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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Gérard Blatrix, Amcor, has been elected as Chairman of Flexible Packaging Europe (FPE), the organisation which represents the interests of the sector at a European level and on the international stage. He previously served as Vice Chairman and is replaced in that role by Paddy Mullaney of Clondalkin. Both appointments were made during the FPE summer conference, held recently in Hamburg. Amcor is a global leader in responsible packaging solutions supplying a broad range of rigid & flexible packaging products into the food, beverage, healthcare, home and personal care and tobacco packaging industries. Aluminium foil, aluminium beverage can, aluminium aerosol can and aluminium blisters form important categories of the company's product portfolio. Speaking shortly after his election Mr...
To discuss critical issues surrounding the upcoming Midterm Evaluation of 2025 fuel economy and emissions regulations, former U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Aluminum Transportation Group chairman Tom Boney of Novelis, and the following panellists of transportation and environmental leaders gathered in Washington, D.C. last Thursday, June 7: • John Bozzella, President and Chief Executive Officer, Global Automakers • Michelle Robinson, Director, Clean Vehicles Program, Union of Concerned Scientists • John German, Senior Fellow / US Co-Lead, The International Council on Clean Transportation Lively discussion ensued on whether automakers can meet (or possibly exceed) 2025 fuel economy and emissions targets as well as how existing vehicle technologies and designs are advancing. "No...
Larson Electronics, a leading industrial lighting company has announced the release of a ten outlet explosion proof portable spider box that allows operators to safely operate up to 4,000 watts of lighting and electrical equipment within Class 1 Division 1 zones. The EPL-SBO-120-10XLV explosion proof portable power distribution system from Larson Electronics is designed to provide operators using 120 volt equipment in hazardous locations with multiple outlets in areas where receptacles are limited. This wheeled power distribution system allows operators to safely operate up to 4,000 watts of lighting and electrical equipment within Class 1 Division 1 areas. This unit includes ten 12 volt twist-lock receptacles rated at 20 amps maximum each. Operators provide 120 volt power from inside or...
Google has teamed up with the biggest smartphone makers HTC over the years to manufacture its flagship smartphones. Based on evidence from a credible source, the devices, which are codenamed M1 "Marlin" and S1 "Sailfish" will be offered in a dark gray and black aluminium case. The body of the aluminium case has a two-tone look, thanks to either a glossy plastic or glass cutout on its rear, which is believed to act as a window for an NFC reader and other radios. The HTC Nexus M1 "Marlin" is expected to include a 2,560 x 1,440 Quad HD display, quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, 4 GB of RAM, 12-megapixel rear camera, 8-megapixel front-facing shooter, and a large 3,450 mAh battery. The HTC Nexus S1 "Sailfish" is said to use a 5-inch 1,920 x 1,080 Full HD display, feature similar...
California based Blue Bicycles is a sports and mountain bike maker that was once struggling to survive but now has new life breathed into it. It was once known for triathlon and cyclocross bikes but now has three different mountain bikes in its line. Here’s a peak at what’s coming in 2017 for Blue while at Press Camp in Park City, Utah. The Crew is Blue’s new 11-speed, 27plus hardtail. The Crew EX is carbon and the Crew AL is aluminium. Blue first tried its hand at mountain bikes in 2009 but by the time it got its first 26er together, 29ers had come on the scene full-force and the company didn’t think it would be able to properly sell its small-wheeled bike. Now that new wheel sizes have settled, it was ready to jump in, again. The Crew AL still runs Shimano XT and the same Hayes brakes...
Renowned architecture firm Fran Silvestre Arquitectos has come up with a two-storey Aluminium House in Madrid. The building made out of aluminium construction systems features a roof terrace that spans the entire width of the building and extends out towards a swimming pool. The Valencia-based firm wanted the two-storey-high Aluminium House to appear smaller than it actually is. To achieve this, they tried to make the top level feel like the main storey, and the lower level an extension of the patio. To emphasise the effect, the top-heavy first floor is clad in aluminium panels, while the ground floor is covered in a light stone like the surrounding paving. The large roof terrace cantilevers out from the first floor towards the pool, creating a shaded area beneath. "The piece, of metallic...
