Intel created this clever pop-up theater advertising campaign using a choreographed team of 60 individuals forming a human digital wall wielding Ultrabooks.

It's directed at consumer lifestyle rather than hardware, software, or even price. Remember Lauren who kicked off the PC "Laptop Hunters" attack on Apple laptops?

Do you think this warm and fuzzier approach can capture the attention of those eyeing an Apple MacBook Air?

N.C. State University has received one of its largest corporate grants to finance a private research project for Silicon Valley computing giant Intel.

Intel's $1.5 million contract with N.C. State pays for 13 professors, researchers and graduate students -- including an electrical and computer engineering professor from Duke University -- to improve on 3D computer chip technology.

The goal of the project is stack computer chips in a bid to boost the energy efficiency of a computer's processors by up to 25 percent. Achieving that efficiency goal would generate that much more computing power at server farms and other facilities that depend on gargantuan amounts of electricity to operate.

"We're re-architecting the computer, changing the way a computer works, to exploit the third dimension," said N.C. State electrical and computer engineering professor Paul Franzon, the lead researcher on the project.

Ping Fu continues to reinforce her role as the local entrepreneur who has become a go-to small business resource for the Obama Administration.

The CEO and founder of Geomagic, a 3-D software company based in Research Triangle Park, was among the speakers in Washington today who helped kick off Obama's campaign to increase investment in start-up companies. The appearance follows several visits to Washington last year, including as Michelle Obama's guest at the State of the Union.

The "Startup America" effort involves using $2 billion from the Small Business Administration, with matching funds from private foundations and big technology companies such as IBM and Intel, to provide seed and early-stage investments in firms with high-growth potential.

Fu is a passionate advocate for small businesses and women-led firms in particular. She got a call from White House officials on Saturday night, asking her to be in Washington by this morning and didn't hesitate.

"It's important for entrepreneurs to have a voice in the capital," Fu said. "This is a starting point, but this administration really seems to get it."