Raytheon acquires Tucson drone maker

Raytheon Co. has acquired privately-held Sensintel Inc., a Tucson-based provider of unmanned aircraft systems for the intelligence and special operations markets. Sensintel, which has about 50 employees, will become part of Tucson-based Raytheon Missile Systems, Raytheon said in a news release. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

H.C. Starck expands executive board

H.C. Starck GmbH is expanding its executive board to include the new position of Chief Technology Officer. Effective February 1, 2015, Michael Reiß will take this position, which was created in response to the rising importance of technological aspects to H.C. Starck’s global strategic growth. Reiß will join president and CEO Andreas Meier, CFO Matthias Schmitz, and executive board members Dmitry Shashkov and Edmar Allitsch.

Asahi ultra-lightweight solar panel receives award

Asahi Glass Co. Ltd. announced that its ultra-lightweight solar panel Lightjoule received the “New Energy Foundation Chairman’s Award” of the New Energy Award 2014. Lightjoule, an ultra-lightweight solar panel, is weight-saving because of AGC’s Leoflex, a thin and strong chemically strengthened specialty glass. Using Leoflex as the cover glass, the weight of Lighjoule has been reduced by ~50% compared to conventional solar panels.

Corning acquires assets of NovaSol

Corning Inc. has acquired assets of NovaSol, a leading provider of advanced hyperspectral imaging systems. The terms of the agreement are not being disclosed. NovaSol specializes in the research and development of next-generation active and passive optical systems, including electro-optical systems and optical communication systems. The acquisition will be integrated into the Advanced Optics business unit within Corning’s Specialty Materials division.

Alcoa opens expanded wheels manufacturing plant in Hungary

Lightweight, high-performance metals leader Alcoa recently opened its expanded wheels manufacturing plant in Hungary. The larger facility doubles Alcoa’s capacity to produce its Dura-Bright EVO surface-treated wheels compared to 2014 production levels. Construction of the $13 million expansion was completed on schedule and will create 35 new permanent jobs in Hungary once the facility reaches full capacity.

Washington Mills debuts video on spent aluminum oxide recycling

Traditionally, spent aluminum oxide is brought to a landfill for final disposal, but rising landfill costs, landfill regulations, and higher freight costs are causing business to rethink their waste disposal practices. Washington Mills has invested significant resources to make its aluminum oxide manufacturing process 100% closed loop.

Netzsch appoints new northeast regional manager

Netzsch Premier Technologies announced that Patrick (Pat) Salvi has joined the company as northeast regional manager. Salvi comes with a wealth of experience within the industry, working for leading companies in the size reduction, classification, mixing, drying, feeding, pneumatic conveying, containment and isolation industries for more than 25 years.

Morgan Advanced Materials announces reliable materials for heat shields for wide-ranging applications

Morgan Advanced Materials announced the availability of materials for heat shields produced by its Thermal Ceramics business. Min-K microporous insulation products are frequently specified as the material of choice for flight data recorders in markets from aerospace to rail. This lightweight material has the lowest thermal conductivity on the market and has been specially designed for this application.

Author

April Gocha