Phinergy and electrical contractor Rosendin Electric have published a second white paper examining how aluminium-air generators (AAGs) could support data centre power needs beyond conventional backup systems. The paper outlines three potential uses, including providing power for AI and cloud facilities, increasing available grid capacity and supporting renewable microgrids. Titled “From Backup Power to Grid Enabler: Use Cases for Aluminum-Air Generator (AAG) in AI-Era Data Centers,” the paper compares aluminium-air generators with diesel generators and lithium-ion battery systems. The report comes amid growing pressure on electricity infrastructure from data centre expansion. In Northern Virginia, more than 9,000 backup diesel generators serve data centres, according to Virginia Mercury....
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 &...
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Somerville Aluminum, the leading full-service home improvement and remodeling company based in Central New Jersey, has been named the recipient of ‘Platinum Plus’ Award by the renowned custom door provider ProVia. Headquartered in Ohio, Provia is a nearly 40-year-old Sugarcreek manufacturer of professional-class doors, windows, vinyl siding, and manufactured stone for residential and commercial use. Provia recognizes dealers demonstrating the highest level of commitment to selling and installing ProVia’s products with a prestigious ‘Platinum Dealer’ award. Somerville Aluminum has won the recognition every year ever since the the award program was initiated in 2002, said Joe Klink, ProVia’s director of corporate relations. “This year, however, ProVia introduced awards recognizing two...
Nasa publishes details of radical 'proton power' system that could send a spacecraft to the edge of the solar system in just 10 years. The light metal aluminium has a significant role to play in it. The slowly spinning spacecraft will use 10-20 electrically charged aluminium wires Each wire would have a thickness of one mm but extend about 12 and a half miles This will create a massive 'E-Sail,' which repels protons in solar wind to create thrust This could bring spacecraft to the edge of solar system in just 10 years According to the NASA engineers the radically new propulsion system could cut down the time it takes for a spacecraft to reach interstellar space. The propeller would interact with particles released by the sun, repelling protons to create thrust and achieve unprecedented...
Bucket Design, an industrial design firm based in Pune, India, has come up with a gigantic three-dimensional signboard installation at Almatti Dam in Karnataka. The signboard, the biggest of its kind- made out of steel frames and aluminium panels, has made it to the Limca Book of Records this year. The project has been named after India's former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri who once laid the foundation stone of this irrigation project for the benefit of farmers in the north Karnataka region. The 3D signboard is made from 45 steel frames and 5,500 sq ft of aluminium profiles and panels. With a total length of 112.7 metres, the signboard measures longer than the ‘Hollywood’ signboard which is 110 metres, and has already become a landmark in the north Karnataka region.
Building material manufacturer and supplier, Construction Specialties Inc. has introduced a versatile wall partitioning system- the C/S Elimax, made from recyclable aluminium. Designed to transform interiors quickly, the wall partitioning system offers a cost-effective solution for the urban architects looking for speed, design flexibility, ease of installation, and durability. The C/S Elimax is basically a range of recyclable aluminium-made walls that are ready for installation. Being pre-finished, they do not require any kind of setting, sanding, or coating, enabling fast re-configuration of an open space. They can also be demounted fast to accommodate any future modification of the space. The modular aluminium wall-partitioning system comes with all installation-ready components. So,...
Aluminium wire technology has come a long way over the past several decades. The lightweight metal is now an absolutely suitable and reliable alternative, especially for medium-voltage (MV) cables. Aluminium cables score over copper cables in many respects. The cables made from aluminium can be significantly cheaper. Installation of aluminium cables reduces cost by about 15-20 percent because they are much lighter. A 1,000 foot long 750kcmil aluminium cable weighs just 704 pounds. However, for there to be large-scale substitution, there would have to be a major price divergence between aluminium and copper. But if the price of copper were to rally dramatically, a massive wave of substitution that would happen in a very short period. This is because the aluminium products already exist so...
