QuesTek offers cloud-based software-as-a-service to organizations that want to enable digital transformation of materials engineering.
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The Quantum Odyssey: Visualizing topological materials with 3D glasses
An international team of scientists has succeeded in experimentally confirming a characteristic of topological materials.
Continue readingHarnessing materials and mechanics science for a sustainable future
Integration of CO2 capture and CO2 conversion through electrochemical processes has emerged in recent years, offering a distinct advantage over the traditional independent methods by obviating the costly capture media recovery and compression steps.
Continue readingConstellium to sell three german extrusion plants to Vaessen Aluminium
Constellium, Paris, announced that it signed a binding agreement with Vaessen Aluminium for the sale of three of Constellium’s soft alloy extrusion facilities located in Landau, Crailsheim and Burg in Germany for a total cash consideration of €48.8 million.
With nearly 450 employees, the three Constellium plants specialize in soft alloy extruded products for the Building & Construction, Transportation and Industry markets in Europe.
Vaessen Aluminium belongs to a longstanding family-owned industrial group, headquartered in Belgium, active in aluminum billets and profiles (E-Max), in lighting and ceiling (Kreon) and in wall cladding (Limeparts Drooghmans).
The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2023 and is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approval.
Lehigh’s summer engineering institute students tour Solar Atmospheres
Solar Atmospheres, Souderton, Pa., hosted over 40 high school students enrolled in the Summer Engineering Institute (SEI) at Lehigh University. The SEI program, under the guidance of Director Dr. Laura Moyer, is a two-week residential program, running two sessions back to back.
Students are nominated by faculty of local high schools, and the program specifically targets under-represented groups including girls, first-generation students, and students who might otherwise have limited opportunities to study in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
Solar Atmospheres provided a tour of the campus, exhibiting materials and processes for intriguing applications in a variety of markets. The students experienced a manufacturing setting encompassing related topics from their curriculum, gaining a better understanding of heat treating and manufacturing, and how cutting edge technology reshapes centuries-old processes.
New material shows promise for next-generation memory technology
Researchers from Tohoku University, Japan, used sputtering to fabricate large-area 2D vdW tetra-chalcogenides and identified an exceptionally promising material ー niobium telluride ーthat exhibits an ultra-low melting point, opening up new possibilities for developing high-performance phase change memories.
Continue readingNew approach reduces EV battery testing time by 75%
Testing the longevity of new electric vehicle battery designs could be four times faster with a streamlined approach, researchers at the University of Michigan have shown.
Continue readingNew material could hold key to reducing energy consumption in computers and electronics
A University of Minnesota team has, for the first time, synthesized a thin film of a unique topological semimetal material that has the potential to generate more computing power and memory storage while using significantly less energy. The researchers were also able to closely study the material, leading to some important findings about the physics behind its unique properties.
Continue readingAddressing the nation’s need for strong domestic semiconductor industry and infrastructure
Last year, UC Riverside scientists and colleagues at UC Irvine received $5 million from the U.S. Department of Energy, to team up with Sandia National Laboratory in building a diverse educational pipeline in the field of microelectronics. Developing expertise and infrastructure in this field is a priority for industry and government.
Continue readingJohnson Matthey signs agreement for hydrogen investment in China
Johnson Matthey, Beijing, China, has signed an investment agreement with the Jiading District in Shanghai to help accelerate the hydrogen economy in China.
At a signing ceremony in Sonning, UK, JM and the Shanghai Jiading District announced plans to build a new catalyst coated membrane (CCM) production facility, providing CCM production capability for multiple proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell applications and PEM electrolysers.
The facility, which will have an initial capacity of up to 5GW, will occupy 22,000m2 in the Jiading district of Shanghai, in a designated Hydrogen industrial zone and is due to be operational in 2025. It will have potential to expand further in line with customer demand.
The investment, which is backed by customer demand, is part of JM’s £1.1 billion global stated capital expernditure for the three years to 2024/25 and will include government support and incentives.
The new production facility will enable Johnson Matthey to supply existing Chinese and international customers with locally produced CCMs, and in addition there is a strong pipeline of further customer interest across both fuel cell and renewable (green) hydrogen technologies.
Enovis recognized as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces 2023 by Newsweek
Enovis Corp., Wilmington, Del., has announced today that it has been recognized as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces 2023 by Newsweek.
