Researchers Find New Mechanism Governing Particle Growth in Nanocomposites

Atlanta, GA -- Because the properties of nanoparticles depend so closely on their size, size distribution and morphology, techniques for controlling the growth of these tiny structures is of great interest to materials researchers today.

A research team from the Georgia Institute of Technology and Drexel University has discovered a surprising new mechanism by which polymer materials used in nanocomposites control the growth of particles. Reported on August 28th at the 230th national meeting of the American Chemical Society, the findings could provide a new tool for controlling the formation of nanoparticles.

Growing particles within the confinement of polymer-based structures is one technique commonly used for controlling nanoparticle growth. After formation of the particles, the polymer matrix can be removed – or the resulting nanocomposite used for a variety of applications.

In a series of experiments, the research team found a strong relationship between the chemical reactivity of the polymer and the size and shape of resulting nanoparticles.

“We have concentrated on the reactivity of the polymeric matrix and how that influences the growth of particles,” explained Rina Tannenbaum, an associate professor in Georgia Tech’s School of Materials Science and Engineering. “We found that in the melt the key parameter influencing particle size is actually the type of interaction with the polymer. The molecular weight of the polymer and the synthesis temperature are almost insignificant.”

In a series of experiments, Tannenbaum and her collaborators created iron oxide nanoparticles within polymer films of different types, including polystyrene, poly(methyl methacrylate), bisphenol polycarbonate, poly(vinylidene di-fluouride) and polysulfone. The polymeric matrix was then decomposed using heat, leaving the particles to be characterized using transmission electron microscopy...

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CEMA : Equipment Sales up 25% in July

NAPLES, FL. -- The Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association reported that its July 2005 Booked Orders Index was 143 down 15 points or a decrease of 10% from June 2005's Index of 158 (1990=100). The July 2005 Index represents an increase of 15% from the July 2004 Index of 124.

July Booked Orders Indexes were 171 for Bulk Handling Equipment* and 126 for Unit Handling Equipment*(1990=100).

The Twelve-Month Index for Booked Orders was 156 in July. Index represents an increase of 1% from June 2005's Twelve-Month Index of 155.

The CEMA Billed Sales (shipments) Index was 133 in July down 22 points or a decrease of 14% from the June Index of 155. The July 2005 Index represents a decrease of 19% from the July 2004 Index of 165.

July Billed Sales Indexes were 159 for Bulk Handling Equipment* and 129 for Unit Handling Equipment*(1990=100).

The Twelve-Month Index for Billed Sales was 159 in July. Index represents a decrease of 2% from June 2005's Twelve-Month Index of 162.

* Since Bulk Handling Systems booked and billed sales are reported quarterly, they are averaged back to the two preceding months to enable a running monthly index.

Source: http://www.cemanet.org/

Press Agglomeration of Corrosive and Abrasive Materials

Leingarten, Germany -- Extremely abrasive and corrosive products cannot be processed with usual materials of construction. Wear and corrosion create metal removal at the press rolls and other contact parts and result in high process cost and contamination of the products to be processed.

In order to improve the service life of the equipment but also to work with low or totally without contamination, new materials of construction have been developed and are now successfully used in production plants.

Conventional protections against wear can bring the cost to a reasonable level, but contamination in the range of ppm is still a problem. The efficiency of semiconductors and refractories can be considerably reduced.

A matrix for the selection of the most adequate materials of construction is now available. Some examples are hydrocarbon coatings, plasma surface coatings and ceramic materials.

These results are further improving the advantages of roller compaction:
-Dry process
-Low energy consumption
-Low product heating
-Dust free processing
-Consistent result
-Automatic control

The new technologies offer many options for semiconductors, glass batches, ceramics, pigments and pharmaceutical applications.

For more information contact:
Hosokawa Bepex GmbH
Daimlerstrasse 8
D-74211 Leingarten
Germany
Telephone: 49-7131-90-70
Web site:  http://www.hmicronpowder.com/

Hudson, WI -- Niro Inc. announces the commercial launch of the Tixotherm™ Drying Process for the manufacture of non-hygroscopic, free-flowing permeate powder.

The Tixotherm™ Drying Process yields a substantial savings in capital costs for new plant construction and savings in operating costs when compared to traditional permeate spray drying practices.

The first production scale Tixotherm™ drying plant is being commissioned in the US to produce 5,500 lbs per hour of whey permeate powder and will begin commercial production in the fall of 2005.

