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Byline: Staff Writers Rochester NY (SPX) Jul 15, 2019, 2019 In order to create new and more efficient computers, medical devices, and other advanced technologies, researchers are turning to nanomaterials: [...]

Thin-walled plastics are routinely used for cellular phones and laptop computers because they provide worthwhile cost and weight savings. While designers of larger computers continue to use typical wall thicknesses averaging 3 mm, the ongoing trend towards cost reductions and the increasing concern about plastic waste makes it worth considering thinner walled products. Research shows that the main benefit of moulding parts of 1 mm is decreased costs, although little difference in production costs was found between 3 mm and 2 mm parts.

Competition between plastics materials in the computer and business equipment industry (C&BE) intensified with the entry of PVCs in the early 1990s. PVC advocates say that the material has increased stability as well as improved flow. However, others claim that PVC has lower heat-deflection temperature and poorer low-temperature impact strength compared to polycarbonate/ABS. Styrenics is another player in the market offering ultraviolet and fire-retardant features similar to PVC at reduced costs.

As it becomes harder to cram more transistors onto a slice of silicon, alternative ways of making chips are being sought THE computer industry is built on sand. For sand [...]

Computers of the future may be made of carbon tubes NANOTUBES--tiny, hollow cylinders of carbon--have long been a product seeking an application. They are harder than diamond and dozens of [...]

Development of new, corrosion-resistant alloys and the ever-present design goal of lighter-weight products are bringing magnesium out of its slump of recent years. Magnesium also holds an enviable position over [...]

Manufacturers of durable goods are responding to environmental concerns by demanding recyclable supplies. For example, IBM Personal Computer Co uses recycle-content polycarbonate/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (PC/ABS) in the main housing of its PS/2E computer. Recycled materials are used wherever possible, but IBM requires that recycle-content alloys match performance standards of virgin PC/ABS. The computer also uses only 25% of the electricity used by a conventional computer. Hermatite Corp, in Ontario, is one of several companies that uses recycled polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to form automobile components for water-proofing and for dampening sound.

Half a billion tons of natural resources are used annually to manufacture computer hardware. The UK's Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive encourages recycling and reuse of a range of electronic equipment and makes producers of these equipment responsible for its environmental impact.

Apple Computer has changed from foam to injection molded housings for model IIe, a design decision which has saved $8 million. The new housing is innovative and functional, as shown by sales and testing.

Special roles in computers, medicine Alloys hit strong competition from titanium for implants Artificial hip joints, knee joints and other body part implants join with computer consoles and cabinetry to [...]