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News by Date: March 2004 New brand identity for lubricant range 31 March 2004 - Dow Corning - Molykote New brand identity for Molykote Super-clear polymer conveys elegance of exclusive designer toiletry 31 March 2004 - Eastman Chemical Company A container made from Eastman Chemical Company’s Glass Polymer copolyester resin was the first choice for ‘Kingdom’, the latest toiletry product under the Alexander McQueen designer label, thanks to the material’s crystal-clear properties and high resistance to breakage. Eastman Chemical Company: better by design 31 March 2004 - Eastman Chemical Company Eastman Chemical Company has launched the Eastman Innovation Lab, a web site for the Design community and a first step toward realizing Eastman’s vision of becoming an innovative partner for designers and brand owners. Arnitel a soft touch for Tupperware 31 March 2004 - DSM Engineering Plastics Tupperware, leading producer of quality household goods and Kitchenware, has selected Arnitel TPE from DSM Engineering Plastics for its new Cafetiere. 'Customizer' technology - titanium dioxide white pigments with additional functionality 31 March 2004 - DuPont Engineering Polymers DuPont Titanium Technologies has strengthened its position in Europe by installing a new facility for the production of customized titanium dioxide (TiO2) products in Antwerp, Belgium. DuPont’s customizer technology, in which the titanium dioxide particles are finished with up to three different organic or inorganic coatings, means customers receive a TiO2 that is not only a white pigment but also a processing aid or other performance additive. Hydro and RUSAL complete first stage of Sayanogorsk casthouse upgrade 31 March 2004 - Hydro Aluminium Leading aluminium companies Hydro and RUSAL announced today that testing operations at the newly upgraded casthouse at Sayanogorsk have been conducted successfully. The plant will now be able to increase the production of high-quality extrusion ingot on the basis of the new technology. M&G’s ActiTUF™ Technology launched in EU Countries 31 March 2004 - M&G Group The M&G Group today announced further significant expansions of the commercial use of its pioneering high barrier technology ActiTUF™ technology. New photoluminescent safety sheets from RTP Company exceed standards 31 March 2004 - RTP Company The new product line consists of glow-in-the-dark standard products that are available in roll stock or cut to length. The product offerings include a rigid polycarbonate sheet with white backing, and a flexible product designed for egress tape that is suitable for use as an EXIT sign sheet. The egress tape product is flexible, durable, resistant to cleaning chemicals, and tear resistant. Researchers develop miniature cooling system that generates nanoscale breezes 31 March 2004 - National Science Foundation Researchers have crafted miniature cooling systems similar in concept to the silent fans now available to filter and circulate the air in homes, but the miniscule 'fans' are only microns (millionths of a meter) across. Using minute voltages, the devices generate ions that discharge to create small breezes, perfect for cooling cell phones, laptop computers, and the tiniest devices. AMODEL Polyphthalamide gives racer’s edge to unique fuel pickup tube in custom carburettors 31 March 2004 - Solvay Advanced Polymers Llc Aluminum replacement withstands rigors of oval-track competition Alpharetta, Ga. Willy’s Carburetor and Dyno Shop in Mt. Carmel, Illinois has a big-time car and truck racing clientele, involved in competition at the highest professional levels of the sport. So when owner Willy Krup found a way to give a competitive advantage to racers in the grass-roots Dirt Late Model and UMP Modified classes, he wanted it to be affordable for the teams involved. RAD joins U-BROAD research project to develop advanced access technologies Over legacy copper 31 March 2004 - RAD Data Communications Ltd RAD Data Communications has announced that it has joined the U-BROAD research project, a consortium of companies led by Metalink that will focus on ultra high bit rate-over-copper technologies for broadband multi-service access. New storage method amplifies cells available for science 30 March 2004 - University of Wisconsin-Madison Like many other kinds of cells used in biomedical research, human embryonic stem cells are stored and transported in a cryopreserved state, frozen to -320 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature of their liquid nitrogen storage bath. Existing therapies applied to new use in broader spectrum of cancer care 30 March 2004 - American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Researchers find new purpose for existing drugs to suppress colon cancer metastasis, secure post-radiation brain function, and trick tumors to gorge on a Trojan Horse vitamin. Drugs approved for treatment of specific maladies sometimes show unexpected benefits. Researchers at the 95th annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research highlighted how some drugs may one day offer previously unforeseen benefits for patients. How minerals react in the environment depends on particle size 30 March 2004 - Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University One of the most common groups of minerals on earth is the iron oxides, found in soils, rusting iron, and the dust of Mars. Due to their importance in the environment, iron oxide minerals have been widely studied, providing insight into their properties and reactivities. But when the size of minerals decreases to 1 to 10 nanometers (billionths of a meter), many of their properties change. Student creating polymers to chaperon DNA across cell membrane 30 March 2004 - Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Ordinarily, the cell membrane prevents invasion by foreign genetic material, which is why genetic engineers often have to use a pipette and forced air to jab a new piece of a gene through the cell wall into the genome in order to carry out gene therapy or introduce particular attributes into a crop or organism. Chemists seek light-activated glue for vascular repair 30 March 2004 - Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Surgeons battle time and the body's defenses as they stitch together veins and arteries, whether after an injury or in the course of such treatments as transplants or bypasses. Loss of blood before a site is closed and too much clotting soon after challenge medical care. Huntsman Advanced Materials Shows Araldite® Adhesives, Structural Composites and RenShape® Solutions Tooling Products at JEC 2004 30 March 2004 - Huntsman Advanced Materials Huntsman Advanced Materials will be presenting its credentials as a global leader in epoxy and other thermoset specialities for composites, rapid tooling solutions and industrial adhesives at this year’s JEC, with a comprehensive product and applications display. RENSHAPE® SL MATERIALS HELP BRING THE PAST TO LIFE 30 March 2004 - Huntsman Advanced Materials Discovered more than 150 years ago during the construction of a railway line near to the site of the Roman Fort of Trimontium in the Scottish Borders, the skull of a Roman Soldier has been used for a facial reconstruction museum display with the help of the unique, white, ABS-like RenShape® Solutions