New American Aerogel reusable insulation pack. Credit: American Aerogel.

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Ceralink opens new materials testing facility specializing in services for ceramic matrix composites

Ceralink Inc. announced the opening of its new materials testing facility located in St. Clairsville, Ohio. Ceralink Materials Testing will specialize in advanced materials testing services for ceramic matrix composites. Ceralink MT is now offering high cycle fatigue testing of CMCs at temperatures up to 2,500°F.  The new 6,400 sq. ft. testing facility houses multiple servo-hydraulic fatigue testing frames and various thermophysical analysis instrumentation. Creep rupture and environmental exposure capabilities will be added in the near future as well. Ceralink R&D, in Troy, N.Y., continues to offer advanced materials consulting services, including stress and fracture behavior of ceramics.

Suetholz appointed to be Stedman’s central U.S. sales manager

Suetholz has been appointed as the central United States sales manager for Stedman Machine Company. Suetholz holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Kentucky. He has over 17 years of experience in capital equipment sales in the mining, steel and various other heavy industries throughout North America. Suetholz’s responsibilities include selling crushing equipment and size reduction systems in the central U.S. Stedman is the originator of the cage mill, is an industry leader of size reduction equipment, and has a full line of crushing equipment, full-scale test plant and the ability to improve size reduction processes in a wide range of industries.

LCTI’s technology provider is part of a consortium that has been awarded a $10M European Union grant

Low Carbon Technologies International Inc. announced that one of its technology providers, Zero Carbon RDL, is part of a consortium which has been awarded a $10 million European Union grant to develop and demonstrate “state of the art” energy efficient new and innovative low carbon technologies and solutions for retrofitting and performance monitoring of a number of typical residential buildings in EU countries. The low carbon technologies envisaged for envelope retrofitting include various types of insulation materials such as Aerobel/aerogel, starch micro-porous insulation, vacuum insulated panels, smart windows, surface coatings, multi-functional lightweight materials integrated with phase change material for thermal storage and integrated heat recovery panels. Energy efficient solutions will also be deployed including energy efficient lighting using LED and light pipes, energy efficient HVAC such as natural ventilation, passive heating/cooling, heat pumps integrated with heat recovery and thermal storage, and renewable energy systems based on solar thermal and photovoltaics.

Lux Research releases top 10 innovative companies profiled in Q4 2011

Leading emerging technology research firm Lux Research profiled 262 companies across 12 different emerging technology domains in the fourth quarter of 2011 as part of its ongoing intelligence services. Drawing on the deep domain expertise of its analysts, Lux Research uses primary research to provide detailed information and critical analysis of firms developing emerging technologies that are poised to impact global megatrends like sustainable energy and infrastructure, sustainable health and wellness, and materials revolutions. Each quarter the Lux Research team of analysts identifies the 10 most compelling companies profiled across all its coverage areas. In brief, Proterro stands out for its disruptive potential, while Diamon-Fusion, Topell Energy, and eiQ Energy make the grade with well-executed business strategies, says Lux Research.

MicroActive: Micromeritics new innovative interactive data analysis software

MicroActive data analysis software allows users to interactively evaluate isotherm data from Micromeritics’ ASAP, TriStar and Gemini gas adsorption instruments. Interaction with adsorption data is direct. Users can easily include or exclude data, fitting the desired range of experimentally acquired data points. Interactive data manipulation minimizes the use of dialog boxes to specify calculation parameters allowing accurate and efficient determination of surface area and porosity of their materials. By simply moving calculation bars with the cursor, the user is immediately updated with the new textural properties. One-click access to important parameters allows the user to focus on the result rather than the parameters. It is not necessary to generate reports to view results - now see it graphically and interactively on the screen. Screen layout has been designed to provide a user-friendly interface. Rapidly switch between a user-selectable experimental data view and traditional advanced or basic views. Isotherms can be viewed on either a linear or logarithmic scale, available to the user under each calculation model.

