R & D articles from April 2002

R & D archives from April 2002

Success breeds transformations. (Editorial).(defense industry research and terrorism)(Brief Article)(Editorial)
April 1, 2002... The integration of commercial and military manufacturing over the past decade has been a subject of extensive debate and steadily increasing policy implementation. This policy makes use of commercial sources of products and technologies to...

Practical shape shifting: researchers create flexible ceramics. (Materials).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Armed with nanoscale chemistry, researchers at Cornell Univ., Ithaca, N.Y., have developed a new class of hybrid materials, described as flexible ceramics. The new material was hypothesized a century ago. Under a transmission electron...

Impact on manufacturing depends on who and what. (Bulletin).(survey results)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 1, 2002... A study on the impact of public research on manufacturing, reported by the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS), Linthicum, Md., has determined that while some three-quarters of manufacturers report such an...

Top 25 companies for 2001 released. (Analytical Instruments).(Applera Corp. tops list)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 1, 2002... Strategic Directions International Inc., Los Angeles, has released its annual list of the top 25 analytical and life science instrument companies for 2001. The top three companies are, respectively, Applera Corp., Norwalk, Conn.; Thermo...

ASHRAE offers multiple tools. (Laboratory Design).(American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers reports and publications)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) offers several reports and publications to assist the lab designer, building owner, and engineer in various areas. The winter meeting of ASHRAE included a...

Anthrax detector is faster, smaller, accurate. (Laboratory Equipment).(prototype detects fatty methyl esters)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... A prototype handheld detector devised by researchers at Sandia National Laboratory, Albuquerque, N.M., can identify anthrax--specifically the fatty methyl esters of anthrax (FAME)--in less than five minutes. The technique works by...

Photonics markets are growing. (Lasers & Optics).(photonic integrated circuit subsystems)(Brief Article)(Industry Overview)
April 1, 2002... The market for photonic integrated circuit subsystems and components is expected to grow at an average annual rate (AAGR) of 20.5%. Currently the market is estimated at $4.3 billion. By 2006 this number should reach $11 billion, according to a...

Group starts sequence map of the cattle genome. (Life Science).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... A new resource project is under way that will, when completed by early 2003, enable rapid and efficient sequencing of the entire cattle genome. An international consortium of US, Canadian, and French scientists has begun work on the $2.5...

Future soldiers will wear nanomaterials. (Micro/Nano Technology).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Picture armor as light and thin as paper, bulletproof uniforms, and outfits equipped with built-in, automated medical kits. Or imagine soft clothing that can transform into a rigid cast when an arm or leg is broken. Or chainmail made of...

Lab taps imaging technology to develop anti-cancer compounds. (Microscopy).(Abbot Laboratories and ChromaVision Medical Systems)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, Ill., is collaborating with ChromaVision Medical Systems Inc., San Juan Capistrano, Calif., to support Abbott's development of cancer compounds targeting tumor angiogenesis. ChromaVision's Automatic Cellular...

New company formed, product launched. (Pharmaceutical).(Acero Inc's Genomics Knowledge Platform)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... A new "science-intelligent" enterprise software company was launched in March at BioITWorld, Boston, along with the company's first product. Acero Inc., Cleveland, is the combination of Secant Technologies Inc., Cleveland, and a team of...

New SRAM cell is smaller than a dime. (Test & Measurement).(from Intel Corp.)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Researchers at Intel Corp., Santa Clara, Calif., have built the world's smallest static random access memory (SRAM) cells--measuring 1 [micron.sup.2]. At 109 [mm.sup.2], the 52-Mbit chips are smaller than a dime. They each contain 330 million...

Semiconductor instrument company to acquire control company. (Vacuum & Thin Films).(MKS Instruments to acquire Tenta Technology)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Requiring a greater ability to integrate technologies surrounding the semiconductor equipment process chamber, MKS Instruments Inc., Andover, Mass., has acquired Tenta Technology Ltd., Tel Aviv and Sunnyvale, Calif., a supplier of modular,...

Nationwide computing grid underway. (Market Trends).(Dept of Energy Science Grid)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Researchers will soon be able to tackle scientific challenges that are currently beyond the capability of existing computers. A collaboration to begin deploying the first systems on a nationwide computing grid is being initiated by IBM Corp.,...

