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Finding Commercial Applications for Graphene

In a blown-up image from a scanning tunneling microscope, it looks just like an endless sheet of chicken wire: a simple flat sheet made up of a lattice of hexagons. But this nanoscopic material called graphene, first generally acknowledged to exist just five years ago, turns out to have a variety of unique, and potentially very useful, characteristics.

4 May 2009

DuPont Opens Photovoltaic Research Center in China

DuPont today opened a photovoltaic (PV) technical center at its China global R&D Center in Shanghai to support material developments for the fast growing crystalline silicon photovoltaic solar energy market.

4 May 2009

Are Wooden Barrels Better then Steel Barrels for Fermenting Chardonnay Wines?

After analysing different points of the process of the transformation of grape juice to wine, Ms Ana González Marco concluded that the type of container (wooden cask or steel tank) employed notably influences the fermentative aroma of Chardonnay wine.

4 May 2009

Computers to Fly Hypersonic Jets

When a jet is flying faster than the speed of sound, one small mistake can tear it apart.

And when the jet is so experimental that it must fly unmanned, only a computer control system can pilot it.

4 May 2009

ABS/PA Blend Used in Automotive Interior Components for the First Time

For the first time, the plastic Terblend® N NG-02 is being used for a ski-hatch opening in the new Opel Insignia. In spite of its glass fiber content, this ABS/PA blend made by BASF can be used for visible parts without having to be coated. In comparison to other vehicle interior materials, this saves time and cuts costs.

From BASF Corporation 4 May 2009

Russian Steelmaker Complies with ISO9001 Quality Management System

Novolipetsk Steel (NLMK) is pleased to announce that its quality management system has passed an oversight audit conducted by TÜV CERT, the independent German certifying agency. During the audit procedure at NLMK...

4 May 2009

Rogers Corp Buys Silicones Business

Rogers Corporation (NYSE: ROG) announced today that on April 30, 2009, it completed the transaction on the previously announced intent to acquire certain assets of MTI Global Inc.'s (Toronto: MTI.TO) silicones busine...

4 May 2009

Direct Back-Moulding of Metal Foils Now Possible

Injection moulds for a new back-moulding application – the direct back-moulding of metal foils – are now available from the company that develops and builds them: Georg Kaufmann Formenbau AG.

4 May 2009

Ice Protection System Successfully Demonstrated on Apache Helicopter

Goodrich Corporation (NYSE: GR) has successfully demonstrated the durability and performance of its new DuraTherm(TM) ice protection technology on a Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopter engine inlet sectional mockup. The U.S. ...

4 May 2009

Slugs Inspire Surgical Adhesives

A species of slug (Arion subfuscus) produces a defensive gel it can chemically convert into a remarkably strong glue. Similar gel-based glues attach some snails firmly onto slippery rocks; tools are needed to pry them of...

4 May 2009

Hydro Expects Further Aluminium Production Cuts After GM and Chrysler Announcements

Hydro does not rule out further reductions in its production of extruded aluminium automotive components and systems as result of the announcements that automakers General Motors and Chrysler are suspending vehicle production at most of their assembly plants in North America.

From Hydro - Aluminium Alloys and Products 4 May 2009

Molecule Exhibits An Extremely Short Bond Length

The description of compounds and interactions between atoms is one of the basic objectives of chemistry. Admittedly, chemical bonding models, which describe these properties very well, already exist. However, any deviati...

4 May 2009

Metal Organic Frameworks Stimulate Global Interest

The highly porous MOFs usually reveal two different types of structural elements. Transverse bars comprised of organic molecules are connected by inorganic coupling units containing metal ions. Mixing these reactants and heating leads to self-organized formation of MOFs.

4 May 2009

The Problem with Carbon Nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes have made a meteoric career in the past 15 years, even if their applications are still limited. Recent research results show that - apart from their favorable mechanical and electrical properties - they ...

4 May 2009

Corning to Supply Green Lasers for Microprojectors

Corning Incorporated (NYSE: GLW) and Microvision, Inc. (NASDAQ: MVIS) announced today that the companies have entered into a supply agreement under which Corning will supply its G-1000 green lasers to Microvision, as a k...

4 May 2009