R & D articles from February 2008

R & D archives from February 2008

Balancing act.(EDITORIAL)
February 1, 2008... In early January, the editors of R&D Magazine launched the publication of a daily e-newsletter, R&D Daily, which lists the leading science and technology stories in industry, government, and academia announced over the past 24 hours. It also...

Creating a new standard in IP research and analysis: Thomson's Innovation platform allows users to visualize their changing, global data to accelerate their innovation capabilities.(SOFTWARE)(intellectual property )
February 1, 2008... Thomson Scientific, a division of the Thomson Corp., Stamford, Conn., has recently introduced a new intellectual property (IP) research and analysis solution, Thomson Innovation. With this tool, researchers are able to simultaneously search...

CFD software suites continue gaining acceptance: computational fluid dynamics continues to make in-roads in an ever-increasing number of engineering and scientific modeling applications.(SOFTWARE)
February 1, 2008... Flomerics, Inc., Marlborough, Mass., is a developer of engineering simulation software and services for the analysis of fluid flow, heat transfer, and electromagnetic radiation. Version 8 of its engineering fluid dynamics (EFD) analysis...

Building an integrated sample tracking system: Brady identification products team up with Axiope software to develop a complex labeling, barcoding, and data cataloging system for an international influenza study.(SOFTWARE)
February 1, 2008... The South East Asian Influenza Clinical Research Network (SEAICRN) is an international, multidisciplinary collaborative partnership funded through Oxford Univ., UK, by The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a...

PIPE-FLO Compressible 2007 upgrade available.(Tools of the Trade)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Engineered Software, Inc. announces the release of PIPE-FLO Compressible 2007 software, an upgrade to the desktop application for designing and simulating the operation of steam and gas piping systems. PIPE-FLO...

Software uses real-time visual computinq.(Tools of the Trade)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... The C3D technology demonstrator combines the power of real-time 3-D visual computing across numerous tactical platforms and high-resolution geospecific 3-D maps. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It provides an enhanced view by including 3-D...

Free statistical analysis software for academia.(Tools of the Trade)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Systat Software, Inc. has launched MYSTAT 12, a freely downloadable statistical analysis software package designed specifically for use by students and teaching community. * Systat Software, Inc., www.systat.com/products/mystat ...

High definition mass spectrometry enhances basic research: labs around the world are using Waters' Synapt HDMS systems to advance drug discovery, biological molecule profiling, and infectious disease research.(CHROMATOGRAPHY/SPECTROSCOPY)
February 1, 2008... In January, Waters Corp., Milford, Mass., launched the Waters Synapt mass spectrometry (MS) system, a next-generation quadrupole orthogonal acceleration (OA) time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry platform. The Synapt MS system provides an...

New technologies in flow cytometry improve disease diagnosis: acoustic waves, diffraction gratings, and digital data acquisition systems bring about greater throughput, higher sensitivity, and higher resolution cytometry systems.(CHROMATOGRAPHY/SPECTROSCOPY)
February 1, 2008... It's more compact than a conventional flow cytometer, more powerful than traditional hydrodynamic focusing, and able to bypass fluidics systems in a single hound. The world's first portable acoustic cytometer (PAC) harnesses acoustic waves...

Manual post-extraction clean-up by gel permeation chromatography.(Tools of the Trade)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Gilson, Inc. introduces a solution for manual post-extraction clean-up of interfering substances from environmental samples, food products, and animal tissue by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) prior to analysis. The Gilson Manual GPC...

Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry.(Tools of the Trade)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Hiden Analytical announces the introduction of a complete, compact SIMS (Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry) facility conveniently mounted on a single UHV Conflat-type flange. The new system, aptly named SIMS-on-a-Flange, allows users to quickly...

New solution kit simplifies solid phase extraction sample preparation.(Tools of the Trade)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Phenomenex Inc. introduces a new support and reference tool that helps chromatographers develop and optimize solid phase extraction (SPE) sample preparation methods. The toolkit is designed for users of Phenomenex's Strata solid phase...

MicroFlo select with unlimited liquid dispensing flexibility.(Tools of the Trade)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... BioTek Instruments Inc. has released the new MicroFlo Select Dispenser, offering superior microplate dispensing flexibility in one compact instrument. MicroFlo Select offers a wide range of choices in dynamic dispense volumes, plate types, tube...

