Researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, say they found a way to improve the efficiency of steam condensation-the key to worldwide production of electricity and clean water. It has been known for years that making steam-condenser surfaces hydrophobic could improve the efficiency of condensation by causing the water to quickly form droplets. But most hydrophobic materials have limited durability, especially in steamy industrial settings.
Triton receives funding to build fiber-reinforced aluminum production facility
Triton Systems Inc., Chelmsford, Mass., announces that its Composites Division and its partner Specialty Materials Inc., Lowell, Mass., have received MassVentures 2013 START Stage I funding for its FRA Composites technology. FRA (fiber-reinforced aluminum) is a high-strength aluminum alloy randomly reinforced with chopped ceramic (alumina-silicate) fibers. Compared to steel and cast iron, it has equivalent or better resistance to various forms of wear, but is 1/3 the density of ferrous alloys.
Nitrex installs nitriding/nitrocarburizing system at Korean heat treater
Nitrex Metal Inc., Quebec, Canada, has installed a nitriding/nitrocarburizing system at Dongwoo HST Ltd., Korea. Primarily for processing Hyundai ring gears, it includes three Nitreg-based nitriding technologies for a variety of steel types with process recipes for each product application. Along with the increase in the ring gear business, Dongwoo is expanding to meet the growing demand in Korea for advanced heat treatments with superior capabilities.
Optomec launches low-cost 3D printer for metal additive manufacturing
Optomec Inc., Albuquerque, N.M., launches a low cost metal 3D printer named the LENS 450. The system was developed specifically in response to growing industry interest in 3D printing of metals, including the need to train a new generation of workers in metal additive manufacturing technology. The first delivery will be to the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Material Science at the University of Pittsburgh, where it will be used in its new Advanced Manufacturing education program.
New editors for Metallurgical and Materials Transactions
ASM International, Materials Park, Ohio, and The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS), Warrendale, Pa., announced two new editors for the Metallurgical and Materials Transactions journals: Steven J. Zinkle, FASM, of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and Sridhar Seetharaman of the University of Warwick. Zinkle Named Editor for Metallurgical and Materials Transactions E Steven J.