Microscopy movies capture material crystallization
Researchers from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Calif., created movies of irreversible reactions that occur too rapidly to capture with conventional microscopy for the first time. The team used multi-frame, nanosecond-scale imaging in the dynamic transmission electron microscope (DTEM) to create movies of the crystallization of phase change materials used for optical and resistive memory.
Scanning transmission electron holography microscope now operational at University of Victoria
The University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, announces that the seven-metric-ton, 4.5-meter-tall scanning transmission electron holography microscope (STEHM) has now been fully assembled and tested, and has a lineup of scientists and businesses eager to use it. A team from Hitachi, which constructed the ultrahigh-resolution (35 picometers), ultra-stable instrument, spent one year painstakingly assembling the STEHM in a carefully controlled lab in the basement of the Bob Wright Centre.
Corrosion module software provides simplified operation
Olympus Corp., Japan, introduced new Corrosion Module software available with the portable EPOCH 600 Ultrasonic Flaw Detector. The module is designed for the growing population of inspectors that require both flaw detection and corrosion measurement solutions as standard application offerings. This optional software provides simplified instrument operation for basic corrosion applications, requiring less set up time and more efficient data collection.
Die-forging method increases crankshaft material fatigue strength by 20%
Kobe Steel Ltd., Japan, reports that it has recently developed a new die-forging method that increases the fatigue strength of crankshaft material by 20% compared with conventional forging. As a result, long-stroke crank throws of higher reliability and lighter weight can now be commercially mass produced for diesel engines in ships. In engine development, ships are using larger propellers that rotate at slower speeds, driving the need for low-rpm propellers with high output.