Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) have developed an aluminium-based catalyst that could help make sodium–sulphur batteries last longer. The catalyst addresses a problem that has limited the technology: Sodium polysulphides can dissolve and move away from the cathode, reducing battery life. The research team, led by Professors Wang Hui and Zheng Fangcai at CAS's High Magnetic Field Laboratory in Hefei, changed the atomic structure of aluminium by replacing one oxygen atom with nitrogen. The team wrote in the press release, “This created an asymmetric structure with three oxygen atoms and one nitrogen atom around each Al atom.” It is an Al–O3N structure (three oxygen atoms and one nitrogen atom surrounding each aluminium atom). Explore AL Circle’s report ALuminium Wires &...
Ball Corporation reported a 4.7 per cent increase in global aluminium packaging shipments in Q3 2026, supported by higher volumes across its beverage packaging operations in North and Central America, EMEA, and South America. The company also announced plans to expand its manufacturing network with new beverage can facilities in Germany and India. Ball’s comparable operating earnings for the quarter reached USD 451 million, up 2.5 per cent from USD 440 million in the same period last year. Comparable diluted earnings per share increased 6.8 per cent to USD 1.10, compared with USD 1.03 in Q3 2025. On a US GAAP basis, however, Ball reported a net loss attributable to the corporation of USD 94 million, or 36 cents per diluted share. It was against net earnings of USD 321 million, or USD 1.18...
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A Chinese aluminium mill in Zhenjiang belonging to Aleris, U.S. is now ready to participate as a supplier of more advanced products to Airbus. This is a part of the company’s strategy to shift its focus to higher value added products in the aerospace sector. According to Ingo Kroepfl, vice president for Aleris’s aerospace business, the plant will introduce machines that can cut production costs of the final aerospace parts and also supply higher-grade aluminium for Airbus wing skins. It is to be noted that Aleris is in the process of being acquired by China Zhongwang, through a U.S. subsidiary. After the acquisition, China Zhongwang will be the second Chinese company qualified to supply aluminium to Western aerospace demand. This project may call for a capacity increase in Zhenjiang, but...
French engineering firm CNIM has unveiled the modified designs of the new shore-to-shore variant of its L-CAT fast landing catamaran. The modifications were planned keeping requirements of independent amphibious, logistics, and humanitarian relief operations in mind. CNIM is targeting the Southeast Asian region as a particularly promising market for this variable-draught aluminium hull vessel. The aluminium shore-to-shore variant of L-CAT fast amphibious landing catamaran offers sufficient flexibility to raise or lower a pontoon deck so as to facilitate operation in any one of three modes: in transit, the vessel is a catamaran; in beaching mode, the pontoon is lowered; and in dock mode, the platform is either totally or partially flooded. The French navy service already has one...
Noted electrical wire manufacturer and supplier Encore Wire Corporation announced financial results for the third quarter of 2016-17 fiscal year. The unit volumes were up one per cent in copper pounds shipped and four per cent aluminium pounds shipped over the third quarter of last year. Margins, however, declined in both copper and aluminium wire sales. According to the Texas based company's Q3 disclosure, the margin declines were due to the competitive pricing environment in the industry. One of the key metrics to Encore's earnings is the spread between the price of aluminium wire sold and the cost of raw aluminium purchased in any given period. The company's aluminium spreads were down 17.9 per cent in Q3 2016 versus Q3 2015 and 3.6 per cent in Q3 2016 versus the Q2 2016. Commenting on...
British bike manufacturer Bowman Cycles has re-launched its highly coveted frameset the Palace in a new avatar. The redesigned tube set made from aluminium has contributed to a significant 150 gram weight saving. The original Palace launched two years ago had won the Frameset of the Year 2014 award. The latest version of the frame, named Palace R, in its light-weight aluminium built promises to yield higher speed and a better riding experience. “Learning from what made the first Palace great, we’ve refined small details, totally revised the whole tube-set and the Palace is reborn – we give you: The Palace R,” the Kent based company said in a media release. Bowman is known for manufacturing smartly designed frames at competitive price points, with a range that covers almost every category...
There is a possibility of the use of aluminium instead of sodium in water softener system for better results and health factors. Scientists at Lehigh University are working on developing an aluminium-based water softener system that can replace the sodium-based systems that are in use currently. According to a report in Environmental Science & Technology, researchers have developed a new technique that uses aluminium ions in place of sodium in an effort to do away with health and environmental concerns caused by the salt released by sodium-based water softening systems. According to the co-author of the research Arup SenGupta, an environmental engineer at Lehigh University, if this technology is put into application, it will provide a healthier water system for both the consumer and the...
