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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AEROBAL, the International Organisation of Aluminium Aerosol Container Manufacturers has invited entries for this year’s best aluminium aerosol cans award. About 70 per cent of all aluminium aerosol can producers worldwide are members of AEROBAL. Packaging Europe's editor in chief, Tim Sykes and a number of other media biggies from well-known international packaging and can magazines would comprise the panel of judges. Commenting on the award, Gregor Spengler, Secretary General of AEROBAL says. “Our World Aluminium Aerosol Can Award is a truly global exhibition of our sector’s capabilities.” “The competition is not only a yardstick for the aluminium aerosol can’s high quality standard, it also serves as a pointer to trends in future developments. Moreover, it is a valuable indicator of...
More and more new metal alloys are being developed every day to suit the needs of automakers, aerospace contractors, and other OEMs. They are stronger, harder, and can survive higher temperatures. The crystalline structures of the alloy are redesigned at the nanoscale and microscale to add these qualities. Two different companies, NanoSteel and NanoAl are developing different types of new steel and aluminum alloys using this technique. NanoSteel's proprietary nanostructured steel alloy materials include sheet metal, powder metals, and surface coatings. It serves applications in extreme industrial environments, and in the oil & gas, mining, and power industries, as well as automotive. Aluminium has been slowly substituting copper as a material of choice for wiring over the last two decades...
Art does not necessarily be delicate and soothing to the eyes. Even a bold and statement art pieces with unusual medium can be equally interesting and complement the delicate art perfectly. Catherine Bertulli is one such artist who is displaying her explosive sculptural canvases at the current exhibition at Grimshaw-Gudewicz Art Gallery on the campus of Bristol Community College. Her arts using aluminium foils dramatically attract viewers with its explicit use of colour and material. Bertulli’s uniqueness lies in the fact that she creates her own canvases before creating her art. She has evolved from her earlier figurative paintings to create very different art installations with an unusual medium like aluminium. In her current installation, she first treats industrial aluminium foil...
Getting the most up-to-date information on equipment is vital, and it often falls to the local jobbers and distributors to get that information out to the shops. Bertrand Supplies recently held a demo of new equipment at Tony Graham Collision Centre in Nepean, Ont. Staff from PBE Distributors came in to conduct the demonstrations. The event was attended by about 25 repairers representing 16 different local collision facilities. Demos were conducted by Bruce Murray, Craig Pierce, Dave Pereira and Chris Haldane of PBE Distributors. The products demonstrated were Pro Spot's aluminum welding station with pulse MIG welder and the PR-5 self-piercing rivet system, the Hot Box paintless dent repair system, the Rail Saver from TG Products and Wedge Clamp's Eclipse 3D measuring system. Marc...
A recently published study by WISE GUY Reports has forecasted the global HVDC capacitor market to grow at 15.19% CAGR and reach $4.36 billion by 2020. The report says that the rising demand for electricity has put the current power generation infrastructure under pressure. Besides, demand and supply imbalance has caused enormous transmission losses in the existing AC transmission. Hence, HVDC transmission has become an alternative across the globe due to a number of factors like asynchronous interconnection, low transmission losses, and capacity to deliver bulk power for long distance transmissions. Low technology cost and growing government incentives is aiding the implementation of the HVDC technology. The HVDC capacitors are anticipated to occupy a substantial share of the global...
Wicona, the aluminium façade specialist from UK, has always been very innovative in its approach to stay updated with the changing demands of the building and construction industry. Recently, it has come up with a new software tool that will squeeze the time required for preparing 2D and 3D drawings and 3D renders. WIC3D is a smart digital drawing platform which can be of big help during the early stage of schematic design. With its help, designers can enhance their creativity and productivity and explore different façade solutions suitable for the purpose. It helps in proper assessment of the difference façade choices and changes by facilitating the analysis, documentation and visualisation of the said architecture design. Architects, engineers and fabricators can invariably use this...
After criticizing Ford for using aluminium in its pickup truck, Chevrolet is now resorting to aluminium for light weighting and aesthetics. There are numerous benefits for following a mixed-materials strategy. First it helps in weight reduction and fuel economy and finally improves the aesthetics too. Chevrolet is following the mixed material strategy in the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV. According to a Detroit News report, Chevy’s upcoming EV features a decent amount of aluminium in its construction. According to GM spokesperson Michelle Malcho, aluminium will be used in the doors, fenders, hood and liftgate. However, he refused to divulge more details about the use of mixed materials in the Bolt EV. There are chances of Chevrolet having a certified dealer network much like Cadillac does for...
After the successful trial run of Talgo train, Indian Railway Ministry is almost decisive about procuring 300 light-weight aluminium coaches from the market to for faster inter-city travelling. The main railway routes are already over-saturated and are posing a serious challenge for the railways' 'Raftaar' mission. So the biggest national transporter is seeking alternatives in light-weight aluminium coaches that will be an easy and time testing option to increase train speed on existing lines. 'Raftaar' mission has been initiated by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu to increase the speed of passenger and freight services significantly. According to the railway ministry sources, a global tender will soon be floated to acquire lightweight aluminium trains. "Instead of steel coaches, use of...
Seattle-based artist, Sophia Wheelwright has designed a cloud like aluminium mesh sculpture called Suspended Eddies that is beautifully installed among the trees in Seattle’s Occidental Square. This suspended sculpture, lit with innovative LED lighting transforms the park’s space with waves of reflecting colour as soon as night falls. Commenting on her work, artist Wheelwright says, “I visited the site over a month, spending hours observing the park’s activity and imagining how a sculpture could inhabit the space. I want people to be curious, to sense its energy and pause in their normal routine to ask—what is this?” In the daylight, Suspended Eddies looks like a camouflaged structure through which sunlight passes through beautifully and the curves similar to extended tree root or a human...
