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NREL Claims 45.7% Efficiency for Concentrator Solar Cell
The U.S. Energy Department's National Renewable Energy lLaboratory has improved the design of its solar cell by adding an additional absorber layer. NREL says this increased the conversion efficiency to 45.7% for a four-junction solar cell at 234 suns concentration.
Volvo Developing 3-cylinder Engine to Improve Fuel Economy
Volvo Cars is developing a lightweight 3-cylinder petrol engine. The engine is already undergoing prototype testing, says Dr. Peter Mertens, senior vice president of Research & Development for the Swedish-based company.
Algal Biofuels: Closer to Sustainability?
To tackle concerns driven by carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, chemical majors are using bio-process engineering technologies to convert carbon sources into new energy forms.
Growth Returns to the Market for Motion Controls in 2014
After declining for two straight years, revenues from the sales of motion-control products are forecast to grow over 6% in 2014 to $12.2 billion according to the latest IHS study on the market for motion controls.
IHS Acquires Communications Technology Market Intelligence Firm
IHS Inc. has acquired Infonetics Research, an international market research firm that serves the global communications market.
Lockheed Martin's 100 MW Compact Fusion Nuclear Reactor
A Lockheed Martin Skunk Works team is working on a compact fusion reactor (CFR) that could be developed and deployed in as little as 10 years.
Technology Innovations Turn Wastewater Plants Into Energy Producers
Their main business may be cleaning up water for drinking and other human purposes. But today, some water and wastewater treatment facilities are also turning themselves into small-scale power plants.
Research Outlines Basic Rules for Construction with Kirigami
University of Pennsylvania researchers are turning kirigami, an art form related to origami that allows the paper to be cut, into a technique that can be applied to structures on radically divergent length scales.
Energy Department Tags $12.5bn for Advanced Nuclear Energy Projects
The Energy Department issued the Advanced Nuclear Energy Projects loan guarantee solicitation, which provides as much as $12.5 billion to support innovative nuclear energy projects.
ASTM Metallic Wear Standard Will Help Machines Run Smoothly
To keep machines running smoothly, a new ASTM International standard, D7917, Inductive Wear Debris Sensors in Gearbox and Drivetrain Applications, provides practices for the selection, application and use of inductive type metal debris sensors that are used to indicate the presence of ferrous and
Getting to 80: Engineering Challenges in Achieving Extended Lives for Nuclear Power Plants
The nuclear power industry is at a crossroads with new and aging plants. As of early 2015, the United States will have 99 active nuclear power plants generating nearly 20% of the country’s electricity.
Global Economy Growth Rate of 3% or More Expected in 2015
The global economy is expected to expand at a rate of 3.0% or slightly higher in 2015 after three years of global growth stuck in the 2.5% range, according to a forecast from Nariman Behravesh, chief economist for IHS.
Research Finds a Strong Pulse of Engineering
The inaugural IHS Engineering360 “Pulse of Engineering” research survey reveals three key challenges facing engineers and allied professionals almost everywhere in the world: appropriate skill levels and expertise, adequate time to complete projects, and effective communication.
Heavy Thickness Tolerances Added to ASTM Metallic-Coated Steel Sheet Standard
Recently approved revisions to ASTM International standard A924/A924M, Specification for General Requirements for Steel Sheet, Metallic-Coated by the Hot-Dip Process, will increase the flexibility of the standard.
New ASTM Standard for Butanol Purity Testing
A new ASTM International standard will be used in isobutanol manufacturing to test its purity for use in the chemical and fuel markets.
Pratt & Whitney Canada Plans Aircraft Engine Investment
Pratt & Whitney Canada says it will invest more than C$1 billion ($870 million) in research and development over the next 4.5 years to develop the next generation of high-performance aircraft engines.
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.