The Leading Source for Design Engineering News & Insight
Energy from the Windy Heights
June 14, 2013 12:54 pm | by Empa | News | CommentsThe electricity from our sockets could soon come from a high-tech device flying in the sky. The innovative research project to generate wind energy with the aid of a kite won over the “Venture Kick” jury; it is providing CHF 10,000 of support for the Empa spin-off “TwingTec”.
Unzipped Nanotubes Unlock Potential for Batteries
June 14, 2013 12:51 pm | by Mike Williams, Rice University | News | CommentsResearchers at Rice University have come up with a new way to boost the efficiency of the ubiquitous lithium ion battery by employing ribbons of graphene that start as carbon nanotubes. Proof-of-concept anodes — the part of the battery that stores lithium ions — built with graphene nanoribbons and tin oxide showed an initial capacity better than the theoretical capacity of tin oxide alone, according to James Tour.
Nanoparticle Opens the Door to Clean-Energy Alternatives
June 14, 2013 12:41 pm | by Katrina Voss, Penn State | News | CommentsCheaper clean-energy technologies could be made possible thanks to a new discovery. Led by Raymond Schaak, a professor of chemistry at Penn State University, research team members have found that an important chemical reaction that generates hydrogen from water is effectively triggered -- or catalyzed -- by a nanoparticle composed of nickel and phosphorus, two inexpensive elements that are abundant on Earth.
Reinforced Nylon Check Valve
June 14, 2013 12:26 pm | by PD&D Staff | Minnesota Rubber And Qmr Plastics | Product Releases | CommentsImproved oil flow control in marine and industrial engines has been accomplished by Minnesota Rubber and Plastics with a new check valve design that simplified manufacture while reducing part weight and cost. Using glass reinforced Nylon this two-piece oil filter check valve allows switching between two oil filters during routine engine operation.
Robust 4-way Adjustable Direction Switch
June 14, 2013 12:20 pm | by PD&D Staff | C&K Components | Product Releases | CommentsC&K Components has developed a new series of 4-way adjustable direction switches for automotive and industrial mirror control applications. The CS-41001E Series features customizable wire harnesses and connectors to ease the assembly process.
Vitreous Enamel-Coated Tubular Wirewounds
June 14, 2013 12:16 pm | by PD&D Staff | Stackpole Electronics, Inc. | Product Releases | CommentsStackpole’s EWT Series of vitreous enamel-coated tubular wirewounds are a good choice for high power load dump applications. The robust wire element withstands thousands of high power load dumps without failure or significant resistance shift.
Photos of the Day: Orion Tests Fairings Jettison System
June 14, 2013 10:34 am | by NASA | News | CommentsEngineers continue to evaluate test data which will be compared with engineering models of the Orion jettison to validate engineers' expectations and, if necessary, improve the fairings' design before the flight test.
China's Shenzhou 10 Ship Docks with Space Lab
June 14, 2013 10:31 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsChina's latest manned space capsule docked with an orbiting space station Thursday, and the three astronauts climbed aboard what will be their home for the next week. During their 12-day stay at the lab, the astronauts will perform a manual docking exercise and conduct scientific experiments. They will also deliver a series of science lectures — part of an outreach to increase the space program's popularity among younger Chinese.
Engineering Firm Fined $1M for Illegal Donations
June 14, 2013 10:27 am | by Wayne Parry, Associated Press | News | CommentsA major New Jersey engineering firm admitted Thursday that it made illegal campaign contributions, was fined $1 million and was banned from working on government contracts in the state for 10 years. Birdsall Services Group entered guilty pleas in state Superior Court in Toms River to money laundering and making false representations for government contracts.
US Court Says Human Genes Cannot Be Patented
June 14, 2013 10:24 am | by Jesse J. Holland, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe Supreme Court ruled Thursday that companies cannot patent parts of naturally-occurring human genes, a decision with the potential to profoundly affect the emerging and lucrative medical and biotechnology industries.
Orion Program Test Provides Data to Validate Design
June 14, 2013 10:21 am | by NASA | News | CommentsNASA is carrying out a series of tests to ensure the agency's Orion spacecraft can successfully jettison its protective fairings, or covers, during its ride to space. During the first of these tests, two of the three fairing panels separated as planned, but a third didn't.
Solar Impulse Leaves St. Louis
June 14, 2013 10:19 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsAfter 10 days in St. Louis, the first plane that can fly day or night without fuel is on its way to Cincinnati. Solar Impulse started its cross-country trip in Northern California on May 3. It arrived in St. Louis on June 4. The plane took off from Lambert Airport early Friday.
Court Ruling May Open Up Breast Cancer Gene Tests
June 14, 2013 10:02 am | by Marilynn Marchione, AP Chief Medical Writer | News | CommentsA ruling by the Supreme Court that human genes can't be patented is expected to increase access and drop the cost for tests for gene mutations that greatly raise the risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer. In a bit of a mixed message, the court unanimously decided that certain types of gene tests may still be protected by patents, yet it struck down patents that a company has long held for BRCA genes.
New Array Measures Vibrations Across Skin May Help Engineers Design Tactile Displays
June 14, 2013 9:45 am | by Jennifer Chu, MIT News Office | News | CommentsIn the near future, a buzz in your belt or a pulse from your jacket may give you instructions on how to navigate your surroundings. Think of it as tactile Morse code: vibrations from a wearable, GPS-linked device that tell you to turn right or left, or stop, depending on the pattern of pulses you feel.
First Flight of Airbus A350 Reopens Wide-Body Race
June 14, 2013 9:35 am | by Lori Hinnant, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe Airbus A350's maiden flight ended with a safe landing on Friday, setting the stage for intensifying competition with U.S. rival Boeing in the long-haul wide-body aircraft market. The four-hour flight from Toulouse marks a key step on the path to full certification for the jet, which can carry between 250 and 400 passengers.
