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Morgan Technical Ceramics launches new high-performance piezoelectric material

Morgan Technical Ceramics, a market leader in the design and manufacture of high-quality ceramic solutions, is extending its material portfolio with the launch of a new piezoelectric material. PZT5K1 is suitable for applications in the fields of scientific instrumentation, maritime, medical, energy harvesting. and general industry. PZT5K1 is just one of a range of PZT materials supplied by the company. The new material’s high density and low porosity mean the material can be used for machining 1-3 composite structures in highly sensitive sonar and medical ultrasonic transducers, as well as high-performance actuators, specialist sensors, and energy harvesting devices. Using an innovative new core process, Morgan manufactures the material to offer optimised voltage charge coefficients. Its high d33 rating improves the electrical charge generated in energy harvesting applications, while its high d31 coefficient enhances the levels of displacement in actuators. Bimorph components are available in a variety of sizes and shapes, as squares, rectangles and discs. Sizes range from 6-74mm in length and 1-43mm in width. Discs and components up to 254mm in diameter can be manufactured in an extensive range of thicknesses, between 3-35mm. Components are typically supplied with fired-on silver electrodes although options include thin nickel electrodes.

Glassman Europe 2013 conference presentations announced

The conference will be held in conjunction with the exhibition and will provide a platform for the hollow and container glass manufacturing industries to meet in an intimate, relaxed environment and do business with decision makers involved in all aspects of design, process and production. The program will discuss market trends and analysis, technology developments, case studies and innovation. Speakers include: Stölzle Glass, FEVE, Glass Global, British Glass, Polish Institute of Ceramics and Building Materials, Tses Glass, TU Freiberg (Freiberg University), Arc International, AGMS, Glass Service, Pneumofore, Forehearth Services, Xpar Vision, Heye International, Ilis GmbH, MSC & SGCC , JLI Vision, Athena, and Vertech

Osram LEDs, halogen Eco bulb lights up the Aidastella cruise ship

Osram is illuminating the tenth cruise ship of the Aida Fleet with 9,000 lamps and more than 1 kilometer of LED strips. The “swimming city” has a total length of 253.33 metres and a width of 32.20 metres, and offers space for around 2,500 passengers. “Cruise ships with their complex range of demands are in reality lighthouses for lighting applications,” commented Martin Nüboldt, the manager responsible for the project at Osram. The ship was inaugurated with the name of Aidastella in Warnemünde, Germany, on March 16, 2013. Diverse areas were equipped with 9,000 Osram halogen Eco lamps and 1,200 metres of flexible LED modules ensure both white and coloured light.

PANalytical launches new XRF analysis software

PANalytical, the world’s leading supplier of analytical X-ray equipment and software, is set to launch its new software for X-ray fluorescence (XRF) systems. PANalytical developed Stratos, a brand new software package, for both the Epsilon 3 and Axios spectrometer ranges. The company will also be releasing an upgrade of the FingerPrint software for the Epsilon 3 range. Stratos features built-in intelligence and can quickly and accurately analyze the thickness and composition of coatings, surface layers and layered structures. Multi-layer samples can be analyzed with bulk standards, without the need for in-type standards that are sometimes hard to source. Another significant advantage of the software is its flexibility and the ease of use provided by the ‘Virtual Analyst’. This unique tool is a consultant for advanced method development and provides optimum measurement settings for analysis, which can be time-consuming for complex stack structures. Stratos is able to analyze more than 16 layers, depending on their thickness and composition. It is also easily combined with PANalytical’s Omnian semi-quantitative software.

Morgan Thermal Ceramics offers Cerox fired refractory shapes and engineering expertise

Morgan Thermal Ceramics announced the availability of Cerox fired refractory shapes, offered in a range of material compositions, including many specifically used for the manufacture of rotating and non-rotating airplane components and automotive turbochargers. Dense, hard, and chemically stable, Cerox fired refractory shapes offer resistance to chemical attack from acids, slags, and gases to produce the cleaner, contaminant-free metal desired by end users in aerospace and automotive steel foundries. Fired shapes manufactured from Sillimanite Cerox 200 are composed of 74 percent alumina and fired mullite, which are prized for their chemical attack resistance, good thermal shock, and excellent non-wetting characteristics at temperatures as high as 2,850°F. Other materials available include Cerox 700 which has a high alumina content as well as versatile shape capability, making it ideal for products with complex shapes, including crucibles, tundishes, and launder systems. For complex shapes, Cerox 720 which also features a high alumina content, is particularly adapted to developing shapes with thin walls, due to its fine grain and high strength.

