Flying solo by design
Many engineers long to escape the 9-to-5 grind and apply their talents as independent consultants. Toronto-based Gary Warburton is one who has been able to capitalize on his specialization — thanks to affordable personal engineering tools — and fly solo. Warburton devises aerospace structural testing systems, having worked with such aircraft manufacturers as Goodrich, Landing Gear, Bombardier, Ultimate Biplane, and Diamond.
Read the full article

Ad hoc networks get new approach for first responders
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) researchers successfully demonstrated a prototype approach to maintain two-way communications with first responders as they make their way in building fires, and mine and tunnel collapses. These and other disasters in enclosed environments are often rife with radio dead spots and conditions that can severely weaken signals.
Read the full article

Future magnetic sensors will take the heat
University of Chicago scientists have discovered how to make magnetic sensors capable of operating at the high temperatures that ceramic engines in cars and aircraft of the future will require for higher operating efficiency than today's internal combustion technology.
Read the full article

Wheels: Composite bridge to somewhere
Construction has been completed on the High Road Bridge over Long Run Creek in Lockport Township, IL, three months ahead of schedule. What's so great about that? The innovative structure, now open to traffic, is the first permanent highway installation of Hybrid-Composite Beams (HCBs) developed by the HC Bridge Company, LLC.
Read the full article

5-Star Product: Fiber optic lighting is a real shape-shifter
Let there be light — exactly where you want it. A new family of fiber optic technologies from Lumitex enables designers to backlight or illuminate areas that have previously been problematic or unreachable, like rectangles, ovals, circles, semi-circles, and holes.
Read the full article

New Products