Latest News: Technologies
Carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer boosts interfacial adhesion and recyclability
The high strength-to-weight ratio and robust mechanical properties of carbon-fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs) make them attractive for use in wind-power turbine blades, automobile components, and in airplanes and spacecraft. However, challenges — such as weak interfacial adhesion and poor recyclability —…
A control room with generative-AI capabilities
In January, specialty materials maker Celanese Corp. (Irving, Tex.; www.celanese.com) beta-launched a remote-operations control room (ROCR) that allows hands-free queries of plant data for faster data gathering and decision-making. The ROCR leverages recent advances in generative-artificial intelligence (gen-AI)-powered natural language…
Another step forward for new technologies for ammonia synthesis
In late February, Yokogawa Electric Corp. (Tokyo; www.yokogawa.com) announced that it has invested in and signed a memorandum on a business partnership with Tsubame BHB Co., Ltd. (Yokohama, Japan; tsubame-bhb.co.jp). Yokogawa is the latest to partner with Tsubame BHB, joining…
Membrane-free water electrolysis
Researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Stockholm, Sweden; www.kth.se) have developed a way to decouple the production of hydrogen and oxygen in water electrolysis, thereby reducing the explosion potential of mixing the two gases. The method, described in a…
This cooling and water-harvesting system requires no heat
A novel technology for cooling and dehumidification is nearing commercialization through several strategic partnerships, including GE Vernova, BASF and Carrier Global. Montana Technologies’ (Ronan, Mont.; www.mt.energy) AirJoule technology employs a metal-organic-framework (MOF) desiccant material that exhibits higher water-uptake capacity and…
A new super-duplex tube tailored for acids
Last month at the AMPP Annual Conference + Expo 2024 (New Orleans, La.; March 3–7), Alleima AB (Sandviken, Sweden; www.alleima.com) introduced SAF 3006 (UNS S83071), a high-alloy duplex (austenitic-ferritic) stainless steel tailored to enhance corrosion resistance in acidic and caustic…
Bacteria engineered to produce spider silk in plastic ‘microbial upcycling’ project
Spider silk protein generates significant development interest due to its unique combination of properties, including high toughness and strength, extensibility, biocompatibility, thermal stability and others. Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI; Troy, N.Y.; www.rpi.edu) have developed what is said to…
Harvesting water and minerals from waste slurries with supercritical water oxidation
A wastewater treatment plant operated by Orange County (Calif.) Sanitation District is the site of the first installment, at a commercial facility, of a new supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) technology capable of producing clean water and minerals from waste slurries.…
Accelerating scaleup for battery-grade silicon-enhanced graphite
Incorporating silicon into the anodes of electric vehicle (EV) batteries can result in lighter and longer-range batteries. However, this process requires large volumes of silane (SiH4) gas, the vast majority of which is currently produced in China. Now, a new…
A new project targeting emissions-free pulping
The Emission Free Pulping program aims to significantly reduce biomass burning and increase the product yield of wood material used for pulping from approximately 50 to around 70%. The five-year, €15-million program is jointly led by VTT Technical Research Centre…