Panasonic Automotive & Industrial Systems Europe has released two new ranges of aluminium electrolytic capacitors to meet recent market demands for higher ripple current handling. Developed from the proven V-TP series components, the new V-TC and V-TCU series benefit from 1.2 to 1.5 times higher ripple current capabilities at 125C (V-TC series 300mA for D8 can size up to 750mA for G can size and V-TCU series 400mA for F can size up to 750mA for G can size). In addition, V-TCU parts also offer 1.2 to 2.2 times larger capacitance values (220µF up to 680µF) while downsizing by one can size (G to F size or F to D8 size). Ideal for applications such as automotive ECU in DC-DC filtering and output ripple smoothing, the can-shape surface-mount capacitors feature a footprint from 6.3mm x 7.7mm up...
Iconic limousine maker Rolls Royce is all set to enter the next generation of car manufacturing with modern techniques and lightweight aluminium platform. The upcoming Rolls Royce Phantom and all future super-luxury cars will be made from the same materials as used in Tesla Model S, with a lighter yet durable aluminium chassis and body. The eighth-generation Rolls Royce Phantom will be the first car that the company makes using the new aluminium architecture, and it is known from industry sources that that design has taken “another significant step forward”. The current Phantom will end its production life on 31 December 2016, and the new model won’t be introduced until 2018, so there will be a gap of at least a year where dealers will sell through the existing stock they have on hand....
Jan Homan, Supervisory Board Member of Constantia Flexibles, has been re-elected President of the European Aluminium Foil Association (EAFA) at the organisation’s summer conference held in Hamburg. The European Aluminium Foil Association is the international body representing companies engaged in flexible packaging, in rolling and rewinding of alufoil as well as in the manufacture of aluminium closures and semi-rigid containers. Its more than 100 members include companies in Western, Central and Eastern Europe. Speaking during the conference, following his re-appointment, Mr Homan said, “It is a great honour to have been given the task to continue leading EAFA. Currently there is great optimism that the industry is well positioned to take advantage of the improving economic position, both...
The AptarGroup, a supplier of packaging solutions such as aluminium aerosol cans for the beauty and personal care industry, announced resumption of production flows at its factory in Annecy, France, after a fire broke out at one of its three anodization production units, on June 25. The fire caused no injury but resulted in severe damage of equipment and machiney in the Annecy plant. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Aptar Annecy supplies anodized aluminium components for certain AptarGroup dispensing systems. “The stamping workshop, which was not affected by the fire, is fully operational and all Aptar’s teams are mobilized for a restart of the anodizing lines by the end of July, except for the line that was destroyed by the fire,” said the supplier. While repair works...
Prague’s desirable Vinohrady district has got a striking new addition to its skyline – The Crystal offices, a project that demonstrate how far boundaries can be pushed with aluminium curtain walling to create original spaces and bespoke shapes. Crystal is made up of two main parts, which together create a compact unit. They are sliced by a striking sharp chasm, leading to the inspiration behind the name. Supported by bespoke aluminium systems from Reynaers, the significant height and distinctive shape means that this building has a unique and unexpected look, from every angle. The innovative build is found beside the busy Vinohradská Boulevard opposite one of Prague’s largest cemeteries, Olšany, and the post-modern 1990s Don Giovanni hotel. It was commissioned by the GES REAL development...
Siemens researchers have developed a new type of electric motor that, with a weight of just 50 kilograms, delivers a continuous output of about 260 kilowatts – five times more than comparable drive systems. This record-setting propulsion system successfully completed its first public flight today at Schwarze Heide Airport near Dinslaken, Germany, where it – almost silently – powered an Extra 330LE aerobatic airplane. The new drive system had already made its maiden flight on June 24th 2016. This advance means that hybrid-electric aircraft with four or more seats will now be possible. "This day will change aviation," said Frank Anton, head of eAircraft at Siemens' central research unit Corporate Technology. "This is the first time that an electric aircraft in the quarter-megawatt...
