Hart-Boillot

Will cleantech clusters help? New England charges ahead

by Nicolas Boillot

David Hochschild, VP of external relations at Solaria, in his acceptance speech for the Sierra Club’s first Sierra Club San Francisco Chapter Trail-Blazer award, mentioned that in 2009 “Germany, a country with 1/3 the population of the United States, 40% less annual sunlight, installed six times more solar power than the United States.” He continues to note how we should be leading, not following, in this area.

Interestingly, Shawn Lesser, the president and founder of Atlanta-based Sustainable World Capital, writes in an article published on the CleanTech Group’s Web site that cleantech clusters are turning out to be a powerful means to promoting regional innovation and investment in clean technology. He rates the Top 10 such cleantech clusters, and includes the New England Clean Energy Council (NECEC) as #2, sandwiched between leader Austria Eco World Styria and #3 Finnish Cleantech Cluster. Knowing how much more committed European nations are to clean energy, we should be proud of NECEC being near the top of this list.

Interestingly a February 8 Ernst & Young press release places New England as the third leading region for cleantech venture capital investment in the US, at $283.7 million for 2009 and behind only Southern California and the San Francisco Bay area.

If we divided the US by region, would certain regions end up in worldwide leadership positions when it comes to investing in, developing and deploying clean(er) energy solutions? As a member of NECEC and other organizations working towards similar goals, we will do our part to make it happen!

What’s Your Story?

by Justin Hastings

We recently exhibited at the CASE D1 Conference and asked attendees, “What’s Your Story?”

The response was great! Representatives from all over the Northeast voiced their concerns and challenges about their university or institution. Big topics this year included properly implementing social media and connecting with alumni and potential donors.

At HB, we know telling your story is paramount, regardless of implementation (Facebook, Twitter… subway advertising) or audience (alumni, donors, internal audiences…). We look forward to helping tell the story of any of the dozens of people we met last week.

Bonus link: Kevin Hart wrote an article entitled “Security Locks” about information security in the Februray issue of CASE’s Currents magazine. For CASE members, login and give it a read!!

Above, a CASE attendee writes her story on our booth “wall.” (A real “wall,”  how about that!)

Looking at the Future

by Ashley Bell

According to the American Diabetes Association, 23.6 million children and adults in the US have diabetes. An emerging technology may make life a little easier for each one of them.

A new non-invasive technology may allow diabetics to be able to wear contact lenses that change colors to continuously alert them of variations in their glucose levels. This would replace the need to routinely draw blood throughout the day

According to the developers at The University of Western Ontario, the technology “uses extremely small nanoparticles embedded into the hydrogel lenses. These engineered nanoparticles react with glucose molecules found in tears, causing a chemical reaction that changes their color.”

Now there’s some forward-looking technology!

A Little Extra Creativity

by Amanda Jayachandran

Even though I am a graphic designer, doing fine arts brings out a different kind of creativity in me. There’s something about getting my hands covered with ink (who I am kidding, all over my arms, on my face, in my hair) that sparks my imagination. It activates something in my body that feels like an “itch” to keep designing; like the feeling you get when you drink too much coffee. It felt so good to be creating something with my hands.

We spent most of the semester doing monoprints and drypoint etching. On the right, is one of the prints I created and the printmaking plate.

Learn more about the technique at http://www.kettererkunst.com/dict/drypoint-etching.shtml.

Making the Case at CASE

by Nicolas Boillot

I was honored to co-present at the CASE District 1 Conference in Boston today, discussing “Advancement in the Classroom? How a Middlebury Intersession Course Creates Opportunity for Students, Alumni, and College Advancement.”

MiddCORE, the new Middlebury intersession course, has completely engaged me. Since the course’s inception in 2007, I have become deeply involved with the college and committed to its success in ways I never had before. In three years:

  • I have donated more time and money to the college than in the previous twenty years.
  • I have visited the campus more often and for more days than I had in the twenty previous years.
  • I have become more committed to the college’s success, become an evangelist for the school with my friends and business contacts, and even asked my company to contribute its capabilities to advance some of the college’s initiatives.

Why did this course engage me in ways that Advancement had failed to do for over two decades? As communicators working with Advancement and Communications teams, we must challenge them to ask “how is the institution engaging its alumni? What are the on-campus opportunities that they might not know about, which could renew interest and solidify alumni loyalty?”

We’re Live in San Antonio!

by Justin Hastings

We are happy to announce that we’re expanding into the southwestern United States with a new office in San Antonio, TX. We’re incredibly excited, anticipating significant growth in our technology and higher education practices in the Southwest.

Take a look at where we’re located and learn more about our expansion. Looking forward to seeing you in The Lone Star State!

Check out some of the coverage we’re getting

Hands-On Computing

by Justin Hastings

Our bodies can do amazing things – and new technologies are looking to take those amazing things one step further.

Microsoft recently applied for a couple of patents that could potentially alter the way the disabled interact with computers and other devices. The technology uses sensors on the body to control specific actions.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – the medical device and technology fields are growing at a rapid rate. Here’s yet another incredible technology that hopes to enhance the lives of many.

Happy new year everyone.

by Kevin Hart

We hope you have a safe and fun weekend AND a prosperous 2010.

Check out this classic ABBA hit…

Happy New Year (ABBA)

Merry Christmas

by Kevin Hart

Hello. I’m the last man standing at HB HQ. Everyone has slipped away to destinations near and far, to share time with friends and family. We hope that you have done the same. If you like the HB Blog, look for more fun, insightful and creative posts in 2010. Have safe and joyful times throughout the holidays.

Cheesy, Gooey Pizza

by Amanda Jayachandran

greenbox

I am a sucker for great packaging; it definitely influences my decisions. I am amazed when I come across packaging that is clever and useful. The GreenBox is a pizza box made from 100 percent recycled material that breaks down into serving plates and a storage container for leftover pizza. GreenBox produces varieties of five different sizes and has four patents pending, including containers for coffee, doughnuts and wings.

Check out this video on how the box works.