Sensor promises an array of uses. (Market Trends).(chemical sensor for Ames Laboratory)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Scientists at the Dept. of Energy's Ames (Iowa) Laboratory and the Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, have developed a unique fluorescence-based chemical sensor that is more compact and versatile and less expensive than any technology of its kind....

Upcoming events.
April 1, 2002... May 6-8 Symposium on Design, Test, Integration and Packaging of MEMS/MOEMS, Cannes-Mandelieu, France, www.spie.org May 7-11 WWW2002: The Eleventh International World Wide Web Conference, Honolulu, http://www2002.org May...

Interest in ebXML on the rise. (Advanced Data Management & Analysis).(e-business markup language)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Interest in ebXML on the Rise Percentage of respondents SOAP 68% ebXML Architecture 51% UDDI 42% Other ...

Tools preferences vary among companies. (Advanced Data Management & Analysis).(survey results)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Tools Preferences Vary Among Companies Other (No More than 4% item) 56% BizTalk 4% In house 4% Java 8% Microsoft products 12% XML Spy ...

DAQ tools integrate image- and motion-based data; from medical catheter data to microscope images to automation systems, the visual world offers researchers a plethora of data--if only they know how to use the information. Data acquisition suppliers now have the tools. (Data Acquisition)(Cover Story).
April 1, 2002... Image data acquired from video screen captures, camera-based motion imaging, non-visible optical sensors, and film is as legitimate a data acquisition (DAQ) challenge to researchers as any electrical-, electronic-, or mechanical-based DAQ...

Strict control required for sample prep; using electron microscopy and other techniques, researchers can prepare specimens in tightly controlled environments. (Laboratory Equipment).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... For applications ranging from semiconductor analysis to materials inspection to tissue preparation, samples need to be handled under certain conditions. For example, the application of variable pressure scanning electron microscopes (SEMs) has...

Electronic flowhood. (Product/Literature Showcase).
April 1, 2002... Gives direct digital readout of air flow with automatic correction for local air density and back pressure. Reads 20 - 2,500 cfm supply or exhaust, in cfm or l/sec. Brochure describes the unit. 480/991-6744; Fax: 480/443-1267 Shortridge...

High-performance plastic connectors. (Product/Literature Showcase).
April 1, 2002... Fischer's 4032 Series miniature plastic connector is available with up to 19 gold-plated contacts in a half-inch diameter housing. The patented SureGrip[TM] plug body can be securely gripped, even with wet hands or gloves. This competitively...

Film thickness/birefringence. (Product/Literature Showcase).
April 1, 2002... The Model 2010 prism coupler measures thickness ([+ or -] 1%) and index ([+ or -] .0003) in x, y, and z directions for 0.4 to 100 micron dielectric or polymer films/-coatings. Samples can be rigid or flexible. For thicker materials, index up to...

Subscribe to National Instruments Newletters. (Product/Literature Showcase).
April 1, 2002... Packed full of product information, industry news, and customer application successes, NI gives you valuable technical information for creating your measurement and automation solution based on industry-standard technology. For your FREE...

Duniway Stockroom Corp. (Product/Literature Showcase).
April 1, 2002... 2002 Catalog. Specializes in vacuum equipment and supplies; ion pumps and controls; flanges, gaskets, bolts and nuts; vacuum gages and controls; mechanical pumps and rebuild kits; supplies (oils, greases, hoses, bell jars) diffusion pumps and...

Spectrometer & accessories catalog. (Product/Literature Showcase).
April 1, 2002... Ocean Optics introduces its 2002 Product Catalog, which features more than 400 spectroscopy products including miniature fiber optic spectrometers, sampling accessories, optical sensors, and thin films and optics. The 90-page catalog has over...

Erlab, Inc. (Product/Literature Showcase).
April 1, 2002... Captair Ductless Filtering Fume Hoods and Chemical Storage Cabinets for the removal of toxic gases (acids, organics, aldehydes, etc) fumes and odors. Requires no installation. Saves money on energy. Non-polluting. Erlab has been the leader in...

