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I went to an interesting MIT Enterprise Forum tonight focusing on portable power technologies. The panel comprised two moderators, one from Mass High Tech newspaper and the other from the VC community, and four industry representatives from Honda, Battelle, Argonne and a startup called Lilliputian. The discussions varied from the technologies themselves (Li-Ion batteries, Hydro-carbon-based fuel cells, etc.) as well as the challenges in growing the manufacturing industries for these technologies in the United States. The main thread was on how companies can possibly take advantage of the $2B of the latest stimulus bill earmarked for this sector. Given my recent growing interest in global sustainability issues and the needs of developing communities around the world (including the "third world" communities we can find in our own back yard) I couldn't help thinking that there must be a way for corporations to both take this government money and give back to the communities that need infusion so desperately. I think about this sort of thing a lot...any other thoughts out there on this are greatly received.