Speaking of batteries, a new lithium-ion battery developed by USC utilizes nano-sphere technology to store three times more energy while cutting charge time down to just 10 minutes.

ENGADGET: Inhabitat's Week in Green: Biobot, Nintendo Power Glove and an inflatable bathroom bubble

Airlines in Brazil were some of the last to start cutting services and charge extra for basics that passengers had grown accustomed to, like being the lucky guy who gets the extra leg room at no extra charge.

FORBES: Brazil's TAM Airlines Fined $3.7 Mln for "Comfortable Seats"

In Manchester he strode about in shirtsleeves, politely but firmly in charge, cutting wafflers short and kindly prompting the nervous.

ECONOMIST: Bagehot