Articles tagged with Manufacturing
The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center has announced a significant investment of over $100 million in grants for life-sciences-related capital projects in western Massachusetts. This investment will support the growth of the state's life sciences supercluster and enhance the University of Massachusetts Amherst's ability to drive econom...
A new method using Petri nets simplifies supervisor control for automated manufacturing systems, reducing deadlocks and improving system throughput. NJIT professor Mengchu Zhou's research proposes removing dependent inequalities to minimize computerized supervisory control time, providing a more efficient solution.
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...
A £1 million project aims to design and build a reactor vessel that safely uses oxygen in manufacturing processes. This would enable compounds to be oxidised effectively while producing only water as a by-product, reducing toxicity and waste.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new technique to detect flaws in lithium-ion batteries during manufacturing, including uneven coating and thickness variations. The 'flash thermography measurement' method uses heat and thermal imaging to quickly identify defects, which can impact battery life and reliability.
A University of Texas at Arlington aerospace engineer is developing diagnostic and predictive tools to aid aircraft manufacturers in analyzing composite structures. The work integrates design and manufacturing processes to advance the performance of composite materials, improving safety, speed, and reliability.
Researchers at the University of Granada have developed a self-compacting concrete using ash from olive pruning residue pellets, reducing time and costs. The new concrete has a higher compression strength than conventional concrete without requiring additional filler materials.
Researchers from the University of Illinois found that using common components can reduce product line cannibalization, allowing firms to redesign their product lines and improve profits. This challenges traditional marketing wisdom that differentiation is key.
Scientists find that altering the structure and assembly of cellulose can make it more easily broken down, leading to more efficient biofuel production. By modifying the synthesis process, plants can produce cellulose with fewer structured bundles, reducing the need for time- and energy-intensive industrial processes.
A UC Riverside engineer is exploring a nearly century-old manufacturing technique to strengthen tiny titanium-based medical devices, which could lead to significant improvements in their performance and reliability. The technique, known as gas nitriding, involves heating the device in a nitrogen atmosphere to increase its strength.
A new study from St. Michael's Hospital found that dietary supplements accounted for more than half of the Class 1 drugs recalled by the US Food and Drug Administration between 2004-12. The majority of these recalls were for bodybuilding, weight loss, or sexual enhancement products containing unapproved medicinal ingredients, including...
A study in Medical Care found that startup companies founded by physician entrepreneurs produce high-quality patents for class III medical devices. The researchers suggest that stricter policies on financial relationships between physicians and medical device manufacturers could slow innovation. This could have unintended consequences,...
Polycrystalline diamond is used to manufacture monolithic components for optical circuits, combining integrated optics with mechanical elements. The material's high refractive index, low absorption, and modulus of elasticity enable efficient photon transport and robustness.
The researchers designed nanostructured metamaterials that can control device performance across a range of frequencies. They achieved this by introducing nanonotches in the corners of the fishnet holes to create flexibility in independently controlling permittivity and permeability.
A new roadmap for robotics aims to maximize progress in the next decade. Robots have the potential to bring manufacturing jobs back to the US, improve logistics and reduce delivery costs, and make first responders safer.
A Concordia University study found that Canadian aerospace companies can adapt to the global pace by adopting a smaller-is-better approach and focusing on integrated low-cost differentiation strategies. The research suggests that companies should develop marketing plans to convince large global companies of the benefits of working with...
The collaboration aims to accelerate the translation of Organs-on-Chips from benchtop to marketplace, providing more predictive and useful measures of drug efficacy and safety in humans. The Wyss Institute has developed over ten Organs-on-Chips, including lung, heart, liver, kidney, bone marrow, and gut-on-a-chip technologies.
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University found that hospitals adopting Lean methodologies from Toyota and similar manufacturing approaches improved heart attack process of care measures, leading to lower 30-day mortality rates. However, no significant association with reduced readmission rates was observed.
The University of Nottingham has received two five-year research grants to develop next-gen 'smart' manufacturing systems that can adapt quickly to changes in product requirements and technology. These systems will enable self-repair, self-adaptation, and reconfiguration with low-cost maintenance.
The University of Nottingham will lead two innovative manufacturing centres, one in food production and the other in medical devices, with a focus on sustainable food production and cost-effective medical device manufacturing. The £45 million package of investment aims to drive growth and keep the UK ahead in the global race.
