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Growing electrically conductive polymer market trends
Don Rosato EngineeringBy way of introduction, the global market for electrically conductive polymers was at $2.2 billion in 2012 and is forecast to grow to $3.4 billion by 2017 for a compound annual growth rate of 6.1 percent. Inherently conductive polymers (ICPs), still considered an "emerging" market, are expected to grow to 23 percent of the electrically conductive polymers market by 2017 for a compound annual growth rate of 16.4 percent versus 5.9 percent for conductive filled plastics.
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Bioplastic applications advancing new development routes
Don Rosato EngineeringThe bioplastics market based on "renewable carbon" is expanding from single-use compostables to durable applications with greater performance demands. The demand for renewable materials in durables is accelerating R&D to meet higher property requirements. Bio-based raw materials will shift to nonfood sources. New technologies will reduce manufacturing costs, and bring new bio-based products to market.
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The safety benefits of peer-to-peer observations
Michael S. Haro, Ph.D. Business Management, Services & Risk Management​We constantly demonstrate behaviors that are observable to others. In a workplace, these observations are significant for preventing accidents and injuries and need to be encouraged, supported and taken seriously. Peers (co-workers) are critical to the implementation and success of observation, feedback and safe work practices.
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Innovative packaging driving growth in food and beverage industries
Bambi Majumdar Food & BeverageThe increasing consumer trend toward natural, sustained and minimally processed foods has necessitated a change in packaging that will support these natural and organic products. At the same time, consumers are still looking for easy food solutions with processed food and drinks, which need to be healthier at the same time.
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Behavior safety: A health and safety benefit
Michael S. Haro, Ph.D. Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementBehavior safety is gaining recognition and value in the industrial arena. During its introductory years, it was not uncommon for employees to refer to behavior programs as the "flavor of the month" as it was an addition to the safety program.
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Bioplastic materials and process advances on the move
Don Rosato EngineeringMicrobiologists, rather than materials scientists, are developing new plastic building blocks. To further enhance overall performance, and durability of bioplastics, additives, blends and alloys are increasingly used. The increasing number of biopolymers gives more choices for blend processing and will lead to more innovation.
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How 3-D-printed blood vessels may help organ transplantation
Lynn Hetzler Medical & Allied HealthcareTransplant surgeons need more than simply a mass of cells — they need vessel inlets and outlets that they can connect directly to arteries and veins. One of the largest hurdles scientists face when engineering livers, kidneys or other large artificial tissues is keeping the cells alive.
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Vehicle A/C sector steamed up as UK regulators do a U-turn
Andrew Gaved ManufacturingThe recent decision by global leaders to work toward a coordinated reduction of HFCs has been rightly hailed as historic. Of course, European policymakers and industry alike have the satisfied glow of knowing the reason the nations of the world can now envisage a road map to a global HFC phasedown is because of the template put in place for Europe by the F-Gas regulations.
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Workplace behavior safety: Problem or solution?
Michael S. Haro, Ph.D. Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementFor the better part of my professional career, I have focused on helping people explore behavior applications that enrich their lives. Success has been measured and has provided me with a great deal of personal acceptance and satisfaction.
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High-tech trains to absorb future travel volume
Bambi Majumdar Transportation Technology & AutomotiveIncreasing population, urbanization and globalization will mean more travel on the cards. Studies have shown passenger travel in terms of miles will triple by 2050 — a volume that may not be possible to manage via roads alone.
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