Articles tagged with Manufacturing
Researchers use high-energy synchrotron X-rays to analyze cast iron structure, revealing insights into its mechanical and thermal properties. This technology enables the development of high-performance materials for fuel-efficient engines and engine parts.
The US forest products market share has declined from 28% in 1999 to 17% in 2013, mainly due to decreases in construction and paper manufacturing. However, a return to long-term housing market averages could bring the demand for wood as a construction material back up.
Researchers at Oregon State University have discovered a fundamental flaw in the physics of photonic sintering, leading to improved product quality and process efficiency. The new understanding allows for high-quality products to be created at much lower temperatures, twice as fast and with 10 times more energy efficiency.
Hiroshima University researchers develop a new technique to prevent 'springback' in press-forming high-strength steel, a common problem that causes defects and environmental concerns. By eliminating this issue, they enable the mass production of lightweight cars with reduced emissions.
The UK has announced a £20 million investment for two manufacturing research Hubs, addressing key challenges and seizing opportunities in the sector. The Hubs will focus on commercializing early-stage research in engineering and physical sciences, with potential impacts on industries such as automotive and healthcare.
Researchers at San Diego State University have discovered a new phenomenon in materials science using puffed rice cereal. They found that highly porous, brittle materials can deform differently depending on compaction velocity, with three distinct deformation patterns emerging at low, medium, and high velocities.
NASA engineers have developed a new mirror technology that can take almost any shape, reducing package size and improving image quality. This 'freeform optics' technology is ideal for compact telescopes on small satellites and CubeSats.
A former FDA principal deputy commissioner proposes a solution to the dietary supplement regulation gridlock by focusing on improving safety rather than efficacy. The proposed framework includes pre-market registration, clearer disclaimers, and better standards for identifying substances to protect consumers from unsafe products.
Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a new fabrication process that cuts the time needed to make high-tech flexible sensors in half. The new process uses a peel-and-stick medium and allows for mass-market manufacturing, making it possible to monitor vital signs and brain activity more easily.
The Rutgers-led research team will develop systems and regulations for continuous manufacturing, increasing quality, safety, efficiency, cost and speed to market. Biocompatible polymer films are seen as a promising alternative to traditional tablets.
A new technique can help record better images of ultrafast phenomena by compressing narrow electron pulses to a billionth of a billionth of a second. This allows scientists to observe real-time molecular interactions and material structure changes in chemical reactions.
Oregon State University researchers developed a new methodology to consider economic, environmental and social impacts of manufacturing processes. The approach uses unit process modeling and life-cycle inventory to analyze factors such as energy consumption, water use, and occupational health and safety.
Researchers explore ways to expand and ease access to manufacturing services through web-based operating systems and apps. They aim to create interoperable, reliable, and secure cybermanufacturing systems that enable easy access and simplify design and manufacturing processes.
A team of researchers at the University of Texas at Austin has invented a method for producing inexpensive and high-performing wearable patches that can continuously monitor vital signs. The breakthrough reduces manufacturing time from days to just 20 minutes, enabling mass production of epidermal electronics.
Researchers link Chinese-made goods to higher CO2 emissions due to antiquated manufacturing processes and coal reliance. Developed countries can alleviate carbon pollution by improving manufacturing in China's most polluting regions.
The University of Texas at El Paso has received a $2.1 million grant to develop an all-in-one 3D printer capable of printing industry-quality parts and assembling metals and electronics. The new printer will resolve current limitations by printing multiple materials simultaneously, reducing assembly time and costs.
Research emphasizes that lean efforts must consider health and safety regulations to maintain quality and productivity without compromising employee well-being. The lean philosophy aims to minimize waste, including non-value adding activities that result in accidents and employee compensation.
RIT is part of a consortium awarded a federal grant to create a research center for employing flexible electronics in manufacturing. The institute will be managed by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory and focus on high-performance print systems, engineering processes, and materials development.
A new study proposes open source tools can reduce research costs by redirecting funding to upgradeable equipment, improving performance and grant competition outcomes. The technology has already shown promise with customizable syringe pumps that match high-end performance, potentially yielding significant returns on investment.
Cohen and Small's groundbreaking research on hypsographic demography has led to significant benefits in society. Their global model of human population distribution by altitude has informed disaster preparedness, packaging design for food companies, and biomedical studies.
