Latest News & Analysis
HEADLINES ARCHIVE
SpaceX Raises $1bn from Google and Fidelity Investments
Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) raised $1 billion in mid-January to help finance its research into space transport, reusability and satellite manufacturing technologies.
Thermal Testing of Concrete Foundations Set in ASTM Standard
To ensure that the correct procedures are being used in temperature assessments, a commonly used assessment method has been developed as a new American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard.
Toshiba Hops on Internet-of-Things Train
Like many other technology firms, Toshiba is creating a special division to focus on the Internet of Things (IoT). The company announced plans to combine its Cloud & Solution division and ICT departments beginning April 1.
UK Chemical Engineering Student Enrollment Rises
Statistics published by the Universities and College Admissions Service (UCAS), UK, show the number of students starting chemical engineering courses has almost doubled in the past five years.
Wi-Fi and Hybrid Technologies to Lead in Indoor Positioning
IHS Technology By the end of 2015, Wi-Fi and hybrid technologies will make up the majority of the systems that navigate users in locations covered by nearly 91,000 digital indoor positioning maps, according to a research note by IHS’s Jamie Fox, principal analyst with IHS Technology.
China’s Solar Module Market Booming, but Shortage Looms
Chinese Tier 1 photovoltaic (PV) suppliers are seeing a boom in demand and have sold out of product until the second quarter of 2015. As a result, a shortage in solar modules is expected on the global market in the first quarter of 2015, according to the latest analysis from IHS Technology.
ISA Names Rick Roop as 2015 President
The International Society of Automation (ISA) announces Rick Roop as its 2015 president. In this role, Roop will work with Society leaders and staff to increase awareness of the value and relevance of the ISA brand and build on ISA’s range of capabilities and resources.
Will CAD Marry CAM?
Not long ago, computer aided design (CAD) and computer aided manufacturing (CAM) were worlds apart.
ASCE Technical Division Will Advance Infrastructure Resilience
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has formally approved a new technical division on infrastructure resilience.
Solar-powered Aircraft Preps for Round-the-World Flight
Solar Impulse SA (Lausanne, Swtizerland), the company behind a multi-year exercise to demonstrate the viability of solar-powered flight, has announced that its Solar Impulse 2 aircraft will begin its flight some time between late February and early March.
UK Nuclear Plant Gets 10-year Operating Extension
EDF Energy has announced a 10-year life extension for the U.K.’s Dungeness B nuclear plant. Dungeness B's two 545 MWe advanced gas-cooled reactor (AGR) started up in 1983 and 1985 respectively, according to World Nuclear News.
"Back to the Future" for Global Economy, IHS Chief Economist Says
Many of today’s economic trends are similar to those of the 1980’s and 1990s; a “Back to the Future” scenario for the global economy, according to IHS Chief Economist Dr. Nariman Behravesh.
Australian Discovery Could Improve Solar Cells and Printed Electronics
A discovery by University of Melbourne researchers could lead to improved solar cell performance and printed electronics. The research, published in Nature Communications, discovered nematic liquid crystals that researchers say will be easier to manufacture and able to work in cells that are twice
Innovations, Trends at North American International Auto Show
Manufacturers are eager to show off next-generation technology and vehicles at the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Innovations are largely focused on integrating efficiency improvements and user interfaces into new vehicle platforms, such as pickup trucks or sports cars.
What's the Best Fieldbus for Your Process Plant?
Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things are influencing the choice of fieldbus technology for process plants.
Who Is Supplying Components for Google's Self-driving Car?
Google has been developing its self-driving car for years, but in mid-January the company identified key technology partners that are helping to build its prototype. Project Director Chris Urmson named Continental, Roush, Bosch, ZFLS, RCO, FRIMO, Prefix and LG as companies working on the vehicle.
ASTM Standard Covers Alkali-aggregate Reaction in Concrete
Alkali-aggregate reaction — the reaction that occurs over time between highly alkaline cement paste and noncrystalline silicon dioxide — can lead to a loss of concrete strength.
ASTM Standard to Help Keep Sensitive Talks Private
In order to keep sound that travels beyond the walls of a particular area an ASTM subcommittee specializing in speech privacy is at work on a proposed new standard, WK47433, Performance Specification of Electronic Sound Masking When Used in Building Spaces.
Boeing and Embraer Open Aviation Biofuel Research Center
Boeing and Embraer opened a joint sustainable aviation biofuel research center in a collaborative effort to further establish the aviation biofuel industry in Brazil.
China Focuses on Lightweight Materials to Meet Automotive Fuel Economy Standards
Further weight reductions in passenger vehicles are needed to meet new fuel economy standards in China. Beginning in 2015, passenger vehicles in the country must reach an average fuel consumption of 6.9 litres per 100 km, compared with previous standards of 8 litres/100km.