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Flow Battery Technology Aims to Take the Driver's Seat
Switzerland's well-known neutrality extends beyond politics. Most European automotive manufacturers see it as an unbiased arena since the country has no production vehicle industry.
Machine Safety in Factory Automation
Machine safety has evolved in recent years. The idea that safety components and systems are only installed to appease the minimum requirements set out by law has eased. Today, companies have realized that safety is also linked to performance and to the image of a company.
Russia Bundles Water Desalination Technology with Nuclear Power
The head of Rusatom Overseas, a subsidiary of Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corp. (ROSATOM), announced plans to sell desalination facilities integrated with large-capacity nuclear power plants to Russian export markets.
ASTM Seeks Input on Container Performance Testing Standard Revision
Laboratory tests examining the ability of shipping containers to withstand distribution environments and hazards may soon have an updated ASTM standard to follow.
ASTM Water Park Standard Highlights Stationary Wave Systems
Stationary wave systems bring the thrill of surfing to water parks. Safe construction and operation is important for protecting water park users from dangerous accidents.
GE Perfects Silicon Carbide Engines for Jet Aircraft
After decades of development, scientists at GE's Global Research Center in Niskayuna, New York, say they have perfected a material made of silicon carbide that could lead to fuel-efficiency gains in commercial aircraft, according to a news report in the Albany Times Union newspaper.
Industry Leaders Headline List of Speakers at IHS Energy CERAWeek 2015
An international group of industry, policy, technology and financial leaders—including CEOs and other senior leaders of the world's major energy producers—will join leading experts from IHS at the world's pre-eminent energy conference, IHS Energy CERAWeek 2015, Apr. 20-24 at the Hilton Americas, in Houston, Texas.
NASA Spacecraft Gets Close Look at Dwarf Planet
NASA's Dawn spacecraft will be the first mission to successfully visit a dwarf planet if it enters orbit as planned around dwarf planet Ceres.
Small Business Index Shows U.S. Job Gains, IHS Says
Small businesses are gaining steam according to the latest Paychex and IHS Small Business Jobs Index. Employment index increased by 0.19% in February, advancing for the second consecutive month in 2015.
Airbus Engineers Explore Sharkskin Properties for Aircraft Bodies
In a bid to improve the aerodynamics of large passenger aircraft, Airbus tried in the 1990s to emulate the aerodynamic efficiencies of sharkskin, but was unsuccessful. Technological developments and increasing fuel costs have spurred the manufacturer to try again, according to MRO Network.
Are Growth Prospects Stunted for Plant-based Chemicals?
Crude oil and natural gas have long been the primary feedstocks for the global chemical industry. But renewable feedstocks such as sugar (from corn or sugarcane) and glycerin (from vegetable oils) have recently challenged the dominance of fossil fuels.
Beijing Plans World's Largest Airport Terminal
Beijing plans to be the home of the world's largest airport passenger terminal.
Collaborative Robots Play Nice on the Plant Floor
Designed to safely share the same workspace as humans, a new class of industrial robots known as collaborative robots is targeting manufacturing applications that once were considered too low-volume or low-tech for robotic automation.
Navigation Module Could Help Ships Act as Their Own Sails
Researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute's Center for Maritime Logistics and Services (CML) have been developing an algorithm that would allow the Vindskip—a hybrid merchant ship which uses a specially-shaped hull to harness wind power—to use the combination of both power and sail.
Regenerative Braking Improves Railroad Engine Energy Efficiency
A flywheel-based braking system may help to reduce the carbon footprint of Britain's diesel-powered railroad trains.
Bombardier CS300 Aircraft Completes First Flight Test
After 11 years of development, Bombardier celebrated the maiden flight of its largest commercial jet, the CSeries 300, on Feb. 27 even as questions remain about the program's long-term financial viability, Bloomberg reports.
IHS Expands Partnership with Leading Food Science and Technology Publisher IFIS
IHS Inc. announced the expanded relationship with IFIS that allows IHS to host and sell the FSTA database – a comprehensive resource of food science, technology and nutrition information.
LNG-powered Ferries Being Built in Canada
Hull assembly is under way for the MV Armand-Imbeau II—the first of two sister-ships under construction at Davie, the Canada-based shipbuilder, for the Société des traversiers du Québec (STQ).
Oxford Performance Launches 3D Printing Technology for Aerospace Parts
Oxford Performance Materials (OPM) launched two grades of 3D printing technology—OXFAB-N and OXFAB-ESD—and says this technology will improve how aircraft and industrial components are manufactured.
Quantum Radar Could Detect Objects Invisible to Conventional Systems
An international research team has developed a prototype quantum radar that it says has the potential to detect objects invisible to conventional systems. The radar is a hybrid system that uses quantum correlation between microwave and optical beams to detect objects of low reflectivity, such as cancer cells or aircraft with a stealth capability.