August 2015 - Herkimer Post

Problems Nano Technology Can Solve

Miracle substances made from nano-sized material can help us live longer despite serious disease, and can help save our planet from the devastating effects of climate change. Products made from these materials will be researched, designed and produced in the Mohawk Valley of New York.

Graphene is a two-dimensional material made from carbon. In 2010, groundbreaking experimentation with this substance won Konstantin Novoselov and Andre Geim the Nobel Prize in Physics. A stellar performer in material science, graphene’s electrical, chemical, mechanical and optical properties make it a miracle for innovators in many different fields.

Carbon in graphene is one atom thick, a hexagonal lattice with a single carbon atom at each of its 6 vertices. It’s ironic that a way to overcome the long-term threat to life on Earth posed by climate change is by using the very material that all life on Earth is made from, carbon.

A recent MIT tech review article discusses how super thin graphene can mitigate climate change. Graphene may be the catalyst to protecting us from slow death by global warming. Graphene traps the carbon that contributes to CO2 pollution and the greenhouse effect—a process that’s causing average temperatures to rise all over the Earth.Through the process of graphene sequestering, this seemingly miraculous material will convert the harmful CO2 it captures into a valuable building material.

Researchers are optimistic about graphene’s huge potential for reducing atmospheric temperature. They calculate that given an area less than 10 percent of the size of the Sahara Desert, the method could remove enough carbon dioxide to make global atmospheric levels return to preindustrial levels within 10 years, even if we keep emitting the greenhouse gas at a high rate during that period.

Another nano-filter solution of global impact is desalination. Many parts of our planet are experiencing severe drought. California has long been a region where much of US produce is grown. But California’s devastating water shortage may severely impact its agricultural production. With graphene, though, large scale and inexpensive desalination can come to the rescue.Reuters reports that defense contractor Lockheed Martin is developing graphene filters to cleanse wastewater contaminated by oil, using sheets with precisely designed openings of 1 nanometer, a one-atom thick membrane.

Graphene sheets can be produced with precisely-sized holes as small as 1 nanometer, or a billionth of a meter (0.000000001, or 10-9 meters). Lockheed eventually plans on also applying this technology to desalination. The methodology has proven successful, but further refinement is needed to make the solution cost effective.

Filtering carbon from the atmosphere and removing salt and contaminants from ocean water are critical uses of graphene, an incredibly versatile nano material vital to solving some of the earth’s most pressing problems.

Linda Kaidan

Invest for success – Maximize your Herkimer investment!

Now is the time to invest for success. Herkimer real estate is still available at rock bottom prices as billions of dollars in local investment are being made.

Strong indication of economic transformation

Governor Cuomo’s Nano Utica initiative, a distance of 17.3 miles from Herkimer, is expected to create in excess of 4,000 world-class jobs over the next 10 years. It will contribute to New York State’s goal as a technology hub for nano-tech, education and economic development.

The long-depressed Herkimer economy has left a glut of low cost, rundown homes dating back to the 19th century. It appears prices have finally reached rock bottom. Unimproved homes on our street are for sale starting as low as 35K . A lovely garden and outstanding accessibility to country lanes, excellent shopping and medical services are within a 10 minute walk. When you buy an unimproved home, you can create just the space you want. It can be distinctive or neutral and you stand to increase your profit potential substantially.

History repeats itself

In 1998, I renovated a 3-family home on Walnut St. in Brookline, MA. I was very charmed to find such an affordable home in upscale Brookline Village. I purchased the building for $210,000 in the mid 90s from an architect who needed to cash out. At that time it looked like a tenement, with rusty bathroom fixtures and walls coated in grime. The back hall stairs were sagging and the basement had a dirt floor. The roof itself alerted me to its need for immediate replacement dripping water into my morning coffee just after I moved in.

I spent about $90,000 on renovations executed by a general contractor and converted the 3 rental units legally to condominiums. Today – 16 years later – the property is worth a total of about $1.35 million. While I sold each unit after completing renovations, some of the condo buyers may have ended up profiting more than I did. For example, I sold the bottom unit for under $200,000. It is now worth close to $480,000 which is still a deal for this area where the average home is valued at $800,000.

Technology driving economy

Technology companies, historic charm and lovely landscapes are great contributors to a healthy local economy. The ingredients for investment success are the same as those in Boston and neighboring Brookline back in the mid to late 90’s.

a depressed real estate market – Buying low means easy buy in with numerous choices.
a good location – I-90 accessibility, walk to commerce and nature, all within a 15 mile proximity to the burgeoning Marcy Tech area.
a healthy economy on the horizon – with billions of dollars being invested nearby it’s likely that the local property values will reflect new investment. What helped bring Boston back was the massive infusion of cash from expanding high tech and biotech firms.
Timing – Those who are on the scene first will likely reap the greatest rewards. If you wait too long, your chances will decline. And with the huge publicity and massive investment rolling into the Marcy Tech, I wouldn’t be surprised if groups of investors soon began quietly snapping up properties in Otsego and Herkimer counties.

New York City and San Francisco Bay have long been US high tech Leaders. New York is now extending its technology leadership to our Mohawk Valley. Consider being part of this success story.

Time for Herkimer Makeover

The power of one can make an amazing difference. So many times people say “There’s nothing I can do about it – there’s only one of me.” But it’s been proven over and over again that with just one person seeing a problem and thinking about a solution, rapid achievements can be made.

One example recently in the news is the story of a man in Oregon who transformed an old man’s dilapidated home into a smart looking well maintained residence by doing the following:

1) The Problem – He realized that an old man was unhappy because he did not have the resources to fix his home which was dilapidated and the object of ridicule.

