System Integration

Courtesy: Alvarez Research Group/Rice University

Process Manufacturing July 21, 2020

Graphene shield improves wastewater protection

Rice University researchers have found that a shield of graphene helps particles destroy antibiotic-resistant bacteria and free-floating antibiotic resistance genes and other potential superbugs in wastewater treatment plants.

By Jade Boyd

Data Acquisition, DAQ July 7, 2020

Better data management for manufacturers during COVID-19

Will COVID-19 compel manufacturing companies to streamline connected data management more than previously?

By Sanjay Barnwal

Research involving Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Spallation Neutron Source demonstrates crystal-like heat conduction in a solid-liquid hybrid, AgCrSe2. Courtesy: Jill Hemman/Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Dept. of Energy

Energy, Power June 30, 2020

Spectrometry research advances could lead to safer rechargeable batteries

Researchers have found a way to advance safer rechargeable batteries with spectrometry. Their findings could improve batteries used for consumer electronics such as laptops and cellphones.

By Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Hot electrons travel along the molecule into the probe tip. The molecule only allows electrons within a narrow range of energies to pass. Credit: Enrique Shagun, Scixel

Energy Efficiency June 25, 2020

Electron energy distribution measured for improved storage, conversion

Researchers at the University of Michigan, Purdue University, and the University of Liverpool in the UK have figured out a way to measure how many hot charge carrier are present in a metal nanostructure for improved energy storage and conversion.

By Kate McAlpine

If a hazard occurs and the control system can’t achieve the required risk reduction on its own, a safety instrumented function (SIF) is implemented to reduce the hazardous risk to an acceptable level. Courtesy: Maverick Technologies

Process Manufacturing May 30, 2020

Separating process control and safety systems

Process safety: Keeping process control and safety systems separate is crucial, but knowing what to separate and integrate and why is critical. Learn about safety instrumented function (SIF) and layers of protection analysis (LOPA).

By Scott Hayes

Safety May 19, 2020

How COVID-19 is changing the engineering jobs, jobs market

Taking control in an uncontrolled time: Leaders share lessons from the industrial automation, controls, and manufacturing industries during the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Jeff Briggs

System Integration May 3, 2020

10 ways manufacturers can add COVID-19 support preparedness

Ask these 10 questions to improve support preparedness for manufacturers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Matt Ruth

Business of Engineering March 17, 2020

COVID-19 impact on engineering, engineers

Engineers like facts and seek credible information sources on COVID-19 (Coronavirus) effects to the engineering-related world. Engineers also have technologies, processes and expert advice that can help. See Control Engineering highlights.

By Mark T. Hoske

RPI researchers have created a battery that uses potassium rather than lithium, which is cheaper and more abundant and more energy-efficient and could change how batteries are made. Courtesy: Chris Vavra, CFE Media and Technology

Energy, Power March 3, 2020

Metal battery using Potassium could be alternative to Lithium-ion

Researchers from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have created a metal battery that relies on potassium instead of Lithium-ion, which could create more energy efficient batteries for consumers.

By Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)

Courtesy: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Safety Standards February 20, 2020

Cryptographic ID tag developed to stop supply chain counterfeiting

MIT researchers have invented a cryptographic ID tag that’s small enough to fit on virtually any product and verify its authenticity, which could help stop supply chain counterfeiting.

By Rob Matheson