SPM-002 Optical Spectrometer features LabVIEW.(Tools of the Trade)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Photon Control announces the SPM-002 Optical Spectrometer featuring LabVIEW software. The USB-enabled SPM-002 uses proprietary optical design, enabling laboratory users to achieve resolutions reaching 0.4/0.6 nm for outstanding accuracy. The...

A conceptual cost estimating system for LEED facilities: how to estimate the cost of a LEED facility, determine the affordable certification level, identify the most cost-effective credits, and calculate paybacks--in two seconds.(LABORATORY EQUIPMENT/DESIGN)(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
February 1, 2008... Ever since a sustainable team first discussed the U.S. design Green Building Council's (USGBC's) LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification system with their first potential "green" client, the question that has been on...

Toxicology steps up to nanotechnology safety: mandatory nanotoxicology testing is just around the corner. Are you ready?(LABORATORY EQUIPMENT/DESIGN)(Table)
February 1, 2008... As more nanotechnology products enter the marketplace, they are coming under intense scrutiny by the government, industry, and consumers. The focus of this concern? Human exposure and safety. In the past six months, government agencies,...

MultiMEG ultrasonic cleaning equipment.(Tools of the Trade)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... MultiMEG ultrasonic cleaning equipment is an cutting edge ultrasonic cleaner that can remove sub-micron particles from medical implants and silicon wafers alike. Cleaning technology is in a state of change. Vapor degreasing using chlorinated...

Mobile laboratory fumehoods.(Tools of the Trade)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... New mobile laboratory fumehoods from LF Systems can be moved easily from one location to another and have a variable or constant air volume fumehood with a single vertical rising sash with defeatable sash stops at 18" open. The fumehoods...

Generator hydrogen coolers.(Tools of the Trade)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... In the production of electricity, heat from conductor resistance is unavoidable. Unifin's generator coolers effectively and reliably remove this heat in a system that is easy to clean and maintain. The RCP air cooler line feature Unifin's...

Modular cabinets customized as users please.(Tools of the Trade)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... S-Series cabinets are modular in design, allowing variations in size, depth, and other options for customized solutions. They offer a range of bezel styles and options for frame size, mounting rails, base, top panel, bottom panel, side panel,...

Beating the heat: ceramics show promise in R&D for new jet turbines, where heat is the main cause of failure.(MATERIALS SCIENCE/NANOTECHNOLOGY)
February 1, 2008... Hot section components in aircraft engines can degrade over time, causing catastrophic failure of the turbine section of aircraft engines. This is a problem that has plagued jet turbine development since the earliest days of jet-powered flight....

EU takes lead in driving nanotech standards: the European Commission is funding research on the development of regulations for nanotechnology products and processes in the U.S. and EU.(MATERIALS SCIENCE/NANOTECHNOLOGY)
February 1, 2008... The European Commission (EC) recently awarded a $587,000 development grant to researchers on how to regulate nanotechnologies in the European Union (EU) and the U.S. The grant was given to researchers at the London School of Economics and...

Colored acetal copolymer rods.(Tools of the Trade)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Goodfellow Corp. has added colored acetal copolymer rods to their line of polymer materials. Acetal copolymer is used in a wide range of applications involving the handling of liquids and gases as well as a bearing material and electrical...

Nanomaterial containment enclosures.(Tools of the Trade)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Flow Sciences, Inc. has released a new product brochure containing vented enclosure solutions for nanomaterial containment. These products satisfy NIOSH recommendations for containing nanomaterials and decrease turbulence inside the enclosure....

Rapid ramp-up infrared underheater.(Tools of the Trade)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The high-temperature demands of lead-free will no longer impact the integrity of PCBs and their components in lead-free hand soldering, according to specifications of the Hot Beam 03 rapid IR underheater now...

Antimicrobial, anti-odor fabric.(Tools of the Trade)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... In the battle against stinky bacteria, one needs a smart and powerful ally. As a person sweats, odor-causing microbes thrive in damp fibers, Sweat makes SmartSilver nanoparticles generate millions of silver ions. Silver ions are carried...