Fraunhofer IKTS partners with Mayur Renergy Solutions Inc. to develop SOFC systems for the Indian market

To provide clean and green energy alternatives at an affordable cost, Mayur Renergy Solution (a Pune- & Boston-based corporation) has signed a contract with the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems (IKTS), Germany, to develop solid oxide fuel cell products for the markets in developing countries. The main goal is the development of a fuel cell product at local prices that will help to solve the electricity situation in India and other developing countries. Envisioned is a micro power plant which will be installed in every house. As part of this promising project Fraunhofer IKTS will develop prototypes based on the established Eneramic fuel cell system, which will be extended for higher power classes. Mayur’s vision is to combine solar, wind, biogas and fuel cell technologies to provide energy independence to rural India and thus bringing prosperity and stability to the rural economy. Fraunhofer IKTS will develop first prototypes until 2014 and transfer the know how to Mayur, who in turn will work on commercializing the technology.

H.C. Starck achieves successful fiscal year 2012 despite considerable economic slowdown

H.C. Starck, one of the leading manufacturers of customer-specific powders and components made from technology metals and advanced ceramics, has sustained its position in 2012 despite a more difficult market environment. The company achieved 862.9 million euros in sales, after 883.2 million euros in the extraordinary strong growth year 2011. As of December 31, 2012, the company had 2,926 employees (2011: 2,816). “H.C. Starck was able expand its market position in all major industries, maintain its sales at the level of the previous year despite falling metal prices, and achieve the second best result in the last ten years,” says Andreas Meier, chairman. The company was able to strengthen its powder business by gaining market share for high capacity tantalum powders and expanding its niobium business significantly. In the business segment of fabricated products and components, H.C. Starck has successfully responded to strong demand from the semiconductor industry and the chemical processing industry. Also, the company successfully expanded into the rapidly growing market of high temperature furnaces with the production of highly complex heat shields and crucibles made of molybdenum and tungsten for sapphire furnaces used in LED production. The company invested a double-digit million euro sum in the expansion of its Asia business and in the targeted expansion of production capacities at its German sites. Research and development activities of H.C. Starck focused on a new generation of high-capacity tantalum powders. The company also will continue to drive future technologies. Since mid-2012, H.C. Starck operates a joint venture with Japan New Chisso Corp. for cathode material for high-performance lithium ion batteries. Part of H.C. Starck’s long-term strategy is the recycling of raw materials. In the procurement of primary raw materials, the company continues to rely exclusively on conflict-free raw materials in accordance with the guidelines of the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition.

US body armor procurement report and scenario analysis offered

Vector Strategy’s 2013 US military body armor procurement analysis is available for immediate purchase and delivery effective. This report provides an analysis of 2000 to 2013 US military body armor procurement and three scenarios for 2014 to 2020 procurement. Each scenario is based on a different set of assumptions about procurement of next generation body armor systems, sustainment of legacy body armor systems, and industrial base sustainment policies or outcomes. We have outlined tradeoffs that the DOD will need to make as they develop future funding requirements for the Army’s Soldier Protection System and the USMC’s Modular Scalable Protection System. The report also provides an in depth analysis of 2008 to 2013 US military sustainment awards and questions DOD’s strategy regarding the sustainment of their body armor inventory. This report is essential for organizations who need to understand future US military body armor procurement and the tradeoffs made when optimizing modernization, sustainment, and the industrial base in an era of severe DOD fiscal constraint.

