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The chemistry of semiconductors
Semiconductors are vital components in the modern technologies that we use in our everyday lives, both in industrial automation and consumer products. Computers, automobile electronics, smartphones and other “smart” devices, robotics and medical devices that depend on semiconductor chips are…
Plant Watch: May 2025
Plant Watch Altana scales up production of UV-curing resins and 3D-printing materials April 14, 2025 — Altana AG (Wesel, Germany; www.altana.com) has scaled up the production of ultraviolet (UV) curing resins for industrial additive serial production. The company also started…
Two-pronged approach recycles textile waste while also producing glucose
Glucose is a key pillar in producing bio-based alternatives to conventional chemicals, but finding industrially viable, non-food-competitive sources for glucose has proven challenging, due to the difficulty in obtaining glucose from hemicellulosic materials, such as woody biomass, in a cost…
Short-loop battery recycling uses vegetable-oil nanoemulsion
Efficient and sustainable recycling of lithium-ion batteries is a crucial element in electrifying transportation. Black mass is a mixture of cathode and anode materials remaining after disassembly and shredding of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Many valuable materials, including lithium and…
An Array of Factors Complicates U.S. Petroleum Refining Strategy
Maintaining profitability amid considerable uncertainty in global trade, environmental policy and product demand is a daunting prospect for the U.S. refinery fleet A complex and somewhat unprecedented interplay of factors has been complicating investment and production strategies for U.S. petroleum…
A synthetic clean and flush product for heat-transfer systems
Globaltherm C1 FF is a synthetic clean and flush product (photo) designed to simplify maintenance for industries relying on heat transfer systems. Globaltherm C1 FF offers a safer, faster and more cost-effective alternative to traditional cleaning methods, says the manufacturer.…
High-Performance Polymers in Hydrocarbon Processing Applications
High-performance polymers can compete with metallic systems in harsh processing environments and may offer potential benefits in certain applications The petroleum-refining and natural-gas industries are constantly evolving, spurred by the imperative within energy markets to be continually on the lookout…
Pilot planned for electrochemical extraction of REEs and other critical metals
Construction is planned for a pilot plant that will demonstrate a modular electrochemical technology for extracting rare-earth elements (REEs) and nickel from industrial wastes, such as coal ash. The startup Blueshift (Boston, Mass.; www.buildblueshift.com) recently announced venture capital funds that…
Smart analysis provides notable drivetrain energy savings
Drivetrain Analyzer Cloud (photo) helps companies significantly reduce the energy consumption of their drive systems through energy-based maintenance. The Connection Module IOT collects extensive data from the drive train and transmits it to the Drivetrain Analyzer Cloud. There, relevant operating…
Data Analytics Enhance Sustainability Outcomes
Using the right tools, chemical manufacturers can make sustainable step changes, such as for emissions reductions, while also increasing operational efficiency and product yield The chemical process industries (CPI) are characterized by faithful devotion to tried-and-true procedures, yielding efficient production,…