Germany's Robert Bosch, a major supplier of critical diesel components, forecasts diesel penetration in light-duty pickups and SUVs will reach 20% by 2015.

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His own work involves such things as understanding the makeup and behavior of less-understood critical components of cells, like lipids and glycols, and how a cancer cell might bind with a nanoparticle.

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Specialized engineers focused on three critical areas: the battery, motor and electronic interface as integrated components of a complete machine.

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For a company like Apple (AAPL) that relies heavily on Japanese partners for critical components for its iPhone and iPad, the decision to keep its supply chain lean has painful implications when faced with the disruption caused the Japanese disaster.

FORBES: Supply Chain Lessons From Japan

Over the past 15 years, a substantial number of commercial satellite systems, subsystems, components, and related technologies have become less critical to national security due to the transition from military to predominantly civilian uses.

WHITEHOUSE: The White House