American Aerogel reduces costs, waste with new reusable containers for cold-chain shipping

American Aerogel is adding to its family of Aerocore custom packaging solutions with the highest thermal insulation available: an R-value of 50-for shipping cold-chain products with less coolant. The bright-blue, corrugated shell has a plastic coating for durability, and an optional handle to serve as a carrying case. Aerocore Vacuum Insulated Panels maintain a temperature longer to extend shipping and temporary storage times. This, paired with the reusable design, can lower shipping costs by as much as 70 percent. American Aerogel’s insulation also aids in reducing energy consumption used in the shipping process and waste with recyclable, reusable packaging materials.

Oxford Instruments announces the new handheld XRF analyzer X-MET7500 for professional materials analysis of light elements

Oxford Instruments has a new member of its handheld XRF analyser X-MET7000 series, the X-MET7500. It delivers fast and accurate analysis of the widest variety of materials, including trace elements and light elements (from magnesium) analysis, without the need for helium purge or vacuum pump. This new look and feel now is packed with top-of-the-range features, a new user-friendly software, powerful reporting tools and the longest battery life on the market. The X-MET7500 comes with the same benefits as the X-MET7000 and with additional analytical capability. To ensure total flexibility, the X-MET7500 includes Oxford Instruments’ X-ray tube and Silicon-drift detector (SDD).

Vishay Intertechnology honored with Global Operations Excellence Award

Vishay Intertechnology announced that it has received the 2011 Global Operations Excellence Award from TTI, Inc., one of the world’s leading electronics distributors. This is the ninth time since 1996 and the sixth time in a row Vishay has won the North America Supplier Excellence Award, making the company a Platinum level award winner. The TTI supplier awards program is centered on quality measurements that include on-time delivery, receiving quality, customer-reported quality, administrative quality, operations, and business systems. In addition, there are performance measurements such as sales and management support. Vishay Intertechnology is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of discrete semiconductors (diodes, MOSFETs, and infrared optoelectronics) and passive electronic components (resistors, inductors, and capacitors). These components are used in virtually all types of electronic devices and equipment, in the industrial, computing, automotive, consumer, telecommunications, military, aerospace, power supplies, and medical markets.

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Networking opportunities were plentiful at the first full day of the MCARE conference. Credit: ACerS.

The first full day of the Materials Challenges in Alternative and Renewable Energy was dedicated to a range of plenary talks that covered the gamut of potential sources and, of course, the materials challenges each one faced. The sessions were MC’d by conference cochairs George Wicks and Jack Simon.

Put succinctly, each technology is “materials hungry,” and whether it’s solar, hydrogen, wind, hydro or nuclear, the materials mantra is: less, lighter, stronger and more efficient. And, by the way, the materials advances also need to lead to improved processing and manufacturing.

In most cases, speakers, such as Dow Corning Solar Solution’s Eric Peeters, spoke of having clear goals and roadmaps. For solar, the target is $1 per Watt (installed) by decade’s end, which would bring it close to $0.12-0.13 per kWh (comparable to natural gas).

For some, the features of the roadmap are clearer than for others. Peeters spoke of plans to use thinner wafers and glass, plus silicone-sealed frameless panels that use conductive adhesives. DOE hydrogen guru Ned Stetson discussed the short-range challenges of storing and transporting H₂ in its pure form (via materials that will permit stronger, lighter cylinders), but that chemical hydrogen storage systems—e.g., metal hydrides—can deliver higher H storage capacity (measured by weight percent) than anything involving just H₂.

GM Global R&D manager Bob Powell outlined the evolutionary steps of moving from electrical assist and hybrid technologies, through the “bridge” technologies of extended range electric vehicles, to, ultimately, fuel cell transportation (and auxiliary power generation). He says some of the challenges for the bridge materials are battery performance degradation, shrinkage–expansion and ability to withstand 5000 charge-discharge cycles.

Megan McCluer and Jim Ahlgrimm of DOE’s Wind & Hydropower Technology programs spoke widely about several traditional and novel wind and hydro (including ocean-based) technologies, but they reported that much of it—especially the strong, stable and better sited offshore wind capacity—is largely untapped. The analogy they use is, “What Saudi Arabia is to oil, the US is to wind energy and power.” But, offshore wind assets bring a new set of challenges: corrosion and biofouling, plus larger-scale blades, drivetrains and generators.

