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New Technique Could Help Improve the Reliability of Integrated Circuits

Researchers at the National
Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a method to
measure the toughness—the resistance to fracture—of the thin insulating
films that play a critical role in high-performance integrated circuits. The
new technique could help improve the reliability and manufacturability of ICs
and, better yet, it’s one that state-of-the-art microelectronics manufacturers
can use with equipment they already own.

26 Dec 2008

Electromagnetic Phantom to Help Test Airport Metal Detectors

In the comics, the Phantom is a masked crimefighter who protected the innocent
from pirates, hijackers and other evildoers. While not as dashing or exciting
as its costumed namesake, this electromagnetic phantom—a carbon and polymer
mixture that simulates the human body—is being readied by the National
Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for its upcoming role as a
different kind of protector. The NIST phantom serves as a mannequin in a standardized
performance test for walk-through metal detectors or WTMDs such as those used
at airports.

26 Dec 2008

Vale Acquires $300 Million in Coal Assets

Vale announces that it entered into a purchase and sale agreement to acquire 100% of the export coal assets of Cementos Argos S.A. (Argos) in Colombia for US$ 300 million. Argos, listed in Bolsa de Valores de Colombia...

26 Dec 2008

Extreme High Resolution SEM Allows Imaging at Different Angles with Sub Nanometer Resolution

FEI’s
new Magellan™ extreme high-resolution scanning electron microscope (XHR
SEM) allows scientists and engineers to quickly see 3D surface images at many
different angles and at resolutions below one nanometer.

26 Dec 2008

Leading Hand Tools for Craftsmen Now Available Online

Gyros Precision Tools, an undisputed leader in the market for more than eight decades has recently made its online presence by introducing its top-of-the-class hand tools for individuals as well as heavy industry use. Fo...

26 Dec 2008

Stainless Steel Production Predicted to Decrease by 1 Million Tonnes in 2008

In the first three quarters of this year, global stainless steel production was approximately one percent up on the 2007 outturn. In the MEPS September issue we predicted a modest decline in output for the full year. Now...

23 Dec 2008

Atomic-Scale Computing Could Make the World's Most Powerful Computers

Over the last 60 years, ever-smaller generations of transistors have driven exponential growth in computing power. Could molecules, each turned into miniscule computer components, trigger even greater growth in c...

23 Dec 2008

Aluminum Smelters in Quebec Agree to Take on Clean, Renewable Power

Alcoa (NYSE:AA) today announced that it has finalized new power agreements in Quebec through 2040. The agreements will supply clean, renewable energy to all three of the Company’s aluminum smelters in the province ...

23 Dec 2008

Alcoa to Take Ownership Aluminum Smelting Joint Venture

Alcoa (NYSE:AA) today announced
it has agreed with ORKLA ASA (Orkla) to exchange their stakes in a Norwegian
smelting partnership and a Swedish extrusion joint venture in order to focus
on their respective areas of expertise and best practices. Alcoa will receive
Orkla’s 50 percent stake in Elkem Aluminum ANS while Orkla will receive
Alcoa’s 45 percent stake in the $3.7 billion SAPA extrusion profiles business.

23 Dec 2008