Malta forms new company committed to building the future of grid-scale energy storage

Malta, which started as “Project Malta” at X, Alphabet’s Moonshot Factory, is now an independent company outside of Alphabet. The new company, a pioneer in electro-thermal energy storage, announced it raised $26M in a Series A round of funding.

Orion Engineered Carbons implements EPA surcharge in North America

Orion Engineered Carbons introduced an Environmental Compliance Surcharge or “EPA surcharge” to their price agreements for all customers of products produced in North America for 2019. The 1.5 cent ($0.015) per pound EPA Surcharge, or price adjustment, will take effect as of April 1.

Kopp Glass names ACerS member as new CEO

Kopp Glass Inc. named ACerS member Elie Saad as its new president and CEO. Saad assumed the post Dec. 1, 2018, taking over for Grant Wirth, who retired. Wirth continues to serve the company as chairman of the board.

Canada’s largest net zero energy building opens in Ontario

The Joyce Centre for Partnership and Innovation at Mohawk College, opened in Hamilton, Ontario. The building is Canada’s largest net-zero energy building, and is one of 16 pilot projects selected by the Canada Green Building Council’s new Zero Carbon Building Standard.

Vietnam, Thailand to bolster science-technology cooperation

The Vietnamese government approved a cooperation agreement in science, technology, and innovation with Thailand under Resolution No.155/NQ-CP. The agreement focuses on biotechnology, electronics and computer, materials science and nanotechnology, food-water and energy security, agriculture, and environment.

Qatar, Turkey joint workshop explores smart manufacturing practices

A joint research workshop aimed at introducing and developing innovative smart manufacturing practices in Qatar was held ahead of the launch of a joint funding call in early 2019 by Qatar National Research Fund and the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey–Tubitak.

Pitt and General Carbide research 3D printing methods for tungsten carbide

The University of Pittsburgh and General Carbide Corp. received a $57,000 grant from Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to research base powders and 3D printing techniques for more effective use of tungsten carbide in additive manufacturing.

Despite six meetings, no concrete pact with FG–ASUU

The Academic Staff Union of Universities in Nigeria said that despite meeting six times with the Federal Government, it had no concrete agreement to take back to its members to resolve the ongoing strike action. The union began its strike November 5, paralysing academic activities in public universities nationwide since then.

Canadian battery maker says cost of its technology to tumble by half

CellCube Energy Storage Systems Inc., a Canada-listed maker of batteries that can last for as long as two decades, said the cost of its technology may halve within four years, potentially boosting its uptake over lithium-ion units.

QIMC arm Gulf Glass Factory in alliance with Italy’s Falorni Gianfranco

Gulf Glass Factory, a subsidiary of Qatar Industrial Manufacturing Company, partnered with Italy’s Falorni Gianfranco to build the first glass containers project in the country. The design capacity in first phase will be 200 tonnes per day through one furnace. A second furnace built in second phase of project will raise production capacity to about 450 tonnes per day.

China approves its first big power storage pilot in renewable push

The initial phase of China’s first large battery storage pilot project in the northwestern province of Gansu will require 1.2 billion yuan (US$174 million) of investment and have a capacity of 720 megawatt hours and storage duration of four hours. It’s expected to be completed next year.

Feasibility study of significant magnesite deposit in the US will be conducted by CVMR

CVMR Corp. will conduct a Feasibility Study to substantiate the measured, indicated, and inferred magnesite ore contained in the White Moon Mine over and above the current 527,000 tons of magnesite deposit that is exposed at the surface. Nevada Marketing Consultants, owner of the mine, asked the study be performed at a cost of $1.5 million and a time of six months.

Author

Lisa McDonald