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Proposed ASTM Biodegradable Hydraulic Fluid Standard
A proposed new ASTM International standard, WK31234, Specification for Biodegradable, Low Aquatic Toxicity Hydraulic Fluids, intends to make it easier to ensure that proper hydraulic fluids are being used at environmentally sensitive job sites.
Automotive Market a Target for Aluminum Process Innovation
Alcoa Inc. has introduced a manufacturing technique designed to supply stronger, more formable aluminum sheet metal for next-generation automotive platforms.
Evaluating Variable Speed Motors for Centrifugal Pump Applications
The cost of electrical power to keep a 200 HP pump motor running continuously now exceeds $100,000 a year in most areas of the United States, and more in other countries where the cost of electricity is higher.
Process Industry Increasingly Goes Wireless
Process engineers and operators need to measure the conditions of operations to make quality products efficiently and safely. In the past, larger individual pieces of process equipment were fitted with sensors to help with this measurement.
Solving Engineering Problems by Turning to the Crowd
With pressures mounting to deliver products and services to market in less time, engineering departments that already are stretched thin have to find new methods to solve problems. One such strategy is crowdsourcing, more frequently called open innovation.
UV LEDs: A Cool Alternative to Arc Lamps
LEDs are efficient. The Nobel Prize committee understands this; in December in Stockholm they present the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physics jointly to Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano and Shuji Nakamura for the invention of blue light-emitting diodes.
Solar Electric Efficiency Record Claimed
Solar energy researchers at an Australian university have converted over 40% of the sunlight hitting a solar system into electricity, said to be the highest efficiency reported to date.
3D Printer Achieves a First in Space, NASA Says
For the first time, the U.S. space agency NASA was able to 3D print something on the International Space Station (ISS). The first object to be made was actually a part for the printer; on Nov. 25 the printer made a side casing for itself.
Growth Forecast for U.S. Transportation Construction Market
The U.S. transportation construction market will grow 3.1% from $185.9 billion in 2014 to $191.7 billion in 2015, according to a forecast released by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association.
Solar Technology Innovation Generates Electricity, Heat and Water
The allure of clean, low-cost and efficient electric power generated by the sun’s rays until recently has been somewhat elusive as costs and conversion inefficiencies retarded its growth.
U.S. Energy Frac Market Prepares for Downturn
The North American market for hydraulic fracturing services is preparing for a downturn in 2015 due to rapidly falling oil prices.
Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Used for Energy Storage Products
Researchers have discovered a new way to take some of the atmospheric carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and use it to make an advanced, high-value material for use in energy storage products.
Internet of Things in the Real World, Part 3
There’s little doubt that the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) would be ideal for enabling the manufacturing and extraction industries to be more efficient and productive—producing more output with reduced input of time, effort and energy.
Gianluca Arcari Named Executive Director, Canadian Standards Association
Ash Sahi, president and CEO, CSA Group, announced the appointment of Gianluca Arcari to the new position of executive director, Canadian Standards Association and vice president CSA Group.
New Version of Standard for Alpine Ski and Snowboard Helmets
CSA Group released a new version of the standard Z263.1-Recreational Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding Helmets. The new Canadian standard provides rigorous testing requirements to help protect from head injuries, even after multiple impacts.
Nuclear Power Plant Granted 20-year Extension
Hungary's National Atomic Energy Office (OAH) has issued a license to extend the operating life of unit 2 of the Paks nuclear plant by 20 years until the end of 2034. Unit 1 was granted a similar license in 2012.
Autopilot Systems Equip Drones With Advanced Capabilities
In September 2014, NASA issued a request seeking partners to help develop a traffic management system for eventual use by the Federal Aviation Administration that applies to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) operating in Class G airspace (ground level to 500 feet).
Energy Department Approves Freeport LNG Exports
The U.S. Energy Department issued on November 25 two final authorizations for Freeport LNG Expansion, L.P. and FLNG Liquefaction, LLC to export domestically produced liquefied natural gas (LNG) to countries that do not have a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States.
EPA Proposes Tighter Ozone Standards
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed rules on November 26 to strengthen air quality standards to within a range of 65 to 70 parts per billion (ppb). The agency says it will take comments on a level as low as 60 ppb.
In Praise of Small Data
“Big Data” has taken the business world by storm. The digital age and the spread of social networks have enticed companies into making huge investments in computer power, servers and networking technology to acquire enormously complex data sets.