SL 7560 stereolithography material. Duke engineers fabricating polymer 'nanobrushes' and other 'smart' molecule-sized structures 30 March 2004 - Duke University Engineers from Duke University have described progress building so-called 'smart nanostructures,' including billionths-of-a-metre-scale 'nanobrushes' that can selectively and reversibly sprout from surfaces in response to changes in temperature or solvent chemistry. TVR USE ARALDITE® ON TYPHON 30 March 2004 - Huntsman Araldite The Araldite® SMC bonding range is recognised for the high performance it derives from the latest polyurethane and epoxy adhesives technology. It was this ability to withstand extreme fatigue and environmental conditions that led TVR Engineering Ltd to specify Araldite for a range of SMC bonding applications on their new Typhon sports car. PAM-CEM solutions reduces physical tests in Automotive Electromagnetic Compatibility 30 March 2004 - ESI Group ESI Group today launched PAM-CEM Solutions 2004, a comprehensive family of software for virtual testing of complex electromagnetic phenomena. PAM-CEM Solutions 2004 analyzes electromagnetic compatibility and interference problems in a wide frequency range. PAM-CEM Solutions includes CRIPTE, for induced phenomena on cable networks, and SYSMAGNA, for low frequency analysis. Understanding gender differences in cartilage cells brings hope for better spinal disc repair 30 March 2004 - Georgia Institute of Technology Asking that question led the Georgia Institute of Technology professor and Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar to collaborate with her colleagues in the development of several patent-pending technologies that may offer a significant improvement in the treatment of spinal disc damage and disease. The technologies are the basis for Boyan's startup company, which hopes to tap the $3-billion-a-year market for spinal disc repair. Smoking related to suicide attempts in teens with psychiatric illnesses 30 March 2004 - Yale University The study in this month's Journal of Adolescent Health included 157 girls and boys, 12-17 years, admitted to a hospital in Finland for psychiatric illnesses. Researchers found that adolescents who smoked were four times as likely to attempt suicide as those who did not smoke. Adolescents who smoked also were at three times greater risk for occasional and frequent self-mutilation. Research explains how to boost efficiency of polymer organic light-emitting diodes Biasing spin statistics 30 March 2004 - Georgia Institute of Technology Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) based on pi-conjugated polymers offer significant advantages over other display materials. They are lightweight, flexible, easily tailored, operate on low voltages and can be deposited on large areas using simple techniques such as ink-jet printing or spin-coating. By combining the electrical properties of metals and semiconductors with the mechanical properties of plastics, these materials are poised to provide a foundation for new generations of flexible displays for computers and other devices. Until recently, however, many researchers believed these light-emitting polymers were limited in their efficiency, able to convert no more than 25 percent of their energy into light. Carnegie Mellon University announces 'one-step' method to make polymer nanowires 30 March 2004 - Carnegie Mellon Universtity A powerful one-step, 'chain growth' method should make it easier to design and synthesize a variety of highly conductive polymers for different research and commercial applications, according to a presentation by the method's developer, Carnegie Mellon University chemist Richard McCullough. McCullough, dean of the Mellon College of Science and professor of chemistry, is reporting his research Tuesday, March 30, at the 227th annual meeting of the American Chemical Society in Anaheim, Calif. (POLY 360, Plaza B). Eastman strengthens global copolyester manufacturing structure 30 March 2004 - Eastman Chemical Company Following consultations with the union and the employees at its Hartlepool, England site, Eastman has decided to close that site and consolidate production to other facilities. XLPE compound delivers significant increases in cable production speed 30 March 2004 - Borealis A/S To help satisfy the growing demand for MV, HV and EHV underground cable systems for electric energy transmission, Borealis, the leading supplier of polyethylene to the wire and cable industry, has developed Supercure LS4201. The new XLPE compound can deliver significant increases in cable production speed without compromising either quality or performance. Insulating compounds for enhanced transmission in communication cables 30 March 2004 - Borealis A/S To meet the growing need for enhanced electrical properties in telephone, TV and data cables Borealis, the leading supplier of polyethylene to the global wire and cable industry, has further developed its cellular insulation compounds. Borcell is an extensive range of chemically and physically blown polyethylene (PE) compounds offering improved transmission properties and processability. Fast crosslinking XLPE for power cables 30 March 2004 - Borealis A/S Supercure LE8201 has an advanced crosslinking mechanism that enables crosslinking in medium voltage cablemaking to be carried out more efficiently. Sandvik confirms European distribution capability 29 March 2004 - Sandvik Materials Technology UK Sandvik Materials Technology is confirming and focusing its role as a stainless steel products distributor by opening a new European distribution centre at Venlo in Holland. Reliable, cost-effective connector system with DuPont™ Crastin® and DuPont™ Zytel® 29 March 2004 - DuPont Engineering Polymers For its new colour-coded Aqualok connectors, ITT Cannon uses DuPont™ Crastin® polybutylene terephthalate PBT resin, chosen for its chemical resistance, good mouldability and electrical properties, and its dimensional stability. Light therapy appears effective for depression during pregnancy 29 March 2004 - Yale University Pregnant women suffering from depression may experience as much emotional relief through 10 weeks of bright light therapy as persons taking anti-depressants, a Yale researcher found in a small pilot study. The research published this month in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry also found that the light dosage (the length of time spent in front of the light box) could be varied for improved results, just as medication can be prescribed in varying doses. Duke chemists describe new kind of 'nanotube' transistor 29 March 2004 - Duke University Duke University researchers exploring ways to build ultrasmall electronic devices out of atom-thick carbon cylinders have incorporated one of these 'carbon nanotubes' into a new kind of field effect transistor. The Duke investigators also reported new insights into their previously published technique for growing nanotubes in straight structures as long as half an inch. Siliconix targets automotive 12-V boardnet with new P-channel −40-V and −60-V TrenchFETPower MOSFETs 29 March 2004 - Vishay Electronic Automotive 12-V boardnet high-side switches and electric motor drives are the target applications for a record-setting family of p-channel MOSFETs announced today by Siliconix incorporated, an 80.4%-owned subsidiary of Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. Undergraduate research experience advances education may lead to more rapid DNA identification 29 March 2004 - Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University DNA is often used to identify mysterious materials or match a suspect with a crime. However, identification can be slowed while a trace amount of DNA is increased so there will be enough to test. Polymerase chain reaction is the series of steps necessary to amplify DNA. In the pocket: New paclitaxel analog kills more cancer cells than natural product 29 March 2004 - Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University A multi-university research team led by Virginia Tech University Distinguished Professor of Chemistry David G.I. Kingston has succeeded in enhancing the structure of paclitaxel (Taxol) to make it more effective in killing cancer cells. New family of polymers enhance mechanical, rheological, processing performance 29 March 2004 - Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Hyperbranched polymers, tree-like molecules, are not particularly useful for the creation of plastic films and molded parts because they don't entangle. So Virginia Tech researchers have created segmented hyperbranched plastics, which do entangle and result in high-performance polymers. Devastating parasitic weed may be felled by toxin borrowed from flies 29 March 2004 - Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University The parasitic weed, broomrape, attaches to the root of such vegetable crops as tomato, potato, beans, and sunflowers. With no need for leaves of its own, it produces only a floral shoot above ground. Meanwhile, its host is barely able to survive, much less be productive. Now, the defense mechanism of another pest, the fly, may provide a weapon against parasitic weeds. DNA-binding strands used to create molecular zipper 29 March 2004 - Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Virginia Tech students and faculty members at Virginia Tech are creating releasable coatings and thin films using the same chemistry that nature uses to bind the double helix of DNA. High strength steels for contractor equipment and the vehicle industry 29 March 2004 - SSAB Tunnplåt AB As the largest producer of strip and sheet steel in Scandinavia, SSAB Swedish Steel maintains a leading position in the manufacture of extra high strength and ultra high strength steels in Europe. Air travel aids viruses to go here, there and everywhere 29 March 2004 - Society for General Microbiology Air travel, increasing urbanization and modern farming practices are all helping to spread deadly virus diseases carried by blood-sucking mosquitoes and ticks, according to scientists from the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology at Oxford, speaking at the Society for General Microbiology's meeting in Bath. New, classier route to killing superbugs 29 March 2004 - Society for General Microbiology Scientists from the New Jersey University of Medicine and Dentistry have discovered a whole new class of enzymes which may represent a major advance in understanding the way bacterial cells self destruct under stress, researchers will hear at the Society for General Microbiology's meeting in Bath. Interfering with ways in which viruses counteract the immune response may lead to novel vaccines 29 March 2004 - Society for General Microbiology Novel vaccines to some viruses may be possible due to work studying the way viruses block our bodies' natural defence mechanisms, scientists from the University of St Andrews will announce at the Society for General Microbiology's meeting in Bath. How Hairpin Probe and Gold Gets Bad Bugs Glowing 29 March 2004 - Society for General Microbiology Using tiny amounts of gold and a genetic 'hairpin probe', US scientists have developed a sensor which will aid hospitals in the fight against serious infections such as Staphylococcus aureus, researchers from the University of Rochester, New York, will announce at the Society for General Microbiology's meeting in Bath. Hope for flu fight as researchers crack communication 29 March 2004 - Society for General Microbiology Finding the way influenza viruses multiply may lead to new medicines which can fight all varieties of flu, according to German medical researchers speaking at the Society for General Microbiology meeting in Bath. Fruit flies in fight against flu and fevers 29 March 2004 - Society for General Microbiology West Nile virus and dengue fever, two of the most feared diseases spread by mosquitoes and other biting insects, could be controlled in future by using techniques learned from studying the influenza virus, fruit flies and plants, according to scientists from the University of California speaking at the Society for General Microbiology's meeting in Bath. Climate keeps tick-borne diseases in check 29 March 2004 - Society for General Microbiology The blood-sucking ticks that spread microbes, causing disease in livestock and people, are very sensitive to the weather. So different sorts of microbes cycle between ticks and their hosts in the UK and in other parts of Europe where the summers are warmer and drier. This has obvious implications for the possible effects of environmental changes occurring now, Oxford University scientists said at the Society for General Microbiology's meeting in Bath. According to new research viruses may provide new way to defeat them 29 March 2004 - University of Wisconsin-Madison Viruses, often able to outsmart many of the drugs designed to defeat them, may have met their match, according to new research from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Demand for high skills is over, estimated, say researchers 29 March 2004 - Cardiff University The demand for people with high skills in the economy has been seriously over estimated, according to new research from Cardiff University. Drawing on the results of a major Economic and Social Research Council research project, a new book by Professor Phil Brown, of the School of Social Sciences, and Dr Anthony Hesketh of Lancaster University, examines the experiences of those looking for, and those giving out, new jobs in the knowledge economy. Polymer Chemists assemble nanowires and nanoemitters 28 March 2004 - National Science Foundation Chuanbing Tang, a graduate student working with Professor Tomasz Kowalewski, will describe carbon-based structures created from polymer mixtures applied to a substrate. After the mixtures organize themselves into ordered films, the researchers crosslink the polymers to lock in the structure, and then carefully burn off selected material. Kowalewski's group, funded as part of an NSF Nanoscale Interdisciplinary Research Team, believes this technique can be adapted to construct nanosensors, electron emitters for flat panel displays, and solar cells. First treatment leading to a complete cure for childhood Leukemia 28 March 2004 - American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Emil Frei III, M.D., who revolutionized chemotherapy and advanced the treatment of cancer worldwide, has received the inaugural American Association for Cancer Research Award for Lifetime Achievement in Cancer Research. Composite fibers with carbon nanotubes offer improved mechanical & electrical properties 28 March 2004 - Georgia Institute of