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Ceradyne acquires interest in Graphite Machining Services and Innovations

Ceradyne Inc. nnounced that it has acquired a minority interest with an option to acquire all of Tempe, Arizona-based Graphite Machining Services and Innovations. GMSI has developed a proprietary method of applying a chemical vapor deposited silicon carbide ceramic coating on precision machined graphite shapes. The resultant product is used in the manufacture of Light Emitting Diodes for the rapidly growing solid state lighting market. GMSI’s expertise and technology have been focused on the precision machining of ultra-high-quality graphite shapes since its founding in 1984. The demand for state-of-the-art components for use in the Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition process in the manufacturing of LEDs has led to GMSI’s shift in technology and manufacturing capacity to serve the LED and other semiconductor markets. David Reed, president of Ceradyne’s North American Operations, says GMSI “fits very well with our diversification strategy, coupled with our interest in building out Ceradyne’s advanced technical ceramics portfolio. Furthermore, the market for efficient, environmentally friendly LED lighting systems is expected to grow very rapidly over the next ten years.”

Plibrico’s refractories expand to the Pacific Northwest

Plibrico Co. is pleased to announce the appointment of E.J. Bartells Co. to Plibrico’s exclusive network of refractory contractors. Headquartered in Renton, Wa., E.J. Bartells is a premier provider of refractory products and installation services. It will be the exclusive Plibrico PliPartner for the states of Washington, Oregon, Colorado and Alaska. “Bartells brings decades of refractory material and installation expertise to our network of exclusive partners,” states James Eckert, president of Plibrico. “Its range of experience, from small furnace repair to multimillion dollar refinery turnarounds, will be a valuable addition to our organization. The synergy created from this partnership will benefit many of our customers in the Pacific Northwest.” Plibrico Company LLC is a leading manufacturer and installer of superior aluminosilicate and high alumina monolithic refractories used in a variety of demanding thermal applications.

Robert Bosch GmbH becomes the first automotive sector company to join the AVX “Solutions for Hope” project

AVX Corp., a leading manufacturer of advanced passive components and interconnect solutions, has announced that major automotive supplier Robert Bosch GmbH has joined the AVX “Solutions for Hope” Project. “We are very pleased to have Bosch, one of the world’s premier electronics suppliers to the automotive sector participate in our project,” says Peter Collis, vice president of AVX tantalum products. The project, established in July 2011, works with leading OEMs such as Motorola Solutions, Intel, and HP to deliver a “closed-pipe” process for delivering conflict-free tantalum material from the Democratic Republic of Congo in accordance with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s due diligence guidelines and incorporating the independently-validated Electronic Industry Code of Conduct and the Global e-Sustainability initiative conflict-free smelter program. It remains the only project to exclusively use EICC/GeSI-validated conflict-free smelters for processing tantalum ore into capacitor-grade materials. AVX is the first in its industry to validate a closed tantalum pipe process, assuring all products contain only conflict-free tantalum in accordance with the principles of the Dodd-Frank legislation and the current OECD guidelines.

Plug Power announces Q2 2012 financial results

Plug Power Inc., a leader in providing clean, reliable energy solutions, has reported its financial results for the second quarter of 2012. Net loss for the second quarter of 2012 was $6.5 million, or $0.17 per share on a basic and diluted basis. This compares with a net loss of $6.8 million, or $0.41 per share, for the second quarter of 2011. Total revenue for the second quarter of 2012 was $7.7 million, comprised of $7.2 million for product and service revenue and $0.5 million for research and development (R&D) contract revenue. This compares to total revenue of $4.3 million in the second quarter of 2011, which was comprised of $2.6 million for product and service revenue, $1.5 million for R&D contract revenue, and $0.2 million for licensed technology revenue. The quarter’s GenDrive orders included units for Lowe’s, Sysco, Walmart and Mercedes Benz, representing approximately $6.5 million in orders. The order for Mercedes was received in early April 2012, and all 72 of the GenDrive units were installed and operational by early July. This is the quickest cycle time to date between receiving an order and deployment at a site requiring a new hydrogen fueling station.