Automakers are under pressure of resorting to the new CAFÉ standards and environmental norms. Henceforth, aluminium is slowly getting into the SUV and truck segment from the luxury and sports cars. It was already hinted by FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne that 2018 Jeep Wrangler would use a heavy dose of aluminium. However, he did not specify in details. Recently, a post in JL Wrangler Forums says that 2018 Jeep Wrangler will use the light metal for the hood and the doors. The post also cited an internal bulletin from Alcoa, who is the supplier for Wrangler. JL Wrangler forum says the company would use Aloca's C6A1 (an internal name) high strength alloy in the next-gen Wrangler. Alcoa will also supply 6022 and A951 to the company that will be used on the SUV's front and rear doors, as well as...
Vishay’s 180 CPS and 181 CPL conductive polymer aluminium capacitors SMD (Chip) are stocked by Farnell element14. The capacitors offer low impedance and are designed for automatic placement on to printed circuit boards. The rated voltage range of the device is 2.5V to 35V/4.0V to 35V and it has useful life up to 2500/5000h at 105C. These capacitors are used for a wide range of industrial and professional applications, telecommunications and IT and portable and mobile equipment. Other than that they are suitable for high temperature reflow soldering in SMD technology.
The noted contemporary design and manufacturing company Bocci has come up with a stunning aluminium installation ahead of the London Design Festival 2016 which will be held on September 17-25. Bocci creative director Omer Arbel has created a site-specific lighting installation using more than 300 coral-shaped aluminium castings, all suspended from the ceiling of the Barbican Centre (one of the event venues) by a series of thin cables. Each of the 300 forms of the aluminium lighting, named 44, has been formed by pouring molten metal into a large canister filled with rock-like resin solids. Very low-voltage electricity has then been transmitted through the aluminium castings, enabling the bulbs to be suspended between them without requiring the use of any cable. A Barbican spokesperson...
The American multinational vehicle manufacturer Ford confirmed its investors at a recent meet that the brand's upcoming offering- the next-generation Ford Expedition will come with aluminium body panels, and hence in a much lighter avatar. The vehicle awaiting launch in 2017 will be presented as a 2018 model year vehicle. Ford also confirmed its plans to introduce four more new SUVs down the line to further capitalize on the present hot segment. By making a shift to an aluminium body the Expedition has been able to shed several hundred pounds, which in turn has increased its fuel efficiency, a prime criteria for an SUV to strike a chord with car enthusiasts. Currently, only the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 is available with Ford’s large SUV. It is expected that the new Ford Expedition will house...
UK's leading independent construction and property services company Willmott Dixon has awarded Dudley’s Aluminium a works contract for a new office development in Bristol. The contract worth £1.25 million requires the Cardiff-based aluminium building systems manufacturer to provide Metal Technology-capped and silicone-glazed curtain walling, along with windows, doors and roof glazing for the 95,000 sq ft Aurora office building at the Finzels Reach in central Bristol. Dudley’s will also install customized feature glazing, advanced glass partitioning systems, and high-performance glass alongside automatic doors. "We are very happy to be working on the Aurora office development. This high-specification building will be a great addition to Bristol’s city centre and we are proud to be involved...
Recently, Ardagh Group, an award winning manufacturer of glass packaging, beer kegs and aluminium bottles have ventured into the beverage can manufacturing. As an aftermath of the same, the company will feature its beverage cans at Brau Beviale 2016 along with its other products. As one of the leading packaging companies globally, Ardagh will focus on innovation and sustainability during this year’s show. They would showcase the recent developments they have made in their integrated R&D facilities and how they have applied the same in their wide range of beverage packaging solutions. They would draw attention to the infinite recyclability of glass and metal packaging without any loss of quality. They would also display some best in class samples during the show and give a chance to the...
The ASSEMBLY Show is one event in the manufacturing industry where engineers and production managers throng in numbers to learn about the latest advancements in assembly technology. This year's show, to be held on October 25-27 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois is going to be no exception. Among the wide range of breakthrough technologies that will be displayed at the event the new fastener used in Ford F-150 and Chevy Corvette is going to be one prime crown puller. The friction-drilling screw is a small component that plays a key role in the design and manufacture of both the vehicles made from aluminium. Thanks to the use of the light metal, both the vehicles are lightweight with reduced emission level enhanced fuel efficiency. The 2015 version of Ford...
As the new generation of SUVs and pick up vans are shedding weight and inches the next to follow are the camping trailers who are getting sleeker and more compact to appeal to the modern roads. The latest in the market is the aluminium Airstream Basecamp trailer which is actually a revamped re-launched version of a trailer that was discontinued a few years ago. This re-launch actually opened the way for more compact and lightweight trailers for multi-days outing in wilderness. As reported the Basecamp was actually created in collaboration with Nissan more than ten years ago. According to Airstream's PR team the first Basecamp was pulled after a few years’ trial when the market wasn't right. After long market research and redesigning of the vehicle, which entirely different from the...
This year's Owensboro Air Show, scheduled to be held on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1-2, will feature an appearance by a fully restored B-17 bomber from World War II-era, nicknamed the "Aluminum Overcast." During the last year show, the “Yankee Lady” a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber was joined by the Air Force Thunderbirds and they drew 50,000 people to the show. Aluminum Overcast will be displayed by EAA AirVenture of OshKosh, Wisconsin. According to a press release, Aluminum Overcast is one of the 12 B-17’s still in flying condition. The airplane will be on display at the Owensboro Regional Airport on Sept. 30th as a part of the program. EAA AirVenture will also be offering paid-rides on the four-engined bomber from Friday to Sunday. The nine-jet Canadian Armed Forces Snowbirds demonstration team...
