Articles tagged with Manufacturing
A new digital fabrication technique enables the construction of mortar-less brick building assemblies at greater scales using 3D-printed ceramic PolyBricks. The PolyBrick system allows for customized, prefabricated ceramic building blocks to interlock and assemble easily into larger units.
Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have developed a new and efficient approach to 3D metal parts using selective laser melting. They used simple simulations and experiments to identify optimal parameters for high-density metal parts, which can be used to certify properties of metal parts built using SLM.
Bacteria have been found to use new mechanisms to produce lipids, which can be used for industrial manufacture and pharmaceutical applications. Researchers have identified enzymes that can generate multiple different lipids, including phosphatidylethanolamine and cardiolipin.
Researchers at Oregon State University have successfully produced high-quality nanoparticles using microwave-assisted heating in a continuous flow reactor. This technology has the potential to revolutionize electronics manufacturing by reducing costs and improving performance.
A new supersonic spray system produces a smooth, defect-free graphene layer by dispersing and restructuring graphene flakes. This method enables the production of high-quality graphene on various substrates without post-treatment or introducing defects.
The University of Rochester's Center for Emerging and Innovative Sciences will lead the development of a national roadmap for photonics manufacturing. The initiative aims to address critical gaps and strengthen the US's share in global photonics manufacturing, which has dropped to less than 10%.
Researchers at EMPA have developed a water-based method for applying transparent conductive oxide (TCO) films, reducing energy consumption and costs. The new process uses molecular self-organisation to grow the TCO film without high-temperature thermal treatment.
An international group of scientists led by Heidi Kreibich has proposed a new integrated cost assessment cycle for managing natural hazards. This approach aims to improve the early detection of inefficient risk mitigation strategies and enable more efficient decision-making.
The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded AltaSim Technologies nearly $150,000 to further develop additive manufacturing technologies through its Small Business Innovation Research program. The award boosts momentum for the AweSim initiative, a public-private partnership aiming to increase industrial use of modeling and simulation.
Engineers at UC San Diego have created new ceramic materials that can store hydrogen safely and efficiently. The compounds are manufactured using a simple, low-cost combustion synthesis method, reducing production time and cost compared to traditional methods.
Researchers at the University of Southampton are creating a hybrid technology that uses electronic components as chemical sensors on printed circuit boards to provide instant diagnosis. This device could replace traditional diagnostic methods, which are lengthy and costly, allowing for continuous monitoring of disease progression.
Scientists at the University of Nottingham have developed a new substance to simplify stem cell manufacturing, enabling mass-production of complex living materials. The innovation allows for both self-renewal and differentiation in a single step process, with implications for regenerative medicine.
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.
Researchers at Fraunhofer Institute develop new technologies to conserve energy and resources in manufacturing processes, including a mobile environment monitoring box and smart devices. Pilot applications will be tested in four locations by 2016 to raise awareness of sustainable production issues.
A UBC study shows corporate leaders rush into new innovations without scrutiny, leading to inferior products and tragic consequences like the DC-10 airline disasters. The authors warn that history may repeat itself as Boeing's 787 Dreamliner faces competition from Airbus.
The Technology Performance Exchange (TPEx) helps manufacturers and consumers exchange information on building-related products' energy performance. This enables apples-to-apples comparisons of products, supporting the deployment of high-impact technologies.
Researchers at Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics ITWM developed an interactive driving simulator to analyze realistic human-vehicle interaction. The facility features a real vehicle interior, robotic system, and motion cueing algorithms to match visual input with driver behavior.
Researchers at Fraunhofer Institute for Secure Information Technology SIT showcase security tools to protect manufacturing data from unauthorized access. The software application encrypts data as it emerges, ensuring only licensed actions are executed.
Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute have developed a method to manufacture large objects using a fully degradable bioplastic isolated from shrimp shells. The bioplastic exhibits properties similar to synthetic plastics, but without environmental threats.
Volume 16 of the Wakefield Court Rolls series edited by Dr John A. Hargreaves details proceedings from 1812 to 1813, showing how the textile industry continued to thrive despite Luddite attacks and economic hardship. The volume includes transcripts of wills, revealing new information on women's rights and property deals.