Rubicon develops new sapphire growth platform to manufacture large optical-grade windows

Rubicon Technology Inc., a leading provider of sapphire substrates and products to the LED, semiconductor, and optical industries, announced a ground-breaking project, dubbed Large-Area Net-shape Crystal Extraction (LANCE), developed to produce large-form sapphire windows of optical quality for military sensing applications. The project is supported by a grant from the Air Force Research Laboratory, with a total value of $4.7 million over three years. Production will be scaled to meet the current and future requirements of the Air Force, beginning with intermediate sizes and progressing to windows as large as 36 x 18 x 0.8 inches. These sapphire windows will meet a variety of needs in both government and private sector applications. Existing growth technologies that produce large-area sapphire crystals are incapable of generating the thickness required for demanding defense applications. Rubicon’s new technological platform will grow panels approximately two-inches-thick, which can be cut into multiple windows of varying thickness to meet the needs of the industry. The platform developed through the LANCE project is distinct from Rubicon’s ES2 crystal growth technology, which will remain the platform for Rubicon’s C-plane sapphire used in the LED industry and R-plane sapphire for silicon-on-sapphire RFIC applications.

PPG introduces new glass, Sungate 600, for commercial buildings

PPG Industries has introduced Sungate 600 glass, a multifunctional, low-emissivity glass that can enhance the insulating performance of buildings in a variety of climates and applications. In moderate climates, where heat gain is desired, the low-e glass can function as a traditional high-performing, passive glass. The coating of Sungate 600 glass reduces heat loss and provides a U-value of 0.33 while maintaining ample levels of heat and visible light transmittance. For colder climate zones, where even higher insulating values are desired, the coating of Sungate 600 glass can face the building interior and can yield a 20 percent net gain in U-value without the need for triple-glazing. When paired with a tinted or reflective glass from Sungate 600 glass can improve U-values by up to 30 percent when the coating is placed on the No. 3 surface of a 1-inch insulating glass unit.

Jiangxi Rare Earth Group and H.C. Starck expand tungsten business in China

Jiangxi Rare Metals Tungsten Group Holding Co., one of China’s largest tungsten mine operators, and H.C. Starck, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of technology metals, celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony for their tungsten joint venture in Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province, China. Starting in late 2013, this plant will be producing tungsten metal powders and carbides exclusively for the Chinese market. Along with representatives of the two joint venture partners, more than 500 guests from politics and business including representatives of the Jiangxi Provincial Government and the city of Ganzhou attended the groundbreaking ceremony. “This joint venture is our largest project to date in China and the core of our growth strategy in Asia,” said Andreas Meier, president and CEO of the H.C. Starck. “We will primarily supply the products of our joint venture to the hard metal manufacturers for the automotive and engineering industries as well as to suppliers for the mining and energy industry in China.”

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Prematech Advanced Ceramics adds technical and marketing strength with hiring of Bruce Gretz

PremaTech Advanced Ceramics, a leader in the design, engineering and machining of high-purity silicon carbides and other advanced ceramic materials and components, has named Bruce Gretz senior technical salesperson. In that capacity, Gretz is responsible for developing new business opportunities from customers requiring adaptive ceramics used in semiconductor, aerospace & defense, R&D, life sciences, commercial and microwave applications. “I am pleased that Bruce is helping us build upon more than 30 years of industry leadership,” says Harvey Clough, PremaTech’s general manager. “His combination of management and sales experience puts us in a strong position to retain established customers while attracting new ones in these challenging times.” Prior to joining PremaTech, Gretz worked in engineering management for a variety of software development and systems integration companies on the East and West Coasts. He began his career with Rockwell International’s Allen-Bradley Division. Gretz holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University.

Superior Technical Ceramics launches new website

Superior Technical Ceramics is thrilled to launch its new website. “Our goal is always to provide superior service, and we think that this new site will make it easier for customers to see how our services can help them” commented Simon Doran, Sales Manager. “I was really happy when I saw the new site. It’s elegant, simple, and functional; exactly what our home on the web needs to be.” STC has been recognized as a “legacy” company in the material area since its start in 1898. Our commitment to materials development and continuous improvement set us apart from most of our competition. STC has complete in-house capabilities to assist with design, engineer, tool and manufacture of technical ceramics to customer requirements. Superior Technical Ceramics invests in state-of-the-art equipment and in highly skilled, knowledgeable employees to produce the industry’s best components. Through the use of ISO 9001:2008, AS9100, 5S and lean practices and policies, STC achieves the control and quality necessary to compete, cost effectively, worldwide.

