Steven Burt, G24's chief financial officer, talks of light-bulb-powered TV remote controls, smoke detectors and computer keyboards. (A non-removable internal battery would store charge for use when the lights are off.) The company already offers prototypes of bags and jackets with photosensitive panels woven in, designed to charge digital cameras and mobile phones, and a hotel in Las Vegas is using G24's products to run its electric window-blinds.

ECONOMIST: A new type of cell may bring ��solar�� energy indoors

One such session gave rise to a Pella innovation this year: between-the-glass cordless blinds and shades (window and patio-door treatments tucked between panes of glass and away from dust and yanks from kids).

FORBES: Too Much of a Good Thing?

From colored lighting and ambient music to digital art (on your TV), temperature, window blinds and specially designed mood-enhanced wake-up calls (like "wake me gently" or "wake me wildly"), you can direct the room's whole look and feel, all without having to get out of bed.

CNN: America's 10 highest-tech hotels

Ireland, who already licenses her name on everything from window blinds to sofas, will put her imprimatur on a 400-home subdivision near Orlando, Fla. scheduled to break ground by October.

FORBES