Juuk Design known for transforming serious gadgets into smart wearables has come up with a brand new aircraft-grade aluminium link band for the Apple Watch. Juuk has designed four finishes for the band that will complement the aluminium Watch model in both Series 1 and 2. Juuk Design announced that it has received enough funding on Kickstarter for a small production run of the aluminium bands. No prize for guessing that these bands will take the Apple Watch's already high price tag a little higher, though for all the right reasons. Ho has worked for major watch brands in product development since 1997 and his first line of stainless steel bands for Juuk launched last year received impressive reviews from customers all over the world. The Apple Watch is considered the most popular...
Atrenne Integrated Solutions, an electrical component and system provider for aerospace, defense, communications, and other technology-driven industries has announced a variation of their Small Form Factor (SFF) 760 Series electronic packaging design. This system will enable off-the-shelf Mini-ITX and PCIe commercial electronics CCA's to be installed in airborne applications that operate on high altitudes above 50,000 feet. As a standard, commercial aluminium electrolytic capacitors are designed for atmospheric pressure corresponding to 10,000 feet and below. They are not designed to operate under low pressure condition. Commercial aluminium electrolytic capacitors will operate smoothly within this system. Atrenne developed a hermetically sealed rugged enclosure which maintained a...
Ford recently announced the launch of new Kuga Vignale and Edge Vignale models in Europe expanding their luxurious Vignale range. These high-end versions of the mid-range SUVs come with “tuxedo-stitched Windsor leather interiors”, unique Vignale colours, and elaborate aluminium enhancements among other features. The exterior highlights of Ford Edge Vignale include chrome-finish fog lamps, signature Ford Vignale hexagonal upper grille design with dark matte finish and polished aluminium surround, and 19-inch polished aluminium wheels as well as Vignale Ametista Scura paint job, while inside features include the same Windsor leather with stitching in light Cashmere or dark Ebony plus leather centre console and armrests, a woven aluminium applique on the passenger side, Front Wide-View...
Stunning aluminium foil artwork pieces were a central feature of an exhibition by the Manchester Urban Pioneers at this year’s Favoriten Theatre Festival in Dortmund, Germany. The aluminium foil, supplied by European Aluminium Foil Association member Eurofoil, was used to create replicas of heritage building facades by overlaying and embossing the detail onto aluminium foil sheets. The biennial festival for the performing arts, which took place 23 September to 2 October, also featured art installations, music and dance performances as well as a film and a literary program. This year’s theme was the complex interaction between art and urban society. The Manchester Urban Pioneers, students from the Manchester School of Architecture and the Manchester School of Art, collaborated with Urbane...
A Seoul based South Korean architect has designed an eye catching café cum residence at Gyeonggi Province which is a beautiful, curved structure covered with slanted planks of aluminium. The Seoul-based architect, known for his novelty in architecture designing has named the building Louverwall because of its unique aluminium cladding. The louvres cover a glazed wall that faces the street and extends and curves up at one corner to form the roof of the building. The aluminium slats actually plays around and controls the sunlight that enters the building to create a beautiful illusion. "The goal is to have soft daylight in the cafe space, as it is facing due west," said the architects. "We have decided to limit the direct light of the west and bring in the light from the south." The...
Satechi has recently unveiled their latest accessory for Apple devices that is a slim aluminium wireless keypad designed to work as an extension of the existing keyboard on the work desk to add wireless functionality. A perfectly matching accessory for an Apple device with sophisticated finish and slim profile, it is not just stylish but also very functional. The wireless aluminium slim keypad works on Bluetooth technology that makes it compatible with any Bluetooth–enabled device. This wireless keypad can de-clutter the workspace by freeing it from wires and plugs. Due to the sleek, portable and slim profile of the keypad, this can be easily carried in a backpack, bag, or purse and can be connected to the devices wherever we go. The Aluminium Slim Wireless Keypad operates on a...
