Researchers from Empa and re-fer AG have developed a new building material called memory-steel, which uses shape-memory alloys to permanently prestress concrete structures. The material eliminates the need for hydraulic prestressing, reducing space requirements and making it suitable for confined spaces.
SourceSwiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA)·JournalConstruction and Building Materials·DateOct 23, 2018
A £7 million funding has enabled the development of a 'virtual factory' to test and refine new steel alloys 100 times faster than traditional methods. This breakthrough allows for faster testing of small-scale samples, covering areas like strength, durability, and corrosion resistance.
Researchers at NUST MISIS have developed a new technology to simplify hot rolling of seamless pipes made from alloy and high-alloy steel. The innovation uses a two-stage method with lubricant and coolant, significantly improving tool lifespan and production efficiency.
SourceNational University of Science and Technology MISIS·JournalThe International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology·DateSep 19, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
Steel researcher Peter Felfer receives a 1.5 million euro grant to investigate the damage caused by hydrogen at the atomic level. He aims to build an atom probe that can differentiate between hydrogen in the material and environment.
SourceFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg·DateAug 8, 2018
A PolyU-led project has been awarded a record-breaking HK$47.2 million grant to develop new concrete structures for marine infrastructure, aiming to reduce steel corrosion and environmental pollution. The five-year project will focus on innovative materials and designs, with potential benefits extending to Hong Kong and globally.
SourceThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University·DateAug 1, 2018
Researchers at U of T Engineering propose a simple and effective way to minimize food contamination by trapping cooking oil in microscopic scrapes and cracks. The method results in a 1,000x reduction in bacterial levels, making it a safer alternative to harsh chemicals and disinfectants.
SourceUniversity of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateJul 27, 2018
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.
Scientists from JGU and the University of Kaiserslautern have developed a process to apply a thin magnetic layer to steel, allowing for the detection of microstructural changes by changes in magnetic effects. This method has the advantage of detecting signs of fatigue much earlier than conventional testing procedures.
SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalJournal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials·DateJul 23, 2018
Researchers develop new microscopy technique to track microstructural changes in real-time under high heat and stress. Alloy 709 shows promising results as a strong and resistant material for elevated temperature applications like next-generation nuclear power plants.
SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalMaterials Science and Engineering A·DateJul 9, 2018
A UCI-led review emphasizes the need to redesign heavy-duty infrastructure to eliminate carbon dioxide emissions. Key solutions include the production of renewable materials, capturing and storing CO2, and integrating power and manufacturing facilities.
SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalScience·DateJun 28, 2018
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.
A new laser technology developed by Swansea University has won the Materials Science Venture Prize, allowing for real-time monitoring of molten metal furnaces without stopping production. This innovation saves steel plants up to £4.5 million a year and can be applied to various metals such as aluminium and copper.
A $258,778 grant from the Australian Research Council supports a project investigating fire resistance levels of Light Gauge Steel Framed (LSF) walls. The research aims to develop a generic model for predicting fire resistance levels and enhance fire safety in low- and mid-rise buildings.
Researchers at DESY's PETRA III facility have created a novel, ultra-strong bio-material made from cellulose nanofibres. The material boasts exceptional tensile stiffness of 86 GPa and strength of 1.57 GPa, outperforming steel and even dragline spider silk.
SourceDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY·JournalACS Nano·DateMay 16, 2018
The Steel and Metals Institute at Swansea University will transform the UK iron and steel making industry into a low-carbon, resource-efficient sector. The research focuses on smart steel processing of high-value products, including sustainable packaging made from steel.
A novel process called Friction Stir Dovetailing joins thicker aluminum alloys to steel, creating joints of superior strength and ductility. The technique inhibits intermetallic compound overgrowth, allowing for improved fuel efficiency and operational effectiveness in military combat vehicles.
SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalScripta Materialia·DateApr 13, 2018
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new material, stainless steel composite metal foam (CMF), that offers much more protection than existing armor materials while lowering the weight remarkably. The CMF can block blast pressure and fragmentation from high-explosive incendiary rounds with minimal weight loss.
SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of the Korean Society for Advanced Composite Structures·DateMar 26, 2018
Scientists have developed an affordable specialized polymer coating that can be recharged with bleach treatments to continuously kill bacteria on coated stainless steel surfaces. The coating uses N-halamine polymers and has been shown to be effective against various types of bacteria, including E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
Scientists at HZDR aim to demonstrate that precession is sufficient to create a magnetic field using liquid sodium. The experiment could provide insights into the geodynamo and clarify the role of precession in generating the Earth's magnetic field.
SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 12, 2018
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.
Researchers at Saarland University are using atom-probe tomography to study niobium's role in steel microstructure and its effects on material properties. The goal is to design internal steel structures for specific applications and improve material properties.
Computer scientists and materials researchers developed a more accurate and objective method for classifying steel microstructures. The method uses machine learning to analyze microscope images and achieve accuracy of around 93%, surpassing conventional methods which only achieved 50% correct classification.
