Articles tagged with Manufacturing
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.
Researchers explore applying additive manufacturing techniques to aero engine market, reducing environmental costs and fuel consumption. The project aims to demonstrate the potential of metal components laser-based additive manufacturing to contribute to the reduction of air transport environmental impact.
The global spread of asbestos is a pressing concern, with over 50 countries banning the substance due to its deadly health risks. India and the US remain among the largest producers and importers of asbestos, contributing to the ongoing challenge to global health.
Researchers have invented a new way to spray solar cells onto flexible surfaces using colloidal quantum dots, improving efficiency and making it easier to manufacture. The spray-on solar cell technology has the potential to power three 100-Watt light bulbs or 24 compact fluorescents on a surface as large as a car roof.
A new method to produce lactic acid from glycerol, a waste feedstock, has been introduced, reducing CO2 emission by 30% compared to conventional fermentation. The process also lowers production costs, increasing the potential profit by 17-fold.
The Office of Naval Research has developed an automated process to make F-35 canopies, saving $125 million over the life of the program. The new method uses a control system with cameras to ensure uniform shape formation and eliminates worker exposure to hot ovens.
Nanoporous metals with superior qualities have numerous applications due to their high surface area for electron transfer and increased sites for analyte adsorption. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory researchers developed a cost-effective method to manufacture nanoporous metals over various scales, from nanoscale to macroscale.
Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a new production technology and material to manufacture tiny actuators that can swim through liquids. The actuators have helical shapes, are magnetic, and possess shape-independent magnetic properties.
A new study by the University of British Columbia's Sauder School of Business finds that Western retailers like Walmart enhance Chinese suppliers' export capabilities through improved productivity, efficiency, and quality. The study reveals a significant boost in exports from Chinese cities when foreign retail outlets increase.
Researchers at UC San Diego invented a new method of lithography using self-propelled nanorobots to create complex surface patterns on devices. The technology provides a framework for autonomous writing of nanopatterns at a fraction of the cost and difficulty of current state-of-the-art methods.
Researchers at RIKEN have developed a method to manufacture highly symmetric, three-dimensional metamaterials with isotropic optical responses. The team created a large metamaterial, up to 4 mm x 4 mm2 in size, using a combination of top-down electron lithography and bottom-up self-folding mechanism.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have demonstrated a novel additive manufacturing method that controls the microstructure of metal components with unprecedented precision. This innovation holds significant potential for engineering, design, and energy-efficient transportation applications.
Researchers created a nano-optical sensor to detect trace levels of lung infection in breath, aiming for commercial availability. The device could also monitor environmental conditions.
Researchers have made significant advancements in additive manufacturing using laser solid forming (LSF) to produce high-performance metallic components. The LSF technique allows for the direct fabrication of metallic components with excellent mechanical properties similar to those produced by casting or forging.
Researchers develop a new liquid-phase 3D printing technique that allows for the rapid manufacturing of conductive metal objects with a low melting point alloy ink. The process prevents oxidation and offers advantages over conventional methods, including high speed and flexibility in controlling temperature and flow fields.
Researchers from the University of Southampton's Optoelectronics Research Centre have grown a new material, molybdenum di-sulphide (MoS2), with properties similar to graphene. This development expands the potential applications of MoS2 for nanoelectronic and optoelectronic devices.
Engineers at the University of Pittsburgh's Swanson School of Engineering are proposing enhanced modeling and simulation technology and new qualification standards for additive manufacturing. The research aims to improve quality and product integrity while reducing manufacturing time and costs.
A team of researchers has developed a novel capability to simulate extreme turbine engine conditions, allowing scientists to study the microstructure and internal strain in coated test blades during real operating conditions. This breakthrough could lead to improved material lifespan estimates and coatings for energy-efficient turbines.
Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute are developing a novel way to manufacture metal-ceramic composites for use in vehicles. The new technique involves the formation of nano-reinforcements directly within the molten metal, resulting in less expensive and more flexible materials.
The new epitaxial system produces up to 500 wafers per hour, reducing wafer cost to 13 cents per watt and potentially making solar energy more competitive with fossil fuels. The technology has the potential to create American jobs and stem the flow of solar cell manufacturing overseas.
Researchers at UT Arlington have developed a scalable data-mining framework that can help manufacturers quickly discover desired materials. The framework, which uses genomic data, aims to reduce the time it takes for materials to go from discovery to market.
A Yale School of Environment special issue examines life cycle engineering for a more sustainable manufacturing sector. The study finds that product design and maintenance can significantly reduce environmental impact.
Researchers found that while blue-collar workers in male-dominated occupations are more likely to be laid off, frontline healthcare jobs offer better pay and stability. Men without a college degree may benefit from entering these high-growth, technically-advanced positions.