450 mm wafer handing vacuum wand.(Tools of the Trade)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... H-Square introduces the first 450 mm wafer handling vacuum wand. The battery-powered portable vacuum wand (Freedom Wand) is Class 1 (ISO-3) cleanroom compatible and has ample vacuum pressure to assure safe handling of 450 mm wafers. The...

NanoCeram-PAC series particle filtration.(Tools of the Trade)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... NanoCeram-PAC is a pleated filter cartridge that combines high efficiency particulate filtration with a high efficiency activated carbon in a single depth media. What is new with NanoCeramPAC is that fine activated carbon powder is held...

Having a PALM in hand enables a better view: an affordable personal photoactivated localization microscopy system allows biologists to peer inside living cells with unprecedented resolution.(MICROSCOPY/IMAGE ANALYSIS)
February 1, 2008... Fluorescence microscopy techniques have become the norm for, studying fluorescently labeled proteins. However, this process has a limitation on generating spatial information about where the molecules of interest are located. To overcome...

FDA gives go ahead to digital pathology: new immunohistochemistry image analysis application brings pathologists a step closer in the fight against breast cancer.(MICROSCOPY/IMAGE ANALYSIS)(Food and Drug Administration)
February 1, 2008... The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Rockville, Md., has given Aperio Technologies, Inc., Vista, Calif., the green light to market the HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) complete image analysis application--the ScanScope XT...

The marriage of SEM and FIB: JEOL combines their popular SEM column with high-resolution ion optics.(MICROSCOPY/IMAGE ANALYSIS)(scanning electron microscopy, focused ion beam, JEOL USA, Inc.)
February 1, 2008... Two powerful, commonly used microscopy techniques are scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and focused ion beam (FIB) microscopy. JEOL US.A Inc., Peabody, Mass., combines these technologies in their new high throughput JIB-4500 MultiBeam SEM/FIB,...

New Micro Incubator for imaging live cells.(Tools of the Trade)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Warner Instruments has introduced the new DH-40i Micro-Incubation Chamber which is designed for imaging live cells at required temperatures and atmospheric conditions. This versatile chamber can be used for a variety of applications such as...

Light microsopy goes beyond the limits.(Tools of the Trade)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Leica Microsystems presents its new TCS STED superresolution microscope based on Stefan Hell's award-winning concept of stimulated emission depletion (STED) technology. The Leica TCS STED permits an optical resolution of less than 90 nm lateral...

25x NA 1.05 microscope objective.(Tools of the Trade)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... A new 25x, NA 1.05 water immersion objective specifically designed for multi-photon imaging offers researchers unprecedented performance when used with the Olympus FV1000-MPE multi-photon microscope system. The objective offers a super-wide...

The world's fastest just got faster.(Tools of the Trade)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Fastcam SA1 has speeds and resolutions from the 5,400 frames/sec (fps) at mega pixel (1K x 1K) base, to the fast top speed of 675,000 fps. Further enhancements include a 32GB memory option that provides close to...

New versatile, universal design microscope.(Tools of the Trade)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Nikon's new LV-UDM provides universal optical technology on a single microscope platform for industrial, biological, and crossover use. With its newly designed turret condenser and motorized nosepiece, the LV-UDM is a multifunctional microscope...

P-737 high-speed vertical positioning system.(Tools of the Trade)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... PIFOC P-737 high-speed vertical positioning systems are designed for use with XY microscopy stages, OEM manual stages, and aftermarket motorized stages. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] While the XY stage positions the sample, the...

Organic LEDs: a healthy change for light? Organic light-emitting diodes may one day replace the light bulb.(PHOTONICS/OPTICS)
February 1, 2008... The legitimacy of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) should get a significant boost this year as several new products hit the market. Sony is selling an 11" OLED flat-screen television for the first time this year. OLEDs produced by Samsung...

Detection on the go: a compact spectrometer from defense giant EADS is among the first of a new class of security devices.(PHOTONICS/OPTICS)
February 1, 2008... In December, 2001, Richard Reid attempted to detonate homemade shoe bombs aboard a trans-Atlantic flight from Paris to Miami. His attack was thwarted. The bombs were later neutralized in Boston, Mass., using an instrument developed at Sandia...

MT9820A tunable external cavity laser.(Tools of the Trade)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... MT9820A is an unique combination of high-speed electronic and optical interferometry. Up to four real-time measurements are now possible with [+ or -] 1 pm wavelength accuracy. This allows the use of MT9820A during alignment and manufacturing...

