Articles tagged with Manufacturing
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.
Researchers developed a hybrid approach to improve microelectronics production, combining lithography and self-assembling materials to achieve nanoscale dimensions. This technology could lead to faster, more powerful devices with increased data capacity, while reducing manufacturing costs.
Researchers have developed the most effective commercially available black coating, NPL Super Black, with a low reflectance of 0.35% in the visible region. This breakthrough has significant implications for fields like radiometry, spectroscopy, and optical metrology, where stray light reduction is crucial.
Researchers are working to make cell phones more accessible for people with disabilities by identifying user requirements and challenges in user interface designs. The study focuses on usability tests with selected Toshiba phones and aims to develop new features for future cell phone interfaces.
A comprehensive study by Ohio State University researchers found that the cutting process in factories significantly impacts magnetic tape data density. The quality of the tape edge becomes crucial as tapes with more tracks need to carry more data and wind less. The study developed techniques for measuring the forces that affect tape c...
A Texas forestry sciences researcher has developed a two-dimensional warping model based on the mechanics of layered composites, enabling factory managers to make changes in manufacturing processes. The model uses commercial spreadsheet software to calculate and plot overall linear expansion and out-of-plane warping of wood-based panels.
Researchers from Virginia Tech have made a significant breakthrough in fuel cell technology by developing an industrially available starting material for manufacturing proton exchange membranes. The starting material, derived from new copolymers, enables the mass production of fuel cells on an industrial scale.
Researchers at Binghamton University's IEEC are working on developing small-scale electronics, including microelectric mechanical systems and nanostructured materials. The goal is to create next-generation products with advanced technology, rather than lower cost manufacturing.
Researchers have developed DNA scaffolding for arrays of nanoparticles, enabling the processing of large amounts of information. The technology could lead to real-time image processing and improved noise filtering, potentially even rivaling human eye speed.
The partnership enables mill operators to better manage contaminants that foul machinery, reducing water usage by 50% and estimated annual cost savings of $250,000. The technology uses UV-Vis spectrophotometer hardware and software analysis tools to measure particle stability in papermaking process streams.
Researchers found that food producers responded positively to fortified products after government-led advertising campaigns, leading to widespread compliance. The study highlights the importance of governments as large food purchasers influencing industry behavior.
Researchers develop a novel method to assemble nanoparticles using non-uniform AC electric fields, allowing for the creation of ordered structures with desired properties. This process can be used to manufacture nanoscale tools and devices, including sensors and photonic devices.
Harold A. Sorgenti receives the Petrochemical Heritage Award for his entrepreneurial and community leadership achievements in the petrochemical sector. The award recognizes his significant contributions to the modern sciences, industries, and economies.
The pharmaceutical industry's focus on high-income markets is hindering access to essential drugs in less-developed countries, where millions lack access to life-saving medications. Voluntary licensing arrangements and freer trade could improve access to patented drugs, according to experts.
Researchers at Ohio State University have created a new method for shaping metal using magnetism, eliminating the need for industrial lubricants. The 'bump forming' technique increases the depth of metal parts by up to 47% while reducing production costs and environmental impact.
Researchers are developing robots inspired by cockroaches' legs using biomimetics and Shape Deposition Manufacturing. The study found that a cockroach leg's response to displacement inputs can be modeled as a viscoelastic material, enabling the design of stable and compliant robot legs.
A study of internal tobacco industry documents reveals that companies profited from both tobacco and nicotine replacement therapies, undermining efforts to combat smoking addiction. Researchers argue that such financial conflicts of interest should be made public to ensure greater corporate responsibility.
Researchers at Oregon State University have made a breakthrough in creating crystalline thin films at lower temperatures without the need for vacuum conditions. This advance could enable the mass production of electronic devices on plastics and facilitate cheaper production of some products.
A recent study by Ohio State University researchers found that semiconductor companies can improve their technological performance through outsourcing, but only under specific circumstances. The study identified critical characteristics of the end-product and production process that predict successful outsourcing outcomes.
A team of researchers from Purdue University and their partners have developed a new manufacturing approach to produce carbon-carbon composites at lower cost. The robotic system uses computer control to precisely deposit carbon fibers, resulting in better part quality and reduced production time.
A University of Florida chemistry professor has created a nanomotor from a single DNA strand, which is more practical and easier to control than previous designs. The device can be used in biosensors to detect specific DNA sequences related to disease and may also play a role in clinical treatment by targeting cancer cells with precision.
A new analysis tool developed by a University of Illinois researcher can help manufacturers determine the optimal price for combination vaccines. The tool considers various factors such as vaccine costs, individual and societal benefits, and consumer willingness to pay. By balancing these concerns, it aims to prevent overpayment by gov...
