As everyone who owns a computer should know by now, firewalls, antivirus software and antispyware programs are a must if you don’t want your computer destroyed.  Kaspersky’s Internet Security 2010 provides safety for your private data and files, your computer, online security and more.

Central banks worldwide are claiming that the financial crisis is over and it’s time to move back into a positive frame of mind, but Karl W. Miller, a senior energy executive and institutional investor says otherwise.  According to Mr. Miller, we haven’t hit the bottom yet, especially in the energy sector.

When you hear the phrase – “phase change”, coffee cups don’t really pop to mind.  Star trek fire arms and transporters are more the images conjured up.  Scientists at Fraunhoffer Institute decided to use “phase change” materials (PCMs) to create the perfect coffee cup.

In 2002, legislation was passed to force GM and other automakers to pay for the removal and proper disposal of mercury light switches that GM had continued using long after environmentally safer methods were developed.  In 2006, the End of Life Vehicle Solutions (ELVS) program was given the responsibility by the EPA to coordinate the automaker’s efforts to collect and dispose of removed mercury switches.  GM is now backing out of ELVS and refusing to pay.

Electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles(PHEVs) require charging either at home or at future charging stations.  Most electric companies have variable rates depending on the time of day and when electricity is most in demand.  Nissan and Ford have found ways for their EVs and PHEVs to limit charging times to the lowest rates.

The Fisker Karma is a luxury plug-in hybrid that is due to be officially released in 2010.  Currently, there are prototypes that have circulated at auto shows and most recently at the Mazda Racetrack Laguna Seca.  The car is sleek, sporty, incredibly fast and powerful.

Well, as green as an RV can go that is.  Evergreen recreational vehicles (RVs) are made out of composite materials that allow the final RV to be lighter than other RVs and use less gas, and for Evergreen less gas is just the start of what the company calls its eco-friendly RV.

Nissan’s electric vehicle (EV) for the masses is expected to hit Japan and North America next year.  LEAF, as this car is called, has been anticipated since 2006 and Nissan has been working with cities, states and the U.S. government to make sure that its debut goes smoothly.

The Southern Ute Reservation has invested both land and money into algae biofuels startup Solix.  The tribe is looking for business investments that will profit future generations rather than simply looking for a quick return on their investment.  Solix is a company that fits the Southern Ute’s business plan and native sensibilities.

U Car Share is a U-Haul spin off.  U Car Share, unlike U-Haul, requires a membership. But once you are a member, you can use any U Car Share vehicle and pay low hourly rates.  On Aug. 18 Salt Lake City, Utah, will be the newest U Car Share location.

Thermablok was developed by NASA as an insulator for the shuttles and deep space travel.  In order to protect sensitive electronics from the frigid cold of Mars or traveling the universe, NASA worked with a number of different insulators and insulation products before settling on an Thermablok aerogel.

Cornell’s entry into the 2009 Solar Decathlon is called the Silo House.  It has a number of neat interior and exterior features.  The house is a combination of three connected round structures.  Hence the name Silo House.

A lot of money and manpower is going into future carbon sequestration programs and demonstration projects.  The projects won’t be functional for one or two decades.  Meanwhile CO2 will continue to build in the atmosphere.  A new method for dealing with carbon dioxide has been developed that would recycle CO2 into marketable materials.

Frequently, researchers and engineers need to be able to study CO2, temperature and humidity levels in the atmosphere.  A new sensor allows them to get logs from continuous readings without having to take the readings everyday in person.  Being able to check the readings remotely every few weeks or months is also helpful.

Boomerang paints are made from recycling unused leftover paint and stains.  Rather than tossing that unused fuchsia paint, if you live in Quebec, Canada or provinces close to Quebec, you can simply take it to a collection station.  The great thing is that you are taking hazardous waste out of the waste stream.

Japanese researchers have found a way to grow teeth in mice.  These teeth were seeded into the jaw bone as germs.  The germs grew into healthy teeth capable of performing normal tooth functions.  All the necessary parts were present and capable of functioning normally.

Even with all of the gadgets that have been created to recycle paper, steel, glass, you name it, without people, it just doesn’t work.  In many parts of the world sorting through trash for recyclables was how many made enough money to live and helped clean the environment at the same time.  The global recession has brought hard times to recyclers and put many out of business.