A Kaiser Permanente analysis found significant variation in vitamin D potency among supplements, with some products containing up to 146% more or less than listed values. The study suggests that consumers may not be getting the expected amount of vitamin D from their supplements.
The UK biopharmaceutical sector is set to receive £6.5M in funding for innovative projects, including industrial-scale production of antibodies and stem cell preservation at room temperature. The funding will support the development of new tools and methods for bioprocessing, which is crucial for developing new drugs.
The use of ecolabels in cleaning products is a topic of debate, with supporters arguing they inform consumers about product sustainability, while opponents claim they can be confusing. The American Chemical Society explores the pros and cons of these environmental certification seals in its latest cover story.
A University of Illinois study shows that retailers must balance the shopping process for consumers and pricing behavior of upstream suppliers through strategic manipulation of store layout. The findings suggest that making certain products convenient to consumers may not be the best retail strategy, as it can influence pricing behavio...
A study by Kevin D. Bradford and his team examined 28 thousand pages of court documents to understand how guns move from legal channels into the hands of criminals. They found that one percent of gun dealers are responsible for 45 to 60 percent of guns involved in crimes, highlighting the need for more vigilance over gun distribution.
NREL's Silicon Photovoltaic Wafer Screening System uses thermal stress to identify weak wafers that are prone to breaking during manufacturing. The system can be retrofitted into assembly lines and has already shown potential for reducing production costs and increasing efficiency.
Researchers have developed a new technology that uses laser and electric fields to create mini-centrifuge-like whirlpools to isolate microorganisms based on size. This technology has the potential to revolutionize lab-on-a-chip applications, including medical diagnostics and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
The study found that tobacco smuggling in Europe is lower than expected, with availability being the primary driver. Illicit tobacco was more common in countries bordering Ukraine and Russia, as well as those with lower prices for Marlboro packs.
Six Penn State faculty members have been named Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, including Peter Hudson, Soundar Kumara, Andrew Read, Nitin Samarth, Matthew Thomas, and Karl Zimmerer. They were recognized for their research in various fields, including wildlife disease ecology, interdisciplinary indust...
A €26.4 million European public-private partnership, led by the University of Manchester and GlaxoSmithKline, aims to create sustainable pharmaceuticals manufacturing processes using biotechnology. The CHEM21 project will establish a European research hub to develop training packages and provide information on green chemistry.
Researchers successfully produce intricate pieces using 3-D printing, which offers benefits over traditional manufacturing methods. The technology also enables easy sharing of designs, allowing for better replication of experiments and collaboration among soil scientists.
The Energy Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) has selected 66 cutting-edge research projects to receive $130 million in funding. These projects focus on transformational, breakthrough technologies that can produce game-changing breakthroughs in energy technology and have large commercial impacts.
The university will utilize new state-of-the-art equipment to develop applications such as smart sensors and biomedical devices. Researchers aim to transform the manufacturing industry through applied research, education, and industrial outreach.
A study by University of Missouri researchers found that American consumers place a high value on apparel produced entirely in the US, with a 42% increase in perceived value compared to similar products made overseas. This trend could be damaging to American apparel manufacturing businesses and the overall economy.
Virginia Tech researchers developed a computer-based system to analyze social media posts for vehicle defects, a first large-scale case study confirming the value of social media in vehicle quality management. The system can sift through millions of unrelated posts to identify useful information on safety and performance issues.
Researchers found that striped patterns formed by particles limit micro-patterned circuit size in electronics, reduce pharmaceutical effectiveness, and affect polymer manufacturing efficiency. The study reveals three distinct patterns of how particles 'stick' to surfaces, including stripe formation and clearing of surfaces.
Researchers applied 'lean' manufacturing principles to streamline stroke care at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, reducing treatment time from 60 minutes to 39 minutes. The streamlined process resulted in a 78% increase in patients receiving clot-busting agent tPA within one hour of arrival.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine applied Toyota's lean manufacturing process to improve stroke treatment times, reducing average door-to-needle time from 58 to 37 minutes. The new protocol eliminated inefficient steps and allowed for simultaneous patient care tasks.
The partnership will focus on measurement and characterization of nanomaterials for enhanced optical, electrical and mechanical properties. The research aims to kickstart advances in energy, healthcare, materials science and national security.
Case Western Reserve University researchers have won a $1.2 million grant to develop technology for mass-producing flexible electronic devices. The team aims to create flexible electronics that can be worn on the skin, foldable devices as thin as plastic wrap, and implantable nerve-stimulating electrodes.