Newsweek partnered with Plant-A Insights Group, a market-data research firm, to identify America’s Greatest Workplaces by conducting a large-scale employer study based on over 389,000 company reviews in the United States. “Enovis is proud to provide a positive work environment where employees can thrive through our culture of continuous improvement and a commitment to improving patient outcomes,” said Matt Trerotola, chief executive officer of Enovis. “This award recognizes our passionate drive to create better together every day as we develop the next generation of medical technology, and we are honored to be named one of the greatest workplaces in America.”
Already recognized as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity, Enovis places significant importance on building and sustaining a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment while fostering a collaborative culture that empowers its team of extraordinary talent to reach their full potential.
Shape memory alloy reinforcement for strengthening of RCC structures
Raisoni College of Engineering, India, has published a critical review of significant performance and safety issues that arise from the deterioration of reinforced concrete (RC) structural components brought on by ageing processes and high stress occurrences.
Shape memory alloys (SMAs), one of the options for restoring such components, have special qualities including recovering inelastic strain when unloaded (super elasticity) or heated (shape memory effect, SME). To lessen permanent deformations into RC constructions, super elasticity and SME of SMA bars can be used. The stiffness and strength of RC structures can also be improved by the addition of SMAs, allowing them to withstand loads of high intensities with minimal damage.
Despite the wide range of studies done on the applications of SMAs in structures, a comprehensive analysis of the present state, key results, potential drawbacks, and future contemplation of SMA bars for the reinforcement of RC structures is lacking in the literature.
One Minute Mentor: Plasma Nitriding Equipment
Cold-walled (double-walled water-cooled) systems were the first generation of plasma nitriding furnaces. This technology is also a vacuum-based process but employs the principle of glow discharge to provide energy for heating and nitriding at one time. Therefore, the independent control of the temperature stability and the nitriding intensity is not possible because both processes are using the same energy source—the plasma.
The hot-wall plasma nitriding furnaces, the next generation of cold-wall ion nitriding systems, are mainly used and built now. This system ensures optimal nitriding quality by fulfilling the highest demands on temperature and nitriding process control. The big advantage of this technology is the separation of the control of the heating and the plasma nitriding parameters. The heating and temperature control of hot-wall plasma nitriding furnaces is realized by several independent heating/cooling zones, which guarantees optimal temperature homogeneity
For more information, click on the link below (subscription required). Then scroll to Figure 26.
R Schneider; R. Mesquita; H. Altena; T. Müller; P. Seemann, Processes and Furnace Equipment for Heat Treating of Tool Steels, ASM International, 2014, https://doi.org/10.31399/asm.hb.v04d.a0005958
Mark Saline receives MPIF distinguished service award
Gasbarre, Dubois, PaA, announced that Mark Saline, president of Gasbarre Thermal Processing Systems, is a recipient of the 2023 MPIF Distinguished Service to Powder Metallurgy (PM) Award that recognizes individuals who have actively served the North American PM industry for at least 25 years.The award is selected by the Metal Powder Industries Federation’s (MPIF) Awards Committee.
Over 70 nominated individuals were on the ballot for review by the past 10 years of Distinguished Service Award recipients, as well as the MPIF Board of Governors and Boards of Directors of the MPIF trade associations. Mark Saline will receive his award during PowderMet 2023 in Las Vegas. Mark has been well established in the Powder Metallurgy industry for many years. His PM involvement includes teaching students at the PM Sintering Seminar, sitting on the MPIF Program Committee, judging the PM Design Excellence Awards, he has written several publications on processing in continuous furnaces, and he provides input in organizations such as the Center for Powder Metal Technology, Powder Metal Equipment Association, and the Association for Metal Additive Manufacturing. Mark will also serve at the Conference Technical Chair-Person for PowderMet 2024 in Pittsburgh.
Evolution on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a new multicomponent near-Alpha Titanium Alloy after rolling and heat treatments
Beijing University of Technology, China, presented the microstructure and mechanical properties of a new type of multi-component near-α titanium alloy sheet after rolling, 700°C aging, and 800°C aging in a new paper.
The results show that the strength of the alloy after aging at 700°C increases from 1156 MPa to 1304 MPa, respectively, but decreases to 1246 MPa with the aging temperature increasing. The ductility of the alloy aged at 700°C is lower than that of the rolled state, but the ductility increases slightly with the aging temperature increasing. The effect of aging heat treatment on the microstructure and precipitation behavior of alloy plates has been studied and compared with alloys before aging.