Fooken taking over as H.C. Starck’s new head of R&D

On Sept. 1, 2012, Michael Fooken will take over the research and development activities for the H.C. Starck Group in Goslar (Germany). Fooken has extensive experience in the field of research and development in the chemical industry. Over the past 12 years, he has held various global positions within the Honeywell Group, including head of research for the Fine Chemicals Division. Before that he spent many years in production as well as in research and development. Fooken studied chemistry at the University of Münster (Germany) and earned his doctorate in electrochemistry in 1995. He holds more than 20 patents in the fields of energy storage materials and inorganic salts. Dr. Fooken is 47 years old, married, and has two children. His predecessor, Gerhard Gille, is retiring on Oct. 31, 2012, after more than 20 years at the company.

MTC introduces expert custom brazing services

Morgan Technical Ceramics announced that its Wesgo Metals site in Hayward, Calif., now offers custom brazing services, including active metal brazing, a process that allows metal to be bonded directly to ceramic without metallization. Active metal brazing eliminates several steps in the joining process and creates an extremely strong, hermetic seal. MTC uses active metal braze alloys, a process is especially beneficial in medical, aerospace and oil exploration applications. MTC has developed several braze alloy compositions, which will directly bond ceramic to metal or even graphite and diamond. Applications include brazing industrial diamonds onto ceramics or metal components for heat spreaders or ceramic windows, as well as brazing graphite to substrates such as titanium for incredibly stable ion traps. Alloy compositions vary and include those designed for use in a variety of settings, from very low temperatures to very high temperature applications, around 500 to 1,000°C. MTC selects the alloy to meet the specific service temperature conditions as well as the requirements of all the components to be joined. MTC’s high end brazing services are used in the medical market for implantable hearing aids and minimally invasive surgical tools. For the aerospace industry, MTC offers compositions of ceramics ideal for brazing to metals for use in the extremely high temperatures found in modern day jet engines. Applications here include ceramic nozzles for turbine engines, new turbine vane systems and super alloy engine parts.

Mettler Toledo offers in-process-control white paper

New high-resolution weigh modules from Mettler Toledo offer surprisingly fast and simple solutions for 100% in-process-control. They can be used to check completeness of parts, kits or modules as well as quality of surfaces where material is added or subtracted. Mettler Toledo now offers a white paper that explains how weigh modules are applied for in-line testing with high throughput rates. Traditional methods for in-process-control and end-of-line-control use electrical resistance, optical imaging, spectrometry, light beam and mechanical sizing. It wasn’t until recently, that weighing technology was used in spot checking mode. This was mostly due to the design of traditional balances and scales, which didn’t fit seamlessly into machines and instruments. It also wasn’t obvious that dimensions, coatings, shapes or completeness could indirectly be checked while looking at weight deviations or differences.

Rockwood opens new lithium hydroxide facilities in North Carolina

Rockwood Lithium has inaugurated its expanded manufacturing facility in Kings Mountain, N.C. The company is leveraging a $28.4-million investment from the Recovery Act to expand its North Carolina lithium production facility with a new lithium hydroxide plant as well as its production operations in Silver Peak, Nev. In addition a new technology center containing new lab facilities, offices, and seminar rooms was opened. The new plant will produce 5,000 metric tons of lithium hydroxide a year enough for about 500,000 electric cars. The company, a subsidiary of New Jersey-based Rockwood Holdings Inc., was awarded the grant because of its potential to advance battery technology for electric cars, said Chris Johnson, project manager for the DOE. Steffen Haber, president of Rockwood Lithium added that the new research and development center will add to the existing facilities to explore new materials for lithium containing batteries as well as for other industrial applications.

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A large crowd listened to three presentations on Monday morning’s ICC4 Plenary Session I. Credit: Russell Lee Leonard, ACerS.

