Articles tagged with Manufacturing
A new study from the University of Chicago Press Journals reveals that consumers perceive price hikes differently for material goods and services. Consumers consider fair price increases when costs associated with production or provision increase, but not when service costs and vendor profits are linked.
The Australia-US Free Trade Agreement could lead to a decline in Australia's blood safety standards if plasma fractionation is opened up to overseas tender. The move could also affect products in other countries, including New Zealand, which may be forced into 'piggy-backing' with new arrangements.
A Georgia Tech and IBM research team achieved speeds of half a trillion cycles per second in commercial silicon-based technology using large wafers and low-cost manufacturing techniques. The devices operated at frequencies above 500 GHz at extremely low temperatures.
The Center for Responsible Nanotechnology has published a collection of essays from leading thinkers on the societal implications of molecular manufacturing, a form of advanced nanotechnology. The essays examine both the benefits and risks of this technology, which could revolutionize industries and impact nearly all aspects of society.
A National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) workshop has led to the creation of a shared framework for artificial intelligence in machines. This agreement enables machines to interpret commands with near human common sense, potentially transforming manufacturing processes.
A new method by University at Buffalo engineers calculates the expected cost of managerial neglect in processes with variability, such as supply chains. The model can help managers justify investments for improvement and save up to 50% in costs over three years.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has issued new quality standards for testing herbal products, focusing on the analysis of ephedra and potentially toxic heavy metals. These standards will aid in ensuring the accuracy of laboratory analyses and maintaining product safety.
The Center for Responsible Nanotechnology has brought together world-class experts to discuss the societal implications of nanotechnology. The group, known as the Global Task Force, aims to develop comprehensive recommendations for the safe and responsible use of molecular manufacturing, a form of advanced nanotechnology.
The university has created a five-stage ring oscillator, marking a significant milestone in the development of transparent electronics. The technology has been supported by major organizations and holds promise for applications in displays, cell phones, televisions, and more.
The Pennsylvania Nanofabrication Manufacturing Technology Partnership provides a flexible nanotechnology education program for students across the state, offering a capstone semester at Penn State's University Park campus. The program focuses on broadening the scope of nanotechnology applications and social, health, and environmental i...
A University of Florida engineer has designed a tiny, easy-to-manufacture motion sensor with potential applications in personal electronics, medical devices, and athletic monitoring. The sensor measures 3 square millimeters and is extremely sensitive, drawing minimal power.
The new standard offers greater uniformity in design, operation and arrangement of fire panels, as well as equipment specifications concerning wireless and remote applications. The standardization effort aims to make real-time information clearly and quickly available for processing, planning and response.
NIST develops a simulation program to analyze and optimize supply chain performance for small firms. The model identifies potential bottlenecks and enables data-driven decision-making to mitigate risks and reduce costs.
Researchers at Duke University used DNA self-assembly to mass-produce grids with infinitesimal patterns, down to nanometers. By specifying the sequence of bases for each DNA strand, they could create trillions of identical grids with specific letter patterns.
A new study by NCAR researchers finds that US-China trade imbalances significantly boost global carbon emissions, increasing US indirect responsibility. The study estimates an additional 720 million metric tons of CO2 emissions from 1997 to 2003 due to this imbalance.
The Institute for OneWorld Health has received a multimillion-dollar grant from the Gates Foundation to combat VL, a fatal disease transmitted by sand flies. The grant will support a long-term control program, including Phase 4 demonstration studies and clinical trials in children.
Innovative manufacturers in Georgia report higher returns on sales, pay better wages, and are less likely to lose work to outsourcing. Nearly half of companies have introduced new or improved products between 2002 and 2004, with those doing so accounting for nearly 20% of sales.
Pall Corporation's total process management approach can improve vaccine production economics by reducing time, safety risks, and expenses. The use of scalable and disposable technologies enables efficient processing of larger volumes, addressing the need for increased manufacturing capacity in response to pandemic threats.
A University of Georgia research team is studying the effects of manufactured nanoparticles on microorganisms and small worms in soil. The study aims to understand the bioavailability and toxicity of zinc oxide nanoparticles, which may establish potential ecological and human health risks if released into the environment.
Rutgers University engineers are monitoring the buildup of empty containers in New Jersey and proposing strategies to improve their management. Rising steel costs have made it more economical for shipping companies to take back empties, but a study aims to optimize container movement within the region.