McCluer and Ahlgrimm noted their DOE programs cover a huge variety of wind and hydro generation approaches, so much of their work is based on establishing hypothetical production scenarios (e.g., supplying the US with 15 percent of power from water sources and 20 percent from wind), and then working backwards to figure out what advancements would be needed from each technology stream to meet the goals. Lab-academia-industry collaborations have been set up to address the next generation of blades, bearings/gearings and generators (including, ultimately, light-weight full superconductive generators).

Bhakta Rath from the Naval Research Lab took (friendly) issue with the suggestion that Saudi Arabia is the leader in oil and hydrocarbon-based energy reserves. What makes the US the leader, he says, are the largely untapped shale oil deposits in the Green River region of Western United States, plus rich methane hydrate deposits. Rath also mentioned the progress being made in understanding the potential of power generation based on exploiting ocean thermal energy gradients.

Is nuclear power an alternative or renewable form of energy? Savannah River National Lab’s Tom Sanders thinks there is an argument to be made. He says, in essence, whether solar is classified as alternative or renewable, remember that it is the product of fusion. Sanders, however, thinks along more practical lines than philosophical ones: He says small modular nuclear reactors are going to be manufactured, if not by the US, then by other nations. He says they can be made to deliver nuclear fuel efficiency, safety and security. In addition, their 100-300 MW size corresponds to the emerging sweet spot for modular size that existing electric utilities have found works well for new gas-fired turbines. SMNRs would also allow developing nations to leapfrog many grid infrastructure investments, similar to the way cell phones have eliminated the need for “last-mile” telecommunications wiring investments. Finally, Sanders says SMNRs can aid nonproliferation of nuclear weapons by allowing the U.S. to leverage nuclear fuel supplies at the front and back end of the generation cycles.

Each of the plenary speakers have kindly allowed ACerS to put their Powerpoint Presentations (typically converted to a pdf format) on  the Society’s website, via the MCARE Plenary Speakers page. Just click on the title of each presentation.

How do our engineers and scientists find the lighter, stronger, more efficient and easier-to-use materials? Ah—that’s the topic for the next three days of symposia. Stay tuned.

And, here are some of the photos from MCARE on Monday.

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Kyocera’s 315-watt, 80-cell solar module launches in the US

Kyocera Solar Inc. has announced the launch of its highest-output solar module, the 80-cell KD 315. The new module is ideal for large-scale installations like solar-covered parking, and is now available for US customers. Designed for high output, safety and ease of installation, the UL-certified KD 315 modules feature a UV stabilized, aesthetically pleasing black anodized frame; easily accessible ground points; proven junction box technology with 12 AWG PV wire to work with transformerless inverters and quality locking plug-in connectors for quick connections.

Morgan Thermal Ceramics showcases insulation and fire protection materials at AHR Expo 2012

MTC announces that it will be showcasing its FireMaster FastDoor and FastWrap material for HVAC and grease ducts, along with its Superwool Plus material for boilers, water heaters and boiler flues, at the AHR Expo 2012. MTC will also be showcasing its FireMaster FastDoor and FastWrap XL material for HVAC and grease ducts. FireMaster FastWrap XL is a flexible blanket composed of high temperature fibers classified for applications to 2,192°F (1,200°C) and is supplied fully encapsulated in durable glass fiber reinforced foil facing for easy handling and installation. It is a component in various UL firestop designs for fire resistance rated floors, ceilings and walls.

PPG glass helps health office earn first LEED Platinum certification in Tennessee

The Upper Cumberland Regional Health Facility in Cookeville has become the first building in Tennessee to earn LEED-NC (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-New Construction) certification at the platinum level, in part because of its use of Solarban 70XL and Solarban 60 solar control, low-emissivity (low-e) glasses by PPG Industries. Brian Templeton, a principal with Upland Design Group, the architect of record for the facility, said Solarban 70XL glass was specified for the structure’s large, translucent, daylighting panels, while Solarban 60 was selected as the vision glass for the entryway, work spaces and other surface-level applications.

