Apple invests in China solar project, US forest conservation
Apple is expanding its environmental efforts by investing in a new Chinese solar power project and preserving 36,000 acres of “sustainable” timberland in Maine and North Carolina. The new solar project in China has a capacity of 40 megawatts, which is smaller than some projects Apple has announced in the United States. By comparison, Apple is spending $850 million for rights to nearly half the output of a 280-megawatt solar facility planned for construction south of Apple’s Cupertino, California, headquarters. That project will produce enough energy to power all of Apple’s California offices, a computer center and 52 retail stores.
Alan Leshner joins the Elsevier Materials Science Council
Alan I. Leshner, former CEO of AAAS, joins the Elsevier Materials Science Council as plans to raise the profile of materials science take off. Elsevier, home of Materials Today, launched the Materials Science Council last September to help communicate the importance of materials science research, recognize researchers working under difficult conditions, and address some of the major issues facing the materials community.
Saint-Gobain steps up presence in abrasives in Brazil
Saint-Gobain has signed a joint venture agreement with British Indústria e Comércio Ltda., a manufacturer of non-woven abrasives in Brazil, resulting in the acquisition of 70 percent of this company’s equity. Created in 1996, the company is located in Indaiatuba, 100 km from Sao Paulo. It manufactures and sells non-woven abrasives for industrial applications (surface conditioning materials), professional cleaning, and consumer goods.
Air Products announced that it has been awarded a contract by Saudi Aramco under a joint venture of Air Products and ACWA Holding to build, own, and operate the world’s largest industrial gas complex to supply 75,000 metric tons per day (20,000 oxygen and 55,000 nitrogen) to Saudi Aramco’s refinery being built in Jazan, Saudi Arabia for 20 years. Once built, this facility will be owned by Air Products (25%) and ACWA Holding (75%).
Onyx Solar to expand with new facility in Avila, Spain
Onyx Solar has started setting up a new factory with 8,000 m2 in the industrial district of Vicolozano in Avila, Spain. Thanks to cutting edge technology and machinery, Onyx Solar aims to increase its production space up to 140,000 m2. The opening of the new facility will employ 60 additional people, who will be joining the 40 existing staff members.
Schott showcases glass technologies aimed to reduce size, weight, power, and cost for US military
Schott is zeroing in on the modern military’s requirements to supply materials that reduce size, weight, power, and cost. Schott displayed these technologies and offered a technical presentation and demonstration of their military applications at the Defense Security and Sensing Conference in Baltimore this week. Schott’s rugged glasses and glass–ceramics are key components in a wide range of military equipment, from night vision systems in helmets, to thermal imaging systems on helicopters, to tactical wheeled vehicle armor, to sensitive ordnance and missile systems.