It's time to stop babying your smartphone or tablet device. Researchers at Rice University have developed a thin film electrode from graphene that is completely transparent, strong, and flexible. Graphene would replace indium tin oxide (ITO), which is becoming increasingly rare and expensive. And from a practical perspective, ITO is brittle and delicate. Their new material overcomes both problems: a fine metal nanowire aluminum mesh supports the graphene which fills in the crevices in the mesh grid. The new material won't get brittle, so more robust, even flexible, displays should be the next big thing.

Despatch Industries provides thermal processing equipment for annealing, curing, bonding, and heat treating a variety of materials, including polymers, composites, rubber, and textiles. The Despatch RA/RF oven series is ideal for plastics fabrication. These high performance ovens offer temperatures up to 343 C (650 F) and feature uniform, horizontal recirculating airflow.

Designed for plastic and metal marking applications, Epilog's FiberMark system makes it easier than ever to mark barcodes, serial numbers, logos, and more. Featuring a 24 in. by 12 in. engraving area and ranging in wattages from 10-50, the FiberMark meets all your plastic marking needs. Receive info and plastic samples here!

From the plastics of today to the engineered materials of tomorrow, our industry unites in 2012 to Break the Mold at The International Plastics Showcase. Make plans to participate in NPE2012 and see how the business is changing. NPE2012 promises to deliver your greatest opportunity to reshape your organization. Visit us.

The PG-9BHD can form plastic materials into various shapes at very high rates with excellent quality output. The grinding wheel can be shaped to form part to your specifications. Almost all billiard balls, golf balls, and deodorant balls in the world are produced on the Glebar plunge grinder.

With 4x the range of a conventional antenna, a new prototype antenna from Ohio State University can be sewn into any fabric and worn on the body. Featuring capacity to send as well as receive, the device made from metallic thread and plastic film was designed to lighten the load of soldiers while still giving them communication abilities.

Modifying an already FDA-approved polymer, Poloxamer 407, researchers at Stanford University have tested a new process to repair even the tiniest of blood vessels that are often impossible to stitch. They've successfully used the polymer to temporarily inflate vessels, then glue them together instead of sewing. Because there are no sutures, healing time is improved.

For more on this subject, subscribe to GlobalSpec's e-Newsletter, DirectU2 The world of Medical Equipment Design.

With the ability to be sterilized, pasteurized, and heat sealed, a new packaging technology from RPC Bramlage is aiming to take over for tin and glass. Their thin wall, multilayer polypropylene (PP), has skin and core layers that are simultaneously injection molded. A shelf life of 12-24 months is claimed.

If you find this subject interesting, subscribe to the GlobalSpec e-Newsletter, DirectU2 The world of Packaging & Labeling.

Viva Healthcare has partnered with Topline Products to produce injection molded tubes with striking in-mold labeling (IML), shorter lead times, and enhanced graphics. The IML process is not new, but using environmentally-friendly and recyclable PP lowers the carbon footprint. The graphics are embedded, allowing surface decoration even to the crimp area.

Franklin Fibre-Lamitex Corp. is a modern U.S. fabricator and manufacturer of composite materials and engineered thermoplastics. FFLC routinely machines high performance, NEMA, and a variety of custom materials developed for specific high mechanical, high temperature, cryogenic, high voltage, and wear applications.

Infrared is the process heat technology of choice for forming, welding, and lamination applications. Cost-effective infrared heaters apply heat evenly and efficiently. IR is fast, energy-saving, virtually maintenance-free, and provides a high level of control/repeatability compared to other heating methods. Learn more from the process heating experts at Heraeus Noblelight.

ARTCORP specializes in turning your vision into highly functional models. From rapid prototyping to fully functional urethanes, we turn your ideas into production solutions. For example, over-molded low-durometer materials on production-grade Shore D urethanes can provide protection, grip, and even an integrated keypad.

Believe it or not, every product we create has an important function. Chances are you are directly or indirectly using a product right now containing parts we manufacture. You may use their plastic parts when you grab a drink from the fridge, or when you purchase a product from a display in your favorite store.

A new "film" that can be sprayed on glass or plastic is being introduced by a Maryland-based company. The spray keeps the glass transparent, but allows the window to generate electricity. Any panel can be retrofitted with the Solar Window, and will then generate energy from external sunlight or from internal fluorescent lighting.

University of Warwick, UK, researchers gold-plated a window to yield a transparent solar cell electrode. The ultrathin layer could be cost-effective, even at current gold prices, because it's only 8 billionths of a meter thick. The layer can be scaled up for large area production, and a version applicable to plastic substrates for solar cells is under development.

With a market for 1.6 million tons of superabsorbent polymers and over 80% of that dedicated to disposable diapers, Battelle has developed a soybean polymer that can replace about 1/3 of the petroleum-based polymer used. The soy polymer carries 200-300x its own weight, and comes in at the same cost.

A research team based in Barcelona, Spain, fabricated a new bioplastic film from cheese manufacturing waste. The European cheese industry discards about 40% of the 50 million tons of whey produced annually. The moisture-barrier film is composed of whey proteins which dissolve easily in water, making it biodegradable.

Duoflow Manifolds, SWAP Valves, and FasTie Quick Ejector systems play significant roles to speed up mold change times! Mold Mounted Duoflow Manifolds simplify water hook ups, SWAP Valves clear cooling water, and FasTie System makes ejector tie in a "snap". Visit Smartflow-usa.com for more information.

Beginning in 1982 as Sidney Casting, Tooling Technology, LLC has grown to become one of the largest suppliers of tooling and accessories to the thermoforming industry. Located in Fort Loramie, OH in two facilities totalling over 65,000 sq ft, Tooling Technology is a leading provider of high-quality tooling for a variety of material forming processes.

Register Today!
GlobalSpec's Automotive & Transportation Technology Event — October 5, 2011

Join your peers and leading manufacturers for this free, informative, and interactive ONLINE conference and trade show — right from the convenience of your desktop. Participate in any or all of the educational sessions, network with peers, and meet with manufacturers eager to showcase their latest products, services, and new technology offerings. Learn more about the educational sessions offered to meet your information needs, and register today!

Making a Comeback?
 

After a two-year ban, a grocery store chain in Canada is piloting a program to reintroduce plastic bags, following complaints from consumers. Customers forget their multi-use bags, and say paper isn't strong enough, is difficult to carry, and falls apart when wet. Despite some green opposition, the trial will determine whether to bring back single-use bags.

Fortunately, the Big Apple wasn't hit hard by Hurricane Irene. And while there's nothing funny about a hurricane bearing down on your coastline, some people might want to rethink their priorities a bit when they've taken to wrapping their Land Rovers — no matter how nice they are — in plastic and duct tape to weather the storm. No word on how it fared.

Market Evaluation: Sacks for Groceries

Should consumers alone drive whether or not a store distributes plastic bags or should green initiatives determine how you take home your purchases?

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