Researchers at Penn State have developed a new coating technology using electron beam physical vapor deposition (EB-PVD) that can produce high-purity rhenium components with tailored microstructure and chemistry. The process is faster, cheaper, and more precise than existing methods, with estimated cost savings of at least 50%.
The partnership aims to speed up the design process by using advanced simulation and computerized component testing. Companies involved in the project include United Technologies, Visteon, John Deere, and Procter & Gamble.
Researchers discover wheat proteins that modify ice crystal growth, improving ice cream smoothness. The discovery could lead to new ingredients and manufacturing processes for improved consistency.
Researchers have developed a way to fabricate superlattice nanowires, which can incorporate transistor junctions, light-emitting diodes, and lasers within a single wire. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of ultra-small electronic devices that are equal to or better than current hand-size electronics.
Rutgers researchers Shinbrot and Glasser have made a breakthrough in understanding shear activity, which can affect pharmaceutical tablet production and landslide behavior. The discovery has wide-ranging implications for industries such as food manufacturing and mining.
Researchers have successfully created a novel chemical sensor based on an experimental physics phenomenon, allowing for the direct detection of molecules. This innovation has significant implications for various industrial applications, including manufacturing processes and environmental monitoring.
A Virginia Tech researcher is working on a project to reduce the use of toxic solvents in polymers processing, replacing them with carbon dioxide. The goal is to decrease environmental contamination by 36 billion pounds of solvents used annually, offering cost and environmental benefits.
A Clemson-led group has secured a $10 million contract to develop affordable surveillance platforms called 'aerostats' that can pair advanced radar systems to track and engage cruise missiles. The project aims to provide improved early-detection, tracking, and engagement capability for the military.
Patricia B. Smith has developed a hydrogen-based plasma process that effectively removes residues from pure copper interconnected layers, enabling the manufacture of state-of-the-art semiconductor devices. This breakthrough technology will also be used for future generations of smaller device technologies.
A new study by the Institute for Operations Research and Management Sciences found that consumers are more likely to maintain their vehicles properly if they have high-quality auto ratings. The study reveals three key lessons for manufacturers, dealers, and distributors: pricing power, customer loyalty, and leasing operations.
The University of Maine will receive DuPont's papermaking technology, which aims to increase efficiency and environmental performance in paper mills. The school will conduct research to implement the technology at an industrial scale.
UCB-Bioproducts is providing commercial quantities of bivalirudin for Angiomax, a thrombin-specific anticoagulant. The company's unique process technology enables the production of synthetic peptide-based APIs, and its regulatory support ensures compliance with FDA regulations.
A new complex launched at the University of Warwick features a 3D cinema that enables large groups of senior managers and engineers to visualize and collaborate on product design projects in 3D. This technology will facilitate geographically dispersed teams across large enterprises to work together more efficiently.
Industry documents reveal little evidence of testing for the impact of additives on mainstream or sidestream smoke content or toxicity. The study highlights the importance of regulating tobacco additives to address public health concerns.
Researchers at the University of Illinois developed a mathematical model that predicts when steel-making nozzle clogs will occur, enabling manufacturers to take action before production is halted. The model uses principles of fluid dynamics and heat transfer to simulate the steel-making process and provides accurate predictions compare...
A five-year program aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from China by 100 million tons, improving energy efficiency in the country's largest refrigerator industry. The project will also reduce air pollutants and help the government of China achieve its goal of using energy more efficiently.
A CAD-driven laser forming process may eliminate costly manufacturing practices for aircraft structural components. This technology aims to reduce material usage, inventory, and costs by leveraging a layered manufacturing method.
Researchers found that new high-efficiency filter materials can lead to uneven contaminant distribution and reduced efficiency when used in devices with high airflow rates. Manufacturers of vacuum cleaners and other air-filtering devices can improve performance by running products at lower speeds or increasing filter size.
The USC School of Engineering's Information Sciences Institute has developed a process called EFAB to mass-produce tiny mechanical and electromechanical devices with complex features. This process integrates micromechanics with microelectronics, allowing for the production of sophisticated systems on a chip at relatively low temperatures.
A new X-ray device developed by YSI (UK) allows manufacturers to ensure proper protective coatings and layers of paint on car body parts, reducing corrosion. The device takes five seconds to work and is safer than alternative methods, making it suitable for the steel and aluminum industries.
A software tool developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory helps identify manufacturing problems causing defects in silicon wafers, increasing productivity and reducing costs for the US semiconductor industry. The 'spatial signature analysis' algorithm has been licensed to 14 manufacturers and equipment suppliers.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found a strong association between financial conflicts of interest and authors' positions on the safety of calcium-channel blockers. Researchers analyzed 70 articles and found that supportive authors were more likely to have financial relationships with pharmaceutical manufacture...