As digital cable and interactive TV become more prevalent, they are requiring cable companies to develop more advanced technology, and Gates and company are competing mightily for that business.

FORBES: Gates Invests Again In Cable

Before teaming with EMC, Dell tried to develop an advanced storage technology with StorageApps (a company it helped finance) but quickly realized that it was in over its head.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Before teaming with EMC, Dell tried to develop an advanced storage technology with StorageApps (a firm it helped finance) but quickly realized it was in way over its head, says John Webster, senior analyst with Data Mobility Group.

FORBES: Pulled in a New Direction

With the opening of its HDD Advanced Technology Center (with TDK and SDK) to develop higher density recording technology and the HDD Manufacturing Technology Center (with TDK and likely its partner SAE) to develop manufacturing capabilities, on July 16, 2011, Toshiba is taking clear steps to maintain its technological relevance and ability to remain a competitor in the HDD industry.

FORBES: Toshiba Makes Strategic Partnerships In Order to Compete in Hard Disk Drives

It has created a network of a dozen Chinese and U.S. companies to develop joint business ventures to build advanced, low-carbon coal technology in China and around the world.

CNN: Coal-burning CEO: U.S., China must fight pollution

"Shell will apply its advanced technology, operational expertise and global experience in the project to jointly develop the shale gas resources with CNPC, " the Anglo-Dutch firm said in a release on its website on 20 March, without giving any further details.

BBC: Shell signs first shale gas production pact in China

The technology came out of funding from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop a super capacitor to desalinate ocean water into drinking water for the troops.

FORBES: Company Aims to Desalinate Fracking Water, a $1.6 Billion Market

Additionally, in order to reduce the time to develop and deploy advanced materials, a Materials Genome Initiative is being launched today, and the National Science and Technology Council has released a white paper on that effort.

WHITEHOUSE: Ensuring American Leadership in Advanced Manufacturing