ASM publishes breaking industry news articles to our web site every day! Below are the top news items of the week; view the full-text articles and more headline news online.

NASA Uses Commercial Microgravity Flight Services
PRNewswire-USNewswire
ASA for the first time has used microgravity research flights aboard commercially-owned aircraft to test hardware and technologies. These flights, on an airplane operated by the Zero Gravity Corporation, simulated the weightless conditions of space.

Boeing Completes Acquisition of Insitu
PRNewswire-FirstCall
The Boeing Company has completed its acquisition of Insitu Inc., a pioneer in the unmanned air systems market and leader in the design, development and manufacture of high-performance, low-cost UAS used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

Bekem Metals Selects Nickel Processing Technology
PRNewswire-FirstCall
Bekem Metals Inc. has completed initial pilot testing of various technologies for processing nickel ore from its Kempirsai deposit. Technologies evaluated were hydrometallurgical technologies -- hot acid and heap leaching; and pyrometallurgical technologies -- rotary kiln with electric furnace, and liquid bath furnace (Vanyukov Process).

Focal Knee Resurfacing Implant Receives FDA Approval
PRNewswire
Arthrosurface Inc. has received approval from the U.S. FDA to begin its pivotal investigation for its line of focal knee resurfacing implants. The minimally invasive resurfacing system allows for preservation of healthy tissue and joint structures by limiting treatment to localized defects using a shallow inlay implant that is matched to the patient's own unique joint surface anatomy.


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The National Institute of Standards and Technology, Lehigh University, and Cardiff University have collaborated to achieve for the first time state-of-the-art resolution of the active gold nanocrystals absorbed onto iron oxide surfaces. The resolution was sensitive enough to visualize individual gold atoms.
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Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne researchers in Switzerland have developed a new method to fabricate borosilicate glass nanoparticles. These nanoparticles are more stable when subjected to temperature fluctuations and harsh chemical environments than nanoparticles made of polymers or silica glass. Their introduction could extend the range of potential nanoparticle applications in biomedical, optical, and electronic products.
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Zimmer Holdings will acquire Abbott Labs spinal business for roughly $360 million in cash. The boards of directors of both companies have approved the transaction, which is subject to regulatory approvals. The acquisition will expand Zimmer’s R&D capabilities in its spinal division.
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The U.S. Department of Energy announces the selection of six projects that will address challenges facing the large-scale production of hydrogen from coal and coal-biomass mixtures. The ability of hydrogen to fuel transportation, power generation and industrial processes with only water as a by-product makes it an efficient and clean fuel to meet growing U.S. energy demands while assuring energy security.
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NEWS OF THE INDUSTRY Test/Characterization Process Technology Emerging Technology Global Business Energy Trends

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Fishy Signals

Red fluorescence may be part of a private communication system in certain fish, say researchers at the University of Tübingen, Germany. Red fluorescence is at the borderline of what is visible to many fish, and due to rapid attenuation of red light by water, even those that can see red will be able to see it over short distances only.

Fluorescent eye rings may function as an indicator of presence or reveal the direction of gaze. How fish are able to do this is another question. Learn more.

Materials Drive Progress for Humanity

Diran Apelian
TMS President

Addressing basic human needs of the 21st Century, such as energy, transportation, housing, water, health, resource recovery, and recycling are challenges that require materials science and engineering solutions.

We need innovations, technical breakthroughs, and the political will to put in place appropriate legislation and fund the infrastructure to change course. Pittsburgh has proven that this can be done, as it has transformed itself into a hub for innovation, higher learning, and a desirable city with high quality of life.

It’s very exciting for us to be in Pittsburgh, where TMS is headquartered and where we will join forces as one of four partner societies at the Materials Science & Technology (MS&T) conference to address these issues. Like the materials community at large, Pittsburgh has evolved from a legacy of steel to become a world leader in materials for the 21st century.

Learn more.

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ASM-Indian Institute of Metals Seeks 2009 Visiting Lecturers

Qualified lecturers:
• Are ASM members who visit India
• Have experience with delivering technical presentations of interest to government, industrial or academic organizations
• Can lecture on current technological conditions in India
• Will be available between April 1 and December 31, 2009
• Have definite travel plans to and from India using own funds

Award carries with it an $800 honorarium to be used for travel expenses within India during their visit and a certificate of recognition to be presented at the ASM Leadership Awards Luncheon scheduled for October 2009 in Pittsburgh, PA during MS&T’09.

Deadline for application is February 1, 2009. For more information, contact Carole Chesla at 440/338-5151 ext. 5330

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Elements of Metallurgy and Engineering Alloys

This practical reference provides thorough and systematic coverage on both basic metallurgy and the practical engineering aspects of metallic material selection and application. Coverage includes:

• Practical information on the engineering properties and applications of steels, cast irons, nonferrous alloys, and metal matrix composites.

• Concise overviews and practical implications of metallic structure, imperfections, deformation, and phase transformations

• Process metallurgy of solidification and casting, recovery, recrystallization and grain growth, precipitation hardening Mechanical deformation during processing and in-service properties of fatigue, fracture, and creep.

• Physical properties and corrosion

To see the Table of Contents and read a sample chapter, click here.

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Sales Manager North America
Tekna Plasma Systems, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada

Develop and promote the sales in North-America; Survey companies working in United States and Canada in the following industries: nano technology, coating, and powder treatment; Establish contact; Write commercial quotes, contracts, and follow up with clients; Road trips and trade shows.
Learn more.

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