After heat treatment, the content of primary α decreases from 25% to 5%, respectively. Two kinds of silicide precipitate at different positions, with the large-size spherical silicide being (Ti, Zr, Nb)5Si3, and the small-size fusiform silicide being (Ti, Zr, Nb)6Si3, respectively. Ti3Al was precipitated in the primary α phase, during the aging process. The silicides exhibit the strengthening effect on the alloy, but the effect weakens when the silicides grow up. The loss in ductility is mainly attributed to the precipitation of the α2 phase after aging treatment. However, ductility is improved after applying higher aging temperatures as the size of the α2 phase becomes smaller, and the distribution of them tends to become dispersed.
International team reports powerful tool for studying, tuning atomically thin materials
Now an international team of scientists led by physicists at MIT reports a powerful new tool for quantifying — and controlling — a key parameter in moiré systems.
Continue reading$18M to advance materials research for quantum computing, sustainable plastics and more
More efficient computing—potentially room temperature quantum computing—and recyclable rigid plastics are two projects to be undertaken by a new materials research science and engineering center at the University of Michigan.
Continue readingEngineers use nanotechnology to harvest electricity ‘from thin air’
Engineers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have developed a technique for harvesting electricity from air humidity, dubbed the “generic Air-gen effect.” According to research published in Advanced Materials, any material with nanopores less than 100 nanometers in diameter can be utilized to continuously generate electricity.
Continue readingTeam uses 3D printing to strengthen a key material in aerospace, energy-generation applications
An MIT-led team reports a simple, inexpensive way to strengthen a material key to applications in aerospace and nuclear energy generation.
Continue readingEngineering solutions through advanced materials
The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) is conducting innovative research on advanced materials and manufacturing technologies that will play a vital role in both civilian and military applications.
Continue readingUSI develops advanced failure analysis technology to meet high-level demands of SiP miniaturization products
Universal Scientific Industrial (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., China, developed an advanced electronic component failure analysis technology to meet the increasingly complex and diverse needs of system-in-package miniaturized products.
Continue readingEndoFlex generator chosen for fastener heat treatment
UPC-Marathon, Quebec,, a Nitrex company, has commissioned a 100 M3H EndoFlex endothermic gas generator for a South American manufacturer of industrial fasteners.
This is a repeat customer that has UPC-Marathon‘s gas panels, flowmeters, oxygen probes, and Protherm plant automation software installed in their heat treatment operations. With the addition of the EndoFlex generator, they will now be able to supply gas to a new continuous mesh belt neutral hardening furnace for the treatment of metal fasteners used in automotive applications.
The customer had the option to choose between a nitrogen-methanol system or an endothermic gas generator for their neutral hardening furnace. After careful consideration, they selected UPC-Marathon’s EndoFlex generator in order to achieve better control and consistency of the process atmosphere. The result is an improved hardening process and higher-quality hardened fasteners, along with reduced operating costs. The EndoFlex mixes ratios more accurately and efficiently, ensuring a constant furnace atmosphere and consistent gas quality, leading to immediate cost savings through reduced electricity and gas consumption and zero waste.
The system was started in March 2023, and its consistent performance has exceeded the customer’s expectations.
Dr. Kathy Hayrynen awarded the 2023 Fred Linebarger teaching award
Dr. Kathy Hayrynen, FASM, vice president of research and development, Aalberts Surface Technologies, Cleveland, has been awarded the 2023 Fred Linebarger Teaching Award by the Cast Iron Division of the American Foundry Society Technical Council.
The award was established in 2015 and honors the late Dr. Fred Linebarger (Director of Technology for Miller & CO) who devoted his career to the development of treatment alloys and processes for the production of both ductile and compacted graphite iron.
Dr. Fred was known for his teaching skills, namely an ability to take complex concepts and break them down into simple bites that anyone could understand. He served as a mentor to many technical employees in the metalcasting industry.
The award honors Dr. Kathy’s efforts mentoring and sharing her knowledge. It emphasizes her role in and the importance of education in the metalcasting industry. It also recognizes her willingness to share knowledge with others by teaching fundamentals of metalcasting to students, customers and industry peers. She serves as a mentor to the next generation of metalcasting professionals, especially women in the industry.