The university will conduct critical defense research, including designing and developing next-generation armor and high-velocity sprayed materials for military equipment. The $20.4 million agreement will support 30 research projects over three years.
Engineers at the University of Sheffield are working with the ITF to create a handheld device that measures friction on tennis courts. This will enable professional players to understand and adjust their sliding movements, giving them an edge over their opponents.
Researchers have developed a new method to manufacture hybrid glasses using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), enabling industrial-scale carbon capture and storage. The technique allows for the production of 'designer glasses' with applications in advanced photonics.
A Florida State University engineer has developed a highly efficient and low-cost LED technology using organic and inorganic materials. The new material requires only one layer to create the desired product or effect, making it simpler to manufacture than existing products.
A new additive manufacturing technique prints molten glass at high temperatures to produce strong, optically transparent glass objects. The modular printer allows for customization of the printed glass parts, opening up opportunities for high-value applications in industries such as aerospace.
The Louisiana Tech University will contribute to a $20 million NSF grant focused on multi-scale replication and forming technologies, as well as adaptive manufacturing of small numbers of application-specific structures using laser-based 3D printing. The university's faculty and infrastructure will support the success of this project.
The new technology uses a continuous flow chemical reactor and microwave heating to produce nanoparticles that emit light with precise color control. This could lead to improved LED lighting systems with reduced waste and toxicity, cutting the nation's lighting bill in half.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum have successfully manufactured biocatalysts suitable for industrial applications by harnessing the power of cyanobacteria's photosynthesis. The production process uses carbon dioxide and water as source materials, eliminating the need for mineral oil-based resources.
Faculty from LSU and its partner universities will lead research efforts in advanced manufacturing technologies, including 3-D metal printing and multi-scale metal forming. The $20 million NSF grant will support the development of a national consortium promoting innovation and workforce development.
The Integrated Photonics Institute for Manufacturing Innovation aims to stimulate new investment and industrial growth based on photonics technology. UC Davis' Center for Nano and Micro Manufacturing will play a major role in the West Coast hub of the institute.
Scientists at Purdue University have made a groundbreaking discovery by finding that metal can be deformed into folds while being cut, contrary to long-held assumptions. The team found that suppressing this folding behavior can reduce cutting force by up to 50%, leading to faster and more efficient machining with improved surface quality.
The use of 3D printers is expected to transform the food industry by enabling mass production of customized foods and speeding up delivery. Companies like PepsiCo are already utilizing 3D printing technology in non-food applications, while researchers explore its potential for producing nutrient-dense meals tailored to individual needs.
A team of Harvard scientists has developed a durable, soft-bodied jumping robot by seamlessly integrating rigid and soft body parts. The robot's unique design uses a gradient material strategy to reduce stress concentrations, making it extremely durable and safe for human operation.
Researchers at the University of California - San Diego have created a 3D-printed robot with a soft exterior and rigid core, enabling over 30 untethered jumps. The robot's design combines nature-inspired materials to achieve improved agility and robustness for safe human interaction.
A new survey of over 2,000 U.S. adults found that nearly 90% recognize the role of calcium and vitamin D supplements in supporting bone health when dietary intake is insufficient. Consumers also understand that multivitamins should not replace healthy eating habits.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed segmented, screw-like spikes to improve material bonding in industrial coatings and 3-D printing. The new structure, mimicking marine sponge spines, offers a stronger internal structure lasting longer than previous approaches.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have successfully printed and dried three-dimensional objects made entirely from cellulose for the first time, competing with fossil-based plastics and metals. The breakthrough uses a 3D bioprinter to create electrically conductive materials with carbon nanotubes.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a new type of gripper that mimics the gecko's ability to grip and release surfaces. The gripper uses a composite structure with a hard plastic core and softer silicone rubber shell, allowing for tunable adhesion.
The University of Cincinnati has developed a patent-pending breakthrough in 'tunable' window tintings that can dynamically adapt to brightness, color temperatures, and opacity. This technology allows for simultaneous control of brightness and color temperature, providing options for adjusting light entry while maintaining privacy.
The University of Sheffield's new machine will build parts up to three times larger and 100 times faster than current machines, enabling serious production of volumes over one million. This technology, called high-speed sintering (HSS), selectively fuses polymer powder layer by layer using infra-red-absorbing ink.
