Appliance Design - July 2008 - (Page 12)

NEwS watch included reviews of more than 10,000 companies on six continents. be connected and managed seamlessly under the IP umbrella regardless of the type of physical links on which they are connected. This contrasts with earlier non-IP architectures that have linked entire networking and routing schemes to a single radio technology. in the purchasing decision, as 43 percent of respondents say they find more competitive prices for big-ticket items when they search online. This appears to be a change in attitude. As recently as August 2006, more than 70 percent of consumers wanted to touch and feel the product before purchasing. In this survey, that rate dropped to 56 percent. GROUP taRGEtS IP ROUtING. Executives from Cisco and Arch Rock Corp. are co-chairing a new Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) Working Group chartered with developing a framework for using IP-based routing techniques over low-power, “lossy” networks. The networks wirelessly connect large numbers of sensors and other embedded devices. The IETF Routing Over Low-power and Lossy Networks (ROLL) Working Group’s focus is on developing interoperable routing protocols that support the use of open-standard, lowpower IP networking over a variety of physical links, including IEEE 802.15.4, Bluetooth, Low Power Wi-Fi and wired links. An end-to-end IP-based routing framework will help enable systems of embedded devices that have limited power, memory and processing resources to ShOPPING ONlINE. A new survey of online consumers by PriceGrabber.com, found that more people are using the Web to do research on major products for the home and that more of them are purchasing the products online. According to the survey, 53 percent of the 1,945 respondents indicated that Web sites are their primary source for researching products and merchants, and 81 percent of respondents say they do some research online prior to purchasing home furniture and major appliances. Of that, 31 percent indicate that they purchase those products they researched. Price is the primary factor SMOOthIES MaDE EaSY. Enodis of Tampa Bay, Fla., has developed an integrated smoothie machine that can make and dispense smoothie drinks in less than 40 seconds. The patentpending unit features a fully integrated ice system that completely eliminates an operator’s need to transport ice during blending. Drinks are blended directly in a cup rather than in a pitcher, simplifying the process even further. The launch is anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2008. The unit will be manufactured by Delfield, an Enodis brand, at its Mt. Pleasant, Mich., facility. FUEl cEll FOR thE hOME. Panasonic has developed a home-use polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) cogeneration system. The fuel cell cogeneration system features what the company calls the world’s highest power-generating efficiency of up to 39 percent Lower Heating Value (LHV). It adds that the power system has been tested out to 40,000 hours of operation and 4,000 start-stops, and has a predicted lifetime of more than 10 years. Field-testing is continuing through March 2009. When installed in a household, Panasonic says the system can reduce primary energy consumption by 22 percent and cut CO2 emissions by 12 percent based on the basic unit for all power sources. The cogeneration system uses cell stack technology that employs Membrane Electrode Assemblies (MEA) fuel-processing technology. Panasonic has installed production equipment for the new system at its plant in Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. Limited production began in June of this year and full-scale commercialization of this system is anticipated for 2010. AD07084Messe1.indd 1 12 applianceDESIGN July 2008 6/4/08 9:51:15 AM www.applianceDESIGN.com http://www.ifa-berlin.com http://www.appliancedesign.com

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Appliance Design - July 2008 Contents Editorial Shipments/Forecasts News Watch Heating Elements Gas Technology Motors & Pumps Controls & Sensors Design Marts Association Report: AHAM Advertiser's Index

Appliance Design - July 2008

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