11-06/07 :: June/July 2011

nanotimes

Companies Facts

39

German BAM researchers have opened up new fields in ceramics application by developing a new injec- tion moulding technology called LPIM – Low Pressure Injection Moulding. LPIM is a special type of low pressure hot moulding. A mix of binder, additives and ceramic powders, the so-called feedstock is used. Injection-moulded elements from this material can be welded together to form complex structures. Wel- ding is by definition nothing more than joining different parts together using temperature and pressure (without additive materials). After joining, the components can be further processed using de-binding and sintering, into a homogeneous and high-strength ceramic body.

Carl Paulick, inventor of the patented new procedure, thinks that his technique completely follows the tradition of conventional welding methods. “We make practically nothing else, the definition of welding therefore also applies to our method,” says Paulick.

Now, their spin-off “Fuegetechnik Berlin” (Berlin Joining Technologies) brings the new technology to the market. Fuegetechnik Berlin is sponsored by the EXIST research transfer programme of the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology. The four-man team is specialized in complex-formed com- ponents of high-performance ceramics for industrial applications. “We are prepared both for single and mass production and also provide advice for component design,” says Paulick.

http://www.fuegetechnik-berlin.de

Electric cars are rolling off the assembly lines, but that‘s not great news for American battery makers like A123, Ener1 and Altair Nanotechnologies. Their shares have run out of juice, and may not be energized soon, because aggressive, mainly Asian, rivals are dominating the battery business. Jacqueline Doherty: Bad News, Good News on Batteries, In: Barrons.com, April 23, 2011:

http://online.barrons.com/article/SB50001424052970203583604576271043300086346.html?reflink=wsj_ redirect#articleTabs_panel_article%3D1