Cell power: more than a century and a half after the invention of the fuel cell several promising variations are on the verge of commercial viability
Article Abstract:
The fuel cell may be celebrating its 160th anniversary of invention in 1999, but this versatile power source has yet to be tapped to its full advantage. Recently, however, some variations that could be commercially developed have revived interest in the versatility of the fuel cell. These are the Ballard Power Systems' new fuel cell technology where a fivefold rise in the ratios of power to size and power to weight of proton exchange membrane cell stacks has been effected, fuel-cell powered buses of the Chicago Transit Authority and the use of solid oxide fuel cell for electric power generation.
Publication Name: Engineering
Subject: Science and technology
ISSN: 0013-7782
Year: 1998
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Agile meanings: Agile manufacturing is one of the hottest engineering concepts of the late 1990s
Article Abstract:
The concept of agility in manufacturing originated in the US, but many of the priorities and requirements of the concept in Britain, are often confused with similar concepts such as responsive manufacturing. The concept has been defined as the ability ot survive and prosper in a competitive, constantly change environment, by reacting rapidly to market changes. John Puttick of Warwick University's Manufacturing Group, sees agile manufacturing as the ability to introduce new models and products with new technology that keeps pace with changes in customer requirements.
Publication Name: Engineering
Subject: Science and technology
ISSN: 0013-7782
Year: 1999
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Slice of life
Article Abstract:
Rapid prototyping (RP) techniques enable engineers to create high-quality and cost-effective prototypes of CAD designs. The latest RP techniques include selective laser sintering which involves using a laser to create prototypes by layer based on three-dimensional CAD data. Another is a modification of the laminated object manufacture technique, which involves the use of steel rather than paper in building layers.
Publication Name: Engineering
Subject: Science and technology
ISSN: 0013-7782
Year: 1998
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