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U.S. Energy Department to Issue Conservation Standards for Pumps
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released its anticipated Notice of Proposed Rule-making (NOPR) for Energy Conservation Standards for Pumps. This 257-page document is available for public review and comment.
Global Water Use May Outstrip Supply by Mid-century, Spur Innovation
Population growth could cause global demand for water to outpace supply by mid-century if current levels of consumption continue. But it would not be the first time this has happened, a Duke University study finds.
Low Carbon and Sulfur Biodiesel Blends Included in Revised ASTM Fuel Standard
A major revision to ASTM International's Specification for Fuel Oils (D396) will soon be published as D396-15a.
Siemens Develops Efficient Electric Motor for Aircraft Use
Siemens developes an electric motor that delivers a continuous output of about 260 kilowatts (kW) and is five times more than comparable drive systems.
Solar Eclipse Leaves European Electric Power Grid Largely Unaffected
A partial solar eclipse that raised early concerns over European power grid stability had little ill effect on the morning of March 20, according to IEEE Spectrum.
U.S. Regulators Order Valve Replacements on 6,000 Rail Tank Cars
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is ordering the owners of an estimated 6,000 tank cars to replace unapproved valves that have resulted in oil leaks from trains hauling crude.
Water System Retrofit to Withstand Quakes Could Cost Billions, Los Angeles Utility Says
Retrofitting Los Angeles, Calif.’s, water infrastructure to better withstand a major earthquake could cost up to $15 billion over the next 20 years, the city's water engineers say in a report released March 23.
Yeast Strain Could Enhance Biofuels and Biochemicals Production
Research suggests that biofuels may be able to compete economically against conventional fuels with the development and use of a mutant yeast strain.
Membranes Deliver Clean Water More Efficiently
Researchers from the Melbourne School of Engineering at the University of Melbourne, in conjunction with Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, have developed new membranes or micro-filters that are expected to clean water in a more energy efficient manner using layer-by-layer polymer assembly.
Packaging Materials Find Second Use in Rechargeable Batteries
Discarded peanut-shaped packing materials may be turned into components for rechargeable batteries, according to researchers from Purdue University.
Smart Sensors Hit the Road
Engineering360 looks at how electronics sensors are playing a role in monitoring U.S. infrastructure.
UK Government to Back Robotics and Autonomous Systems Development
The UK government plans to create a Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) Leadership Council to support new types of robotics and autonomous technology. The aim is for the UK to become a global player in the sector.
University of Illinois to Create Engineering-Medical School, Said to Be a First
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is establishing what it says is among the first colleges of medicine in the U.S. focused on the intersection of medicine and engineering.
3D Printing Method Grows Objects in Liquid at a Rapid Pace
Researchers from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and start-up firm Carbon3D have created a 3D printing technology that they say can grow objects in liquid.
NEMA Publishes Roadway and Lighting Standard
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) published an ANSI standard that will be useful to the roadway and area lighting manufacturers, municipalities and utilities.
Tesla to Address Range Anxiety by Tracking Charging Station Proximity
Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk says that Tesla has an upcoming over-the-air software update to its Model S cars. Software Version 6.2 will constantly track the car's proximity to Tesla-dedicated charging stations, range left in the battery based on terrain and other factors.
Creating a Solar Electric Forest with 3D Printed Trees
Scientists at VTT Technical Research Center of Finland (VTT) create 3D-printed trees that harvest solar energy from their surroundings.
Interior Department Issues Rule for Fracking on U.S. Public and Tribal Land
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell released final standards that the Department says will support "safe and responsible" hydraulic fracturing on public and American Indian lands.
Wave-power Buoy Pulls Through Winter Storms Off U.S. Pacific Coast
For six years, a team of Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) engineers has been developing an experimental buoy that creates electrical energy from ocean waves.
Cyber Threats and the Wired Vehicle: Cause for Concern?
High-tech, interconnected systems are almost ubiquitous in automobiles.The result is a new arena for cyber warfare, one with the potential to place millions of drivers in the technological crosshairs.