The week in solar stocks: Impossible Germany

In the past week, “Germany to Kill Solar!” headlines hit the wires. This was, notably, one week after the “Germany Saves Solar!” headlines led solar stocks higher. To recap: German demand in the fourth quarter of 2011 wildly surpassed expectations, with a demand frenzy ahead of 2012 annual subsidy cuts and cheaper-than-ever solar panel prices leading to what would be a few years’ worth of installations for much of the world in a few months in Germany. That in turn led to bullish calls from Wall Street that the left-for-dead solar sector was back, and in Wall Street parlance, the shares oversold. And that’s not all.

Mantec Group Limited consolidates three specialist technical ceramics companies into one business

In January 2012, the businesses of Ceramic Gas Products Ltd. and Taylor Tunnicliff Ltd. were consolidated into Fairey Filtration Systems Ltd. Fairey Filtration Systems Ltd. was subsequently renamed Mantec Technical Ceramics Ltd. The three specialist technical ceramics companies have for many years had shared the same facilities and management. The strategic changes will help to maintain competitiveness and create a stronger business to help secure a profitable future.

Transforming old into new: The relaunch of the Fritsch homepage

During the times of the Web 2.0 era, today is yesterday and a constant optimization of an internet presence is a must. Besides “visible” constant updates and optimizations, Fritsch has worked simultaneously on the relaunch of our homepage. Now it is comprehensively designed and revised, and this in multiple regards: The tried and proven was upgraded and new features implemented. User friendliness was a must, so now there is a noticeably improved navigation on the entry page that assists visitors and new customers to quickly obtain the desired information or to specifically contact us. New and interesting topic areas with important information for Fritsch customers were also created, such as information centered on the topic of particle sizing and mechanochemistry.

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I’ve been following the news coverage of the annual Consumer Electronic Show held last week in Las Vegas, and it appears that a lot of writers were underwhelmed by what they saw. Some items, such as large-format OLED television screens and a slew of “smart” TVs, turned heads, but few observers claim to see any huge breakout products.

However, there was one event display that commentators consistently mentioned in positive tones: Corning’s booth where it showcased its glass technologies. In other words, one of the stars of the CES show wasn’t really a consumer product but is enabling technologies in the engineered glass field.

Importantly, Corning used the CES to do a public rollout of what it calls Gorilla Glass 2. From the Corning news release:

Corning Gorilla Glass 2 enables up to a 20 percent reduction in glass thickness, while maintaining the industry-leading damage resistance, toughness, and scratch resistance customers have come to expect from the world’s most widely deployed cover glass. The thinner Gorilla Glass 2 enables slimmer and sleeker devices, brighter images, and greater touch sensitivity. These benefits can provide electronics manufacturers with superior design flexibility as they address consumer demand for increasingly high-performing, touch-sensitive, and durable mobile devices.

James R. Steiner, senior vice president and general manager, Corning Specialty Materials, went on to say that

“[W]e designed this new glass to enable meaningful reduction in thickness without sacrificing the outstanding glass performance for which Gorilla Glass has become highly recognized. This glass, along with Windows operating system innovations from Microsoft, will help deliver exceptional beauty, performance, and toughness for new Windows PCs. You will see this early this year with Windows-based PCs which we expect to be the first in-market laptops designed to leverage the performance of our new second-generation glass.”

Corning also says that product qualification and design implementation for GG2 is underway with various customers, and a number of products containing GG2 are expected “during the coming months.”

GG is pretty ubiquitous, and the release claims that it is “the most widely deployed cover glass, used by more than 30 major brands and designed into more than 575 product models, spanning more than 500 million units worldwide. As one of the company’s fastest growing businesses, Corning Gorilla Glass is expected to reach more than $700 million in 2011 sales, nearly triple 2010 results.”

