Posts by Lisa McDonald
Labor economics: Skill level determines relationship between wages and automation innovation
Economists have theorized that higher wages for low-skilled workers drive innovation in automation technology as companies seek cost-saving measures to expensive labor. A new open-access paper provides the first strong empirical evidence to support this idea.
Read MoreCeramic and glass business news of the week for March 3, 2025
IIT-Madras to set up India’s first test-bed facility for sustainable concrete, Australia’s only local manufacturer of architectural glass shuts down, and more ceramic and glass business news of the week for March 3, 2025.
Read MoreLow-cost luster: Vanadium phosphate demonstrates potential as substrate-free pearlescent pigment
Typical mica-based pearlescent pigments are costly to produce due to specialized equipment and complex chemical procedures. Researchers at Tohoku University in Japan demonstrated the potential of certain vanadium phosphates to serve as low-cost pearlescent pigments.
Read MoreOther materials stories that may be of interest for February 26, 2025
Light-powered precision tuning of quantum dots, missing link uncovered in static electricity mystery, and other materials stories that may be of interest for February 26, 2025.
Read MoreFocusing on floatovoltaics—new installations continue globally as studies investigate possible challenges
Floating photovoltaics, or floatovoltaics, may offer a solution to finding long-term homes for solar panels. Today’s CTT overviews recent floatovoltaic developments around the world and considers some possible downsides of these systems.
Read MoreCeramic and glass business news of the week for February 24, 2025
French nuclear fusion machine sets record for longest plasma, Cook Islands announces deep sea minerals deal with China, and more ceramic and glass business news of the week for February 24, 2025.
Read MoreKister porcelain dolls: From plaything to collector’s item
Kister porcelain dolls are now a collector’s item, but these dolls served as toys for the masses during the height of their production in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Learn about the history of these dolls and their distinguishing characteristics.
Read MoreOther materials stories that may be of interest for February 19, 2025
Engineers develop fully 3D-printed electrospray engine, tiny acid droplets turn metal into glass-like material, and other materials stories that may be of interest for February 19, 2025.
Read MoreVideo: Quadruped robot sprints into ‘10-second club’ of the 100-meter dash
In January 2025, the latest contender for the robotic speed crown stepped onto the track: Black Panther 2.0. This quadruped robot can run 100 meters in under 10 seconds—which is considered a mark of exceptional sprinters.
Read MoreCeramic and glass business news of the week for February 17, 2025
Materialise launches Aerospace Competence Center in the Netherlands, Korea holds critical mineral talks with three South African countries, and more ceramic and glass business news of the week for February 17, 2025.
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