SourceSaarland University·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 21, 2018
Researchers at the University of Maryland have created a new type of wood that is 10-12 times stronger than natural wood, making it a potential competitor to steel. The wood's mechanical properties are comparable to those of titanium alloys, but with improved toughness and reduced weight.
SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalNature·DateFeb 7, 2018
Researchers at the University of Arizona and partnering universities are working on a NSF-funded project to develop buildings that won't collapse under major earthquakes. The focus is on lateral force transfer through steel collectors, which horizontally transmit earthquake forces.
SourceUniversity of Arizona College of Engineering·DateJan 26, 2018
Brazilian researcher develops innovative method of laser welding at high temperatures to enhance properties of AHS steel, improving formability and collision resilience. The technique produces bainitic structure, resulting in tough and reliable weld joints.
SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalWelding Journal·DateDec 18, 2017
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.
Nanotexturing creates a surface that kills bacteria while not harming mammalian cells, improving corrosion resistance. The process could be used to attack microbial contamination on implantable medical devices and food processing equipment.
SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering·DateDec 12, 2017
Scientists found that magnetic field strength increases linearly with distance from the specimen, making the double H-coil method more accurate for certain applications. The study suggests using the double H-coil method when data requires higher accuracy.
SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAIP Advances·DateNov 14, 2017
Researchers developed a Partial Discharge Wireless Sensor Network that reports partial discharge levels remotely, enabling instant monitoring via smartphones. The system has shown encouraging results at Tata Steel's Port Talbot plant, with plans to deploy 100 sensors across the site.
A Hong Kong-Beijing-Taiwan mechanical engineering team led by Dr. Huang Mingxin has developed a Super Steel with ultra-high strength and large ductility, addressing the strength-ductility trade-off in metallic materials. The material's cost is just one-fifth of that of current aerospace and defense applications.
SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalScience·DateAug 25, 2017
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.
A Swansea-led consortium has secured £7 million in UK government funding to develop solar power stations in five Indian villages. The project aims to create energy-positive buildings that can generate, store and release their own power.
Researchers at WMG, University of Warwick have developed a new processing route to control brittle stages during steel production. This breakthrough allows for the creation of low-density steels with maximum strength and durability, making them suitable for safer, greener, more fuel-efficient cars.
SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalActa Materialia·DateJun 20, 2017
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are developing new steel alloys for additive manufacturing with a focus on high-strength low-alloy steels suitable for naval construction and repair. The project aims to improve mechanical properties and corrosion resistance using integrated computational materials design.
Researchers at NIST have developed a non-invasive terahertz detection method to identify early-stage corrosion in steel-reinforced concrete structures, potentially saving billions of dollars in maintenance costs.
SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalApplied Magnetic Resonance·DateApr 26, 2017
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.
A new study found that Toronto's subways have the highest levels of airborne particulate matter in Canada, with average values up to 100 micrograms per cubic metre, compared to Montreal's 36 micrograms and Vancouver's 17 micrograms. The high metal content and abrasive wear on steel wheels may be contributing factors.
SourceUniversity of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateApr 25, 2017
Swansea University has won two Royal Society awards for its innovative research on reducing corrosion in steel and improving furnace efficiency. The team developed a smart release coating that outperforms the current market leader in laboratory tests and can last up to 12 times longer in delaying corrosion.
Researchers localized and visualized hydrogen in steels and alloys at atomic resolution, overcoming a major engineering challenge. This discovery enables the development of new alloys with greater endurance.
SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalScience·DateMar 16, 2017
A new study introduces a steel alloy with a laminated nanosubstructure, inspired by bone structure, which is more resistant to cracking under repeated stress. This development has potential to improve the safety of buildings and components that experience cyclic loads.
SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateMar 9, 2017
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.
A team of researchers at MIT has developed a novel material with a laminated nanostructure that reduces metal fatigue, allowing it to deform without spreading microcracks. This breakthrough could lead to improved structural components in industries such as aerospace and automotive.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateMar 9, 2017
Professor Erik Bitzek aims to investigate the interactions between cracks and material defects to improve understanding of breaking processes in metals, intermetallic compounds, and semiconductors. He seeks realistic results through micromechanical models and fracture tests to develop novel, fail-safe materials.
SourceFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg·DateMar 2, 2017
A new study by University of Leicester researchers has identified the mechanism behind solidification cracking in steel welding, a critical engineering alloy. The team used synchrotron X-ray beamline technology to observe crack formation in real-time, revealing micro-porosities as the primary cause.
SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 25, 2017
Researchers at MIT have designed a strong and lightweight material by compressing graphene flakes into sponge-like configurations, achieving 10 times the strength of steel while maintaining a low density of just 5%. The new material's unusual geometric configuration is key to its exceptional properties.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 6, 2017
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.
A team of researchers from Swansea University has made a breakthrough in reducing corrosion by developing a new method that outperforms existing products. The new coating lasts up to 12 times as long and is 20 times faster than current methods.