Develop real-time measurement and control systems faster. (Product/Literature Showcase).
April 1, 2002... Learn to quickly build real-time measurement and control systems with National Instruments Real-Time software and hardware. The Real-Time Product Selection Guide illustrates how to create reliable, deterministic solutions by integrating...

Flow meters. (Product/Literature Showcase).
April 1, 2002... Alicat Scientific, Inc. manufactures precision electronic mass flowmeters and controllers for gas and liquid along with pressure gauges and controllers for many direct and OEM customers involved in the analytical market. 520/290-6060; Fax:...

TravelIR[TM]. (Product/Literature Showcase).
April 1, 2002... When on-the-spot answers to analytical problems are required, the TravelIR[TM], 2001 RD 100 award winner, offers a simple, rapid solution for virtually any sample type. While other FT-IR systems provide answers only in controlled environments,...

PCI-bus I/O, communications and utility cards. (Product/Literature Showcase).
April 1, 2002... 56 page catalog features complete line of PCI bus data acquisition cards, including analog and digital I/O cards, communications interfaces and watchdog timer card. Products come with 30-day return policy and 3-year warranty. 800/326-1649; Fax:...

Microlithography services. (Product/Literature Showcase).
April 1, 2002... * Line and spaces down to 10 microns * Microwave hybrids * IC fanout boards * Substrates up to 6" square * Etchback, lift-off, pattern plate-up techniques * In-house CAD * Full machine shop for custom tooling ...

Precision fluid delivery. (Product/Literature Showcase).
April 1, 2002... Isco syringe pumps deliver programmable, pulseless flow of anything from liquefied gases to tar. They are ideal for: * Reactant and catalyst feed * Rock core analysis * Supercritical fluids * Specialized analytical techniques...

Free 2002 catalog. (Product/Literature showcase).
April 1, 2002... UPCHURCH SCIENTIFIC's 2002 Catalog of Chromatography and Fluid Transfer Components includes 100+ pages of tubing, fittings and other components for analytical, diagnostic lab applications -including micro/nano scale and lab-on-a-chip. For a...

LSM 5 Pascal personal confocal microscope. (Product/Literature Showcase).
April 1, 2002... Zeiss high performance LSM 5 Pascal is a compact system designed for individual users & small workgroups involved in biomedical & materials examinations. The instrument incorporates flexible scanning techniques for high-resolution image slices...

Gas analysis system. (Product/Literature Showcase).
April 1, 2002... OmniStar[TM] is a compact, benchtop mass spectrometer designed for analysis of gases at atmospheric It can be used for fully automatic gas analysis in three mass ranges: 1-100, 200 and 300 amu. The computer controlled benchtop mass spectrometer...

Smarter robots: sending machines to do hazardous work is one rationale, but current considerations put robots in applications where superhuman accuracy and speed is the goal. (Automation & Robotics).
April 1, 2002... Robotics and automation underpin a great variety of industries, including those in the life sciences. This can be attributed to market demand and to greater need and appreciation for what this kind of automation can deliver. Such highly honed...

Simpler HMI: although many users never think about it, interface systems that allow the operator to control a machine are a necessity. They are generally user-friendly computer systems. (Automation & Robotics).(human interface machines)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... My first human machine interface (HMI) system was the controller for a Nintendo 64 to play Mario Brothers. Software-based HMI systems for robotic R&D systems are much more sophisticated than my simple joystick-like game controller. Many...

Making accurate microarrays: "how to" variations in microarray manufacturing depend on need, speed, and customer flexibility. (Automation & Robotics).(Affymetrix and other companies)
April 1, 2002... Microarray manufacturing growth continues as companies simultaneously refine and expand the current processes on which drug discovery and work in the life sciences depend. The products of these processes serve its users well. Several are...

Faster robots at ALA show: genomics and proteomics are hot, and this year's ALA meeting focused its agenda on the tools and techniques for automating the drug discovery process. (Automation & Robotics).(Association for Laboratory Automation)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Attendees of the four-day LabAutomation 2002 conference and exposition were not scared away by a fear of flying or a decreased economy. Conversely, the annual meeting of the Association for Laboratory Automation (ALA), held in January at the...