The acquisition of H.C. Starck Holding GmbH, Germany, by Mitsubishi Materials Europe B.V., a subsidiary of the Japanese Mitsubishi Materials Corporation Group, was formally concluded in December, 2024.
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Fleet Readiness Center Southwest, San Diego, Calif., received the People’s Choice Award at the 2024 Maintenance Innovation Challenge for its presentation on cold spray technology, a repair process designed to restore corroded and damaged naval aircraft components.
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Scientists at Penn Engineering, Penn Arts & Sciences, and Aarhus University found that adding just the right amount of disorder to the structure of certain materials can make them more than twice as resistant to cracking.
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Researchers at the University of Tokyo are breaking new ground being able to define which properties of concrete affect its structural characteristics under various neutron radiation loads.
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Semiconductor test equipment supplier Advantest Corporation, Japan, announced the T5801 Ultra-High-Speed DRAM Test System to support the latest advancements in high-speed memory technologies —including GDDR7, LPDDR6, and DDR6— critical to meeting the growing demands of artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, and edge applications.
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Imec, Belgium, a world-leading research and innovation hub in nanoelectronics and digital technologies, has announced a significant milestone in silicon photonics with the successful demonstration of electrically-driven GaAs-based multi-quantum-well nano-ridge laser diodes fully, monolithically fabricated on 300 mm silicon wafers in its CMOS pilot prototyping line.
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Nikon Corporation, Japan, launched the NEXIV VMF-K Series, a next-generation video measuring system designed to meet the increasing demands of semiconductor and electronic component inspection while significantly improving measurement throughput.
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The UK Battery Industrialization Center, United Kingdom, opened its new upgraded and extended Battery Development Laboratory, greatly increased the facility’s capabilities in key areas of battery materials characterization, cell analysis, and forensic activities.
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Constellium, Paris, announced the successful completion of the “ISA3” R&D project, an initiative launched in 2021 to advance lightweight aluminium solutions for automotive applications. Conducted in collaboration with Renault Group, ESI Group, the Institut de Soudure, and the University of Lorraine, the project was supported by a grant from the France Relance investment program. The research focused on developing cost-efficient, recyclable aluminium components to enhance vehicle performance and sustainability.
A key achievement of the project was the development of a lightweight aluminium door in partnership with Renault. Utilizing Constellium’s proprietary uni-alloy 6xxx rolled and extrusion-based solutions, the door design achieved a 14% weight reduction compared to existing aluminium doors used in compact battery electric vehicles. By employing a single alloy series, the project streamlined closed-loop recycling, reducing the door’s overall carbon footprint. This innovation resulted in a 33% reduction in Global Warming Potential (GWP), reinforcing the project’s emphasis on sustainability.
Beyond material advancements, the project also explored more efficient and flexible production processes to enhance performance while optimizing costs. Ludovic Piquier, senior vice president, manufacturing excellence and chief technical officer at Constellium, emphasized that the results highlight the company’s commitment to providing sustainable, high-performance aluminium solutions for the automotive sector.
Patrice Belliard, expert in flat products at Renault Group, noted that the project demonstrated how aluminium can support both weight reduction and cost efficiency in automotive manufacturing. Mathilde Chabin, manufacturing product director at ESI Group, added that the use of advanced pre-certification and validation technologies eliminated the need for physical prototypes, accelerating innovation while reducing costs and environmental impact.
The completion of Project ISA3 underscores the potential of aluminium to contribute to the automotive industry’s decarbonization efforts while delivering economic and environmental benefits.
Automaker modernizes heat-treatment operations with Nitrex technology
Nitrex, Quebec, announced that a major automotive manufacturer has selected its EndoFlex L generators to upgrade heat-treatment operations. This initiative supports the automaker’s commitment to improving production efficiency while advancing sustainability and cost management efforts.
The facility specializes in manufacturing engine components that require carburizing, a heat-treatment process that enhances surface durability by introducing carbon into the material. Previously, the site relied on aging, gas-heated generators to produce endothermic gas for this process. However, these generators had become inefficient, consuming excessive natural gas and increasing CO₂ emissions. To address these challenges, the manufacturer has chosen Nitrex’s electrically heated EndoFlex L endothermic gas generators to optimize efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
Designed specifically for carburizing applications, the EndoFlex L features a multi-retort design and precise temperature control, ensuring a consistent and stable supply of high-quality endothermic gas. The system operates on demand, significantly reducing gas consumption and emissions, making it a more sustainable and cost-effective solution.
