France – Luc Chatel, Secretary of State for Industry, announced Monday a call for projects with a budget of 250 million euros to finance the development of vehicles decarbonation.The call for projects concerning electric and hybrid cars rechargeable like their equipment.250 million euros will be allocated in the form of soft loans limited to 50% of the investment and the total by the end of 2010.”These loans, at a time when it is very difficult to obtain finance on the market, can have a real impact and a real effective,” said Secretary of State for Industry.Projects will be selected on the basis of “innovative industrial products based on technologies validated, their financial viability, the prospects for marketing supported by market research and prospects for job creation,” said Luc Chatel.The loan falls within the auto pact announced on 9 February by the Government to support the automotive sector, in addition to 400 million euros allocated to finance the research, as the 50 million paid by the ADEME (Agence of the Environment and Energy Management). manufacturers Renault and PSA have each received a government subsidy of 3 million.

Oregon, United States – After studying how birds move and breathe, a team of scientists says that they do not fall but not of the dinosaurs would have evolved independently.For decades, we know that the femur in the bird is nearly frozen, preventing these animals from running easily.But researchers at the University of Oregon have discovered that the bones also maintains their lungs, allowing them to breathe in the air. All other animals have walked on Earth, including humans, elephants, lizards and dinosaurs theropods (family, which includes the T-Rex) have a femur free of any movement.The discovery could force paleontologists to reconsider their belief that modern birds are direct descendants of old carnivorous dinosaurs. “It’s surprising that we did not understand a basic element of the biology of birds,” says researcher John Ruben American.Characteristics such as feathers, wings, and unique way that the birds to move to would be developed separately.Dinosaurs and birds have all flourished during the Cretaceous, there are 145 to 65 million years.The Archeopterix, long considered the oldest bird, lived there 150 million years when dinosaurs appeared earlier, there are 200 million years.According to Professor Ruben, birds and dinosaurs share a common ancestor, Karamuru vorax, who walked the earth there are 250 million years.”It seems now clear that birds have evolved their own side and not descended directly from dinosaurs theropods” concluded John Reuben.

Lyon, France – At the 48th Salon du Bourget aerospace, students from INSA Lyon prepare to unveil the first airship powered by solar energy.
This summer he will conduct its first manned flight, over the Channel.
A collaboration of about thirty students from large schools such as technical schools, the solar airship named Nephelios show will be presented to the Air Show to be held from 15 to 21 June. The upper part of the airship envelope is covered with flexible solar panels and power generated is transmitted to the engine power of the device which is located behind the steering pod.The project called Sol ‘R required a funding of 150 000, provided in part by Total, the ADEME and INSA Lyon.It is also sponsored by Gérard Feldzer, french famous aviator, now director of the museum of the air and the space Bourget. The construction of Nephelios is not yet complete, it is at the stage of the assembly, but its first flight test soon.This summer, it should be able to cross the English Channel. The Solar Airship is considered a real alternative to oil in the aviation sector. In addition to their low impact on the environment, airships interest more because of their ability to carry heavy loads and bulky.