Murata develops smart glasses concept to control appliances and smartphones
Murata, in conjunction with the city of Sabae in Japan, has created a concept for smart eyewear called “Cool Design Smart Glass”. The glasses draw on the eyewear design skills and fabrication expertise of this center of eyewear production while incorporating a switch module in the templepiece to enable easy operation of home appliances and electronics as well as smartphones, without a remote control.
3M further amplifies design with announcement of new 3M Design Center
3M announced the development of the 3M Design Center, an incubator for progressive ideation and the creative heartbeat at 3M. Underscoring the 3M Design mission that revolves around collaborative creativity, the new facility will be the central hub for design professionals with multi-disciplinary expertise, driving competitive advantage, customer experience and positive global impact.
Lisec’s new research, testing facility opens
Lisec announced it has officially opened its new “Glass Forum,” a center for research, production and training in the field of processing of flat glass. The new facility is located in Hausmening, Lower Austria, where the company invested approximately $5.69 million. It houses technologies “from glass cutting and edge processing through to an elaborate glass logistics system and up to the production of insulating and laminated safety glass including tempering,” according to a release from Lisec.
Washington Mills Ceramics division launches new website
Washington Mills Ceramics has launched a new website. A subsidiary of Washington Mills, Washington Mills Ceramics located in Sun Prairie, Wis., is a worldwide leader in the manufacture of pre-formed ceramic tumbling media. The new website includes new technical datasheets, three new videos, parts processing information, guides, and much more.
NASA offers licenses of patented technologies to start-up companies
NASA is unveiling a new opportunity for start-up companies to license patented NASA technology with no up-front payment. Aimed at encouraging the growth of high-tech businesses and advancing American innovation, NASA’s Technology Transfer Program designed this initiative to allow start-up companies to choose from a diverse portfolio of more than 1,200 patented NASA technologies that range from materials and coatings to sensors, aeronautics technologies, instrumentation and more.
Air Products’ hydrogen fueling technology featured at NREL event
Air Products had its SmartFuel hydrogen fueling dispenser on display as the Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory held a dedication ceremony for its new hydrogen fueling station in Golden, Colo. The 700 bar (10,000 psi) hydrogen fueling station, which includes Air Products’ SmartFuel hydrogen fueling dispenser, is the first-of-its-kind in the state and was dedicated on the first-ever National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day.
Alcoa wins titanium contract with Lockheed Martin for F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
Lightweight metals leader Alcoa announced a contract to supply titanium for Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II aircraft program, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter. Under the contract, Alcoa becomes the titanium supplier for airframe structures for all three variants of the F-35 from 2016–2024. At current projected build rates, the contract has an estimated value of approximately $1.1 billion.
Guardian Industries approves DeWitt, Iowa plant project
Guardian Industries’ Board of Directors has approved a major capital project to repair the float glass furnace and expand glass production at its DeWitt, Iowa plant. The proposed project, expected to begin first quarter of 2017, will increase the plant’s production capacity, add new environmental control technologies and enhance products and services to support its customers.
Saint-Gobain opens new North American corporate headquarters
Saint-Gobain announced the official opening of its new, state-of-the-art North American corporate headquarters located at 20 Moores Road in Malvern, Pa. The 320,000-square-foot campus, situated on 65 acres, underwent a renovation over the past 18 months to transform the long-dormant site into a dynamic showcase for Saint-Gobain and its North American construction materials subsidiary, CertainTeed Corporation.
UK announces £21 million for Engineering Grand Challenges research
Seven new research programs were given the green light by U.K. Universities and Science Minister, Jo Johnson. Academics, industrialists and policy makers will address issues such as: 1) how to ensure clean water supplies; 2) how new ways of using robotics and autonomous systems can restore the balance between engineered and natural systems; how to understand the nature of new meta-materials and advanced materials for electronics and the manufacture of new devices; and how to understand the complexity and interconnectedness of systems.