive advertising is coming from nonprofits these days.

This week,I've been taking a look at the nonprofits and "for a good cause" marketing techniques. Earlier this week, we looked at the Anti-Smoking Campaigns. Today, we turn to the the advertising campaigns being used to Help Save Our Environment:

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When I first read about the solar energy boat race, Solar Splash, I was immediately intrigued. Though I don't like open waters; therefore, will not get on a boat, the combination of solar energy and cleaner transportation in competition has had me tempted to face my fears and give these solar powered boats a try. I think it's an innovative idea with wonderful educational opportunities and a great start to the building and using of non-polluting, fuel-free vehicles (land, water and air) of the future.

It is getting easier, cheaper (sort of) and more interesting to buy solar powered lights lately. They are in every gardening catalog, on every gardening website, and slowly popping up around homes. As Amazon.com rapidly turns green you can even find them here. Here is a quick list of solar lights that will help bring your electric bill down and light up your home in very colorful and interesting ways.

Ready to upgrade from your small black umbrella that fits in your briefcase or your big green and white striped golf umbrella?

Just when you were ready to hang it up on invention shows, the Golf Channel is airing a new program tonight. Fore Inventors Only begins its series with inventions sure to spice up a round of golf!