Technology Strong and versatile carbon nanotubes are finding new applications in improving conventional polymer-based fibers and films. For example, composite fibers made from single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and polyacrylonitrile – a carbon fiber precursor – are stronger, stiffer and shrink less than standard fibers. Nanotube-reinforced composites could ultimately provide the foundation for a new class of strong and lightweight fibers with properties such as electrical and thermal conductivity unavailable in current textile fibers. Emory Physician sees Cryosurgery as growing alternative for destroying kidney cancer 27 March 2004 - Emory University Emory urologists are using a new surgical technique, crysosurgery, or the application of extreme cold to kill cancerous tissue, in the treatment of kidney cancer. The procedure was used at the Emory Clinic for the first time, but the physicians predict that several more procedures will be performed there in the next several months. Carnegie Mellon researchers create new computerized tool for cryosurgery planning 26 March 2004 - Carnegie Mellon Universtity Carnegie Mellon University's Yoed Rabin is leading an interdisciplinary research team in developing a new computerized tool to assist surgeons in planning cryosurgery, now being used to freeze undesired tissues in prostate cancer patients. White bearing grease effective for food grade applications 26 March 2004 - Dow Corning - Molykote With an unique combination of an aluminum complex thickener, white lubricating solids and other highly effective additives, Molykote White Bearing Grease reduces friction, prevents metal-to-metal contact and minimizes wear in food grade applications, even under high surface pressures and marginal lubrication conditions. Distrupol in France and the Benelux certified to new ISO 9001:2000 standard 26 March 2004 - Distrupol Distrupol’s Paris based French operations, as well as their Benelux operations in Alphen aan den Rijn, The Netherlands, have been certified in accordance with the new ISO 9001:2000 standard. They have thereby come into compliance with the latest standards in the field of quality management. Distrupol in France and the Benelux certified to new ISO 9001:2000 standard 26 March 2004 - Distrupol Distrupol's Paris based French operations, as well as their Benelux operations in Alphen aan den Rijn, The Netherlands, have been certified in accordance with the new ISO 9001:2000 standard. They have thereby come into compliance with the latest standards in the field of quality management. Distrupol is a subsidiary of Univar and one of the most prominent European suppliers of raw materials, technical support and development support to the plastics industry. Georgia Tech Study to gauge internet performance for computer end-users 26 March 2004 - Georgia Institute of Technology Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a technology to find out the how the Internet is performing from the 'regular' end-users' perspectives. With this information, they can design and develop network solutions to relieve these bottlenecks. To do this, they need volunteers for the NETI@home project, which stands for 'network intelligence.' Studying 3-D materials in one dimension 26 March 2004 - DOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory Research by Young-June Kim, a physicist at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory, may help determine how a class of materials already used in electronic circuits could be used in optical, or light-based, circuits, which could replace standard electrical circuits in telecommunications, computer networking, and other areas of technology. Carbon nanotubes with big possibilities 25 March 2004 - DOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory A scientist at the US Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory, working with colleagues at the IBM TJ Watson Research Center, has caused an individual carbon nanotube to emit light for the first time. Inchworm actuator allows study of friction at the microscale 25 March 2004 - DOE/Sandia National Laboratories Researchers at the at the National Nuclear Security Administration's Sandia National Laboratories have developed a new 'inchworm' actuator instrument that provides detailed information about friction at the microscale. Moving scenes in new HSE DVD aimed at Diving Instructors 25 March 2004 - HSE InfoLine The Health and Safety Executive is launching a new DVD aimed specifically at diving instructors, providing them with practical advice for teaching recreational diving safely. Some bacterial toxins could cause cancer says scientist 25 March 2004 - Society for General Microbiology A possible link between cancer and toxins or poisons produced by bacteria has been suggested by King's College London scientists, the Society for General Microbiology's meeting in Bath will hear next week. Calcium intake associated with milk consumption; soft drinks not linked to decreased calcium rate 25 March 2004 - Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University A new study by researchers at the Center for Food and Nutrition Policy at Virginia Tech published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that calcium intake among U.S. adolescents although inadequate, has remained a constant since the 1970s and does not appear to be linked to soft drink consumption. Flexible Noryl resin for wire coating 25 March 2004 - GE Advanced Materials Flexible Noryl resin can be a new halogen-free PVC replacement for DC cords and plugs and can reduce costs relative to FR-PE and TPU. Yara listed today - Hydro to concentrate on energy and aluminium 25 March 2004 - Hydro Aluminium Yara International ASA, Hydro’s demerged fertilizer business, will be listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange today (ticker: YAR). Following the Yara listing, Hydro will concentrate fully on further developing its energy and aluminium businesses. Listing of Hydro’s demerged fertilizer business today - strong investor interest in the Yara share 25 March 2004 - Hydro Aluminium Yara International ASA, Hydro’s demerged fertilizer business, will be listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange today. Valvoline receives Advance Auto's highest award 25 March 2004 - Ashland Inc Two years ago when Valvoline won the Advance Auto Parts Grand Vendor of the Year Award, one of the Valvoline/Advance team members said, 'This is nothing short of a miracle! Three years ago, we had difficulty getting a meeting with the Advance buyers, and today, we're their most respected vendor and partner.' VIOC Shatters Oil Change Record 25 March 2004 - Ashland Inc History was made on a recent Saturday in Fairfield (Cincinnati), Ohio, when a new Valvoline Instant Oil Change (VIOC) service center broke a previous record for highest number of oil changes in a single day. New book explores how genes and environment influence behavior 25 March 2004 - American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) If your parents are smart, will you be? Can someone be genetically compelled to act rashly? As a relatively new but growing field, behavioral genetics seeks to understand how both genes and environment contribute to the variations in human behavior such as intelligence, lifestyle choices or even proclivity for violence. Chartered 