Laser delivers power and beam quality for singulation.(Tools of the Trade)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... The AVIA 532-38, a diode-pumped, solid state laser, delivers over 38 W of output at 532 nm (at 120 kHz) with a pulsewidth of only 45 nsec. This laser's beam characteristics, combined with its high average power and high peak power, make the...

Sharpshooter is a new class of optical sensor.(Tools of the Trade)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Sharpshooter is a new class of optical sensor that fills the gap between conventional discrete sensors and vision systems. Sharpshooter combines the flexibility of a vision system and the simplicity of a photoelectric sensor. Its small size...

Suppliers raise the bar on oscilloscope performance: high precision, easy-to-use, leading edge signal integrity, long memory depth, and deep analysis capabilities are becoming the watchwords in this industry.(TEST, MEASUREMENT & ANALYSIS)
February 1, 2008... Manufacturers of high-performance DSO/DSA (digital storage oscilloscope/digital signal analyzer) instruments continue to push the envelope, making the most accurate, repeatable, and precise high-speed digital and RF electronic measurements....

Increasing mobile systems raises RF test throughput issues: Keithley's new MIMO system provides increased data transmission rates, increased bandwidth efficiency, and up to 4x4 channels.(TEST, MEASUREMENT & ANALYSIS)
February 1, 2008... "The RF (radio frequency) market is at an inflection point," says Walt Strickler, director of marketing for wireless and RF products at Keithley Instruments, Cleveland, Ohio. The explosion of new, multifunction wireless communication devices,...

Sound and vibration suite provides interactive data acquisition and analysis: new software and hardware-based tools provide an integrated solution for monitoring and analyzing a wide range of vibrational applications.(TEST, MEASUREMENT & ANALYSIS)
February 1, 2008... National Instruments (NI), Austin, Texas, recently introduced the NI Sound and Vibration Measurement Suite, v. 6.0, along with their newest 16-channel data acquisition module for sound and vibration, the NI PX1-4495. This suite of tools is the...

IVI-C drivers and improved ZWave control software.(Tools of the Trade)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... ZTEC Instruments now provides IVI-C drivers for its ZT530 series of PCI, PXI, and VXI function generators/arbitrary waveform generators. The IVI-C driver architecture is defined by the Interchangeable Virtual Instruments Foundation and is...

Two channel high accuracy multifunction calibrator.(Tools of the Trade)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... With an accuracy of 0.0035% rdg, the MicroCal 2000+ Multifunction Calibrator is designed for use in both laboratory and fieldwork making it ideal for keeping your test and process equipment in compliance with ISO 9000. The MicroCal 2000+...

DAQ Software v 4.0 streamlines setup and performance.(Tools of the Trade)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Fluke DAQ Software v 4.0 is designed to streamline setup and performance for Fluke 2680 series and NetDAQ networked data acquisition units. The software, which comes with each Fluke 2680A and 2686A Data Acquisition System, enables users to...

Ethernet-based systems controller.(Tools of the Trade)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... EZ-ZONE PM provides a wide range of serial communication choices including EtherNet/IP, Modbus RTU, and Modbus TCP. These protocols offer the ability to easily and inexpensively connect to a PC, programmable logic controller, or human machine...

2008 R&D funding forecast.(Table)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Sees continued improvement * 2008 industrial R&D expected to increase 3.4% * Government defense spending sees strong 4.8% growth * Non-profit growth stron at 3.6%; Academic spending flat * Offshore outsourcing continued to...

2008 R&D funding forecast: CEO's message.(chief executive officers)
February 1, 2008... Once again, as Battelle joins R&D Magazine to analyze government and industrial research and development trends, specific factors associated with many of the developments we examined and projections we offered in earlier R&D forecasts have...

Slowing economy dampens 2008 R&D spending: the U.S. research and development environment is being shaped in 2008 by a myriad of economic, political, and technical factors.(2008 R&D FUNDING FORECAST)(Table)(Essay)
February 1, 2008... Analysis conducted by Battelle researchers and the editors of R&D Magazine on the conduct of research and development in the U.S. reveals that the federal government, along with academia, industry, and non-profit organizations, will invest...