Georgia Tech and GlobalFoundries to collaborate on joint semiconductor research and workforce development
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, one of the top public research universities in the U.S., and GlobalFoundries, Malta, NY., one of the world’s leading semiconductor manufacturers, announced a new partnership to expand collaboration on semiconductor research, education, talent, and workforce development.
Continue readingA step forward in the quest to replace silicon with 2D chips
Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have discovered more than a dozen different materials for 2D semiconductors that could allow electrons to quickly move around, opening the door for a leap in electronics’ capabilities.
Continue readingConfluent Medical Technologies announces grand opening of Costa Rica expansion
Confluent Medical Technologies, Scottsdale, Ariz., has announced the grand opening of the latest addition to their large scale manufacturing center of excellence in Alajuela, Costa Rica, expanding their capacity for Nitinol processing and catheter manufacturing.
This new facility will be co-located with the existing Confluent Costa Rica facility and will add an additional 66,000 square feet to this location. The new site greatly expands Confluent’s capacity to process Nitinol components, as well as produce complex catheters using a combination of clean rooms and white-space manufacturing.
“Confluent has experienced consistent and strong growth in recent years,” said Confluent president & CEO, Dean Schauer. “This expansion supports our new product pipeline which continues to grow at a rate greater than Confluent has previously experienced.”
Confluent supports some of the fastest growing medical device markets such as interventional neurovascular, electrophysiology, structural heart, and peripheral vascular. As a result of the double-digit growth of these currently served markets, a substantial number of new products are coming into production and will utilize this new facility space immediately. Additionally, Confluent is considering additional expansion options beyond this new facility.
QMD precision components business now part of Cirtec Medical
Cirtec Medical Corp., Lowell, Mass., has acquired QMD Precision Components, a business that specializes in the development and manufacturing of silicone, polyisoprene, and other custom elastomeric components, tubing, and subassemblies.
Cirtec is a strategic outsourcing partner of complex medical devices, including minimally invasive and active implantable devices. The acquisition will enable Cirtec to provide customers with advanced expertise in medical silicone molding and extrusion. The integration of Precision Components within the Cirtec brand will offer comprehensive, integrated solutions based on decades of silicone experience. The acquisition will also strengthen Cirtec’s platform for growth in existing markets such as active implantables, interventional, and minimally invasive surgical devices. Precision Components consists of Centers of Excellence in Sturtevant, Wisconsin, and Rock Hill, South Carolina, and engineering and manufacturing capabilities will remain at the facilities, along with current leadership.
EPC and FST join forces in the new group Surface Technology Services
Engineered Performance Coatings, UK, and Flame Spray Technologies, Netherlands, join forces and form Surface Technology Services (STS), a total solution group active in Thermal Spray Technologies.
Continue readingKennametal adds Blast Ninja to its portfolio of abrasive blast nozzles
Kennametal Inc., Pittsburgh, Pa., added the Blast Ninja to its leading portfolio of abrasive blast nozzles for advanced surface preparation delivering improved productivity and enhanced hearing protection.
Continue readingMulti-furnace heat treat project for major steel forger
Nutec Bickley, Mexico, has been awarded a contract to manufacture and install five new lift-up furnaces, along with a fully modernized combustion system, for a leading U.S. manufacturer of high-quality alloy steel and carbon steel closed-die forgings. The project will take place between May and December 2023, with onsite work completed one furnace at a time to ensure the customer’s production schedules are not impacted. Two of the new furnaces will be used for tempering, while the remaining three will be used for austenitizing. Each furnace will be fitted with the latest control systems, complete fiber flues, and new exhaust and pressure control systems, along with insulation.
Nutec Bickley’s state-of-the-art combustion packages will be fully compliant with NFPA 86 standards, incorporating a fuel-only control system to allow maximum temperature uniformity potential for all cycles. The retrofitted furnaces will benefit from high-velocity nozzle mixing burners fitted with high-temperature burner blocks. The combustion systems will also feature automatic air control valves to adjust the maximum air volume used and to ensure proper burner ignition conditions.
The project will involve careful teamwork between the customer and Nutec Bickley to ensure successful delivery and highest quality outcomes. Rodrigo González, VP Metals at Nutec Bickley, emphasized the importance of constant communication and status updates with customers for a dynamic and mutually beneficial project result.