300 mm fab selects ASML for multi-system tool purchase 25 March 2004 - ASML Netherlands B.V. ASML Holding NV today announced that it won an order for a suite of lithography tools from Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing, one of the world's top three dedicated semiconductor foundries, headquartered in Singapore. This multi-system sale further expands ASML’s installed base in Asia and secures ASML’s place as the leading provider of 300 mm equipment with systems in 20 of the world’s 29 300 mm fabs. Electric field provides handle to manipulate tiny particles 25 March 2004 - DOE/Argonne National Laboratory Intricate patterns formed by granular materials under the influence of electrostatic fields have scientists at Argonne National Laboratory dreaming of new ways to create smaller structures for nanotechnologies. Preliminary subscription result for Hydro's offering of Yara shares 24 March 2004 - Hydro Aluminium At the end of the offering period, Wednesday 24 March 2004 at 1600 CET, the Managers had registered orders with a total value of approximately NOK 48 billion. This implies an oversubscription of the total maximum number of shares by approximately 18 times. Last trading day inclusive right to shares in Yara in connection with the demerger 24 March 2004 - Hydro Aluminium Assuming the successful consummation of the demerger later today, Wednesday 24 March 2004 is the last day the shares of Norsk Hydro ASA will be trading inclusive right to shares in Yara International ASA. Demerger accomplished - new Yara Board in place 24 March 2004 - Hydro Aluminium Today, the demerger of Norsk Hydro ASA has been accomplished and registered in the Register of Business Enterprises according to the demerger plan approved by the extraordinary general meetings of Norsk Hydro ASA and Yara International ASA on 15 January 2004. Design initiative to reduce falls from height in construction 24 March 2004 - HSE InfoLine The Health and Safety Executive is repeating its 'designer initiative' during April 2004 in a bid to reduce the number of falls from height accidents in the construction industry. The initiative focuses on bringing designers onto the construction sites where their designs are being built. New devices offer superior performance in cost-effective solution for reliable high-temperature operation 23 March 2004 - Vishay Electronic Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. today announced the release of a new +110 °C-rated family of optocouplers, the first devices in standard plastic packaging to achieve an operating temperature range from −55 °C up to +110 °C. Another twist in the field of superconductivity 23 March 2004 - DOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory Researchers at the US Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory have discovered an interesting type of electronic behaviour in a recently discovered class of superconductors known as cobalt oxides, or cobaltates. Technology will provide reliable electricity supply to two artificial islands 23 March 2004 - ABB Automation Technologies ABB, said today it has signed a contract worth $30 million with the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority for a substation and heavy-duty gas-insulated switchgear to deliver electrical power to two man-made islands dubbed the 'eighth wonder of the world.' DSM Somos® 9120 Resin Gives Performance Edge To Production of Panasonic Camera Phones 23 March 2004 - DSM Somos With the introduction of DSM Somos® 9120 ProtoFunctional® resin to its production line, Malcolm Nicholls Ltd (MNL) has been able to cut prototype build times of Panasonic’s new X70 camera phone by one third. MORGOIL® to Upgrade Chocks and Bearings for Turkish Mill 23 March 2004 - Morgan Construction Company The MORGOIL® Bearing Division of Morgan Construction Company has received a contract from Eregli Demir ve Celik Fabrikalari, T.A.S. (ERDEMIR), of Eregli, Turkey, to upgrade the chocks and bearings on their Mesta plate mill. PET excels in automotive brake booster valve applications 23 March 2004 - DSM Engineering Plastics DSM Engineering Plastics has more than 10 years experience in brake booster valve applications, working in partnership with leading European automakers to develop materials that meet the requirements of some of the world’s most demanding applications. Composite material for top performance at high temperatures 23 March 2004 - Greene Tweed & Co Benelux BV AR HT from Greene, Tweed & Co Benelux is a new thermoplastic composite, specially developed for bushes, bearings and wear rings in pumps that have to pump highly abrasive, watery media at temperatures up to 135C. Video games rather than TV may be linked to childhood obesity 23 March 2004 - University of Texas at Austin A study by researchers at The University of Texas at Austin suggests that watching television is not associated with children’s weight, but playing electronic games may be, especially for girls. Protein & Sugar, Bacteria's proven recipe for survival 22 March 2004 - Austrian Science Fund (FWF) Adverse conditions for survival may have an impact on the arrangement of important bacterial genes. Researchers at the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Science in Vienna discovered that three strains of bacteria adapted to increased temperatures had genes for coping excellently with environmental conditions directly next to one another on the genome. The oldest known nanotechnology dates back to the 9th century! 22 March 2004 - CNRS Institut des Sciences Chimiques Seine-Amont The oldest known nanotechnology dates back to the fabrication of the first lustre potteries. Some Abbasid lustre ceramics have a complex and fine decoration and form nano-gratings, the so-called polychrome lustre in which multi-coloured iridescence can be present: a famous example are the Abbasid tiles imported from Syria and placed in the mihrab of the Sidi Oqba Mosque in Kairouan (Tunisia). New seasonal painting trends 22 March 2004 - Rohm & Haas Co Shimmery, softer pastels stylish teamed with contemporary, metallic neutrals are popular home remodeling trends for 2004. LGC and AKOS combine to offer expanded drug development services 22 March 2004 - LGC LGC, Europe's leading independent provider of chemical, biochemical and forensic analysis, has formed a strategic alliance with AKOS, the UK-based specialist drug development and regulatory affairs consultancy company, that will enable both parties to expand the range of services they offer to drug discovery companies. Bayer Polymers and Warner Industries LLC Give Standard Steel Garage Doors a Facelift 22 March 2004 - Bayer MaterialScience AG Unique alternatives to standard, steel garage doors developed by Warner Industries LLC, are revolutionizing the garage door industry. Centria FormaBond™ Metal Composite Wall Panel System Proves Beauty is More Than Skin Deep 22 March 2004 - Bayer MaterialScience AG When it comes to the Centria FormaBond™ composite wall panel system, beauty is more than skin deep. In addition to an excellent surface appearance, the custom core of Bayer Polymers LLC’s Baydur RIM (reaction injection molding) polymer-forming system and a unique one-step manufacturing/fabricating process combine to set FormaBond apart in the metal architectural cladding market. Bayer Polymers Materials and RIM Molding Process Stand Up to Bigha Bike Seating Application 22 March 2004 - Bayer MaterialScience AG You can tell with one look that the Bigha bike is no ordinary bike. Offered by the Corvallis, Ore.