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The end of gas prices as we know them
Stefanie Heerwig Natural ResourcesMany have heard about fears that exports of natural gas in the U.S. could lead to comparatively higher domestic gas prices, potentially hampering the growth of the U.S. economy. Antiexport proponents are mostly energy-intensive groups like the chemical and metal industries. On the contrary, a study done for the U.S. Department of Energy by the economic consultancy NERA in 2013 suggests that natural gas exports would actually benefit the U.S. economy, despite rising natural gas prices.
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Medical plastic process developments take center stage
Don Rosato ManufacturingPlastics are integral to the entire medical industry's supply chain and their use is projected to surge as the population ages. As demand for smaller medical devices grows, innovative manufacturing technologies are being adopted to allow for production of ultra-precise designs. The medical device universe encompasses a particularly imposing spectrum of constant technological innovation, including hundreds of different technologies and thousands of types of products.
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Network engineers may truly be plumbers soon
Victor Blake CommunicationsI used to joke with my colleagues and staff that network engineers are plumbers. Nobody cares about plumbing in a house ... until it doesn't work. When the plumbing backs up then its everyone's business. Such is the fate of network engineers, whose work is essential to the Internet and telecom networks, but is also thought to be mundane to outsiders. Soon we will be one step closer to being real plumbers with liquid-core optical fiber.
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New Mexico travel ready to blast off with ‘spaceopolis’
Bambi Majumdar Travel, Hospitality & Event ManagementWhile New Mexico is a noted travel destination, the state brings in the majority of its tourists from the surrounding states where visitors can drive in or have quick flights to Albuquerque. But New Mexico is all set for luring more national and international tourists with a state-of-the-art "spaceopolis." A tiny desert town with a rather prophetic name, Truth or Consequences, will soon have more than rustic charm for visitors. It is slated to become the world's first space tourism venture, the core center of all space tourism.
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Ferric sulfate is a safe coagulant alternative to alum
Hilary Ferrand ManufacturingPublic water systems provide clear, clean water largely because of chemical treatments needed both to kill harmful microorganisms and to improve appearance, taste and smell. Unfortunately, some of these treatments have shown to react with organic and inorganic compounds naturally found in the water. Certain of these disinfection byproducts have been proven to cause health conditions, like stomach cancer and early miscarriage.
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2014 resolution: Make more money and lose less
Scott Wolfe Jr. Construction & Building MaterialsIt's the time of the year for companies to step back from the daily grind and evaluate the prior year's successes and failures, and to plan for the year ahead. Through this process, it's inevitable that you'll pursue your accounts receivable aging report and feel your stomach churn about the money you earned but couldn't collect. The question is why, and perhaps more importantly, how do you correct it and avoid write offs in 2014?
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Medical device plastic material innovations to watch
Don Rosato ManufacturingThe medical device universe encompasses a particularly imposing spectrum of constant technological innovation, including hundreds of different technologies and thousands of types of products. This affords high performance specialty plastics material suppliers unique opportunities in medical device market development.
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Looking forward to apptastic CES 2014
Mitch Weinraub CommunicationsAs we turn our calendars to 2014, most engineers' and technologists' dreams turn not to sugar plums, but to CES. The annual tech fest in Las Vegas usually sets the technology tone for the year and lets us know what everyone will be buying next Christmas. Judging by the pre-CES announcements and leaks that always start around this time of year, the one "word" that will be included in every announcement is not really even a word, just an abbreviation — app.
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Titanium vs. tungsten: Which is the most resistant to corrosion?
Sasha Viasasha ManufacturingSteel has ruled the world for two centuries because it's relatively cheap and tough, but there are times when steel is just not tough enough. Recently, a full variety of custom-designed alloys has come to light — original ceramic composites and nanofabricated materials, like carbon nanotubes, that have been engineered to withstand specific pressures or environments. However, when engineers need to deploy the overall strongest metal to handle a wide range of stressors and corrosive threats, there are only two serious contenders: titanium and tungsten.
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Medical device market trends and the headwinds of change
Don Rosato ManufacturingThe term "medical device" can be applied to a wide range of products. The global market is comprised of about 8,000 types of medical devices, ranging from simple bandages and spectacles, through life-maintaining implantable devices and equipment to screen/diagnose disease and health conditions, to the most sophisticated diagnostic imaging and minimally invasive surgery equipment.
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