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Super-thin material shows “exotic” properties
May 23rd, 2014
According to press information released by Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., researchers there and from the Brookhaven National Laboratory have shown how to switch a particular transition metal oxide, a lanthanum nickelate (LaNiO3), from a metal to an insulator by making the material less than a nanometer thick. Ever smaller electronic devices could get down to […]
Solar-powered roadways
May 23rd, 2014
Solar Roadways™ is a modular paving system of solar panels that can be installed on roads, parking lots, driveways, sidewalks, bike paths, playgrounds—any surface under the sun—to provide solar energy to power homes and business that are connected to the system. Inventors of the technology Scott and Julie Brusaw, Sagle, Idaho, have also built prototypes: […]
Warwick will weave first Monster Silk textiles
May 23rd, 2014
Kraig Biocraft Laboratories Inc. of Lansing, Mich., developer of advanced spider silk-based fibers, announced that Warwick Mills Inc., a leader in the engineering and development of advanced technical textiles and protective materials, is preparing to weave the first textiles with Kraig's Monster Silk recombinant spider silk. After requesting alterations, Warwick is testing and analyzing Kraig's […]
Tenting to the extreme
May 23rd, 2014
“Mavericks,” a new multi-purpose tent from outdoor gear company, Heimplanet, is specially designed for extreme conditions and is useable as a base camp or a group tent. It offers an inside height of two meters and more than 13 square meters of space. Its structure was developed to withstand high winds of up to 180km/h. […]
Antistatic, conductive, or static dissipative: Which one do you need?
May 23rd, 2014
Chad Twombly, business manager at Herculite Products Inc., York, Pa., wrote a blog on this topic recently. I followed up with a phone conversation with him. The result, I think, provides some clarity and useful information, particularly for end product manufacturers who may not be accustomed to working with these products. ~ Janet Preus, senior […]
Small-area, portable lighting
May 23rd, 2014
Design collective Studio Banana Things introduces its Kangaroo Light, described as a “playful, portable, interactive light,” so flexible that it can be folded and stuffed in the bottom of a bag or backpack and pulled out to provide instant light anywhere. With 24 built-in LEDs, a lithium-ion battery offers at least two hours of nonstop […]
Designer protection
May 23rd, 2014
When President Barack Obama strolled down the street following his inauguration in 2009, it was a bold move in the eyes of many. Although details of the president’s attire were not made available to the press, we do know that the president was wearing a bullet-proof suit by Columbian clothing company, Miguel Caballero. Curious about […]
Milliken acquires Westex
May 23rd, 2014
Recognizing the need for improved workplace safety, industrial employers and regulatory agencies are elevating the importance for workers to remain protected on the job. Together, Milliken and Westex will provide the innovative fabrics for industrial workers around the globe who need protection from arc flash, flash fire and other thermal hazards. “We are committed to changing […]
Safe Reflections awarded USAF contracts
May 23rd, 2014
St. Paul, Minn.-based Safe Reflections has been awarded two contracts totaling $3.5 million to provide reflective material for U.S. Air Force training apparel. The contracts represent the latest in a series of partnerships between Safe Reflections and UNICOR, which manufactures wearables for the U.S. military. The U.S. Air Force will use Eclipse reflective logos for […]
Stem cell property surprises researchers
May 23rd, 2014
Researchers at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom have discovered a property in human stem cells that could be used to produce materials strong enough for soundproofing and even bulletproof vests. They are urging scientists to explore potential technology applications for the property known as “auxeticity”. The Cambridge team, led by Dr. Kevin […]