Greenspan has been giving us the worst of both worlds: a mounting cost of money and more inflation.

FORBES: Fact and Comment

As in Thailand, under-capitalised small banks were over-extended, especially in property, and were hurt by the mounting cost of repaying foreign-currency loans.

ECONOMIST: And South-East Asia thinks it��s all over

But the rebound is threatened, some experts say, by the mounting cost of new technologies demanded by government regulators to make cars safer, cleaner and more fuel-efficient.

FORBES: After Saving The Auto Industry, Washington's New Rules Could Choke It

Even if more expensive daytime power is needed (some office and supermarket car parks are already being fitted with recharging points, in anticipation of mounting demand), the cost of such juice is still favourable compared with petrol.

ECONOMIST: The electrification of motoring

Investors also expressed concern over rising borrowing costs for Spain and Italy, just as signs are mounting that the effects of the European Central Bank's low-cost loans to banks are wearing off.

WSJ: Stocks' Drop Is 2012 Worst

The cost and time of prototyping new designs, from a new turbine blade to a new solar panel mounting bracket or an intricately designed heat exchanger, could drop dramatically.

FORBES: Time To Invest In Hardware And Manufacturing Startups