Fiat-Chryslar, the automakers' Group with presence in almost all known automotive segments, is set to unveil its new model of pickup truck from FCA. To be badged as a Jeep, the pickup truck, in all probability, is expected to come out in an all-aluminium body. Industry grapevine has it that the FCA aluminium Jeep will rely on a hybrid power terrain, and notwithstanding its unique setup, will tune the pickup truck for off-roading, same as that in case of other vehicles from the company. Jeep enjoys a huge popularity all across the globe, and the aluminium-body - hybrid power terrain pickup truck is expected to benefit a lot from it. On release, Jeep is perceived to give its closest competitor Ram, presently managing the pickup truck segment, a tough competition. Whether Ram’s dominance in...
Porsche has revealed its all-new Panamera four-door aluminium-body super saloon, with a refreshed new look, a tech-laden interior and new, more powerful turbocharged engines fitted with a new eight-speed PDK transmission. Available to order now, the new Panamera will go on sale this autumn. The new Panamera flaunting an external aluminium body panel will initially be available with three engines consisting of two Porsche designed and developed turbocharged petrol engines – a 2.9-litre V6 and a 4.0-litre V8 – and an Audi sourced 4.2-litre V8 twin-turbo diesel. A plug-in hybrid will also join the line-up early next year. The new Panamera is 35mm longer at 5050mm, thanks in part to a wheelbase that has increased in length by 30mm to 2950mm. The new car is also 5mm wider at 1935mm and 5mm...
According to a new market report released by Transparency Market Research (TMR), the global metal packaging market is projected to reach $150 billion by 2026. Metal packaging market which includes aluminium, tinplate and other lightmetal packaging segments, has witnessed significant growth over the past few years. The growth has been mainly spurred by the changing psyche of the consumers who are turning increasingly health conscious. A stark change in lifestyle is being observed globally as urban communities in major economies are leaning toward convenient yet safe preservation of edibles which include food and beverages, as well as medicines. The report observes aluminium beverage cans are the most widely used type of metal packaging solutions across the globe. This has been the trend...
Associated Lead Mills (HM) has introduced alu-fx Patina- the ‘Timeless Collection’ of aluminium facades and roofing materials, which is expected to fill the gap in the metal facade and roofing market caused due to lack of any kind of low cost aluminium structural material with ‘high end aesthetic’ value. According to ALM (HM), the traditional aluminium colours have become too common and numerous for the distributors to retain. Moreover, they lack the subtlety of other structural metals. Six alu-fx finishes are available from stock at ALM and Jamestown Metals in Scotland and are suitable for use in flat or curved standing seams. The alu-fx Patina colours replicate the subdued sheen of pre-weathered zinc, oxid copper, steel, bronze and anodised aluminium and at 0.7mm thickness and 530mm...
The worldwide demand for flexible packaging is projected to touch $210 billion mark in 2015 and $248 billion by 2020, according to a recent market analysis. The market report illustrates that increasing demand for smaller packs and convenient design is boosting the growth prospects of flexible packaging and the technological innovation behind it. According to the report, the market tonnage of the segment will grow on average by 3.8 per cent in 2015–2020, to reach 31.7 million tonnes. It notes a significant rise in demand for a wider range of SKU sizes, a broader colour palette and more closely tailored packaging solutions for different products. Factors driving the flexible packaging market include the rising demands for convenient packaging and aesthetically appealing products, plus...
KRGS Doors has supplied and installed aluminium roller shutters at the new Brighton Lakes Recreation and Golf Club in Moorebank, NSW. Moorebank’s own premier social club, the new Brighton Golf Club, off Brickmakers Drive, is being transformed into the Brighton Lakes Recreation and Golf Club. On completion, the new social destination will feature indoor and outdoor eating areas, several function rooms and a brasserie, overlooking an 18-hole golf course. KRGS Doors worked in collaboration with James Clifford Construction to install a number of aluminium roller shutters at the club.
Oman Aluminium Processing Industries LLC (OAPIL), a subisdiary of Oman Cables posted lower sales and profit for the six-month period ended June 30, 2016 compared to the same period previous year owing to the falling aluminium prices during the period under review. The decline in sales revnues affected the group net profit significantly. The Gulf based electrical cable company attributed the decrease in sales to the 20 per cent fall in prices of major raw materials. “The impact of the current economic situation on the growth of infrastructure in the markets where Oman Cables operates is being closely monitored,” it said in a media release. “The aluminium market is facing a slowdown and is impacting OAPIL results and premiums are under pressure. It may be noted that 2015 was an exceptional...