-based company of the same name, the Bigha bike is designed for the human body and today’s lifestyle. New devices target 1.8- to 5.5-V handheld electronics applications 22 March 2004 - Vishay Electronic Siliconix incorporated, an 80.4%-owned subsidiary of Vishay Intertechnology, Inc, today announced the release of a new analog switch and multiplexer packaged in the 3-mm by 3-mm QFN-12 package and aimed at battery-operated portable applications. Emory University tests safety & effectiveness of device for possible treatment of Alzheimer's Disease 21 March 2004 - Emory University Neurologists at Emory University are studying a possible new treatment for Alzheimer's disease using a device called the COGNIShunt, designed to drain cerebrospinal fluid from the skull and into the abdominal cavity. By reducing the build-up of CSF around the brain, doctors hope this device will help to stabilize the disease. New diodes provide space-saving solution for portable electronic devices 19 March 2004 - Vishay Electronic Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. today announced the release of a new Zener diode series in the ultra-small SOD 523 (SC79) plastic package, which features very small dimensions of 1.2 mm by 0.8 mm with a 0.6 mm height profile. Fluoraz® Meets Exacting Standards of the Pharmaceutical Industry 19 March 2004 - Greene Tweed & Co Benelux BV Quality, compliance and safety are critical in the pharmaceutical industry. Because these factors weigh heavily in daily pharmaceutical operations, engineers are forced to re-examine the seals and sealing materials used in their plants as they develop new drugs and the processes needed to manufacture them. Nobuhiko Takamatsu to join IISI from Nippon Steel 19 March 2004 - International Iron and Steel Institute The International Iron and Steel Institute (IISI) is very pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Nobuhiko Takamatsu as General Manager, Technology and Environment from 1 April 2004. A dedicated business unit for automotive plastics 19 March 2004 - GE Advanced Materials GE Advanced Materials has adopted a strategy to intensify the focus of its plastics business on the global needs of the automotive industry. A dedicated business unit for automotive plastics 19 March 2004 - GE Advanced Materials GE Advanced Materials has adopted a strategy to intensify the focus of its plastics business on the global needs of the automotive industry. Hydro awards Skanska the NOK 1 billion Ormen Lange Main Civil contract 19 March 2004 - Hydro Aluminium Hydro has today, on behalf of the Ormen Lange license group, awarded Skanska the NOK 1 billion Main Civil Contract for the site preparation of the gas processing plant at Nyhamna in Mid-Norway. Ashland Inc. Agrees to Transfer Interest in MAP to Marathon Oil Corporation; Company Provides Update on Core Businesses 19 March 2004 - Ashland Inc Ashland Inc. today announced that it has signed an agreement under which Ashland will transfer its 38 percent interest in Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC (MAP) and two other businesses to Marathon Oil Corporation in a transaction structured to be tax free and valued at approximately $3.0 billion. DuPont and Zhonghao New Materials Company finalise HFC refrigerant joint venture 19 March 2004 - DuPont Engineering Polymers DuPont and Zhonghao New Materials Company, Ltd., today announced they have completed formation of a joint venture to manufacture hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) blend refrigerants to support the fast-growing air conditioning and refrigeration industry in China. Bill Appleton to unveil UK Screen Printing developments at Hungarian SPA 19 March 2004 - Autotype International Bill Appleton, consultant screen printing specialist with Autotype International Ltd, will be the guest speaker at the next Hungarian Screen Printing Association’s conference on the 23rd and 24th April 2004. February 2004: crude steel production for the 62 countries reporting to the International Iron and Steel Institute 18 March 2004 - International Iron and Steel Institute World crude steel production for the 62 countries reporting to the International Iron and Steel Institute stood at an estimated 79.5 million metric tons (mmt) in February. Bayer Aims to Increase EBITDA Margin 18 March 2004 - Bayer MaterialScience AG The Bayer Group intends to increase both the operating result before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and the operating result (EBIT) before special items by more than 10 percent in 2004. Virginia tech researcher aims to use nano-particles in environmental cleanups 18 March 2004 - Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University The National Science Foundation has awarded a $400,000 grant to Peter Vikesland of Blacksburg, Va., an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering in the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech, to study the use of nano-particles in removing hazardous solvents from groundwater. Boston University Professor recommends napping at the workplace 18 March 2004 - Boston University Boston University Professor, William Anthony, Ph.D., and his wife, Camille Anthony, president of The Napping Company, began this observance in 1999 to showcase the many health benefits of napping. Fluent releases TGrid 3.6 with HexCore technology 17 March 2004 - Fluent TGrid's new HexCore meshing technology offers a unique advantage to CFD analysts and designers, particularly when modeling fluid flow problems with open spaces, where a high mesh quality is required. This condition is commonly encountered in the modeling of automotive cabin interiors or complex internal ventilation designs, among others. '50% cell count reduction can be obtained on these types of applications using HexCore with no sacrifice in mesh quality,' says TGrid Product Manager Erling Eklund. 'With a speed and ease-of-use comparable to our Tet Mesher, and with high quality hexahedral cells, HexCore will lead to faster and more accurate CFD simulations for many automotive applications,' he adds. Electricity controls nanocrystal shape 17 March 2004 - DOE/Argonne National Laboratory Wires, tubes and brushes make it possible to build and maintain the machines and devices we use on a daily basis. Now, with help from a surprising source, these same building blocks can easily be created on a scale 10,000 times smaller than the period at the end of this sentence. Diffuser films for optical displays 17 March 2004 - GE Advanced Materials From TV screens and PDAs, to note PCs and cell phones, new high-performance Lexan-based films meet growing global demand. Azdel Superlite composite gives significant cost and weight savings in low volume automotive bonnets/hoods. 