A Northwestern University team has confirmed a new way to help the airline industry save dollars while also saving the environment. By manufacturing aircraft's metal parts with 3-D printing, airlines could save a significant amount of fuel, materials, and other resources.
The University of Georgia has developed a new, affordable way to create nanofibers by using magnetospinning. This process allows the production of high-quality nanofibers with various materials embedded within them, such as live cells, drugs, and proteins.
Janssen Supply Chain has expanded its collaboration with Rutgers University School of Engineering, providing $6 million in funding to support the development of continuous manufacturing techniques. The partnership aims to help create the future of advanced manufacturing and improve efficiency, safety, cost, and speed to market for phar...
The University of Houston will lead an Advanced Superconductor Manufacturing Institute to develop low-cost, high-performance superconductors. The consortium aims to address technical obstacles and integrate the technology into existing infrastructure.
Researchers identify Vikings visiting Ribe, Denmark's west coast, as early as 725 AD, suggesting a less violent start to the Viking Age. This discovery challenges traditional narratives of the Viking Age as a period of violent expansion and highlights the importance of trade and maritime mobility.
Researchers have developed a new type of 4D printing material that can transform into different shapes in response to water or heat. The technology has the potential to revolutionize fields such as medicine and construction, with applications including soft robotics and autonomous valves.
The NREL has released updated guidelines for PV manufacturer quality assurance to ensure reliable performance of solar technologies. The guidelines, developed by an international task force, aim to maintain investor, utility, and consumer confidence in PV system performance.
The International PV Quality Assurance Task Force (PVQAT) aims to develop standards for PV module reliability, addressing climate zones and mounting configurations. Data from 50,000 solar systems shows a low failure rate of just 0.1% per year.
Aerospace engineers at MIT have developed a carbon nanotube film that can heat and solidify composites without massive ovens, using only 1% of the energy. The technique has been tested on common carbon-fiber materials and found to produce composites with similar properties as traditionally manufactured materials.
Researchers develop robotic materials that can sense their environment and change their properties in response. Inspired by nature, these materials aim to create prosthetics, self-healing bridges, and adaptive vehicles. However, manufacturing techniques remain a challenge, and an education gap must be addressed.
Researchers at Caltech have developed a method to produce high-mobility graphene in a single step at lower temperatures, resulting in fewer defects and improved electrical properties. The new technique has the potential to pave the way for commercially feasible graphene-based solar cells and electronics.
The National Nanotechnology Initiative has published a report on the commercialization of carbon nanotubes, outlining common themes and potential future research priorities. The report identifies the need for increased efforts in manufacturing, quality control, and scale-up to produce CNT-based bulk materials with improved properties.
Scientists at NIST have developed a new approach to measure X-ray angles with greater precision, reducing errors by three times. This improvement will enable better understanding of newly designed materials and their properties.
The University of Texas at Arlington's Technology Manufacturing and Advanced Materials Center (TMAC) has received a $6.7 million federal award to support small and mid-sized manufacturers in the state. The funding will be matched with customer fees to provide services such as network of field engineers, consultants, and experts.
Researchers have developed compounds that can be applied as a liquid or paste to join two pieces of a semiconductor by heating them to several hundred degrees Celsius, creating seamless joints. This breakthrough technology has diverse applications in industries such as printable electronics, 3-D printing, and solar cells.
The University of Texas at Arlington has received a $298,770 grant to purchase a micro-optics assembly and characterization system. The equipment will enable researchers to conduct more accurate nanoscale-related research and manufacturing, including integrating electronic devices with nanotechnology and photonics.
A new study from Monash University and RMIT investigated the application of Lean Six Sigma in a hospital emergency department. The researchers found that introducing these methods can help streamline processes, improve costs, and enhance patient discharge processes.
A study found that organizational forgetting affects 16% of quality gains from autonomous learning and 13% of targeted quality improvement efforts. Firms must continually improve while also acknowledging the erosion of knowledge over time.
Researchers have developed chitosan-based coatings to reduce the microbial load of carrots, providing a biodegradable and sustainable solution for food packaging. The use of this material has shown promising results in laboratory tests, but further research is needed to explore its industrial potential.
Seventeen universities and industry partners will receive £32.1 million in funding to develop new materials and technologies, including wearable technology, solar cells, and advanced nanotube applications. The projects aim to accelerate the translation of functional materials science to application and drive economic growth.