The Leading Source for Design Engineering News & Insight
'Saving' the Next Generation of Manufacturing Workers
June 14, 2013 4:11 pm | by Joel Hans, Managing Editor, Manufacturing.net | Blogs | CommentsWhen it comes to the monumental task of training another generation of manufacturing employees, armed with the high-tech skills that the technology-heavy processes of the future will require, it’s easy to come down hard on the educational system.
Verifying Temperatures on an Appliance Test Wall
June 14, 2013 4:00 pm | by CAS DataLoggers | CAS DataLoggers | Articles | CommentsTest walls form a convenient way to perform product verification for testing appliances from ovens to dishwashers to stoves. A common example of these product verification setups involves measuring exactly where each appliance’s heat output is coming from. Some facilities use specialized test walls of various sizes designed for this purpose, holding stacks of units undergoing testing/verification.
Equipment Financing Means Flexible Solutions for Unique Business Needs
June 14, 2013 3:55 pm | by William G. Sutton, CAE President and CEO, Equipment Leasing and Finance Association | Blogs | CommentsEconomic times are challenging many businesses today, and the current economic environment poses even greater difficulties for entrepreneurial startups and small businesses that are struggling to get established, grow or just stay in business.
Is Technology Disconnecting Us?
June 14, 2013 1:32 pm | by Big Think | Videos | CommentsIn the world of Henry-Alex Rubin's new feature film, Disconnect, the hunters have a distinct advantage over the hunted and their protectors. The bullies and thugs have technology on their side, and they use it in all sorts of ways to stalk, trick, surprise, and catch their prey.
Autonomous Energy-Scavenging Micro Devices
June 14, 2013 12:58 pm | by Amy Nelson, SPIE | News | CommentsOut in the wilds or anywhere off the grid, sophisticated instruments small enough to fit in a shirt pocket will one day scavenge power from sunlight, body heat, or other sources to monitor water quality or bridge safety, enabling analysis in the field rather than bringing samples and data back to the lab.
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.
