The GSM-60 hazardous-gas monitoring system (photo) is designed with an internal sampling pump and can use both internal sensors and remote sensor transmitters to continuously monitor up to four gases. The instrument is capable of utilizing an array of sensor…
The new Twist-Lok dry disconnect coupler (photo) features 316 stainless-steel construction and an integral heavy-duty swivel to aid connection and minimize hose wear. In addition, this new coupler is designed with several safety features for the operator, such as the…
Biofilms in water-treatment systems may harbor problematic bacteria and pathogens since chemical disinfectants typically do not penetrate the biofilm. Now, a new treatment approach developed in the laboratory of Pedro Alvarez at Rice University (Houston; www.rice.edu) could enable the controlled…
Tsukishima Kikai Co. (www.tsk-g.co.jp) and JFE Engineering Corp. (both Tokyo, Japan; www.jfe-eng.co.jp) have demonstrated a process that produces bioethanol from bagasse, a waste product in the production of sugar from sugarcane. With support from NEDO under a four-year, $10-million project,…
Polyesters Customizing the macroscale properties of polyesters by using sidechain chemical groups is difficult, and is limited for commercially available polyesters. Now, researchers at Virginia Tech (Blacksburg, Va.; www.vt.edu) have developed a novel method for synthesizing polyesters that may expand…
Hitachi Zosen Corp. (HITZ, Osaka and Tokyo, Japan; www.hitachizosen.co.jp) has installed a solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) demonstration unit at Osaka Research Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, Izumi Center (Orist; Osaka, http://orist.jp), and has been performing tests since June. The…
Researchers from the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST; Thuwal, Saudi Arabia; www.kaust.edu.sa) have developed a metal-organic framework (MOF) material that can regulate the humidity levels within the “window” established by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and…
The newest release of the PlantState Suite (PSS) software, version 8.3, includes the new Alarm Mechanic feature, which is designed to improve console operator performance by minimizing nuisance alarms through automated analytics and recommendations. With the addition of Alarm Mechanic,…
The Crossover 1540 overhead mixer (photo) features a 0.5-hp motor delivering 3,000 N∙cm of torque for effective mixing in large laboratory, pilot-scale and small production volumes. The portable Crossover is designed to mix up to 200-L (50-gal) drum volumes from…
Under mechanical stress, carbon-reinforced epoxy-resin composite materials can experience cracking and de-lamination at the junctures between layers of material, where the composites are resin-rich. Placing vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs) into the inter-laminar regions can toughen the composite and prevent…