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Materials

DoE offering $30 million for new materials and manufacturing to lower cost of large wind turbines

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The US Department of Energy has announced a $30 million funding opportunity to advance the cost-effective domestic manufacturing of materials, including lightweight composites, that allow wind turbines to produce power more efficiently.

Because wind energy is the largest source of renewable power in the United States and one of the most affordable sources of energy today, it is a critical tool for reducing our reliance on fossil energy, and next-generation technologies and manufacturing improvements will help bring down costs even more.

The improved materials and manufacturing processes envisioned under this funding opportunity have the potential to reduce wind energy costs and expand the deployment of the nation’s wind energy portfolio in support of President Biden’s goals to reach 100 percent clean electricity by 2035 and a net-zero-emissions economy by 2050. [Read more…] about DoE offering $30 million for new materials and manufacturing to lower cost of large wind turbines

Heraeus becomes largest shareholder in startup Smart Steel Technologies

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Technology company Heraeus is expanding its expertise in artificial intelligence and AI-based process optimization by acquiring a stake in the Berlin-based start-up Smart Steel Technologies, making it the largest shareholder.

Jan Rinnert, CEO of Heraeus Holding and chairman of the management board, says: “Artificial intelligence and optimization of production processes are becoming increasingly important in the steel industry, too.

“AI solutions increase efficiency, sustainability and quality standards along the entire process chain. With Smart Steel Technologies, we have a competent partner at our side, with whose software we will further improve production processes in steel mills.” [Read more…] about Heraeus becomes largest shareholder in startup Smart Steel Technologies

Heraeus and AI Silk unveil ultra-light metaverse glove

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Heraeus Epurio, a specialist developer of conductive polymer materials, and AI Silk , a Japanese wearable-tech startup that has developed the proprietary and patented conductive fiber “Lead Skin”, have together unveiled the “Haptic Metaverse Glove”.

The “ultra-light” glove has no mechanical parts attached, that doubles as sensors and an AR/VR/XR controller.

Made from AI Silk’s proprietary conductive fiber, Lead Skin, Haptic Metaverse Glove powered by Lead Skin features built-in finger-bending sensors, as well as control buttons on the back of the wearer’s hand, all of which are also made of the same conductive fiber. [Read more…] about Heraeus and AI Silk unveil ultra-light metaverse glove

Startup company Foamplant launches ‘world’s first sustainable foam’

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A startup company called Foamplant, based in the Netherlands, is launching what it claims is “the world’s first and only fully circular, sustainable open cell foam”.

Branded “Moorefoam”, the product will be officially launched at Foam Expo Europe (8-10 November, Stuttgart, Germany).

Patented Moorefoam technology enables circular production in the bedding, furniture, automotive and avionics sectors, says the company. Moorefoam is available to order now, with initial deliveries in mid-April 2023. [Read more…] about Startup company Foamplant launches ‘world’s first sustainable foam’

Wolfspeed to build ‘world’s largest’ silicon carbide materials facility in North Carolina

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Wolfspeed, a developer of silicon carbide technology, says it will build a new, state-of-the-art, multi-billion-dollar materials manufacturing facility in Chatham County, North Carolina.

The investment is targeted to generate a more than 10 fold increase from Wolfspeed’s current Silicon Carbide production capacity on its Durham campus, supporting the company’s long-term growth strategy, accelerating the adoption of Silicon Carbide semiconductors across a wide array of end-markets and unlocking a new era of energy efficiency.

Gregg Lowe, president and CEO of Wolfspeed, says: “Wolfspeed is the industry leader in supplying the materials required to meet the accelerating demand for next generation semiconductors and creating a more sustainable future for all. [Read more…] about Wolfspeed to build ‘world’s largest’ silicon carbide materials facility in North Carolina

Why Your Company Should Be Using Custom Packing Tape

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Here are seven ways the use of custom packing tape can benefit your company.

Packing tape might be a simple roll of stationary and yet, it is extremely functional. To keep your cargo safe and sound during shipping and while in transit, packing tape is crucial. For example, it protects your products from contamination.

It’s not uncommon for packages to be damaged while loading and unloading from one place to another. These small tears can let in harmful contaminants, that is why using proper packing tape is very important for the integrity of your products. [Read more…] about Why Your Company Should Be Using Custom Packing Tape

What is Steel Fabrication: Uses, Purpose, and Benefits

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Steel fabrication is a process that helps turn the raw metal into an item or product that can be used in assembly lines, homes, construction, and other places. This process requires skilled technicians who can ensure minimum to no errors to eliminate or reduce wastage.

Steel fabrication involves various techniques. Some basic ones are machining, welding, cutting, drilling, coating, and bending to turn the material into predefined customer shapes and sizes.

In machining, technicians use drills, lathes, and mills to remove unwanted materials and model the metal into the required shape and size. In trimming, processes like flame, water jet, or plasma cutting are used to slice steel into dimensions that are easy to work with. [Read more…] about What is Steel Fabrication: Uses, Purpose, and Benefits

Sustainable plastics will make up more than 15 percent of production by 2030, says report

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Sustainable plastics will make up more than 15 percent of production by 2030, according to a new report by Lux Research. 

Future projections of a circular economy emphasize that a combination of recycled and bio-based resources will serve as a feedstock for plastic needs, says the market analyst.

However, it adds that in order for the “idealistic future” to be realized, there must be a major investment in new technologies, including advanced recycling tech and bio-based plastic capacity. [Read more…] about Sustainable plastics will make up more than 15 percent of production by 2030, says report

Carbon fiber reinforced plastics market set to grow to $64 billion by 2030

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Carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRPs) are a critical class of performance materials, but disruptions from Covid-19 have made the future of the industry uncertain.

In a new report, The Future of Carbon Fiber Composites, Lux Research outlines major challenges and opportunities carbon fibers and CFRPs face and how standardization and recycling are enabling the CFRP market to grow to a $64 billion industry by 2030.

The carbon fiber industry is facing three major challenges: weakness in underlying markets, fiber standardization, and recycling. [Read more…] about Carbon fiber reinforced plastics market set to grow to $64 billion by 2030