MacWorld's iPad Mini is slated to undergo a massive overhaul. As per recent reports, Tech giant Apple is planning to launch the iPad Mini in the same aluminium avatar that made the body of the iPhone 6s. The material, known as Series 7000 aluminium, is much lighter and tougher compared to other types of aluminium that other Apple products are using. Earlier it was speculated that iPad Mini 5 will debut along with Apple's other products- the 2016 versions of the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air and iMac on October 27. However, new reports say that launch of the aluminium iPad will be delayed. It will join the league of other tablets that be unveiled in 2017. These include iPad Pro 2 and the new 10.5-inch iPad Pro. So, what's all there for the Apple fans who have been waiting with bated breath for...
Business Intelligence Services (BIS) Group s.r.o. announced that 48V Power Supply and Electrification Systems Forum will be held on 15th to 16th February 2017, in Berlin, Germany. The Forum will showcase the perspectives of 48V systems implementation on the way of 12V systems combination and replacement, main 48V technology trends and applications. Attendees will discuss Customer Value versus Total costs in terms of innovative 48V solutions, get an overview of the 48V perspectives for autonomous driving and CO2 regulations compliance. Main market players will share their ideas and experience throughout 2-day case studies, interactive plenaries, workshops, networking & experience exchange. The small-scale nature of the event, expert speakers and balanced spectrum of attending companies...
A piece of aluminium that apparently seems to be handmade has aroused much curiosity among archaeologists and general public all over the world. Builders unearthed the 20cm-long metal chunk on the shores of the Mures River in Aiud, Romania, about 33 feet underground in 1973, with the details surfacing only very recently. Archaeologists enlisted to study the aluminium confirmed that it was an extremely lightweight metal that had been manufactured. Further study revealed that the object is made of 12 metals, 90 per cent aluminium, and the Romanian officials found it as being 250,000 years old! This is indeed an astonishing finding given the fact that aluminium was first produced on earth only 200 years ago. The aluminium artefact has concavities that suggest that it was part of a more...
A-Plant, one of the UK's leading equipment hire companies, has acquired Lion Trackhire for £38 million (€42.5 million). A-Plant said that it wants to merge the business with its temporary access specialist operation Eve and re-position the combined business as a new brand. At the start of 2017, Lion and Eve, 90,000 aluminium panels and 400 experts employed with them, will be rebranded as 'Live.' Lion Trackhire is a pioneer of the Trackway industry, with the World's largest and latest stock of aluminium roadway. “It’s a bold decision to consign names such as Eve and Lion to history, but we want all our staff, as the shop window of the business, to feel equally proud of the brand. A new brand is the best way of ensuring that happens... This is a merger of equals. It’s two big, strong...
Looking at the growing electrolytic capacitor market, aluminium capacitor maker Lelon Electronics is planning to ramp up capacity. To expand production, Leon is set to buy a range of production equipment from Mutsuki Polymer that is a fellow company from the same sector. The firm is investing NT$130 million (US$4.127 million) for this purpose. Notably, Mutsuki Polymer has decided to discontinue the production of capacitors recently after the change in the management of the parent company, Feei Cherng Enterprise. This has given them an opportunity to sell of their equipment to Leon. Mobile device sector is one of the leading end-users of aluminium capacitor and Lelon is planning to use the newly acquired equipment to produce V-chip capacitors to supply to the mobile device sector....
This year’s Castaways Sculpture Awards that takes place at Rockingham foreshore is coming up with some interesting entries from the point of view of material, theme and design. Local artist Carol Clitheroe has based her entries for this year with the theme REFLECTED memories. The last year’s winner Clitheroe used aluminium to compile three figures, representing past, present and future. The artist presents an illustration of childhood memories through the sculptures. The Castaways awards started in 2008 and since then it had been growing manifold to become what it is today. The competition encourages the use of sustainable and recycled material. Clitheroe used a number of empty aluminium cans to create her artwork. “I just love it because you have to use recycled components, which makes...
San Fransisco-based wearables brand Misfit has debuted its very first analog watch with embedded tracking technology. The Fossil Group Company has already launched a number of fitness gadgets and trackers but this is the first time that it has combined the design of an analog watch with tracking technology. Available in aluminium and polished stainless steel varieties these wearables are sure to catch the attention of new-age fitness freaks. The Misfit Phase Hybrid Smartwatch looks suave in its silvery aluminium and stainless steel cases. The wearable tracks steps, distance calories and sleep duration and quality, while offering smartwatch features such as text, call, app notifications and movement reminders. It also has the ability to control music and take pictures on the user's...
