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The article focuses on the manipulation of polymers with solvent and heat. University of South Carolina researchers report that a polymer changing its characteristics depending on whether it is heated in a polar or nonpolar solvent can retain the programmed properties when cooled and that solvent is removed. The use of heat in controlling and manipulating a polymer is deemed necessary in chromatography and biosensing. It points out that solvent-induced switching is reversible and repeatable.

The article reports that heat transfer compound (HTC) is a viscous mastic designed to fill small air gaps between the tracing element and the object to be heated and is effective at transferring heat than static air, but it has relatively poor thermal conductivity compared to the other components in a steam tracing system. It mentions information on high-performance steam tracing technologies were tested which includes fluid tracing system (FTS) and carbon steel tracing (CST).

The article focuses on the nondestructive performance of heat sensors developed by Mathis Instruments Ltd. The company has developed a new noninvasive thermal effusivity sensor. It is claimed to provide speed, accuracy and flexibility in determining heat-transferring characteristics for various materials. Sensors rapidly and nondestructively measure thermal effusivity and conductivity-unique properties related to a material's ability to transfer heat. Measurements are made in seconds rather than hours. Sensors are highly portable and adaptable and can be used for quality control of materials in the laboratory, during production and for finished product testing.

The article offers information on the importance of the cooling function in extrusion. Topics include the low thermal conductivity of polymers, the determination of the cooling limit by heat transfer via the polymer, and the heat-transfer equation. It also discusses the overall heat-transfer coefficient (Uo), the effect of the thermal properties of polymers on cooling calculations, and the Biot number (Bi).

The article discusses radiant energy from heat transfer in fires, focusing on the risk of burns or scalds from exposure to radiant energy such as electromagnetic radiation (EMR). First responders have used lightweight protective proximity suits made from vacuum vapor deposition (VVD) aluminized thin film laminates at radiant energy sources. Technological innovations in proximity suits include polymer development, VVD processing, and fabric weaving technologies to improve performance.