Not much went right in the debacle known as Katrina relief. Which is why the 6,000 Coast Guard personnel who were among the first on the scene deserve special recognition. The White House reports that they rescued 33,000 people along the Gulf Coast, including 12,000 people evacuated by air.

The Coast Guard motto, "Semper Paratus," means "Always ready." Looks like they mean it.

You think you've seen sidewalk art before? Not like this, you haven't.

Kids, don't try this at home. 767 runs out of fuel. Pilot lands with no engines, few instruments, and minimal hydraulics, using a racetrack as a runway.

So far, research into immersion lithography has used water to fill the gap between the lens and the photoresist. With a refractive index of 1.0, however, water offers only moderate improvement. This week at SPIE, IBM is reporting the creation of 30 nm lines and spaces using 193 nm light with high index immersion fluids.

Here's an interesting concept, if it works. New Way Air Bearings has mounted a complete vacuum chamber on a moving air bearing stage. Thus, the motion components and the particles they generate lie outside the chamber.

Yes, I know that one of the reasons why P.D. James' fans like her books is that she doesn't talk down to them and isn't afraid to use big words. But if you use a word like consanguinity twice in the first hundred pages, aren't you just showing off?

As much as activists of the right and left like to make noise, moderates hold the balance of power in any political situation. Moderates decided both of the last two presidential elections, and moderates in the Congress are now forcefully reminding the administration that we have three branches of government for a reason. If you're so inclined, this would be an excellent time to remind your elected representatives that oversight of administration programs is a critical Congressional responsibility.

I'm sorry for the lack of updates. I've been vacationing for the last week. Nothing exciting -- mostly light reading and afternoon naps -- but very refreshing.

The aforementioned report on flexible photovoltaics is done. There may still be some copyediting tweaks, but no more mental heavy lifting. I won't be able to post any of it here for several months, however, due to the exclusivity clause in my contract. Those with an interest in the topic can contact me by email, or contact Pira International, the publisher.

My next big project is a book, working title Semiconductor Manufacturing in Nontechnical Language. It's just what it sounds like, a reference for nontechnical people who work in or follow the industry. PennWell Books will be publishing it, though not until at least 2007 given that I have to write it first... Those familiar with the industry know PennWell as the publisher of Solid State Technology magazine. Updates as the project proceeds.