Posted by admin on August 29th, 2007 — Posted in Uncategorized
Best Tile Distributors of New England, part of ceramic tile and stone importer East Coast Tile’s family, has established exclusive distribution rights to the high-end Italian porcelain tile manufacturer GranitiFiandre’s surfacing collections in 15 East Coast states. The partnership will include the Italian company’s Geologica line, an advanced porcelain manufactured for durability with 100 percent natural materials that recreates rare, exotic and technically limited marbles, granites, limestones, quartzites, slates and travertines. As a result, the high-end Geologica Showroom at the Boston Design Center has been re-named Geologica by Best Tile.
“The marketing potential is much greater for us by partnering with a distributor like Best Tile,” said Josephine Fatta, who manages the Geologica by Best Tile showroom. “The new partnership lends Geologica an instant presence in the region and will help us gain visibility with the architectural and design community. It should also help us expand further into the commercial and high-end residential sectors.” Located at One Design Center Place on the Boston Waterfront, Geologica by Best Tile is a 1,700-square-foot high-end showroom dedicated to the architectural and design community.
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Posted by admin on August 29th, 2007 — Posted in Uncategorized
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have come up with a new roof system that could keep your home cool without burning a hole in your wallet.
“That’s a clay top. The next two over are concrete. The next is metal,” says Bill Miller, an ORNL Researcher as he points to more than a dozen types of roofs at the Building’s Technology Center.From a distance, it looks like the type of roof you’d find on any home. Up close, it’s cutting edge technology being built at Oak Ridge.
“You want the roof to protect the underlying structure for a long time at an affordable price and that’s the real key,” Miller said.
The system is made up of several elements including a phase change material that stores the sun’s energy without releasing it into a house, then releases it back into the sky at night.
Researchers have added that to radiant barriers, something similar to aluminum foil that reduces the heat flowing from the roof into the attic.
The roof system also includes special ventilation, insulation and reflective paint. The work is part of ORNL’s Building Envelopes Program.
“We merge all these technologies together into a real fancy roof, and we are able to knock out 90 percent of the heat flow that goes into the condition space,” Miller said.
What does it all mean?
They say the unique roofing system could cut 8 percent off your summer electric bill because your air conditioner doesn’t work as hard.
Different combinations of materials add up to different savings, and of course different price tags when putting the system to work.
“When we know how to make it energy efficient, then we can fix it so it would be cost effective,” researcher Jan Kosny said. “That’s where the contacts with industry are coming from.” Several major roofing companies are interested in the work.
About 200 sensors wired up to 16 roofs are giving researchers the numbers to prove the system really works. You may one day feel the cooling technology in your home and in your wallet.
Some of the technology is already being used. Researchers hope it will also lead to lowering peak demand on utilities and reducing carbon emissions.
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Posted by admin on August 29th, 2007 — Posted in Uncategorized
Master Lock Company, LLC, known for its padlocks and other consumer security products, today announced that the first product in a previously announced partnership with bioMETRX, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: BMRX - News), a leading developer of consumer finger activated products, will be featured on a nationally-aired home improvement television show. On August 28, 2007, Weekend Makeover will feature a segment highlighting the Master Lock® smartTOUCH(TM) Garage Door Opener. The show is set to air at 8 AM EDT on the Women’s Entertainment Network.
The segment will feature the convenience and security that the Master Lock® smartTOUCH(TM) Garage Door Opener offers to homeowners of all ages. The product is the only universal wireless finger activated garage door switch that recognizes the actual user who then can open and close garage doors without keys or PIN codes. This is the first time that the product has been featured in the media under its new co-branded name.
“The product provides cutting edge technology that is so simple to use and secure, that it can be used by everyone safely and effectively,” commented Steve Hedlund, Vice President of Growth & Innovation for Master Lock.
“We are delighted that our innovations have not only been recognized by an industry leader such as Master Lock®, but the national media, as well,” stated Mark Basile, Chief Executive Officer for bioMETRX, Inc. “Together with Master Lock, we are excited to introduce this technology to consumers starting with October availability at Home Depot stores.”
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