Corning's Gary Calabrese. Credit: Russell Lee Leonard; ACerS.

Monday was the second day of the 4th International Congress on Ceramics in Chicago. The day began with plenary sessions that were followed by a luncheon sponsored by the Boeing Company. The afternoon featured invited lectures and a technology forum that included both interactive and poster presentations.

Gary Calabrese from Corning Glassworks led off the plenary session and was one of the speakers that I enjoyed the most. His talk interested me because I have a background in industry and may return there upon graduation. Calabrese gave some background on his company, which invests heavily in research, employing over 2,000 people in its research, development and extension department. Some new technologies that Corning is developing include roll-to-roll glass, ultracapacitors and high bandwidth optical fiber and cables. I think one of the reasons for Corning’s high level of achievement is that, as Calabrese stated, they focus on solving the “right” problems for the company and clearly define success, including economic factors.

John Tracy, The Boeing Company. Credit: Russell Lee Leonard; ACerS.

John Tracy from The Boeing Company was another plenary speaker that I enjoyed. My school is The University of Tennessee Space Institute, and even though I am in the biomedical engineering department, I have a strong interest in aviation and the space industry. Tracy challenged the audience to make ceramics achieve what carbon composites achieved in revolutionizing the wings and fuselage of jets, as demonstrated by the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Tracy did, however, acknowledge the important role ceramics have already played in aerospace applications, such as the heat shields for the space shuttle.

I have a particular interest in nanoparticles and their biomedical applications because a large portion of my research is focused on this form of technology. For this reason, I found invited speaker

Lang Tran from the Institute of Occupational Medicine in the UK. Credit: Russell Lee Leonard; ACerS.

Lang Tran’s presentation on nanotoxicology and nanomedicine very thought-provoking. Lang discussed the two most relevant forms of exposure to nanoparticles, inhalation and ingestion. He pointed out the parallel between pulmonary and cardiovascular toxicology, noting that lipoprotein particles, which can lead to atherosclerosis, are nanoparticles.

Brooke Barta, graduate student at Georgia Institute of Technology. Credit: Russell Lee Leonard; ACerS.

In the late afternoon, I spent a lot of time at the Interactive Technology Forum, sponsored by Samsung Electro-Mechanics Company. Many presenters were there, some with traditional poster presentations and others with presentations that were interactive. I had the opportunity there to meet Brooke Barta, a graduate student at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Barta is researching scintillating glass ceramics that are similar to the materials

that I am working with in my research at UTSI. I really enjoyed discussing with her the challenges of making glass ceramics on the laboratory scale.

On Monday night, as part of the ICC4 Future Leaders Program, ACerS staffer, Megan Bricker, led a large group to Gino’s East Pizzeria, where we all enjoyed deep-dish pizza. I was fortunate enough to be seated with H.C. Starck sales manager Rob Jensen, ACerS past president, Marina Pascucci, and ICC4 plenary lecturer Delbert Day. Day entertained the table, recounting some of his more interesting flying stories, including the time he and his son both flew World War II era P-51 Mustang fighter planes in formation together. Day also told us about a borate-based glass fiber that his research team has developed that promotes dramatically increased blood vessel growth in the human body and has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of chronic wounds, such as diabetic ulcers and bed sores.

Dinner at a famous Chicago pizzeria with the ACerS Young Leaders group. Credit: Russell Lee Leonard; ACerS.

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Structure of “ENE-FARM home energy SOFC cogeneration unit jointly developed by Kyocera and consortium of other Japanese companies. Credit: Kyocera.

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Kyocera presents comprehensive home energy management system

(FuelCellToday) Technology group and solar energy pioneer Kyocera has developed a new energy solution for the generation and storage of solar energy and heat. The concept combines photovoltaics with a Li-ion battery, as well as a solid oxide fuel cell and an intelligent energy management system. In a home, solar power produced by PV panels on the roof can be stored by means of a Li-ion battery. A cogeneration fuel cell is also installed in the home to produce electricity and heat from natural gas. The electricity can be stored in the battery whereas the heat is used directly for hot water and to support space heating. The EMS individually regulates the energy flows between the energy producers, energy users and the national power grid. At peak consumption periods, the EMS ensures stored power is used before grid power.