The NMSU Physical Science Laboratory designed and fielded a countermeasure device in under three months to combat IEDs, providing increased survivability for warfighters. The signal-jamming equipment is being used by the US Army, Marines, and Navy Explosive Ordinance Disposal unit.
Researchers from NIST and UC Berkeley use NEXAFS spectroscopy to track chemical reactions, molecular reordering, and defect formation in organic electronic devices. The study reveals the importance of film structure and composition on charge carrier movement, offering a new tool for improving device performance.
Researchers have created new stain-resistant coatings that use novel short-chain fluorocarbons, reducing the environmental impact of PFOA. The compounds perform as well as conventional coatings and have been filed for patent, offering a potential solution to reduce PFOA in environments.
A recent study by the University of Cardiff's Economic & Social Research Council found that fast turnaround times on car carriers lead to a decline in seafarers' lives, causing fatigue, social isolation, and limited free time. The research highlights the need for better working conditions and labor protections for crew members.
Researchers have developed a new technique that allows for the creation of complex patterns in nano-electronics using self-assembling materials. This breakthrough enables the production of complex nano-electronic devices with non-regular geometries, which is crucial for advancing computer architecture by Moore's Law.
The team successfully fabricated four niobium single cell cavities from large-grain and single crystal ingots, achieving an accelerating gradient of 45 MV/m, exceeding the ILC specification. This new fabrication process simplifies manufacturing, reduces cost, and improves cavity performance.
The study found that classification of research and development in the services sector has become increasingly difficult due to blurring lines between manufacturing and services. The researchers make recommendations for improved definitions and revised wording of questions to improve accuracy.
GM's innovative use of operations research has saved the company over $2 billion by improving productivity at 30 assembly plants worldwide. The award recognizes outstanding implemented operations research that has had a significant positive impact on GM's performance.
A new study reveals that tattoo inks contain diverse chemical compositions, including heavy metals, which may pose health risks. The research aims to encourage closer regulation of the tattoo industry and improve safety standards for patients undergoing tattoo removal surgery.
The new test structures provide a wider range of reference feature sizes and are measured more precisely than previously available materials. Industry can use these reference materials to calibrate tools to reliably measure microprocessor-device gates.
USC researchers have found that flawed hardware can be tolerable in various applications, such as graphics and accounting. They've developed simple test structures to determine attributes of erroneous performance, enabling cost-efficient testing and prediction.
The Center for Advanced Microelectronics Manufacturing (CAMM) will combine resources from academia, government, and industry to speed up microelectronics manufacturing research and development in a roll-to-roll format. CAMM's R2R research capabilities include flexible displays, 'foldable' radars, and protective clothing.
Virginia Tech researchers have developed a chemical process to extract ethanol and xylitol from cotton gin residue. This technology has the potential to create a new industry in the state's cotton-growing region, providing a solution to the problem of residue disposal.
Price promotions benefit consumers overall, but not manufacturers or retailers in the long run. Introducing store brands is beneficial to premium brand manufacturers and offers increased profit margins for retailers.
Researchers tested recordable optical disks' durability in various conditions, finding that some can store data for decades. The Government Information Preservation Working Group is setting requirements for archival quality media, allowing organizations to identify suitable high-quality media for long-term data storage.
The microchip industry is struggling to achieve precise timing as device dimensions and tolerances continue to shrink. To address this issue, NIST is supporting the development of time synchronization standards in collaboration with International SEMATECH's e-Manufacturing initiatives.
Researchers are exploring spider silk's potential as an ecological material, with applications in wound-closure systems and durable surgical implants. By engineering artificial proteins, they hope to create intelligent materials that can assemble into new types of mesh with biochemically active groups.
A new report provides guidance for monitoring adverse events from dietary supplements, recommending a user-friendly approach and standardized questionnaire to detect and prioritize signals. The report aims to enhance the likelihood of identifying true adverse effects and improve the effectiveness of postmarket surveillance systems.
Operations research and manufacturing techniques will improve healthcare delivery by reducing costs and enhancing quality. Techniques such as supply chain management and scheduling systems are being adopted in hospitals and blood banks to reduce delays and improve patient care.
The influenza vaccine faces production challenges, with Chiron's manufacturing troubles affecting UK and US supplies. To mitigate this, manufacturers are diversifying their output to ensure vaccination for high-risk groups is maintained.
A recent University of Florida study found that professionals with high intellectual and emotional demands, such as doctors and lawyers, are typically well-compensated. In contrast, workers in emotionally demanding yet low-intellectual jobs, like waiters and child-care workers, often receive lower pay despite facing significant stress.
