Filters remove most of the pollutant that causes acid rain, and new technology soon to be put in place will remove most of the pollutant that causes smog.

CNN: Energy debate may soon turn on 'cleaner' coal

But our favorite (simply because it involves acid) data security solution is Ensconce Data Technology's "Dead on Demand" hard drive.

ENGADGET: Chemically misting hard drives and other remote data security solutions

"Based on our analysis, the performance of A123's new Nanophosphate EXT at high temperatures is unlike anything we've ever seen from lead acid, lithium ion or any other battery technology, " said Dr. Yann Guezennec, senior fellow at CAR and professor of mechanical engineering at the Ohio State University.

ENGADGET: A123 Systems' new lithium ion tech keeps EV batteries cool, your wallet in check

The lead-acid battery is one of the triumphs of 19th-century technology.

ECONOMIST: Einstein and car batteries

On that crucial dimension, if lithium-ion batteries are a 3, the next best technology, NiMH is a 2, and a lead acid battery, like the one you use in your car, gets a 1.

FORBES: MIT Professor: Battery Fix Could Ground 787 Until 2014

Power Technology is on the verge of producing what it claims is a revolutionary lightweight lead-acid battery but has yet to find any potential customers.

FORBES: Magazine Article