Articles tagged with Manufacturing Plants
The partnership between ACP Technologies and Oak Ridge National Laboratory has helped move advanced pitch materials from laboratory development to pilot-scale production. The collaboration supported the refinement and demonstration of isotropic and mesophase pitch materials, now being produced at a new continuous pilot facility.
A study by Carnegie Mellon University found that offshoring of production in Taiwanese electronics firms had mixed outcomes on their innovative capabilities. In product categories that could be moved offshore more easily, innovation levels declined, but in other areas, research efforts were reallocated to boost innovation.
The new facility enables scientists to observe and measure detonation forces in unprecedented detail, shedding light on industrial safety risks and potential breakthroughs. Researchers aim to develop safer designs and protocols by examining detonation disasters like the Buncefield Fire.
Researchers have developed a strong, defect-free composite material that can phase-shift under stress to dissipate energy. The material, created using additive friction stir deposition, has potential applications in defense, infrastructure, aerospace, and sporting equipment.
The University of Texas at Arlington's (UTA) Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC) has developed a real-time sensor data system to track environmental impact. The program helps Texas manufacturers reduce pollution, lower emissions, and save costs by identifying energy waste, water consumption, and air leaks.
The MASTER project invites educational institutions to develop innovative XR educational content and validate cutting-edge XR technologies in real settings. Selected applicants will receive financial support, access to advanced XR tools, and expert mentorship.
The study reveals the genes that enable plants to make DMSP, allowing them to thrive in salty and drought conditions. This breakthrough could improve agricultural productivity in nitrogen-poor soils, making crops more sustainable in the face of global climate change.
Researchers at the University of Sydney have proposed a new way to reduce industrial emissions by utilizing liquid metals in chemical reactions. This approach aims to decrease energy requirements and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Lynne McLandsborough's research offers a solution to the sticky sanitation issue in peanut butter and chocolate industries, improving food safety and reducing bacterial illness outbreaks. Her patent-pending method uses a water-in-oil emulsion to kill 99.9999% of Salmonella bacteria.
A new study by North Carolina State University found that smart utility meters can improve energy efficiency in manufacturing, but only if managers actively use the technology. The research used event system theory to understand the impact of proactive changes on business outcomes.
Researchers successfully produced alstonine, a naturally occurring substance with potential for treating mental disorders, using genetically engineered yeast cells. The yeast platform has the potential to discover and develop plant-based medicines, including those for schizophrenia.
The University of Texas at San Antonio has been selected to establish a Secure Manufacturing Tech Hub with a $500,000 grant from the US Economic Development Administration. The consortium aims to grow a skilled workforce, enhance business competitiveness, and promote secure manufacturing strategies across South Texas.
A new study suggests that upgrading or retrofitting the world's iron and steel processing plants early could reduce carbon emissions by up to 70 gigatonnes by 2050. This is equivalent to two years' worth of net global carbon emissions, according to researchers from UCL.
The WVU Pollution Prevention Program provides customized source reduction solutions, training, and digital technologies to minimize waste. The program aims to help businesses achieve carbon neutrality through data-driven modeling and AI-powered adjustments.
The Lehigh University Industrial Assessment Center will conduct energy audits for manufacturing plants in the mid-Atlantic region, providing real-world training for students and professionals. The center aims to reduce industrial emissions and improve manufacturing competitiveness while enhancing workforce development in disadvantaged ...
A recent study led by Princeton University researchers found that China's industrial parks can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and freshwater consumption by transitioning to clean energy sources. The study estimates that this transition could lead to a reduction of 40% in energy supply emissions, equivalent to 7% of China...
A new study links disproportionate siting of PFAS sources near watersheds serving communities with higher proportions of Black and Hispanic/Latino residents. The research suggests that regulating PFAS releases and ensuring safe drinking water is crucial in protecting public health, particularly in vulnerable communities.
Scientists have engineered plants to produce peptides with antibiotic activity against drug-resistant pathogens, which also enhances stability and prolongs activity. The resulting plants yield potent drugs at significantly lower costs than traditional methods, making them an environmentally friendly option for pharmaceutical production.
Computational heuristics like Grey Wolf Optimizer and Whale Optimization Algorithm offer fast solutions to complex supply chain problems, providing accurate results within a shorter time frame. The research suggests these tools can be a valuable addition to supply chain management, especially in responding to unexpected disruptions.