Tom Boney, chairman of the Aluminum Association's Aluminum Transportation Group (ATG) and vice president and general manager, Automotive Value Stream, Novelis North America applauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and California Air Resources Board for releasing the draft of Technical Assessment Report, yesterday, after examining a wide range of factors relevant to the 2022-2025 light-duty vehicle standards. "Based upon a preliminary review, we are pleased the Technical Assessment Report recognizes the benefits of reducing vehicle weight by increasing the use of high-strength, lightweight materials like aluminium to boost fuel economy and reduce carbon emissions. Mass reduction with automotive aluminium plays a critical role in...
Vishay has announced the launch of five new series of aluminium capacitors, delivering increased vibration capabilities over standard devices. Providing high stability and reliability in automotive and industrial applications, the surface-mount 260 CLA-V, 246 CTI-V, and 250 CRZ-V, and radial 246 RTI-V and 250 RMI-V series, combine high-vibration performance with low impedance, high ripple current, and long useful life. The SMD and radial devices offer vibration resistance up to 30g and 50g, respectively. These AEC-Q200-qualified capacitors feature low impedance down to 18mohm at 100kHz for better filtering, high ripple current to 3,500mA, and long useful life to 10,000h. The devices feature capacitance from 150µF to 10,000µF over voltages from 6.3V to 100V. Surface-mount 260 CLA-V, 246...
Aluminum Trailer Co., based in Nappanee in the U.S. state of Indiana, will break ground on its $5 million production facility this fall. The move will enable the company to expand its production capacity significantly. The trailer manufacturer, which has steadily flourished since recession ended in 2009, is expected to generate up to 40 jobs over the next three years as it plans major expansions over its 90,000-square-foot facility, said CEO Steve Brenneman. Operations at the plant are expected to start in the second quarter of 2017. The upcoming facility, to be built near an existing 20,000-square-foot plant, will be the third production site for Aluminum Trailer Co. "We're going to move our two main production lines into the building, as well as our main office," said Brenneman. ATC...
With power transmission and data communication sectors opening up new vistas, the Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) industry is undergoing tremendous churning before the giant leap. Add to it the fillip received from the Union Government’s ‘Digital India’ slogan, the outcome is perceptibly encouraging. ZTT India Private Limited, a major manufacturer of Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) and also the first to have a manufacturing unit in India, has grabbed the opportunity with both its hands as its product deals with arresting lightning as well as in data communication. In the OPGW cable, the strands of OFC are covered by a central aluminium tube, which is further surrounded by a layer of 12 aluminium clad steel (ACS) wires to offer double protection. ZTT India's plant at Sri City in Chittoor district of...
Ford Motor says it's going to boost the towing capacity of its pickup trucks. As announced on Monday July 18, the 2017 F-Series F-450 Super Duty, one of the heavy-duty versions of its F-150 full-size pickups will be capable of towing a 21,000-pound trailer. This according to Ford is 1,000 pounds more than the competition. Ford confirms that the boost becomes possible from a heavier driveline and other factors triggered by the switch to an all-aluminium body. Since aluminium is about 350 pounds lighter than standard steel body, that extra weight could be used for heavier drive components which accounted for the added towing capacity. Considering the fact that Ford F-Series has been the US's best-selling heavy vehicle and consumers may not appreciate the change of materials, the switch to...
Lidl teams up with Who Dares Design to create the aluminium can packaging for Castelgy, their new pre-mixed single serve gin and tonic brand. Who Dares Design will be implementing the identity of Castlegy across the new variants in the range, and will also develop the packaging artwork through launch. The newly designed packs strategically re-positioned the logo in a simplified manner placing the brand separately at the top of the can graphics. Their aim was to “compliment the streamlined proportions of the can packaging, while being immediately recognisable as part of the Castelgy family”. Elegant and bold typography has been used to display the flavours and bright green and silver background colours have been used to differentiate the standard variant from the diet one. The alcoholic...