Coca-Cola Malaysia refuted allegations that its imported Coca-Cola UEFA Euro 2016 limited edition aluminium bottles sold in selected outlets in the country contain alcohol. It said although the limited edition aluminium bottles were not produced in Malaysia but imported from Europe, “the ingredients and manufacturing process used in the production of Coca-Cola beverage are rigorously regulated by the government and health authorities in more than 200 countries which have consistently recognised the drink as a non-alcoholic product”. “These include countries where Islam is the major religion,” it said in a statement, here, today. “The company understands the local market and recognises and respects the importance of reassuring the Muslim consumers that its products meet the strict halal...
Ford Motor Co. narrowly beat General Motors Co. in sales of full-size pickup trucks during the half of this year. Ford’ F-Series pickup sales rose 10.7 percent to 395,244 through the end of June, according to industry data issued Friday. GM, by comparison, sold a combined 382,134 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups – just a 0.9 percent gain – during the same period. Silverado sales have fallen slightly this year, despite aggressive marketing that included a commercial showing a dropped tool chest punching a hole in the bed of the rival F-150 pickup. The spot was a knock on the aluminum architecture of the Ford’s body and bed. “With Chevrolet sales flat, one wonders if the splashy incentive program that kicked off June and the provocative Silverado steel bed versus Ford’s F-150...
The former Mardyke Estate in Rainham, east London, has undergone a substantial transformation to make way for a new residential development, Orchard Village. Circle Housing has invested £80million to redevelop the old housing estate, creating 555 new homes to meet local affordable housing needs. Designed by PRP Architects and developed in its entirety by Willmott Dixon, the project specified AluK aluminium curtain walling, window and door systems throughout all four phases, three of which have been completed. To meet security requirements, all windows and doors complied to the Secured By Design (SBD) initiative, with the GT55 TB commercial door systems integrating electric strike access with key fob entry. The AluK GT55 TB is believed to be the first aluminium commercial door system to be...
A new portable 3D printer that is capable of being folded up or down to help with transportation, has been launched this week via the Kickstarter crowdfunding website by 3DSTUFFSNL, a development company based in the Netherlands. The TOPEEDOBOT wireless connectable, portable 3D printer has been constructed using a strong yet lightweight aluminium framework and is capable of near silent print operation, as well as being able to print in multiple colours, says its creators. The frame of the printer is designed and made of extruded aluminium profile, giving the TOPEEDOBOT a rigid solid structural frame. Assembled with custom, aluminium parts designed by Emmanuel A. TOPEEDOBOT is designed and developed for professionals, hobbyists, students, makers and thinkers. Thanks to feedback, comments...
Statnett, Norway’s state owned power system operator, has energised 68 km of Nexans’ green coloured aluminium conductors on its new overhead transmission line connecting central Norway to western Norway. The line will secure the supply of power in the region. Nexans’ coloured conductors have been used on 8.5 km of the line that run through a protected nature reserve, allowing the cables to blend in with the environment. Nexans has used a unique surface treatment to manufacture the green coloured aluminium wires. This helped the conductors blend in with the environment, making it more acceptable to local residents. The patented treatment process is able to produce different types of conductors in almost all colours, and in contrast to traditional coatings methods it has no adverse effect...
Ball Corp. on Thursday finalized its $6.1 billion acquisition of British competitor Rexam, making the Broomfield-based company the largest (aluminium and tinplate) beverage can maker in the world. Ball also assumed $2.4 billion of debt in the deal. The combined company accounts for 60 percent of beverage can supply in North America, 69 percent in Europe and 74 percent in Brazil, with 75 manufacturing facilities across five continents, 18,700 workers and an estimated $11 billion in net sales for 2015. “We’re delighted to move forward together as a leader in the packaging industry, supplying approximately 100 billion innovative, high-quality metal (tinplate and aluminium) beverage containers from the world’s most efficient manufacturing footprint,” John A. Hayes, chairman, president and CEO...
