BP Disaster: What Happened at the Macondo Well?

Oil firms give codenames to their drilling sites, to throw rivals off the scent of where they are finding oil. The US government, when it sold a Gulf drilling lease to BP in 2008, called the site Block 252. BP, to help raise money for United Way, let its employees bid for the right to choose a codename; the winning group of employees decided on Macondo, after the town in Gabriel García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude. No one could know how miserably appropriate the choice would be. Both García Márquez's fictional town and BP's Macondo were destroyed. The final twist of One Hundred Years of Solitude is relevant, too. A text that had been impenetrable is finally deciphered at the end of the novel. Written one hundred years earlier, it foretold the events that destroyed Macondo. When it comes to drilling for oil and the hazards of climate change, the texts that predict our future are accumulating. They are all too clear.

This is interesting, you can find the stories at http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2011/sep/29/what-happened-macondo-well/?pagination=false 


Not many people realize about this disaster. You can Google the following terms; Macondo well, BP disaster, Gulf of Mexico tragedy and others.

Extension of Mid-Semester Break for July 2010 Semester

With reference to our 2010 Academic Calendar , the Mid-Semester break for July Semester will be from the 4^th  until 14^th of September 2010. This period will also coincide with the “Hari Raya Puasa” celebration.

In view of the public holiday on 16^th September 2010 in conjunction with Malaysia Day ,UTP Management has decided to extend the Mid-Semester break till the 15^th September 2010. However, all academic activities including lectures, tutorials and labs scheduled for 15^th September 2010 must be REPLACED. Lecturers and students will have to work out a REPLACEMENT schedule, which can be done prior to or after the break. All academic activities will resume  on 17^th September 2010.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you “Selamat Hari Raya dan Maaf Zahir Batin”. Have a safe journey home

Optoelectronics of Molecules and Polymers

Optoelectronic devices are currently being developed at an extraordinary rate. Organic light-emitting diodes, photovoltaic devices and electro-optical modulators are pivotal to the future of displays, photosensors and solar cells, and communication technologies. This book details the theories underlying the mechanisms involved in the relevant organic materials and covers, at a basic level, how the organic components are made.

The first part of the book introduces the fundamental theories used to describe ordered solids and goes onto detail on concepts applicable to localised energy levels. Then the methods used to determine energy levels particular to perfectly ordered molecular and macromolecular systems are discussed along with a detailed consideration of the effects of quasi-particles. The function of excitons and their transfer between two molecules is studied and, in addition, the problems associated with interfaces and charge injection into resistive media are presented.

More technological aspects are covered in the second part, which details the actual methods used to fabricate devices based on organic materials, such as dry etching. The principal characterisation techniques are also highlighted. Specific attention is paid to visual displays using organic light-emitting   diodes; the conversion of photons into electrical energy (the photovoltaic effect); and for communications and information technologies, the electro-optical modulation of signals.

Renewable Energy Policy and Politics : A Handbook for Decision-Making

 * Examines the renewable energy sector and its stakeholders, analyzing the reasons for past failures and the key features of successful policies
* Written in clear terms, this book contains the experience of world leaders in this field
* Including an executive summary, it will be an essential reference for decision-makers, offering a deep understanding of the underlying mechanisms

At a time when renewable energy attracts varying degrees of political support and mixed success in policy implementation, clear information on why and how to promote renewable energy markets is much needed, for decision-makers in particular. This book meets that need.

The reason for exploiting renewable energy sources should not be because they are cheap, or because fossil fuels are running out. The crucial reasons are: saving the environment, developing new industries and establishing more secure sources of energy. This book outlines how renewable energies can be promoted at a political level, encouraging the expansion of current markets and the establishment of new industries. Critical pathways are made clear, and key stakeholders are identified and described.

Acknowledging the importance of the media and the interaction between public and private bodies, this book sets out the rules of the game, the stakes and the strategies for success. Contributing authors include: Randy Swisher and Kevin Porter, Rakesh Bakshi, Gordon Edge, Sven Teske and Volker Hoffmann, Jose Luis Garcia and Emelio Menendez.

Energy, Resources, and the Long-Term Future

The world is rapidly approaching the end of the fossil fuel era. This timely book reviews the historical background for this crisis and provides a comprehensive discussion of its important aspects. It contrasts the Utopian writings of Condorcet, Godwin and Adam Smith, with the more pessimistic views of Malthus and Ricardo. It then discusses the characteristics of mainstream industrialism, as well as the ecological counterculture. The final chapters of the book study the present position regarding both non-renewable and renewable resources, and the problem of reducing the economic trauma that will result from the depletion of fossil fuels, especially the future impact of high petroleum prices on agriculture in relation to global population growth. Readers will gain an understanding of the dangers and opportunities of future developments in science, as well as the steps that must be taken to achieve a stable, sustainable global society.

Chemicals in the Atmosphere : Solubility, Sources and Reactivity

The behaviour and hence the possible impact of trace gases and solids in the atmosphere is now of major concern amongst scientists. This book is a result of discussions between members of the IUPAC Commission on Solubility Data and the IUPAC Commission on Atmospheric Chemistry extending over several years.

The book provides a broad survey and theoretical basis of many aspects of the behaviour of stable and unstable chemicals in the atmosphere. There is special emphasis on heterogeneous processes at all levels of the atmosphere. Modern techniques of investigation and of modelling such processes are discussed and many experimental data relating to interaction of gases with cloud droplets and with surfaces of solid particles are included. A detailed account of theoretical and practical aspects of Henry's law constants, including their relationship to infinite dilution activity coefficients, is also presented. Experimental values of 15 inorganic and 153 organic stable compounds have been compiled and evaluated for dissolution in pure water and, in some cases, seawater.

This volume will be of interest to chemists and environmental scientists, as well as geochemists and others involved in atmospheric modelling. Researchers associated with aerosol and air quality studies, as well as pollution issues, will also find it of interest. The sections on Henry's law constants will be of particular benefit to chemical engineers.
* Presents theoretical models for interpreting and predicting solubilities in solutions.
* Evaluates the collection techniques used to obtain solubility data and presents the most appropriate methods.
* Reviewed and commissioned by IUPAC, an internationally renowned society.

Global Mobility Excellence, 28 & 29th Sept 2010, Traders Hotel, Singapore

With current labor market situation, there is a growing trend for workers who have skills that are in demand to move between companies both within and across national border. Hence, this brings its own challenges to employers, who have to cope with increased risk, and more complex legal and procedural matters.

As skilled foreign workers are likely to play a significant role, UNI Strategic has arranged a masterclass on Global Mobility Excellence at which several important global mobility management issues will be addressed, to help HR departments and Finance managers get to grips with the complexities.
In this 2-Day masterclass will cover comprehensive insights and in-depth practical and theories on issues such as tax planning, payroll administration and integration of the array of disciplines of HR, accounting/ finance, tax, payroll, compensation and benefits.

Our trainer, Dave Leboff  has more than 30 years of experience and is an internationally recognized expert in global mobility and international assignment program management. By attending this masterclass, you will get to discover globally proven approaches and mastering your ways to improve program execution.
To find out more about this workshop, please reply to nori.k@unistrategic.com with the subject title code “GM” and I shall forward you the full program.

Thank you.

Best Regards,
Nori

Regional Marketing Manager

UNI Strategic
DID: +65 6825 9619
Main: +65 6825 9579
Fax: +65 6776 2120