GreenCell Inc. new joint venture solidifies their spot in the automotive advanced ceramics sensor market

GreenCell Inc., which has recently signed a joint venture with General Automotive Co., a North American provider of parts, accessories and advanced technology for the automotive industry, is rolling out their new ceramic seal system for automotive oxygen sensors. The automotive parts industry, which reaches into the billions of dollars, has one of the most critical needs for advanced ceramics. The high heat stresses on brakes, sensors and engine parts can be greatly improved by composite ceramics, some of which are already used in the industry today. Companies like GreenCell, Ceradyne, 3M and CTS Corp all have technologies aimed at improving the life of these critical parts and lower overall costs associated with manufacturing. GreenCell is engaged in a joint venture with SenCer Inc. to develop, commercialize and market SenCer’s UltraTemp™ ceramic composite materials for home and transportation applications.

Alternative energy companies find success using Union Process attritors

Union Process Inc., known globally as a manufacturer of size reduction and dispersing equipment for a broad range of industrial applications, has produced a dry grinding batch-type attritor that will be used to mill nanosize particles of various materials for renewable/alternative energy or green energy sources. The energy-efficient 30SD attritor is explosion-proof, and has a gross tank volume of 53 gallons. The attritor options include a process control timer system, as well as an integrated process temperature control warning and shutoff system. The mill is powered by a 40 HP, TEFC, inverter duty motor and uses a 460V/3HP/60Hz, variable frequency drive. Arno Szegvari, president of Union Process, noted, “We have seen a significant increase in the use of our Attritors in emerging green technologies including lithium ion batteries and other forms of alternative energy. We are excited to have our equipment and processes continue to play a role in developing better and better technologies for the world.”

H.C. Starck continues on profitable growth track; introducing new products in Asia, and securing raw material supply

H.C. Starck, a manufacturers of refractory metals and technical ceramics, had its sales grow by 28% to €883.2 million Euros from €689.3 million in 2010. Also operating profit grew significantly compared to the year before. “We want to further develop our fast-growing, unique recycling activities. We are the global technology leader when it comes to recycling refractory metals. With a current rate of around 50%, recycling is a vital pillar in our materials sourcings,” says Andreas Meier, chair of the H.C. Starck executive board. The company will invest in the development of high-quality tungsten products in China and a joint venture in Minamata, Japan, for the development and manufacture of cathode materials for high-performance lithium-ion batteries. In addition, the company has resolved one of its most important core strategic issues by securing the long-term supply of conflict-free raw materials.

Take your lab to the next level with hands-on training from Brookfield

Brookfield, an expert in viscosity measurement and control, offers two hands-on courses that equip users of Brookfield instruments with the knowledge to get the most out of their viscosity test methods. These one-day training sessions are presented in easy- to-understand terms that give attendees the working know-how to verify and improve upon the data required for meaningful R&D and successful QC testing. The courses are offered at Brookfield’s headquarters in Middleboro, Mass., and at major metropolitan areas across the United States.

Elcan Industries moves to a new facility

Virto/Elcan Industries, has greatly increased capabilities by moving to a new facility in Tuckahoe, N.Y. The new location has three-times more capacity than the previous location and meets the higher demand for toll processing and testing customer’s products. With a larger facility Virto/Elcan can provide expanded services to big and small clients. The new facility also enables Virto/Elcan Industries to provide higher quality customer support for both Virto and Minox screening machine technologies. The new facility holds more parts inventory allowing for faster shipping.

Harper awarded multiple contracts for ultra-high-temperature furnaces

Harper International has been awarded several projects for ultra-high-temperature continuous furnace systems. One system, rated at 2,800°C, is to be installed at FISIPE in Portugal funded through EUCARBON, a project of European Union 7th Framework Program granted to INEGI the Institute of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Management in Porto. The system will be used for the development of high modulus carbon fiber, primarily used in applications requiring high rigidity. Harper was selected for the contract due to its track record of delivering the most advanced carbon fiber thermal processing systems available, especially in the UHT market.

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