Soy-oil-based hydrogels developed by the U.S. Agricultural Research Service (ARS) show promise as biodegradable encapsulants for drug delivery. Scientists at ARS’ National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research (Peoria, Ill.; edlinks.chemengonline.com/7373-539) have collaborated with researchers at the University of Toronto to…
Infrared (IR) analyzers are widely used for gas, liquid and surface analysis. Up to now, the most common and inexpensive IR sensor has been a combination of filters (non-dispersive IR) — which have a restricted wavelength band — with a…
Petroleum refiners can have the option to produce more diesel fuel or propylene from their fluid catalytic crackers, depending on the demand, through a new process offered by Shell Global Solutions (edlinks.chemengonline.com/7373-541). The process enables a typical FCC (processing a…
At last month’s IFAT Trade Exhibition (May 5 – 9; Munich, Germany), Kemira Water (Helsingborg, Finland; edlinks.chemengonline.com/7373-542) introduced, H2S-Guard, a system that monitors, controls and protects against odor and corrosion in sewage networks. The system consists of H2S measurement devices…
Kadant AES (Queensbury, N.Y.; edlinks.chemengonline.com/7373-543) has introduced a patented control technology for high-pressure positive-displacement (HPPD) pumps, which is said to be capable of reducing energy usage by up to 60%. The so-called UniGY PhD (Pump-modeling hydraulic drive) uses pump-modeling software…
Researchers from the Organic Chemistry Dept. at Newcastle University (U.K.; edlinks.chemengonline.com/7373-544) have developed aluminium (salen) complexes that exhibit "exceptional" activity for catalyzing the synthesis of cyclic carbonates from CO2 and epoxides. Cyclic carbonates are widely used for the production of…
Researchers at the Faculty of Engineering, Lund University (Sweden; edlinks.chemengonline.com/7373-545) have used nanotechnology to develop a transistor that is said to be 50 times more energy efficient that conventional models. The prototype transistor is made of indium arsenide, where the…
Honeywell Specialty Materials (Morristown, N.J.; edlinks.chemengonline.com/7373-546) has launched PowerShield PV325, a material that protects photovoltaic (PV) modules — including the critical components that convert sunlight into electricity — in all types of environments. The material is ultraviolet, moisture and weather…
Last month, Henkel KgaA (Düsseldorf, Germany; edlinks.chemengonline.com/7372-552) introduced a new conversion coating process called TecTalis, which replaces zinc phosphate, thereby offering "significantly" reduced cost and environmental footprint, says the firm. The new technology is easily applicable in existing lines. The…
IQTex (Hamburg; Germany; edlinks.chemengonline.com/7372-553) has developed a ventilation element — integrated into the soles of shoes — that functions like a flower, which closes up in the rain and reopens when dry. As a result, stepping in a puddle causes…