Compounded drugs lack FDA approval and may result in serious adverse events, highlighting the need for cautious prescribing decisions. Physicians should prioritize FDA-approved products over non-standard alternatives.
A 'quality-by-design' mindset could improve dietary supplement safety, as it did in the automotive industry. Manufacturers must verify plant identities and follow good manufacturing practices to ensure product accuracy.
The biobased chemical industry is transitioning towards producing ingredients sold to companies making medicines, detergents, and plastics from basic compounds made from sugar. Six companies have already opened manufacturing plants or will soon, with plans for three more by next year.
A study by Michigan State University scholars suggests that CEOs who have three times as much prospective wealth as current wealth are more willing to take risks. Companies can influence CEO risk-taking behavior by issuing equity pay strategically, rather than relying on predetermined quantities.
A new report from DOE's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and N14 Energy Limited reveals LEDs are more environmentally friendly than CFLs and incandescent lights. The study found that as technology improves, LEDs will continue to gain an edge, with potential for a 50% reduction in environmental impacts within five years.
A study reveals that most electronic waste in Spain is uncontrolled, with only 2.55 kg out of 13.86 kg collected and processed correctly under the Integrated Waste Management System (SIG). The majority of manufacturers are not registered in the system, leading to significant payment evasion.
Nanoresonators, created by Purdue researchers, have the potential to improve cell phone performance by reducing congestion over the airwaves. The devices can filter out noise and allow signals to pass through more precisely, resulting in better call quality and faster downloads.
The iFAB Foundry aims to revolutionize the design and building process for complex defense systems by shortening development time by a factor of five. The project will provide near-instantaneous manufacturability feedback to designers, enabling flexible and programmable distributed production.
A new method, called laser shock-induced shaping, enables the tuning of nanowires by altering electrical and optoelectrical properties critical for electronic components and instruments. Graphene was also successfully shaped using this technique.
A multi-university team is developing techniques for creating two-dimensional materials that can fold themselves into three-dimensional structures when exposed to light. The research aims to advance understanding of photoresponsive materials with applications in electronics, manufacturing, and humanitarian relief.
The National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute (NAMII) is a new public-private partnership aiming to revitalize American manufacturing. The consortium, led by Penn State, will receive $30 million in federal funding and create an environment for education and training in advanced additive manufacturing skills.
Professor Mo Ehsani's new pipe consists of a central layer of lightweight plastic honeycomb and layers of resin-saturated carbon fiber fabric. This innovative design is stronger than conventional steel and concrete pipes, allowing for virtually infinite length sections with no joints.
Researchers will develop nanocomposites for medical implants that break down safely, replacing metal implants in bone surgery. The project tackles challenges in nanoparticle production, dispersion, degradation, and scaling up manufacture.
Iowa State University engineers are building a strong expertise in wind energy through various initiatives, including grants, research projects and partnerships. The goal is to increase wind energy production by at least 10 times over the next 18 years to reach 20% of electrical energy from wind by 2030.
Researchers at the University of Exeter have developed a new method for making three-dimensional aluminium composite parts using Selective Laser Manufacturing (SLM). This process produces strong, lightweight parts with innovative geometries, reducing weight and material usage.
The UK government has invested £6.5 million in 16 research and development projects to stimulate innovation in the manufacturing sector. The projects aim to develop new technologies that can create high value through novel processes, advanced product manufacture, resource efficiency and production techniques.
Researchers at MIT have developed an algorithm allowing robots to quickly learn an individual's preference for a task and adapt accordingly. This enables robots and humans to work side by side, improving productivity and efficiency in manufacturing plants.
The EPSRC has awarded five-year fellowships worth £1 million each to Drs Geoffrey Nash, Harish Bhaskaran, Ajoy Velayudhan, and Peter Foote to address the gap in UK manufacturing research. The fellowships aim to strengthen links between industry and academia, driving growth and innovation.
A Georgia Tech research team has developed a novel technology that allows for the direct digital casting of complex, costly metal parts. The new method, called Large Area Maskless Photopolymerization (LAMP), uses high-resolution optics and precision motion systems to achieve extremely sharp features, reducing prototype development time...
Researchers at the US Army Research Laboratory developed a novel processing technology that enabled commercial production of advanced Soldier head protection. The new helmets offer improved weight reduction and increased durability, with some models already fielded to Special Operations Forces.