Technical Innovations
Fuel-cell material from Altair
 The lithium titanate crystals shown here are approximately 250 nm (9.8 min) in size. |
Altair Technologies, Inc. has developed essentially 100% lithium titanate spinel (Li4Ti5 O12) and nano-sized Yttria stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) at its nano-particles facilities in Reno, NV, and is able to produce evaluation samples of the material. Patent applications are being sought for both. The company believes it has the only process capable of producing commercial quantities of either material.
The lithium titanate spinel is currently under evaluation for advanced energy-storage devices used in hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles. Nano-sized YSZ is expected to result in improved thermal spray products for corrosion protection, thermal barriers, and microformed products.
Altair International owns a proprietary technology for making nano-crystalline materials of unique quality in large quantities. The company is developing special nano-materials with potential applications in fuel cells, hard coatings, catalysts, paints, batteries, semiconductors, and other applications. Altair holds mineral leases on a titanium mineral sand deposit in Tennessee, where a pilot plant recently has begun operations.
- Patrick Ponticel
Noncontact FAST torque measurement
FAST Technology has donated an embedded magnetic domain (EMD) rotary noncontact torque sensor to the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee's Center for Intelligent Maintenance Systems. The Center will use the sensor to aid in research into wireless and embedded networking technology in the manufacturing industry.
EMD uses a combination of magnetic induction and electronic processing to measure torque from a static or rotating shaft without contact. An EMD torque sensing system consists of three basic components that include a magnetized shaft, a detection head, and signal-conditioning electronics. The detection head measures torque-induced variations in the shaft's magnetic characteristics. The electronics are connected to the detection head and emit a signal to indicate the magnitude and direction of the torque applied to the shaft.
With their ability to operate in hostile environments, the FAST sensors will work together with current, vibration, and thermal sensors to provide a thorough and ongoing picture of a machine in operation. Via a wireless transmitter, the performance information obtained by the sensors will then be sent to a Web server, which will place the data into what the Center calls an "IMS Web-enabled Platform." On- or off-site authorized personnel will be able to access the platform via any Internet browser to monitor the performance of machines and systems in real time.
The Center is also engaged in the development of Web-enabled e-maintenance and optimization tools, the performance assessment of production equipment via wireless and Web-enabled technologies, remote asset management, and other networking applications.
- Jean L. Broge
