Consumer

HEADLINES ARCHIVE

  • Ford Tests Large-Scale 3-D Printing with Light-Weighting and Personalization in Mind

    3-D printing is a helpful prototyping tool, but not as useful in mass production. Despite all the media attention devoted to this technology, it is actually quite expensive and slow, compared to more conventional injection molding. However, Ford is already testing 3-D printing technology with mass production in mind.

  • The Sky is the Limit for New Low-cost 3-D Printer

    Sliperiet at Umeå Arts Campus is in the process of making a 3-D printed Tower of Babel using a novel hanging printer. This offers a low-cost solution and increased flexibility to print large volumes.

  • Economizer and Heat Exchanger Project Nets Cost Savings

    The project is expected to save the city of Newark $80 million over 15 years and reduce the environmental impact of operating a 236-unit residential facility.

  • Insight: Advanced Metering Infrastructure

    AMI serves as a local link in a utility grid. Each unit has a unique address coupled to a user profile and its consumption curve.

  • Programs Aim to Boost Energy Storage for Solar PV

    The technology has become so popular that utilities and others are asking engineers to come up with ways to efficiently manage and store solar power to make it even more cost-effective for consumers.

  • Musk Says Tesla Will Run Contest for Homemade Ads

    Bria, daughter of Twitter user Steven, suggested that Musk should run a competition to find the best homemade commercial for Tesla.

  • ASTM Committee to Develop Cannabis Standards

    Initially, the new committee plans to focus on standards development in six technical areas.

  • Low-Power Optical Sensor for Wearables

    The low-power optical sensor incorporates an LED driver and green light detection photodiode.

  • Measuring Mercury in Fish

    A fluorescent polymer detects the presence of methylmercury and Hg2+ salt in fish samples.

  • Dell Turns Marine Waste into Plastic Packaging

    Packaging trays will consist of 25% recycled ocean plastic, which Dell says is a first for the computer industry, and 75% HDPE post-consumer plastic.

  • Restoring Communication for Locked-In Patients

    A brain-computer interface enabled four paralyzed patients suffering from complete locked-in syndrome to convey their thoughts.

  • Tequila Producer Sees Energy Potential in Waste Agave

    Herradura hopes to make fuel out of blue agave plant waste and cut its energy bill.

  • GE to Deploy IoT Sensor Platform in San Diego

    San Diego will collect real-time sensor data across the city that can be used to develop applications that may benefit the community. The open data platform offers potential opportunities to increase safety, optimize municipal systems, and create real-time environmental awareness.

  • Biocatalysts Remove Nitrates from Groundwater

    The natural nitrate-removal process offers cost savings up to 50% compared to other nitrate removal options and eliminates the generation of secondary waste streams.

  • Ease Your Muscle Strain When Hammering

    A shock-absorbing hammer may reduce arm muscle strain and consequently reduce the risk of tennis elbow for users.

  • Replacing Phenol in Wood Products

    Reactive lignin produced from pulp industry side streams can replace phenol compounds in wood adhesives and become a new, high-value product for pulp mills.

  • Biodegradable Plastic from Shrimp Shells

    The researchers produced chitosan, a manmade polymer derived from the organic compound chitin, which is extracted from shrimp shells.

  • Big Data for the Minor Leagues

    The sensors, which are wrapped in a protective case and distributed evenly in equipment, use inferencing algorithms that can track movement to within a few centimeters.

  • Stretchable Electronic Fabric Made by an Inkjet Printer

    Engineering researchers have developed a stretchable smart fabric that can be created using an inkjet printer, raising the potential producing the material inexpensively.

  • License to Print Money at Home?

    Even consumers who are technologically illiterate can make their money back within six months, and also earn an almost 1,000% return on their investment in a 3-D printer over a five-year period, researchers say.

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