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1 simple step in water treatment could save billions of dollars
Alan Kelsky EngineeringImagine you are the official in charge of sewers in a particular area. As "sewer commissioner," you are responsible for maintaining, repairing and replacing the miles and miles of sewer pipe under your authority. Sounds like a powerful position to have, right? Not so fast.
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E/E plastic material and process advances to watch
Don Rosato EngineeringConvergence among computer, consumer electronics and telecom industries continue to blur the lines between information, entertainment and communication. Electrical and electronic (E/E) applications polymer development is pushing plastic resin properties. This is in response to ongoing demand for smaller electronic devices where high heat and high-flow grades permit more intricate, miniaturized parts in electronic applications.
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The top 5 emerging technologies in oil and gas
Lucy Wallwork Natural ResourcesDespite the common misconception, innovative technologies are not confined to renewable energy. They are driving changes in dirty hydrocarbons, too, indeed often making them far less dirty and far more efficient ways of supplying our energy needs. The pace of technological change is quickening. This is in part because the low-hanging fruit in the oil and gas sector, the so-called era of easy oil, is gone. Many of the newest technologies are focused on getting every last drop out of mature fields, or on accessing hydrocarbons in hostile and complex environments.
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Just how serious is the tech world about diversity?
Ross Lancaster Science & TechnologyThis summer, Silicon Valley companies and the tech world at large have come under fire for their hiring practices with regard to both racial and gender diversity. The issue ignited in May when, under pressure from civil rights leaders like Jesse Jackson, Google released statistics stating that just 17 percent of its tech staff is female, 1 percent black and 2 percent Hispanic. Meanwhile, 60 percent are white and 34 percent Asian.
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An army of robots fighting corrosion
Alan Kelsky EngineeringRobots are not new in the never-ending battle against corrosion. Perhaps, the news blitz about C2D2 is because the corrosion-fighting robot design was from a camera bot used by the Disney Company. Here is a look at a few places other robots dare to go.
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Smart factories know how to use big data
Alan Kelsky ManufacturingGo to a meeting of any trade group or association and someone is going to mention "big data." I know of scores of companies that have scores of servers dedicated to storing all this data.
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Construction technology: Getting down to business
Michael J. Berens Construction & Building MaterialsBuilding engineering, design and rendering software continue to get more sophisticated, but on the operational side the construction industry is not keeping pace with other sectors. Recent industry studies reveal where the industry is lagging, where it is at risk and the challenges it faces moving forward.
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Legislation and performance requirements define electronic device trends
Don Rosato EngineeringManufacturers in the various electrical/electronic (E/E) sectors can choose from an enormous and versatile range of plastics to meet every requirement. Depending on the electronic component or device, designers choose plastics for their rigidity or flexibility, toughness/durability, resistance to low or high voltage and their electrical insulation or conductive qualities. Ease of fabrication into complex shapes can also be a requirement for E/E applications.
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How building commissioning relates to total cost of ownership
David E. Patnaude Facilities & GroundsAs facilities professionals, we are often asked to work on projects and tasks that go beyond the day-to-day operation of our facilities. The types of projects and tasks I'm talking about include capital planning, construction project management and long-term master and capital planning.
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The end of coal? What new EPA regulations mean for the industry
Stefanie Heerwig Natural ResourcesOn June 2, the Environmental Protection Agency announced a plan to cut carbon emission from power plants 30 percent below the 2005 level by 2030. While still not set in stone, the legislation would mean an end for many of the 577 coal-fired power plants across the U.S., coal industry insiders fear.
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