17 March 2004 - GE Advanced Materials As the result of a joint development, GE Advanced Materials’ Azdel Superlite composite will be used by BI Composites, a major UK automotive moulder, to replace the steel in the bonnet/hood of a high-powered sports vehicle to be launched by a leading international carmaker in early 2004. Azdel Superlite composite reduces weight and enhances performance in automotive interiors 17 March 2004 - GE Advanced Materials Azdel is investing in third Azdel Superlite composite production line at global supply facility in Lynchburg, VA. The introduction of a third Azdel Superlite composite line will add 7000 tons to the company’s current annual capacity, totalling more than 25,000 tons when it comes on-stream this quarter. Ashland Purchases Metal Casting Technology from Blackhawk 17 March 2004 - Ashland Inc Ashland Specialty Chemical Company, a division of Ashland Inc., has announced it has signed an agreement with Blackhawk Specialty Products in Rock Island, Ill., to purchase its metal casting technology over the next three years. Morgan Receives Bearing Contract from China Mill Builder 17 March 2004 - Morgan Construction Company The MORGOIL® Bearing Division of Morgan Construction Company has received a contract from China Erzhong, a mill builder located in Deyang, Sichuan Province, the People’s Republic of China for the design and manufacture of MORGOIL Bearings. Ormen Lange drilling contract awarded to Smedvig 16 March 2004 - Hydro Aluminium The Ormen Lange license group has today awarded Smedvig a contract valued at NOK 1.17 billion (USD 167 million) for drilling of 8 wells at the Ormen Lange field. Jan Reinås elected as new Chairperson of the Board of Directors in Hydro 16 March 2004 - Hydro Aluminium The Corporate Assembly of Norsk Hydro ASA has elected Jan Reinås as new Chairperson of the Board of Directors. Ashland's New Medical Oxygen System Meets IMDG Code 16 March 2004 - Ashland Inc Drew Marine is pleased to announce a new medical oxygen system that meets the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code). Ashland Casting Solutions enters into marketing agreement with Dakota International, Inc. 16 March 2004 - Ashland Inc Ashland Casting Solutions, a business group of Ashland Specialty Chemical Company, announced today that it has entered into a global marketing agreement with Dakota International Inc. The agreement will allow Ashland Casting Solutions to market and distribute Dakota International's complete line of Dakota scrubber systems to its worldwide metal casting customer base. Kanthal introduces new radiant and protection tube grade for furnace applications 16 March 2004 - Sandvik Materials Technology UK Heating specialists Kanthal, a product area of Sandvik Materials Technology, has introduced a new material grade for radiant and protection tubes for furnace applications. Innovative study clarifies evolutionary history of early complex single-celled organisms 16 March 2004 - Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University A billion years ago (the Neoproterozoic age), complex single-celled organisms, acritarchs, began to develop, grow, and thrive. Almost a billion years later, the study of the evolutionary history of acritarchs began to bog down amid inconsistencies in the reporting of the diversity of species. The more competent steels 15 March 2004 - SSAB Tunnplåt AB SSAB Swedish Steel will be presenting the whole of its range of advanced high strength steels at the ESEF Fair in Utrecht on 16 - 19 March. These steels provide the means for producing lighter, stronger and slimmer products, and they also have excellent properties for roll forming, laser cutting and other manufacturing processes. FiberSIM 4.2 Software for Composites Design is Now Available 15 March 2004 - VISTAGY VISTAGY, Inc., the leading developer of computer-aided-design (CAD) integrated software for composite design and manufacturing, released its newest version of software that enables engineers working with CAD systems to design products made of lightweight, high-performance composite materials. FiberSIM 4.2 features major improvements in the user interface that make it more intuitive to use, significant new 3D documentation tools, and enhanced design functionality for fiber placed parts. New epoxy adhesive resists high temperatures 15 March 2004 - Master Bond A unique two component, room temperature curing, high temperature resistant epoxy adhesive called EP35 has been introduced by Master Bond Inc., Hackensack, N.J. This system produces high strength bonds whose strength is maintained even after long exposures to temperatures in the 450°F-500°F range. It has a 100 to 70 mix ratio by weight and can be applied without sagging or dripping even on vertical surfaces. Most distant object in solar system discovered 15 March 2004 - Yale University NASA and a team of researchers from the California Institute of Technology, Yale University and Gemini Observatory report the discovery of the most distant object in our solar system. Nearly the size of Pluto and more than three times as far away, it has been designated '2003 VB16' and unofficially named 'Sedna.' The discovery was made on November 14, 2003, with a specially constructed detector mounted on the 48-inch-diameter telescope at the Palomar Observatory in California. The 'planetoid' was verified by telescopes in Spain, Arizona, Hawaii and Chile operated by the Small and Moderate Aperture Research Telescope System Consortium, set up by Yale and 10 other U.S. institutions to provide access to small research telescopes in the Southern Hemisphere. NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope was unable to detect it at infrared wavelengths, confirming information about its nature and size as a cold object, smaller than Pluto and no more than 1,000 miles in diameter. Emory Eye Center finds eye drops to treat childhood disorder can work as well as patching the eye 13 March 2004 - Emory University A National Eye Institute study, conducted at more than 40 sites nationwide including Emory Eye Center, has found that atropine drops, given once a day to treat amblyopia or lazy eye, the most common cause of visual impairment in children, work as well as the standard treatment of patching one eye. This research finding in the Amblyopia Treatment Study may lead to better compliance with treatment and improved quality of life in children with this eye disorder. Heavy paracetamol use in pregnancy linked to childhood wheezing 13 March 2004 - University of Bristol Women who frequently use paracetamol in late pregnancy may increase the risk of wheezing in their offspring, new research suggests. Over 9,000 mothers and their children, who were taking part in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, were studied by researchers from King's College, London and Bristol University. This study, popularly known as the Children of the 90s, has monitored the health and development of more than 14,000 families since 1991. The mothers gave the information by completing questionnaires. Work could help in developing recombinant vaccine to disable deadly poison 13 March 2004 - DOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory The toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria are among the deadliest known to humankind. A drop ingested can paralyze the body, including the muscles responsible for breathing, leading to death by asphyxiation. Carnegie Mellon creates consortium for medevial and renaissance studies 12 March 2004 - Carnegie Mellon Universtity Carnegie Mellon University and other Pittsburgh-area colleges and universities have created the Pittsburgh Consortium for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, an interdisciplinary, intercampus organization of