A study by University of Alabama at Birmingham researchers reveals that cadmium-induced inflammation increases the severity and mortality of lung infections. The findings suggest that targeting the regulation of PPAR-gamma in macrophages may protect against severe pneumonia.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new catalyst to improve butane conversion into butadiene, increasing efficiency and reducing byproducts. The breakthrough could make butadiene production more commercially viable and address the growing demand-supply imbalance.
The American College of Radiology has issued risk mitigation guidance to help healthcare institutions conserve contrast media supplies amid a global shortage. Two healthcare systems, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the University of North Carolina, have implemented strategies that reduced their contrast use by at least 50%.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute have developed an algorithmic planner that helps delegate tasks to humans and robots. The planner considers a list of tasks and decides how best to assign them, considering the time it takes for humans to complete tasks and teach robots new skills.
Developers are integrating optical coherence tomography (OCT) machines into sensor packages to create fast and accurate LiDAR systems. These advancements enable robots and cars to see the world in a more natural and safe manner, improving interaction with humans.
A Kyoto University-led team has created a novel hydrogen plant design that harnesses fully renewable resources to produce clean hydrogen with minimal associated CO2 emissions. The SABI-Hydrogen system uses solar heating and biomass gasification to produce hydrogen, resulting in an emission rate of only 1.04kg CO2/kg hydrogen produced.
A new study found that manufacturing facilities that use large amounts of water during periods of drought often streamline their processes to lower toxic emissions into water, lakes, and rivers. On average, these changes resulted in reduced toxic emissions by over 2.5%.
Shear thickening occurs when particles in a low-viscosity solution behave like a solid under stress. Researchers at North Carolina State University captured microscopic images of particles as they underwent shear thickening, revealing complex networks formed between particles and their shapes dependent on particle roughness.
A new $3.8 million NSF EPSCoR RII Track-2 grant will enable the expansion of Future Factories Lab at the UofSC McNair Aerospace Center, investigating interactions between humans and automation in manufacturing facilities. The project aims to create a manufacturing resilience ecosystem with significant workforce development opportunities.
New research from the University of Illinois explores how community characteristics impact the relocation of toxic-releasing facilities. The study found that facilities are more likely to move from communities with high population density, income, and education levels, while moving into those with lower socioeconomic status.
Researchers employed DNA barcoding techniques to identify plant species used by wild New Caledonian crows to fashion complex hooked stick tools. The study found that Mimusops elengi was the primary raw material used, providing insights into variation in crows' preferences and plant availability.
Between 2017 and 2019, US poison centers saw a significant increase in reported cannabis-related exposures to both manufactured products and plant materials, indicating a growing need for awareness and regulation.
A new AI-driven data system identifies potential problems early on and proposes corrective action, helping companies become more resilient to malfunctions and disruptions. The system analyzes vast volumes of digital data to forecast machine issues and predict maintenance needs, enhancing productivity and market success.
Researchers at NICT and TOYOTA have successfully implemented stabilization technology for wireless communications in manufacturing systems. This technology allows for real-time visualization of the wireless environment and coordinated control of different systems, detecting unregistered terminals and suppressing radio congestion. The s...
A new analysis by MIT researchers details the underlying issues causing cost overruns on US nuclear power plants, highlighting ways to reimagine engineering strategies to reduce delays and expenses. The study suggests that designing plants with resilience to variable construction conditions can help minimize costs.
Researchers have found that PFAS chemicals have dispersed more broadly than previously thought, contaminating surface water and soil up to 30 miles from a manufacturing facility. The study's findings suggest that these chemicals could be carried into groundwater, highlighting the need for wider monitoring of PFAS exposure.
Researchers at UC San Diego are developing a COVID-19 vaccine using a plant virus, which can be easily manufactured and distributed globally. The team plans to create slow-release microneedle patches that patients can self-administer, reducing barriers to vaccination in resource-poor areas.
Researchers in Papua New Guinea have found evidence of early agriculture and trade routes dating back to 5050-4200 years ago. This discovery challenges previous assumptions of the Neolithic period and sheds light on the development of cultural diversity in the region.
Researchers found higher levels of pharmaceutical industry-related substances in wastewater from a manufacturing site compared to domestic wastewater treatment plants. The team detected 25 compounds, including antidepressants and opioids, in treated water samples from both facilities, with peak levels in the industrial wastewater sample.
A US Department of Energy-backed robotic system has successfully identified the source of nuclear radiation and verified if it was shielded. The 'inspector bot' could be part of a swarm to inspect facilities like gas centrifuge enrichment plants, detect undeclared uranium use, or verify disarmament treaties.
Researchers discovered 18 cases of severe silicosis and two fatalities among young Hispanic men working in engineered stone fabrication plants. The study suggests that hundreds or thousands of workers may be at risk due to the material's high silica content, posing significant health concerns.
