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A greener and cooler cold chain
Andrew Gaved ManufacturingThe cooling industry is sometimes accused of being too focused on advancing the technology in their particular sector whilst overlooking the progress of those further down their supply chain. So we have had the situation for instance, in Europe, where a number of supermarkets are confidently trialling new techniques in carbon dioxide refrigeration or forced air display cabinets, while the food production factories that supply the food they sell are still creaking away on the most basic of refrigeration systems.
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STEM education growing, but still has room for improvement
Suzanne Mason EducationThe revival of interest in STEM education started with the national Educate to Innovate campaign in 2009. Five years later, the revival is still in its infant steps, and it still has room to grow in both diversity and innovation.
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Intelligent efficiency for new homes and buildings
Bambi Majumdar Construction & Building MaterialsAccording to economist Jeremy Rifkin, we are right on the brink of a new revolution based on the dynamic convergence of telecommunications, mobile technology, the Internet and energy. Rifkin calls this the "new economic paradigm for the 21st century," which will completely change the way we communicate, live and do business.
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Wind energy applications — the promising road forward
Don Rosato EngineeringWind energy continues to provide major growth opportunities for plastic composites — the industry will reach $4 billion by the end of 2014. The adoption of larger-scale turbines and the expansion of offshore installations that call for stiffer and lighter blades are important to the use of lightweight, strength-to-weight plastic composites.
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More regulations for cooling industry to accommodate
Andrew GavedReaders outside of Europe may be forgiven for thinking that the European policymakers have got something against the cooling industry. Just look at all the legislation and standards-setting underway that are directed squarely at refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps.
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Research: New coating lubricates, prevents corrosion without grease
Barbara L. Baird EngineeringIn a June 10 release, researchers from the Leibniz Institute for New Materials (INM) announced the development of a coating that provides lubrication without grease and also reduces corrosion.
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Wind energy processing technologies steadily advancing
Don Rosato EngineeringWind energy designs increasingly depend on plastics processing and design technologies. Plastic parts and components are extensively used in all major sectors of wind energy, and processing developments in blade manufacturing and service are advancing rapidly.
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3-D printing is revolutionizing construction and design fields
Renee Eaton ManufacturingMost people have heard the stories about 3-D-printed gun and body parts. Now, additive manufacturing is revolutionizing the interior design, architectural and construction fields because it overcomes many of the limitations traditional practices have faced.
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New efforts ramp up building’s response to disasters
Michael J. Berens Construction & Building MaterialsWorld leaders may be waffling on what to do about climate change, but the building industry is marshaling its resources to tackle the problem head on. Builders, their professional associations and trade media are joining forces with state and local governments to address ways to make buildings more resilient and resistant to catastrophic loss due to natural disasters.
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Don’t underestimate the impact of the transition away from HFCs
Andrew Gaved ManufacturingThe phasedown of HFCs — mandated in Europe by the F-gas regulation — will require a fundamental change in culture for the cooling industry. It is the biggest change in a generation for sure, but perhaps the biggest change the industry has ever seen.
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