Daniel Panny, head of sales Europe at Nitrex, emphasized the company’s long-standing relationship with the automaker, noting that previous projects included upgrading legacy generators with the EndoInjector gas injection system. He stated that this latest investment demonstrates how sustained partnerships can drive meaningful advancements in industrial manufacturing.
Wisconsin Oven Corporation, East Troy, WI, announced the shipment of a two-zone belt conveyor oven designed for tempering steel parts following induction hardening. The system is engineered for precise temperature control and enhanced energy efficiency, meeting industry specifications for uniform heating.
The oven has the capacity to heat 2,400 pounds of steel per hour from 70°F to 350°F, with a maximum temperature rating of 500°F. It features a top-down airflow recirculation system with a 32,000 CFM blower, evenly distributed between the two heating zones. Temperature control is managed by a Watlow F4T digital recorder/controller, which includes Ethernet communication capabilities and adaptive PID temperature control. A temperature uniformity survey verified uniformity within ±10°F at 350°F, ensuring compliance with AIAG specification CQI-9.
The conveyor system utilizes a continuous belt with a variable frequency drive for speed adjustments, and the work zone measures 4’0” W x 21’0” L x 14” H. To improve energy efficiency, the oven is equipped with the E-Pack™ Energy Efficiency Package, which includes additional insulation and variable frequency drives on the recirculation blowers. These features reduce energy consumption and operational costs, potentially providing substantial annual savings depending on utility rates and operating conditions.
The system’s design optimizes heat-up efficiency and uniformity, making it well-suited for high-volume steel tempering applications. The oven incorporates programmable temperature controls with auto-tuning functionality, ensuring consistent and repeatable performance for industrial heat treatment processes.
Researchers at the Swiss Light Source (SLS) recently developed a pioneering x-ray technique to probe the 3D orientation of a material’s building blocks at the nanoscale. Applied to a polycrystalline catalyst, the technique allows the visualization of crystal grains, grain boundaries and defects—key factors dictating catalyst performance. Beyond catalysis, the innovation unlocks previously inaccessible details about the structure of diverse functional materials in numerous applications.
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Intel unveiled the new Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) processors, designed to revolutionize mobile computing featuring cutting-edge AI enhancements, increased efficiency, and performance improvements.
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Imina Technologies, Switzerland, is now the exclusive supplier of Electrical Failure Analysis solutions from point electronic GmbH, Germany.
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Synopsys, Inc., Sunnyvale, Calif., announced the industry’s first Ultra Ethernet IP and UALink IP solutions, including controllers, PHYs, and verification IP, to meet the demand for standards-based, high-bandwidth, and low-latency HPC and AI accelerator interconnects.
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Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a technique to create a multilayered chip with alternating layers of high-quality semiconducting material grown directly on top of one another.
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Integer Holdings Corp., Plano, Texas, announced that it has finalized the divestiture of its Electrochem business to Ultralife Corp. for $50 million in cash. The sale marks Integer’s transition to a pure-play medical technology company, allowing it to focus exclusively on the development and manufacturing of medical devices.
The proceeds from the transaction will be used to reduce the company’s outstanding debt. Joseph Dziedzic, president and chief executive officer at Integer, emphasized that this move positions the company to allocate resources toward high-growth opportunities within the medical technology sector. He also expressed gratitude to the Electrochem team for their contributions over the years and confidence in their future under Ultralife’s ownership.
The divestiture aligns with Integer’s strategic goal to concentrate on advancing its role as a leading contract development and manufacturing organization for the medical device industry.
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Fort Wayne Metals, Ind., announced that it has developed HHS tube, an innovative product with a highly customizable structure designed to meet the specific functional requirements of various medical applications. This advancement is intended to address the increasing demand for versatile and reliable metal tubing in devices such as endovascular tools, minimally invasive instruments, neurological components, and urological devices.
HHS tube stands out from conventional tubing due to its ability to be tailored to precise specifications. The product can be manufactured in single, two, or three-layer stranded configurations, with customization options that include inner and outer diameters, wire count and size, pitch direction, and overall length. Inner diameters range from 80 µm to 2.2 mm, while outer diameters span 0.13 mm to 4 mm, allowing it to meet a wide variety of customer requirements.