Prof. Matthias Althoff's IMPROV system allows robots to assemble and customize themselves using various components, reducing costs and increasing safety. The system uses a built-in chip that enables self-programming and automatic awareness of its surroundings, enabling robots to avoid human contact and optimize tasks.
Essential oils and aqueous plant extracts inhibit Aspergillus growth and aflatoxin biosynthesis, offering potential solutions to prevent food contamination. Standardization of extraction procedures and further study on active compounds are necessary to ensure safe use in food products.
A new simulator, GRFICS, allows users to play the roles of attackers and defenders in a virtual chemical processing plant. The system helps operators learn to detect attacks and respond appropriately, reducing vulnerabilities in industrial control systems.
A team of researchers has discovered that plants' daily cycle of heat resistance is triggered by light exposure and involves chloroplast signalling. This finding could lead to the development of crops that can withstand increasingly hot temperatures and more frequent heatwaves under climate change.
A new study has revealed extensive lead contamination at recycling plants in seven African countries, with levels up to 48,000 ppm. The contamination poses significant health risks to nearby communities and children, highlighting the need for stricter regulations and emissions control measures.
A new study found that rotating FDA inspectors can reduce medical device recall rates by 20%, resulting in 100 fewer recalls per year. The study analyzed 4,767 inspection outcomes and 2,863 recalls, finding increased risk of future recalls with repeated inspections.
A seven-year review found that more frequent rotation of plant inspectors at medical device manufacturing facilities leads to fewer product recalls. The study suggests that rotating investigators reduces the risk of recalls by 21-57% depending on the number of visits, providing an objective assessment of a plant's quality.
A study by Aalto University researchers reveals that companies' supplier integration practices are more similar due to environmental factors than strategic objectives. The similarity in practices is attributed to benchmarking and copying of similar organizations, rather than conscious comparison.
A new study from the University of Texas at Dallas examines why and how multinational enterprises decide to expand globally. It finds that moderate levels of institutional diversity in a region attract the highest amount of internationalization, while larger numbers of countries within the region reduce this process.
Researchers at the University of York discovered a 'chemical factory' in plant glandular trichomes that can produce toxic chemicals without protein intervention. This process could enable commercial production of various products, including anti-malarial drugs, natural sweeteners, and compounds for food crop production.
Researchers have successfully engineered tobacco plants to manufacture therapeutic levels of artemisinin, a plant-derived compound used to treat malaria. The breakthrough could lead to cost-effective delivery methods, such as freeze-dried lettuce powder, to make the drug more accessible to those in need.
A new paper by University of Illinois expert Andrew Weaver finds that only 16-25% of US manufacturing establishments struggle with skilled worker shortages. The study reveals that reading skills and cluster membership are key predictors of long-term vacancies, contrary to the notion of a severe math and science shortage.
McMaster engineers are working with Aevitas to create cost-effective and faster treatment solutions for biocides in industrial wastewater. The partnership aims to reduce biocide usage and protect the environment, with a goal of improving treated wastewater quality.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a device fingerprinting technique to identify legitimate signals in electrical grid control networks. The approach uses unique physical properties of devices to differentiate between genuine and spoofed signals, improving the security of critical infrastructure networks.
A study found that using overtime and increasing factory-installed options are positively associated with manufacturing-related recalls. The economic cost of extremely high factory utilization translates into a recall cost of $167 million over seven years.
The concentrations of Dechlorane Plus were found to decrease with increasing distance from the plant, with anti-DP being the predominant isomer. The results suggest that DP production activities release DP to the environment around the plant.
Researchers at UC Davis aim to produce Zmapp, an Ebola cocktail of antibodies, using plant cells grown in bioreactors instead of whole plants. This could enable rapid production and increase capacity for biotech companies.
Researchers at Fraunhofer Institute have developed a method to simulate product design, manufacturing, and testing on computers, allowing for simultaneous planning and building of products and production plants. This enables small and medium-sized companies to reduce development time and costs, while improving design quality.
Scientists have mapped out the biochemical pathway responsible for manufacturing glycoalkaloids in plants, which are toxic substances found in potatoes and other edible plants. The research could facilitate breeding of toxin-free crops and development of new crop varieties.
A new MIT-led lifecycle assessment found that more than two-thirds of a running shoe's carbon impact can come from manufacturing processes. The researchers identified hotspots of greenhouse-gas emissions in the production of small, lightweight parts such as soles and found ways to reduce waste by recycling scraps and streamlining assem...