Researchers have uncovered patterns of granular motion that promote layer formation and interfere with achieving uniform mixing, which could be useful in manufacturing and understanding particle flow on a larger scale. The study's findings could help engineers design barriers to divert rock slides from populated areas.
A new workholding technology uses light-activated adhesive to hold and release workpieces, offering an alternative to mechanical clamping. The technology has a yield strength of over 5500 pounds per square inch and can be used with a wide variety of workpieces.
Researchers at NIST discovered that adding carbon nanotubes to polypropylene eliminates a common manufacturing headache called 'die-swell'. The addition of nanotubes allows the polymer to be processed at high speed through extruders, enabling the controlled manufacture of smaller components.
Researchers at Georgia Tech and partnering institutions are studying the effects of high electromagnetic stress on launchers, aiming to reduce damage caused by intense heat and friction. The goal is to develop reliable railguns for the Navy's next-generation electric battleships.
NIST scientists have developed three new standards to measure microdevice materials more accurately. The standards aim to reduce variations in measurements between laboratories, improving the design and performance of microdevices. The new standards advance measurement of in-plane length, residual strain, and strain gradient.
Recent advancements in microchip lasers and optics have improved LADAR systems' speed of data acquisition, range accuracy, and reliability. LADARs are now used to generate topographic images, survey large bodies of water, and document construction sites.
The Rochester Institute of Technology is developing a new effort to provide logistics, guidance, and information sharing on direct methanol fuel cells for the portable electronics market. CIMS will analyze environmental impacts, life-cycle economics, and develop end-of-life strategies to reduce costs and improve sustainability.
Researchers at Hebrew University create gold-tipped nanocrystals that offer a solution to problems of building nanoscale transistors and electronic circuits. These nanodumbbells provide strong chemical bonds between the gold and semiconductor, leading to good electrical connectivity.
A new paper by Chris Phoenix and K. Eric Drexler argues that self-replication is not necessary for building an efficient molecular manufacturing system, contrary to previous understanding. Instead, simple robot-arms in larger factories are a more practical solution.
The new centre aims to help firms adopt sustainable practices through research on advanced technologies, miniaturisation, and waste minimisation. It will also explore shared and collaborative logistics, warehousing, and transport systems to achieve sustainable economics for the manufacturing industry.
A team of industrial partners, including TechSolve Inc., is working with Purdue University to create an intelligent system that improves precision-grinding processes for parts production. The 'intelligent optimization and control grinding processes' use artificial-intelligence software to learn and adapt to changing conditions.
Researchers have developed a faster and more environmentally friendly polishing slurry using green tea extract, which can save hard-drive manufacturers millions of dollars in disposal costs. The new slurry works by binding to tiny particles on the surface of read-write heads, making them easy to remove with water.
The NIST virtual surface calibration Web site provides free two-dimensional surface texture analysis software and a database of 10 different types of surface profiles. Manufacturers can validate software measurements and upload their own surface profiles to gain confidence in the accuracy of their software.
A new, biodegradable machining compound developed by Ventana Research Corporation uses green tea extracts to improve the efficiency of computer hard drive manufacturing. The compound has shown a three- to four-fold increase in efficiency, leading to potential cost savings and environmental benefits.
Researchers have created a microgel that can recover costly enzymes, overcoming significant obstacles in using natural enzymes in laboratory and industrial settings. The microgel enables efficient enzyme recovery, allowing for repeated use in catalyzing commercially important reactions.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has approved standards for electronic methods used in measuring live animals, carcasses, and individual cuts. The new standards aim to increase consistency and confidence in measurements across technologies, benefiting equipment manufacturers, producers, packers, and consumers.
The average desktop system requires 10 times its weight in fossil fuels and chemicals to manufacture, with a total of 1.8 tonnes of materials used per computer. The study highlights the need to extend the useful life of existing equipment to reduce waste and mitigate environmental impacts.
Researchers have determined the 7.6-angstrom scale structure of a reovirus, visualizing its molecular composition and internal workings. The discovery may help understand how the virus manufactures genetic weapons to infect cells, potentially leading to new treatments and applications.
Researchers at NIST are studying how different factors affect fuel cell efficiency, including electrical and heating demands, temperatures, humidity, and power systems. The goal is to develop performance ratings that can help consumers understand the financial costs and benefits of fuel cells in various geographic and climate conditions.