Component Management

Is glass a solid or a liquid? This question, which has been vigorously discussed by specialists in the field for some decades, has just been answered anew: “Glass is a non-equilibrium, non-crystalline state of matter that appears solid on a short time scale but continuously relaxes toward the liquid state.” A more elaborate alternative definition is this: “Glass is a non-equilibrium, non-crystalline condensed state of matte...

Scientists have developed a textile material that disinfects itself, an advance that can help fight deadly hospital-acquired infections. By incorporating the specially-engineered textile in a device designed to be used on hospital doors instead of the traditional aluminium door plate – the part of the door that people push to open it – they aim to bolster hand hygiene. Researchers from the University of Leeds in the UK developed the d...

  A ceramic-based mechanical pump able to operate at record temperatures of more than 1,400ºC (1,673K) can transfer high temperature liquids such as molten tin, enabling a new generation of energy conversion and storage systems.

  Researchers from ETH Zurich have built a prototype of an ultra-thin, curved concrete roof using innovative digital design and fabrication methods. The tested novel formwork system will be used in an actual construction project for the first time next year.

Developed by Master Bond for potting, sealing, encapsulation and casting applications, EP110F8-5 is dimensionally stable and has low shrinkage upon cure. This system is said to feature superior electrical insulation properties including a volume resistivity exceeding 1015 ohm-cm, a dielectric constant of 2.91 at 1 KHz and a dissipation factor of 0.009 at 1KHz.

Manufacturer of laser welding equipment and systems, AMADA MIYACHI EUROPE, has announced the availability of several process technology options for interconnection of flexible materials used in manufacturing wearable technology devices. Available process technologies include hot bar reflow soldering, heat staking, ACF laminating/pre-bonding, and heat-seal/ACF final bonding.

An international team of scientists has created a new database of molecular dynamics models that simulate the properties of cement in all its varieties. It’s intended to help fine-tune this component of concrete and curtail emissions in its manufacturing process. The new database, called cemff, for cement force fields. In this case, the force field isn't an invisible barrier from a science-fiction story. It's the collection of paramete...

  Electrolube will demonstrate its technical prowess in specialist electro-chemicals with a selection of new Encapsulation resins that will make their debut at Productronica 2017 (Messe Munich, November 14-17 Hall A4 Booth 466).

Nanotechnology might seem cutting edge, but humans have actually been experimenting with nanomaterials for hundreds of years – albeit accidentally. In fact, stained glass windows came about as the result of a heating and cooling process that adjusted the size of nanocrystals in the glass. Medieval nanotechnologists may not have been aware of the scale they were working at, but this art form is widely considered as one of the first examples ...

Soldering is an important part of working with electronic components. In order for the necessary components to be firmly connected and for a current to flow smoothly, there is some essential equipment needed and some important techniques to master.  Author: Holger Engelbrecht (pictured), Product Manager, reichelt elektronik