Michael Ward is creating crystals that may eventually improve lasers and optical switching devices. The University of Minnesota researcher and professor of materials science designs solid-state structures. The crystals make possible the changing of red light to green or blue. Ward's crystals could, for example, be an enabler of blue light lasers. He points out that blue lasers, although difficult to build, are desirable for telecommunications applications because information transmits faster at blue light's higher frequencies and shorter wavelengths. "What we are doing is crystal engineering," says Ward. "We are able to design a crystal with a polar structure," he adds. Because they are polar, the crystals double the frequency of light. In optical switching, Ward's crystals function as transmitters for passing information. "There are other materials that can do what our crystals do, but they don't have the thermal robustness that these crystals have," says Ward. For more information, contact Ward at (612) 625-3062 or wardx004@umn.edu.
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.
In a world that's going green, industrial operations have a problem: Their processes involve materials that are potentially toxic, flammable, corrosive, or reactive. If improperly managed, this can precipitate dangerous health and environmental consequences.
With LEDs dropping in price virtually every year, automakers have begun employing them, not only on luxury vehicles, but on entry-level models, as well.
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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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