It’s probably not a coincidence, but Corning posted several new videos during the CES. I had hoped to provide a video specifically about GG2, and one was/is apparently in the works. I received a notice that a new video on GG2 had been posted on YouTube, but by the time I got around to try to take a look at it, it had been taken down by Corning. So, instead of a GG2 video, I am using a new video featuring Peter L. Bocko, Corning Glass Technologies’ CTO, who explains how the company foresees the market and demand for thin glass applications. Some of the new videos are:

• Corning sights & sounds at CES 2012
• Bocko commentary: A thinner display industry
• The fusion process: At the core of Corning’s glass innovations
• Corning Gorilla Glass for seamless, elegant design
• Corning’s ultra-slim flexible glass for roll-to-roll processing

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High-speed CMOS sensors are used here to control production machinery. Credit: Fraunhofer IMS.

High-speed CMOS sensors provide better images

CMOS image sensors have long been the solution of choice for digital photography. They are cheaper to produce than existing sensors, and they are also superior in terms of power consumption and handling. However, these optical semiconductor chips are now reaching their limits: while miniaturization in consumer electronics is leading to increasingly smaller pixels around 1 micrometer across, certain applications require larger pixels in excess of 10 micrometers. To solve the problem, Fraunhofer researchers have developed a new optoelectronic component, the lateral drift field photodetector (LDPD). To produce the new component, the researchers improved upon the currently available CMOS chip manufacturing process based on the 0.35 µm standard. The high-speed CMOS sensors are ideal candidates for applications that require large pixels and a high readout speed, such as astronomy, spectroscopy or state-of-the-art X-ray photography.

The art of molecular carpet-weaving

Stable two-dimensional networks of organic molecules are important components in various nanotechnology processes. However, producing these networks, which are only one atom thick, in high quality and with the greatest possible stability still poses a great challenge. A team of physicists headed by Dr. Markus Lackinger from the Technische Universität München and Professor Thomas Bein from the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München has  developed a process by which they can build up high-quality polymer networks using boron acid components. The “carpets” consist of ordered two-dimensional structures created by self-organized boron acid molecules on a graphite surface. By eliminating water, the molecules bond together in a one-atom thick network held together solely by chemical bonds. The regular honey-comb-like arrangement of the molecules results in a nanostructured surface whose pores can be used, for instance, as stable forms for the production of metal nanoparticles.

Temporary license application for Lynas Advanced Materials plant

Lynas Corporation Limited has completed all requirements for the application to the Malaysian Atomic Energy Licensing Board for a temporary license for the Lynas Advanced Material Plant, in Gebeng, Malaysia. A temporary license will allow Lynas to commission the LAMP and, subject to continuous oversight by the Malaysian regulatory authorities, progressively ramp up the plant to nameplate capacity and sell its products. A temporary license has a duration of 2 years. If the temporary licence is granted, and if Lynas complies with the requirements of the temporary license, a permanent operating license can be issued within the 2 years.

NSF turns to ancient pottery to improve modern heat resistant ceramics

In order to better understand how ceramics are able to resist heat, the National Science Foundation has awarded grants totaling half a million dollars to three research groups to look into how the ancient Greeks made their pottery, a process which allowed for as many as 100,000 vases to survive from ancient antiquity to now - a period of some twenty five hundred years. The hope is that such research will reveal more about the nature of iron-spinel chemistry, which is what gives ceramics an ability to withstand heat while remaining chemically stable. Getting a better grip on how ceramics work is critical to future space flight technological efforts, as ceramics are used to help space vehicles withstand both extreme hot and cold temperatures.

Ceramic membranes can reduce wastewater filtration costs

New ceramic membranes for water filtration and purification for use in industrial wastewater treatment processes are being developed by Morgan Technical Ceramics. Traditionally polymer or ceramic tubular membranes are used to clean and conserve water in industrial wastewater applications. However, polymer systems need replacing regularly, especially if not tailored to the application, and ceramic tubular membranes need high water flow rates to operate effectively. The reliability of the ceramic membranes enable businesses to reduce maintenance and energy usage and make associated cost savings.

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