Metal foam handles heat better than steel

Researchers at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, have found that novel light-weight composite metal foams (CMFs) are significantly more effective at insulating against high heat than the conventional base metals and alloys that they’re made of, such as steel.

The Science of Star Wars

Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens has an intense plot, edge-of-your-seat action scenes and, of course, lots of lightsabers. But is it actually possible to create a real-life lightsaber or build a functioning Death Star laser? To answer these questions and more, the American Chemical Society’s Reactions explores the science behind the Star Wars franchise.

Solar Manufacturing partners with Refrac Systems for GFQVHP system

Refrac Systems, Chandler, Ariz., has contracted with Solar Manufacturing, Souderton, Pa., and Beckwood Press & Machinery/Triform, Saint Louis, to help design and build a large 100-ton-load gas fan quench vacuum hot press (GFQVHP) system for its aerospace diffusion bonding operation.