Researchers found that waffles baked on steel plates at a high temperature for a short amount of time minimize sticking and reduce product loss. The study also identified the optimal baking temperature and type of release agent to achieve this result.
SourceInstitute of Food Technologists·JournalJournal of Food Science·DateDec 20, 2016
The ASSURE2 project explores belt casting technology to reduce steel production costs and energy consumption by over 300%. This innovative approach can also produce commercially attractive advanced high strength strip (AHSS) steel grades, such as TWIP and TRIP steels.
Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology aim to develop cement substitute from steel slag, a massive CO2-reduction opportunity. The new cement has potential to replace 'normal cement' and reduce emissions by tens of millions of tons annually.
SourceEindhoven University of Technology·DateDec 2, 2016
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.
Researchers have created a novel method for making do-it-yourself, scrap-metal batteries that can store excess energy from residential solar panels. The new devices utilize steel and brass scraps, which are abundant and inexpensive, to achieve an energy density comparable to traditional lead-acid batteries.
SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Energy Letters·DateNov 2, 2016
A $248,083 grant supports UTSA professor Wassim Ghannoum's research on high-strength rebar, aiming to establish new concrete structure standards. The project could cut steel costs by a third and have positive environmental effects.
SourceUniversity of Texas at San Antonio·DateOct 3, 2016
Researchers tested four surfaces and four foods, finding that moisture, surface type, and contact time all contribute to cross-contamination. Transfer scenarios showed that bacteria can contaminate food instantly, making the five-second rule an oversimplification.
SourceRutgers University·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateSep 8, 2016
The study found that increasing beam section height and lower steel bar rebar ratio significantly improves collapse-resistance capacity. Meanwhile, lengthening the specially shaped column limb only enhances stiffness, while slab upper and lower steel bar rebar ratios increase the frame's stiffness and collapse-resistance capacity.
SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalThe Open Construction and Building Technology Journal·DateSep 2, 2016
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.
Researchers have fabricated dissolvable carbon steel structures using 3D printing technology that can provide temporary support for components of larger stainless steel structures. The new approach reduces post-processing needed for 3D-printed metal components.
SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·Journal3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing·DateJul 13, 2016
A team of LLNL researchers developed a system using shaped charges to sever an offshore drilling rig from the seabed, solving a critical challenge after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Their experiment validated their model and provided insight into effective experimental design.
SourceDOE/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory·DateJun 20, 2016
A team from Swansea University has developed a new 'smart release' corrosion inhibitor for coated steel products, outperforming hexavalent chromate in laboratory tests. The technology could lead to significant market share and is environmentally sound, economical, and safer.
Researchers have developed a new type of metallic material that is both extremely strong and ductile. This breakthrough solves the long-standing problem of choosing between these two properties in steels.
SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateMay 25, 2016
Researchers have mapped boron compound distribution in a model control rod, helping determine re-criticality risk within the reactor. This finding could inform decommissioning efforts at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant.
SourceKyoto University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 17, 2016
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.
A team of researchers led by Chris Pantelides developed a new process to repair earthquake-damaged bridge columns in just a few days. The process uses concrete donuts lined with composite fiber material and can be used on not only bridges but also damaged columns around buildings.
Physicists at Cornell University have finally solved a puzzle that baffled researchers for over a century. Using computer game technology, they discovered the connection between smectics - liquid crystals forming ellipses and hyperbolas - and martensites, a crystalline structure of steel.
SourceCornell University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 15, 2016
A new grant will develop an innovative induction tomography system to assess the solidification process of metal, improving continuous casting of steel. This technology will detect defects in molten steel as it cools, enabling industry to monitor and alter the cooling process for better quality, safety, productivity, and competitiveness.
Researchers developed a record-breaking steel alloy that can withstand impact without deforming permanently, with an elastic limit of 11.76 giga-Pascals. The material's unique structure allows it to be both hard and non-brittle, making it suitable for various applications.
SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 5, 2016
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a novel light-weight composite metal foam that effectively insulates against high heat. The finding has significant implications for storing and transporting nuclear material, hazardous materials, explosives, and other heat-sensitive materials.
SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalInternational Journal of Thermal Sciences·DateMar 28, 2016
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.
Researchers propose novel solutions to improve bridge safety and reduce maintenance costs, addressing structural issues with rebar placement and column connections. Computer modeling suggests cost savings of up to 30 times greater than the research investment.
Berkeley Lab scientists found that polycrystalline graphene is strong but has low toughness, a property necessary for structural reliability in applications. The researchers developed a statistical model to predict failure in the material, revealing its fracture resistance.
SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 4, 2016
Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have developed a laser-based X-ray machine that can detect nuclear materials hidden behind thick shielding or smuggled in cargo containers. The technology offers several advantages, including low radiation levels and portability, making it a potential tool for nuclear site inspections.
Researchers have developed a non-destructive inspection method using terahertz waves to visualize PC steel wires hidden inside concrete and steel bridges. This technology is particularly useful for extradosed bridges where the wires are covered in resin jackets, reducing the risk of corrosion during inspections.
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.