A bright future is seen for advanced ceramic fibers and fiber coatings for high-temperature ceramic matrix composites (CMCs). But first design engineers must have better access to the information they need to select the new materials. So concludes a panel of the Commission on Engineering and Technical Systems of the National Research Council. Classified projects have generated most data on the tough, stable CMCs. Much of the information probably can be made public now, the report says. It urges creation of a database of CMC properties. Still, technical shortcomings must be overcome before CMCs can be widely used in thermostructural applications. The panel notes that fiber coatings for non-oxide composites have demonstrated adequate performance in short-life applications, such as rocket nozzles. However, fiber-coating technologies for long-life applications, such as turbine engine components, have yet to be demonstrated in component testing. Advances have been further impeded by the high cost of coated fiber. The panel thinks costs will drop through mass production as designers employ CMCs in a larger number of applications.
By experimenting with the photovoltaic reaction in solar cells, researchers at MIT have made a breakthrough in energy efficiency that significantly pushes the boundaries of current commercial cells on the market.
We looked at a number of sources to determine this year's greenest cars, from KBB to automotive trade magazines to environmental organizations. These 14 cars emerged as being great at either stretching fuel or reducing carbon footprint.
From Dell / Intel® New Paradigms in Design Work Scott Hamilton, vertical market strategist for Dell Precision workstations, 5/2/2013 3
Early in my career, I worked as a draftsman and remember the days of drawing on vellum with numbered pencils and Mylar with plastic lead. This was a fun experience in the sense that I ...
I've been using workstations for more than 10 years and love finding ways to get more performance from my system. With demanding professional applications that require more power each ...
A lasting memory from my first job as an engineer in an auto assembly plant is standing on hard concrete at six in the morning, vending-machine coffee clutched in hand, listening to ...
A quick look into the merger of two powerhouse 3D printing OEMs and the new leader in rapid prototyping solutions, Stratasys. The industrial revolution is now led by 3D printing and engineers are given the opportunity to fully maximize their design capabilities, reduce their time-to-market and functionally test prototypes cheaper, faster and easier. Bruce Bradshaw, Director of Marketing in North America, will explore the large product offering and variety of materials that will help CAD designers articulate their product design with actual, physical prototypes. This broadcast will dive deep into technical information including application specific stories from real world customers and their experiences with 3D printing. 3D Printing is
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