Energy efficiency insights MIT and Harvard researchers developed an efficient process to convert carbon dioxide into stable, nontoxic formate, usable in fuel cells for emissions-free electricity generation with over 90% conversion efficiency. Unlike traditional methods, this process achieves high carbon efficiency by directly converting CO2 into liquid metal bicarbonate, eliminating the need for inefficient heating, and producing a stable, easy-to-store formate powder for long-term use. The search is on worldwide to find ways to extract carbon dioxide from the air or from power plant exhaust ..read more

  Learning Objectives Understand where ventilation systems are used in semiconductor manufacturing. Understand the key differences between testing TAB for building HVAC systems vs. production lines. Understand the most critical challenges for TAB in semiconductor manufacturing.   Semiconductor insights Semiconductor manufacturing demands precise and balanced ventilation systems, especially in areas below cleanrooms, where hazardous chemicals are handled, posing significant safety challenges. Coordinating adjustments to exhaust systems during tool upgrades is crucial to prevent pr ..read more

With environmental concerns and climate change at the forefront of global priorities today, manufacturers are under increasing pressure to adopt more sustainable practices. Reducing energy consumption and its associated harmful emissions have become critical objectives for organizations worldwide, including the UK and Europe, where various governmental targets and regulations are already in place. While many are calling for the development of new, cutting-edge technologies to address these challenges, one proven solution already exists in the form of variable frequency drives (VFDs) It is beli ..read more

It’s well known maintaining electrical equipment in industrial facilities is fundamental for optimizing equipment performance and reliability, and preventing unplanned downtime. Today, such maintenance is not only recommended, it’s required. The most recent version of NFPA 70E: Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace stipulates that facility managers must conduct maintenance on electrical equipment — and not just overcurrent protective devices — in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions or industry consensus standards. Additionally, the facility manager must document those mainten ..read more

Artificial intelligence (AI) insights Many companies are adopting AI in industrial automation, but 61% of AI projects lack metrics to evaluate success. The key is to focus on business outcomes like productivity enhancement and cost reduction when implementing AI. If artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t already a part of your industrial automation environment, it likely will be in the near future. Newly released research by CFE Media and Technology, covered in the Bridging the Gap Video/Podcast Series, took a closer look at how AI is impacting industrial automation. In the second episode, we co ..read more

Sustainable workforce insights The sustainable workforce concept emphasizes employee well-being, flexibility, and empathetic leadership, crucial for combating labor shortages in the manufacturing industry. Integrating connected worker solutions, a key component of the future of industrial work (FOIW) approach, significantly improves retention, morale, and productivity in manufacturing companies. For manufacturers, sustainability is more than a measure of environmental stewardship. Eco-friendly practices, from recycling to CO2 emissions reduction, will remain top-of-mind for businesses, stake ..read more

Top 5 Plant Engineering content over the past week covered using AI, predictive maintenance software, drive modernization and more. Links to each article below. 1. How to use artificial intelligence: A guide for mechanical engineers By embracing artificial intelligence and machine learning, mechanical engineers can thrive in a digital marketplace 2. Your questions answered: Using software in predictive maintenance Additional questions on software in preventive maintenance are addressed presented in an October 17 webcast, archived for a year. 3. Modernization – extend the lifetime of your drive ..read more

Warehouse insights Humanoid robots like Digit offer flexibility in warehouses, potentially addressing labor shortages without requiring major operational changes for tasks like trailer unloading. While the adoption of humanoid robots in warehouses may not happen overnight, they represent a potential solution to the ongoing labor and skills crisis in the logistics industry. Their success will depend on the outcome of early pilots and their ability to integrate with existing workflows. Amazon has started testing a humanoid robot, Digit, in its warehouses, raising fresh questions about how ..read more

The top 10 Plant Engineering most-viewed content online in October 2023 posted over the last three months covered clean hydrogen fuel, 5G lighthouse factories, how to use AI and more. Catch up with a link to each article below. 1. Design harnesses sun’s heat to produce clean hydrogen fuel Conventional systems for producing hydrogen depend on fossil fuels, but a system developed by MIT researchers uses only solar energy. 2. Accelerating Industry 4.0 realization: How to create a 5G lighthouse smart factory To transform operations in the production and delivery of 5G equipment, a Lighthouse appro ..read more

Top 5 Plant Engineering content over the past week covered clean hydrogen fuel, reduce pump problems, using artificial intelligence and more. Links to each article below. 1. Design harnesses sun’s heat to produce clean hydrogen fuel Conventional systems for producing hydrogen depend on fossil fuels, but a system developed by MIT researchers uses only solar energy. 2. Reduce dreaded pump problems or failures with condition monitoring To avoid costly, unplanned downtime, leveraging condition monitoring in a reliability plan is essential. 3. How to use artificial intelligence: A guide for mechani ..read more