Of all known materials, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have the highest thermal conductivity and mechanical strength as well as the ability to withstand the highest electric-current density, making them an attractive material for electric wiring, heat dissipation, field electron emission, and…
In its first full-scale test on a coal-fired power plant, halogenated activated carbon (AC) made by ADA-ES, Inc. (Littleton, Colo.; edlinks.chemengonline.com/7371-537) has reduced mercury emissions by more than 90%. The significance of the results is that the plant burns western…
Mergers and Acquisitions Siemens acquires Chemitreat Group to expand water-treatment technology March 3, 2008 — Siemens announced that it has acquired the Singapore-based private limited Chemitreat Group to expand the water-treatment business in South East Asia. Chemitreat will become part…
Nippon Steel Materials Co., Ltd. (NSM; Tokyo, Japan; edlinks.chemengonline.com/7371-538) has developed a new catalyst for combustion engines that contains 70% less precious metals than conventional catalytic converters. The catalyst is expected to not only lead to lower costs, but also…
Polyglycolic acid (PGA) has good properties: a very high gas impermeability, even under 80% humidity; biodegrability; high mechanical strength; and good moldability, which makes it a promising polymer for applications such as medical devices and barrier films. But up to…
Although theoretically promising 80% more energy than is required to grow and convert to cellulosic ethanol, switchgrass has proven to be a difficult fuel source to break down cost effectively. With $1 million from the U.S. Depts. of Agriculture (USDA)…
Sugar-beet processors in the U.S. generate approximately 40 million tons of fiber-rich sugar-beet pulp every year as a byproduct of sucrose extraction. Most of it is used as livestock feed or in pet food. Researchers with the U.S. Agricultural Research…
In cooperation with several universities, Clariant International Ltd. (Muttenz, Switzerland; edlinks.chemengonline.com/7371-543) has developed a process to manufacture high-quality nano-sized zeolite L (Linde Type L) in technical quantities. This new range of nano-scale aluminosilicates, tradenamed Lucidot, open up a new range…
A new nanomaterial which doubles as a filter and a reactor capable of destroying unwanted substances, has been developed by a team from Nanyang Technological University (NTU; Singapore; edlinks.chemengonline.com/7371-544), and the Singapore Public Utilities Board. The material consists of nanosized…
Emerson Process Management (St. Louis, Mo.; edlinks.chemengonline.com/7371-545) claims to be the first process-automation supplier to start taking orders for WirelessHART-enabled products, based on the recently approved open standard for in-plant wireless communications. These measurement and communications products include pressure, flow,…