International

Video: ‘Oenodynamics’—the fluid dynamics of wine swirling

By Eileen De Guire / November 21, 2011

The fluid dynamics of wine swirling—orbital shaking—could extend to mixing and oxygenation in bioreactors for biopharmaceuticals manufacture. Credit: Farhat, et al.; YouTube. Even those of us who are not oenophiles—wine…

Read More

Ceramics and glass business news of the week

By Eileen De Guire / November 18, 2011

Here’s what we are hearing (some information from news releases): Superior safety for next gen high-temperature reactor: China receives first glass-to-metal sealed hermetic penetration assembly from Schott for testing China’s…

Read More

Glass wall condos getting slammed as ‘throw away buildings’ in CBC series

By / November 16, 2011

Toronto lakefront skyline. Credit: Chensiyuan; Wikipedia. I wasn’t aware that Toronto has more glass condominium high-rise structures than any other city in North America, but I will take the Canadian…

Read More

Best birthday cake 2011

By / November 15, 2011

I am ashamed I overlooked the 20th birthday of the Oughtred Society. Picture via the International Slide Rule Museum.

Read More

Ceramics and glass business news of the week

By / November 10, 2011

Here’s what we are hearing (some information from news releases): L&L Kiln introduces the Corona kiln This fiber-lined kiln reaches 2012°F. Heat up time is quick: 15 minutes to 1600°F;…

Read More

Can the US afford to pull the plug on SOFC and SECA funding?

By / November 8, 2011

Credit: Wachsman et al.; Energy & Environmental Science. No. Will it anyway? Unfortunately, it looks that way, based on the DOE’s 2012 budget request (pdf), which hacks off 41 percent…

Read More

Easy catch: Ion exchange traps radioisotopes in titanate-based nanofibers

By Eileen De Guire / November 2, 2011

Professor Zhu of Queensland University of Technology shows jars of sodium titanate nanofibers and nanotubes that pull radioactive cesium and iodine isotopes from contaminated water by ion exchange. Credit: QUT…

Read More

Other materials stories that may be of interest

By / November 1, 2011

Check ’em out: Fisher-Barton opens new materials research lab The Fisher-Barton Group has opened a new $2-million, state-of-the-art materials research laboratory in Watertown, Wis. The lab’s capabilities include scanning electron microscopy…

Read More

On Germany’s approach to engineering, science and stability

By / October 31, 2011

Sample of current EU unemployment rates. Source: Google Public Data Explorer. A story from the Guardian (UK) written by John Kampfer has some interesting thoughts about why Germany now seems…

Read More

Glass floor, railing to be glistening centerpiece of Eiffel Tower renovation

By Eileen De Guire / October 27, 2011

Architect’s drawing of the renovated first floor of the Eiffel Tower showing a glass floor and railing system, and new pavilions. Credit: SETE. Architectural glass will be the centerpiece of…

Read More