scholars working in medieval, Renaissance and early modern studies throughout the western Pennsylvania region. Experimental drug used to treat recurrent ovarian cancer shows promising results 12 March 2004 - Yale University Yale researchers have reported promising preliminary results of a Phase Ib/IIa study in women with recurrent ovarian cancer using phenoxodiol, an experimental anti-cancer drug that could kill cancer cells and increase effectiveness of standard chemotherapy. New devices provide cost and space savings 12 March 2004 - Vishay Electronic Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. today announced the release of the first parts in a new family of dual-MOSMIC devices that combine two MOSMIC amplifiers, one optimized for use in VHF applications and the other for UHF applications, and an integrated switch in the space-saving, industry-standard SOT363 plastic package. Advanced Polymer Alloys launches updated Web-site 12 March 2004 - Advanced Polymer Alloys Llc Advanced Polymer Alloys (APA), a division of Ferro Corporation, and manufacturer of Melt-Processible Rubber MPR) and elastomers, has launched a redesigned Web-site to provide easier and more intuitive access to critical technical data about its Alcryn MPR. AIM for 2K gives consistent test specimen in a standardised mould 12 March 2004 - Axxicon Mould Technology In order to offer the industry a solution to generate consistent test specimen in a standardised mould lay out Axxicon Mould Technology now introduces the 2 shot test mould system to the market in order to establish a foundation for future standardisation of test procedures. Eastman’s 'Glass Polymer” helps Parlux make waves 11 March 2004 - Eastman Chemical Company On the Parlux Ocean Pacific cologne package, a textured inner glass vessel, which holds the fragrance, is encapsulated within an outer Glass Polymer sleeve. An azure blue liquid flows between the inner vessel and outer Glass Polymer sleeve to create the wave effect. Thermoplastic copolyester elastomer manages noise in camera application 11 March 2004 - DSM Engineering Plastics Arnitel thermoplastic copolyester elastomers (TPE-Es or COPE) from DSM Engineering Plastics, well known for applications that exploit its heat resistance, flexibility and strength in automotive and other demanding applications, has another side: noise management. Microbes trick provides a template for willowy crystals 11 March 2004 - University of Wisconsin-Madison In recent years, scientists have unearthed a trove of subterranean microbial oddities, bugs that live and thrive in bizarre and extreme environments, and that accomplish remarkable feats to survive there. Powerful machines are coming in small packages 10 March 2004 - American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) A new class of micro-gadgets, some no larger than a pencil eraser, are poised to make military and other equipment easier to power and carry. Scientists presented the latest developments from their micro-engineering labs at the 2004 AAAS Annual Meeting. Battery disconnect switch uses Crastin® and Hytrel® for two-component housing 10 March 2004 - DuPont Engineering Polymers The injection-moulded housing of the automotive battery disconnect switch (BDS) by Tyco Electronics AMP relies on two DuPont engineering polymers, each contributing different functional characteristics. HSE working with NHS to reduce risks to staff and patients 10 March 2004 - HSE InfoLine Responding to the findings of the staff survey published today by the Commission for Health Improvement, Chris Taylor, Head of the Health Services Unit at the Health and Safety Executive, said: New radar system may help airplanes avoid in-flight icing 10 March 2004 - National Science Foundation The buildup of ice on airplanes in flight is a major winter hazard for small and commuter planes. But scientists at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colo., are testing a new system this month that may pinpoint water droplets in clouds that cause icing, potentially enabling pilots to avoid dangerous areas. Speedo brings formula one technology to the pool 10 March 2004 - Fluent Fluent Europe Ltd. and Speedo, the world's leading swimwear brand, has brought Formula One technology to the pool with the launch of the fastest swimsuit in the world, FASTSKIN FSII. Born in the Speedo Aqualab (Speedo's research and development headquarters), FASTSKIN FSII increases speed by reducing passive drag by up to 4% more than the next best suit and is set to help swimmers blow the competition out of the water in Athens this summer. A2 Tripletrac, three-wheeled SAW tractor for precision joint tracking 10 March 2004 - ESAB Group ESAB's new A2 Tripletrac is a three wheel tractor developed for superior tracking during highly demanding internal circumferential welding of large diameter cylindrical objects, using the submerged arc welding process. New complete range of ESAB columns and booms 10 March 2004 - ESAB Group ESAB has launched an expanded range of Column and Booms for mechanised welding of beams and profiles, large-diameter tubes, vessels and windmill towers. The equipment can be configured for applications ranging from basic to the ultimate customer specific solution. Toyota, DuPont Engineering Polymers show value of Composite Recycle Technology in automotive air intake manifolds 09 March 2004 - DuPont Engineering Polymers DuPont Engineering Polymers and Toyota Motor Corp. confirm the feasibility of DuPont Composite Recycle Technology as a means to reclaim and reuse nylon 6 from automotive air intake manifolds and reduce the environmental footprint. Great Lakes adds Clearlite nucleating and clarifying agents to its polymer additives portfolio 09 March 2004 - Great Lakes Chemical Corporation Great Lakes Chemical Corporation has introduced Clearlite NU 004 nucleating agent and Clearlite NU 005 nucleating and clarifying agent to its extensive portfolio of polymer additives. Valvoline Instant Oil Change Launches Unprecedented Online Fleet Management Program 09 March 2004 - Ashland Inc Valvoline Instant Oil Change, one of the largest automotive service providers in the U.S., has launched an innovative online fleet management program designed to allow fleet managers greater flexibility and increased options as they manage large and small fleets of cars and trucks. Global offering of Yara shares 09 March 2004 - Hydro Aluminium The demerger of Hydro's Agri business in a new company, Yara, will take place later this month. Yara International ASA is expected to be listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange on 25th March. Chicago Heights Orders Mill & Cooling Beds Upgrade 09 March 2004 - Morgan Construction Company Morgan Construction Company has received a major contract from Chicago Heights Steel, of Chicago Heights, IL, for the modernization of its bar mill. This is the second contract that Morgan has received within the past three months for upgrading American bar mills. Easy-to-use anti-needlestick device uses a combination of materials 09 March 2004 - Eastman Chemical Company Leading medical device manufacturer Safety Syringes, Inc., delivers a safer easy-to-use anti-needlestick device using a combination of winning materials that enhance the form and function of this innovative product line. Material enables phthalate-free product line extension