The versatility of HHS tube makes it suitable for a broad range of applications. For example, neurological stimulation devices require thin, flexible filaments to navigate small and complex areas, while vascular tools demand elongation and compressive strength to deliver instruments to targeted sites. Endoscopy devices benefit from the tube’s ability to provide rotational control in navigating the body. Each configuration of the HHS tube is engineered to meet the specific functional demands of the application.
Fort Wayne Metals also offers custom finishing options to streamline the supply chain for its customers. These include custom fittings, terminations, Nitinol coatings, and specialized parts to support seamless integration into final medical device assemblies. This capability underscores the company’s commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the medical sector.
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Furukawa Electric Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, and Nichia Corp., Tokushima, Japan, announced that they have jointly opened the Cutting-Edge Laser Processing Solution Laboratory (CELL) in Kariya City, Aichi Prefecture. Located in a key hub of the automotive industry, the new facility is designed to accelerate the development of laser processing technologies and provide innovative solutions to industrial challenges.
The laboratory is equipped with Furukawa Electric’s advanced industrial lasers, including the newly developed 5kW blue laser (BR5000), which delivers world-leading brightness through optical fiber. Plans are in place to install the full range of Furukawa Electric’s industrial lasers, including the BRACE Series of Blue-IR hybrid lasers, enabling the lab to meet diverse customer requirements and expedite process testing and evaluations.
CELL is a collaborative effort between Furukawa Electric and Nichia, facilitating activities that span laser processing and light source development. This partnership will enable the two companies to propose next-generation laser solutions tailored to specific customer needs, with a particular focus on addressing the demands of copper processing for the electrification of mobility.
Both companies are committed to advancing laser technology and supporting the development of innovative production methods, contributing to the evolution of the automotive and related industries.
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The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois announced the creation of an innovative set of methods to evaluate long-term aging in real-world battery cells. The methods their researchers developed and demonstrated are based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.
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Ironwood Electronics, Eagan, Minn., is now producing elastomer sockets which include a protective “P” layer that allows for more insertions by protecting the elastomer from erosion and debris build up, extending the life of the elastomers to 200,000 plus insertions.
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TESCAN Group, a.s, Czech Republic, a leading global manufacturer of electron microscopes and advanced scientific instruments, has acquired EXpressLO LLC, Lehigh Acres, Fla., a provider of innovative FIB lift-out solutions for specimen preparation in STEM and other analytical techniques.
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Researchers at the University of Virginia and Harvard University have made an exciting discovery in thermal barrier coatings that could significantly enhance the performance and efficiency of gas turbines, key components in power plants and jet engines.
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Researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, in collaboration with Sandia National Laboratories and Bucknell University, have found that insight from muscovite mica and earthquake statistics can help quantify how hostile environmental interactions impact the degradation of materials used in advanced solar panels, geological carbon sequestration, and infrastructure.
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In a significant move to streamline mechanical testing and enhance material insights, Airbus, France, the global aerospace leader, is collaborating with Plastometrex, England, to support the standardization of profilometry-based indentation plastometry (PIP) – the innovative mechanical testing technique developed and commercialized by the Cambridge-based technology provider.
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In order to overcome a fundamental limit of silicon semiconductor technology that prevents transistors from operating below a certain voltage, Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers fabricated a different type of three-dimensional transistor using a unique set of ultrathin semiconductor materials.
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Researchers at the University of Minnesota have achieved a new artificially designed material that allows electrons to move faster while remaining transparent to both visible and ultraviolet light, breaking the previous record and being pivotal in making the next generation of high-power electronics faster, transparent and more efficient.
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Kymera International, Durham, N.C., strengthens position in thermal spray market and expands footprint in Europe with latest Surface Technologies acquisition of Coating Center Castrop GmbH., Germany.
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The Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT, Germany, is pioneering a new approach in fuel cell production by using extreme high-speed laser material deposition to create wear-resistant functional metal layers on low-cost structural steel, replacing traditional milling methods and significantly reducing costs, construction time, and tool wear.
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GKN Hoeganaes, a division of GKN Powder Metallurgy, England, and one of the largest iron powder producers globally, announced a strategic collaboration with First Phosphate, Canada, marking a significant step toward establishing a North American supply chain for lithium iron phosphate batteries, a critical component for the electric vehicle and energy storage industries.
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