2) The Solution –

He realized that he could make a change by recruiting volunteers from social media like Facebook.
The home makeover could be done free of charge with the help of volunteers and with donations from local home repair stores.

3) The Result –

Community action and volunteerism leads to quick and substantial improvement at little or no cost.

If you see a problem that you think you can fix – post it publicly online and discuss it with friends and neighbors to plan a solution. Ask local organizations and merchants for contributions of materials and possibly time. Solving community problems can be far more rewarding than complaining. The results can fuel our creativity and contribute to self-esteem.

Mohawk Valley Water

Mohawk Valley water will likely save us from experiencing events like the 134,000 acre wildfire in California, where 13,000 people are now being evacuated. Fueled by dry vegetation from a relentless drought, these fires seem to signal the start of an epoch dry period Northern CA must now address differently than in the past. It’s not just California’s problem, it’s a problem for the majority of the US residents–California’s Central Valley produces 2/3 of all the produce grown in the US. Northern California is home to a vital national resource, the Silicon Valley, where new technology is incubated and produced for worldwide use. Computer and biotech industries cluster about the San Francisco Bay area. Their vibrancy reflects that of the California economy, which in 2014 was the world’s eighth largest. With California’s ever-increasing droughts and with wildfires burning with only limited control, it seems reasonable to ask:

Why is California so dry, and is this trend likely to continue?
How can this precipitous state of instability be contained so that precious resources are not further endangered?

Too Dry

In 2014 the New York Times reported that 17 California rural communities providing water to 40,000 people were within four months of running out of water. The situation hasn’t improved. Agricultural demands, home consumption and landscaping requirements have increased even as water resources continue to diminish. And people have often proven unresponsive to conservation needs, allowing water guzzlers to grab more than their fair share. California’s 2014 rainfall year ended with one of the lowest rainfalls since the 1920’s.

A more stable California

Because California has limited water resources and a high population density, it makes sense to do things differently. Californians love their state, but they also need enough water for their needs and safety from dangerous and uncontrollable wild fires. On the upside, it seems desalination is coming to the fore to increase available fresh water. High tech materials like graphene may also make the production of abundant fresh water from the ocean possible on a broad scale. More effective waste water recycling is possible–Australia has shown us the way, with the largest recycling plant of its kind anywhere.

Moving to a greener place

Today’s industries have become adept at decentralizing, with workers telecommuting from anywhere on the planet. Mobile technology is widely and available to people and companies at reasonable cost. (Google, provider of the world’s most popular search engine, has decided to penalize website rankings for those who have mobile unfriendly layouts.)

A new beginning that works better

It makes sense for companies to be located where there’s excellent transportation, services and resources, including abundant water and natural beauty. Herkimer and other towns in the Mohawk Valley region can provide the safety of a water-rich geography, a technological backbone and a convenient location. One quarter of the total North American population is located within 300 miles of Herkimer County. Andrew Cuomo, Governor of NY, has initiated a $1.5 billion upstate economic development competition.

New York’s upstate regions are battling each other for one of three $500 million prizes. Proposals may be submitted until October 5, 2015. Rebuild and renew in New York’s Mohawk Valley where you’ll find New York’s resources, green energy, seemingly unlimited water supplies and the majestic Adirondack Forest – largest in the US. Embrace the serenity of nature and the resources you need to live well.

Linda Kaidan

Can you get a better price on your home?

Getting a better price on your home in Herkimer can be easy. The Village of Herkimer is fortunate to have so many historic homes. Most date from the early 20^th century, when Herkimer boomed and craftsmen from Europe and America moved here. From the houses that cluster around King Street’s old Standard Desk Company factory in south Herkimer, to the elegant homes of prosperous merchants and company owners seen in north Herkimer, all were well built and each has its own unique history and charm. Herkimer’s irreplaceable housing stock is only going to increase in value as those to our south look increasingly to Upstate New York as a sound housing investment in the face of increasingly rapid climate change.

If you own one of these Herkimer gems, and are thinking of selling, some remodeling may be in order. Draw up a budget and a design to suit your resources and needs. When considering your options, focus on choosing the most rewarding possibilities. Perhaps it makes sense to add a skylight or upscale window to bring in natural light. You can often find used construction material sources that can bring the same rewards for a fraction of the retail cost.

When selecting materials, ensure they don’t contain unhealthy pollutants, such as volatile organic compounds. Rugs containing olefin can be especially harmful to your health. Martha Stewart has many suggestions for making healthy carpeting and rug choices.

Two high impact but relatively low cost design elements are lighting and art work. Even in an empty house they can create the inviting atmosphere that helps to sell it. Many local artists are typically delighted to exhibit their work for free. They can be found online or by visiting their shops and galleries.

Not everyone appreciates art, but most do. The more vibrant and intriguing of homes are likely to sell faster. Make certain that you price your home well, but don’t give it away. Herkimer’s located in the Mohawk Valley, part of New York’s growing Technology Corridor, far from coastal flooding and a refuge from persistently high temperatures.

If you’d like to do short term rentals while your home is listed for sale, take a look at AIRBNB.com. You can get a lot of design ideas for your home. My daughter’s renting a room in her Brooklyn apartment on Airbnb. The Airbnb lisitng fee is very low. She’s clearing at least $1300 per month for a single bedroom and is typically fully booked. Her furnishings are 100% used and most of the art is the original work of artists who are unknown, but talented and hopeful.

Be creative and enjoy yourself as you go about preparing your Herkimer home for sale. You’ll have fun and make more money.

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