Niro Inc. is a full-service company offering engineering, systems, and solutions for powder and liquid processing. Established in 1974, the company is known for innovative processing equipment for drying, granulation, agglomeration, evaporation, filtration, liquid processing, homogenization, packaging, powder handling, tableting, mixing, containment, and dry condensing.

For your free sample of permeate powder or to discuss your permeate process project contact:
Mr. Michael Bowers
Niro Inc.
1600 O’Keefe Road
Hudson, WI 54016
Telephone: 715 386 9371
Fax: 715 386 9376
Email: mlb@niroinc.com
Web site: http://www.niroinc.com

I

ChemFlux Reactors : New Way to Develop Drugs PSL have developed a series of intelligent reactor systems which allow any chemical or biological process to be monitored, controlled and optimized.

Outokumpu Wins Three Major Grinding Mill Orders
Outokumpu Technology will design and deliver a ball mill for the project and provide installation and commissioning.

Setting New Standards for Dust-Free Loading Systems In cooperation with some of the leading industrial designers in Denmark, Cimbria Moduflex has now launched a 3rd generation of loading chutes.

More headline news...

People post their requests for help and offer their suggestions to others in our open forum.

Mr. Carter needs a screw conveyor for coal:

I am after some information on specifications/companies for an application for a screw conveyor.  The screw conveyor takes pre-controlled feed from an en-masse chain conveyor via a robbing screw. The feed is then put directly into the furnace.

The material is coal with a density of 850kg/m^3 at a required capacity between 4.4m^3/h and 44m^3/h. The particle size is 100% < 32mm, 90% < 10mm, 50% < 2mm. The operating temperature is around 900 deg C and the screw will be inclined at approx 25 deg.

The client has been very vague on the specifications and I am having trouble locating companies with expertise in this application.
(to post reply, click here)

Any help would be great,
Karl Carter
Redler Ltd.
kcarter@redler.com

Mr. Brandt needs help unloading super sacks:

We use several raw mats in super sacks, including sulfamic acid and neopentyl glycol. We have severe problem with bridging inside the super sack.

The sacks are lifted over a simple hopper and the bottom string valve on the sack opened. When the bags are bridged inside, our only alternative so far is to beat the bag with pipes.

Does anyone have any commercial devices or home-made devices to handle this problem?  (to post reply, click here)

Thanks,
Crandall Brandt
Kemira Chemicals, Inc.
crandall.brandt@kemira.com

Click here to share your expertise with others in our Help Forum.

Applications/Design Engineer - NJ

Custom Milling & Consulting (CMC) performs executive recruiting as part of our consulting business. We are currently searching for an applications/design engineer for one of our clients.

This position is based in the northern New Jersey area. Our client is a manufacturer of solids handling equipment. The ideal candidate will have a BSME and 0-3 years experience working for an industrial OEM in either a project or design capacity. Knowledge of industrial rotating equipment is required along with the ability to interact with customers on a daily basis.

If you feel you are qualified for this position, then you are encouraged to submit your resume to: kevin@cmcmilling.com.  All inquiries will be treated as confidential. All qualified candidates will be contacted.

Contact:
Kevin J. Haggerty
CMC
Telephone: 610-926-0984
Fax: 610-926-0989
Email: kevin@cmcmilling.com

The Job Fair is a free service of Powder and Bulk Dot Com.  You can post job opening for managers, engineers, sales, reps or other talented people you need. ...Or one can post their resume for companies who are looking to add talented people to their staff.

Do you have a position you need to fill?  Visit the Job Fair.

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Joseph Taylor, Editor
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Powder and Bulk Dot Com's Newsletter is a 100% opt-in e-mail list of information for the materials handling professional.  Do you have company news, a new product, new service or other information you would like to share with our subscribers?  Please submit articles via e-mail, only to: news@powderandbulk.com

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Fundamentals of
Packaging Technology
by Walter Soroka
Textbook Binding, 589 pages
October 1998

.

Agglomeration in Industry : Occurence and Applications
by Wolfgang Pietsch
Hardcover: 834 pages
January 2005

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Food Plant Engineering Systems
by Theunis C. Robberts
Hardcover, 288 pages, 2002

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Designing a Belt Feeder Interface-Transition
by Joseph Marinelli, Solids Handling Technologies

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This week's homepage photo is of Columbia/Okura robotic palletizer that is capable of handling of both cases and pails without the need to change tooling. The robot uses a flexible vacuum-grip system to adapt to a variety of pail and case sizes.

Photo courtesy of Columbia/Okura LLC

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