The WPI Metal Processing Institute will contribute its expertise in lightweight metal casting and heat treatment to a new $148 million national manufacturing initiative. The initiative aims to create over 10,000 new metals manufacturing jobs and spur innovative research and development in lightweight metals processing.
The University of Tennessee at Knoxville is leading a national research effort focused on developing new lightweight materials for fuel-efficient cars and aircraft. The initiative aims to improve vehicle performance, safety, and energy efficiency by reducing material weight while maintaining strength.
The new journal will address key issues in policy, law, intellectual property, safety, and liability, among others. It aims to facilitate collaboration across disciplines to drive innovation and industrial competitiveness.
Researchers at Oregon State University created a new approach to sustainable manufacturing that incorporates the human component, addressing economic, environmental, and social impacts. The method considers various facets of sustainability, including energy usage, materials, worker safety, and satisfaction, to create a holistic process.
Researchers demonstrate low-power photonic devices fabricated using standard chip-making processes, achieving energy efficiencies competitive with electronics. The advancements enable the commercialization of photonic technology, accelerating its adoption in computing and communication applications.
Research published in Acupuncture in Medicine found that widely used acupuncture needles have significant surface irregularities and inconsistencies, which could lead to painful reactions, bleeding, or bruising. The study calls for manufacturers to review and improve their quality control procedures for needle fabrication.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University are converting the laser hot-wire welding process into a high-output 3D additive manufacturing process with partners Lincoln Electric and other industry leaders.
NASA is exploring the potential of additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, to create customized spacecraft and instrument components. The agency has launched several formal programs to prototype new tools using this emerging technology.
Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute are investigating ways for robots to work alongside humans in settings like manufacturing plants and elderly homes. They aim to develop algorithms that enable robots to collaborate with people on tasks, enhancing productivity without compromising safety.
A study by Alexandra Kalev found that corporate downsizing negatively impacts managerial diversity, particularly for white women and blacks, but performance-based layoffs mitigate this effect. The research also highlights the importance of internal legal counsel in promoting diversity during downsizing.
The Next Generation Power Electronics Innovation Institute aims to create new jobs and boost the nation's manufacturing industry. ASU researchers will focus on developing gallium nitride-based power electronic devices for energy-efficient power conversion and Silicon Carbide-based materials for medium voltage high power converters.
The emerging class of ADCs holds great promise in cancer treatment, with two approved drugs expected to be blockbusters and over 100 more in preclinical pipeline. Challenges in manufacturing are being addressed by contract manufacturers expanding capacity.
A study by UC Irvine and other researchers found that Chinese air pollution affects the American West Coast, particularly Los Angeles. The pollution is caused by the manufacturing of goods for export, leading to an extra day of smog exceeding federal limits each year.
A new research suggests that developing relationships between companies, suppliers, and raw material suppliers can lead to significant cost savings and improved designs. By creating a sourcing hub, firms can simplify their supply chains and gain access to better advice on raw material selection.
Professor Paul Scott has been awarded an EPSRC Fellowship in Manufacturing with a £900,000 funding award. He will investigate ways of ensuring greater geometrical accuracy during manufacturing using computational geometry and develop new algorithms.
The final three of 18 primary mirrors for the James Webb Space Telescope have arrived at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. The mirrors, built by Ball Aerospace, will form a 6.5-meter-diameter primary mirror when integrated with a stable structure.
A new low-cost 3D printer developed by Michigan Technological University's Joshua Pearce can lay down thin layers of steel to form complex geometric objects. The printer is less expensive than commercial metal printers and is affordable enough for home use, but requires more safety gear and fire protection equipment.
The NREL Electric Calcium Test (e-Ca) detects infinitesimally small amounts of moisture, making it 100 to 1,000 times more sensitive than other commercial tests. The test can detect water vapor transmission rates as low as one ten-millionth of a gram per square meter per day.
Researchers at USC Viterbi School of Engineering have developed a new 3D printing process that can fabricate heterogeneous objects in minutes, not hours. This breakthrough enables the creation of complex prototypes with multiple materials, such as dental and robotics models, more efficiently and cost-effectively.
Scientists at Empa have developed a new manufacturing technique for high-efficiency CIGS solar cells, achieving a record-breaking energy conversion rate of 20.4%. This improvement enables CIGS cells to compete with polycrystalline silicon cells, marking a significant advancement in the field.
