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HEADLINES ARCHIVE
U.S. Nuclear Power Plants Break Capacity Factor Records
U.S. nuclear power plants posted an estimated average capacity factor of 91.9 percent in 2014, surpassing the industry’s prior record set in 2007 by one-tenth of a percentage point, according to data compiled by the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI).
2014 Was Bumper Year for Automotive Semiconductors
The automotive semiconductor market did exceptionally well in 2014, according to new analysis from IHS. Robust vehicle production growth, together with increased semiconductor content in cars charted a path of 10% growth year over year to reach $29 billion in 2014.
Carbon Sequestration: Less Rock Created than Expected?
Carbon sequestration is a process that injects carbon dioxide deep below the Earth’s surface where it solidifies into rock.
DARPA Program Seeks Partners for Drone Systems
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) issued a special notice inviting interested parties to participate in Phase 1 meetings of its Collaborative Operations in Denied Environment (CODE) program.
Engineers Aim to Bring "Cold Spray" 3D Printing to Space
A team of engineers from Trinity College Dublin are leading a project to fine-tune “cold spray” (CS), a technology that deposits materials onto engineering components.
Engineers Build a Hand-held Lab
Engineers at University of British Columbia’s (UBC) Okanagan campus have developed a lab powerful enough to look at microscopic drops of fluid and identify harmful pathogens, like those responsible for HIV, AIDS, and hepatitis, but also small enough to fit in your hand.
EPA Moves to Further Restrict PFOA Chemicals
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed new measures that would keep perfluorinated chemicals from re-entering the U.S. marketplace.
Ford Motor Expands Its Silicon Valley Research Presence
Ford Motor opened a research and innovation center in California's Silicon Valley as the automaker works to get closer to the tech industry, develop autonomous vehicles, and improve mobility, connectivity and big data applications.
Longest "Flat-pack" Arch Bridge to Be Built in England
Civil engineers at Queen’s University Belfast and pre-cast concrete company Macrete Ireland have developed one of the world's longest “flat pack” arch bridge spanning 53 feet (16 meters).
NASA and Nissan Team Up for Autonomous Vehicles
The U.S. space agency NASA and Nissan Motor Co. are teaming up on a five-year R&D partnership to advance autonomous vehicle systems and commercialization of that technology.
New Process Creates Surfaces That Never Get Wet
Researchers at the University of Rochester in Rochester, N.Y, have developed a laser etching technique that produces permanent, super-hydrophobic metal materials.
Research Seeks to Improve Lifespan, Safety of Lithium Batteries
Research that looks into the science behind the formation of “dendrites” that cause lithium-ion batteries to fail could lead to safer, and longer-lasting batteries that can be charged within minutes, instead of hours.
Signal Amplification Process Could Transform Communications
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego (USCD), say they have discovered a new signal amplification process that may fuel new generations of electrical and photonic devices.
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.