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‘Preorganization’ strategies allow polymer degradation through self-deconstruction
Designing plastics that can be broken down easily after their use phase have often required a trade-off between stability and ease of deconstruction. Recent research by scientists at Rutgers University (New Brunswick, N.J.; www.rutgers.edu) opens a path to resolve that…
New evaporative crystallizer design accelerates direct-air carbon capture
A novel crystallizer has shown promise in lowering costs for direct-air capture (DAC) of CO2 emissions. In recent work published in Nature Chemical Engineering, a research team from the University of Toronto; www.utoronto.ca), led by mechanical and industrial engineering professor…
Enhancing Characterization of Thermal Barrier Coatings
Combining microscopy and machine-learning techniques leads to faster, more precise analyses of critical coating materials When the SR-71 Blackbird aircraft was designed to soar at three times the speed of sound, engineers faced an extreme challenge: managing the heat generated…
We all play a part in cyber-vigilance
As connected devices and systems have become more advanced, engineers in turn have become savvier about the realities of a digitally connected enterprise, especially with regard to securing their operational technology (OT) systems. Even with globally increasing cybersecurity awareness, however,…
Securing the Industrial Edge: Protecting Legacy Systems in the IIoT Era
Edge platforms, which provide a liaison between networks and legacy equipment, can provide a layer of cybersecurity protection without infrastructure modifications Chemical processing facilities worldwide are connecting decades-old equipment to modern networks for real-time monitoring and optimization. While this digital…
A superconducting magnet for hydrogen liquefaction is demonstrated in Germany
A first-of-its-kind demonstration unit is showcasing hydrogen liquefaction using magnetocaloric cooling, a process that demands much lower energy consumption than conventional methods used in industry. A joint venture between Magnotherm Solutions GmbH (Darmstadt, Germany; www.magnotherm.com) and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR; Dresden,…
Business News: January 2026
Plant Watch Aster invests in expansion projects at Bukom petroleum refinery December 11, 2025 — Aster Chemicals and Energy Ltd. (Singapore; www.aster.com.sg) announced a significant investment program at its Bukom petroleum refining facility in Singapore. The project includes a $75-million…
Field-trials upcoming for salt-based thermal-energy storage demonstration program
Field trials are expected to begin shortly for a high-temperature thermal-storage demonstrator built by AED Energy (London, U.K.; www.aedenergy.com). The field trials follow the successful completion of a test program of the demonstrator at AED’s London facility. The test program,…
Focus On: Analyzers
This analyzer is designed to improve paper product quality The next-generation Wet End Analyzer (photo) is designed to help paper, board and tissue producers improve wet-end processes to achieve superior product quality, improved process stability and reduced operating costs. With…
Facts At Your Fingertips: Mixing in Stirred Tanks
Stirred tanks are common throughout the chemical process industries (CPI), used as batch reactors and continuous-flow reactors, as well as for physical processing of product formulations in which no chemical reaction is occurring. In all cases, fluid mixing — in…