Case Western Reserve University researchers aim to develop processes that can be used by industry to manufacture Janus particles, which could carry paired medicines or provide unique optics for displays. The engineers focus on creating high-yield nanomanufacturing with simple processes.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a platform to study the aqueous chemistry of aluminum, a crucial metal for human civilization. This breakthrough has the potential to unlock significant advances in electronics, manufacturing, agriculture, and drinking water treatment.
Researchers at NIST developed a novel method for measuring laser power by reflecting light off a mirrored scale, simplifying calibration and enabling on-site measurements. The technique enables accurate and fast measurement of high-power lasers with reduced costs.
The Consumer's Guide to Minerals explores minerals' diverse uses in scientific research, manufacturing, medicine, and commercial applications. The digital publication provides a comprehensive reference for professionals and students in the fields of applied science, geology, and economics.
Dr. Ellery Frahm's study challenges a widely held theory, suggesting ancient Syrians produced their own obsidian tools locally rather than importing from Turkey. This finding has implications for understanding how early cities developed and the geographic origins of raw materials.
The Deshpande Center is awarding grants to researchers developing innovative technologies in disease monitoring, cancer treatment, water desalination, and digital printing. The project focuses on developing proof-of-concept explorations and validation for emerging technologies with a potential impact on quality of life.
A study by Michigan Technological University finds that making products on a 3D printer uses less energy than producing them in factories and shipping them. The analysis also shows that using renewable resources like PLA plastic can further reduce environmental impact.
A new report from NREL and MIT reveals that China's dominance in solar manufacturing is largely due to its production scale advantages, including access to capital and supply chain benefits. The study suggests that these advantages can be replicated in the US with innovative technology and scale-up.
A new study by the American Chemical Society found that state e-waste recycling bans have been largely ineffective in reducing electronic waste disposal. However, providing more information to women and older people could increase the effectiveness of these bans and recycling programs.
A UT Arlington engineer has received a $142,223 National Science Foundation grant to develop a system that uses complex data analysis to ensure consistency in various manufacturing processes. By examining this data, researchers can identify irregularities and help manufacturers adjust their variables for more consistent systems.
A study reveals that China's dominance in solar panel manufacturing is driven by larger-scale production and supply-chain benefits, not just cheaper labor. Future innovations in crystalline solar cell technology may help equalize prices by enhancing access to materials and expanding manufacturing scale across regions.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have developed a new method for creating inexpensive and easily manufactured nanoparticle-based solar cells using phosphorus and zinc. The team's innovative approach could make solar power more accessible to off-grid communities and reduce costs by up to half.
Researchers develop a lightweight structure made of tiny blocks that can be snapped together like bricks, revolutionizing the assembly of airplanes, spacecraft, and larger structures. The new material is 10 times stiffer for a given weight than existing ultralight materials and can be easily disassembled and reassembled.
Researchers will develop biomimetic materials with self-replicating and evolving properties using DNA-guided self-assembly and origami folding. The goal is to create self-replicating 3D arrays with potential applications in advanced materials, biofuels, and industrial products.
A Michigan Technological University researcher predicts that personal manufacturing with 3D printing will enter the mainstream, offering consumers significant cost savings. The study analyzed 20 common household items and found that making them with a 3D printer could save up to $1,944 compared to buying them online.
Michael Donauer developed a tool to identify causes of nonconformities in mass production environments, focusing on data usage and processing challenges. His work is an example of interdisciplinary approaches contributing to both academia and industry.
Researchers have discovered a champion nano-structured iron oxide structure that can produce solar hydrogen with high efficiency. The discovery, published in Nature Materials, aims to reduce the production cost of hydrogen from €15 per kilo to €5.
Researchers at Advanced Diamond Technologies successfully created thin films of boron-doped diamond at low temperatures, potentially enabling a wider range of applications for electronic devices. The new method expands the possibilities for depositing high-quality diamond coatings without damaging sensitive electronics.
The €3.9M HARCO project, backed by the European Commission, has successfully developed equipment to reduce vibration levels on machine tools, improving product accuracy and reducing costs.
A team of researchers led by Gupreet Singh has devised a method to assemble self-assembled copolymer block films with nanostructures, enabling multiple functions and flexibility on a macroscale level. The films can be embedded with nanoparticles for various applications, including data storage and water purification.