14 05, 2013

Nokia Unveils New Aluminum-Built Flagship Smartphone

2017-01-26T23:37:30+00:00May 14th, 2013|

This past week, Nokia unveiled its newest entry into the smartphone wars. While most of the smartphone market runs either Android or iOS devices, Microsoft is hoping that Nokia’s new Lumia 925 device will garner significant traction with consumers. The Lumia 925 is powered by Windows Phone 8 – but the device’s body is protected by aluminum. The result is a sleek, lightweight design that’s durable and modern.

How does aluminum come into play with the Lumia 925? Let’s take a closer peak with TechHive:

Nokia’s new Lumia 925 phone has an aluminium frame that functions as an antenna, and is lighter and thinner than the Lumia 920, but otherwise offers similar performance to its predecessor.

Nokia revealed the Lumia 925 on Tuesday, hoping to build on the small measure of success it saw during the first three months of the year when it sold 5.6 million Windows Phones.

One feature distinguishing the 925 from other Lumia phones is the aluminium frame around the edge, which also works as an antenna. The phone weighs 139 grams, almost 50 grams lighter than its portly predecessor. It is also thinner, at 8.5 millimeters compared to 10.7 millimeters for the 920. It doesn’t have integrated support for wireless charging, but that can be added via a back cover.

Will a sleek new design be enough to deter the users from the dominant Android and iOS platforms? That’s for other blogs to decide; over here, we’re just glad to see tech innovators continue to use aluminum in groundbreaking ways.

7 05, 2013

Aluminum Helps VW Achieve 261 MPG

2017-01-26T23:37:30+00:00May 7th, 2013|

Tesla’s Model S may have been 2012’s Car Of The Year, but the folks at Volkswagen think they’ve got another industry changer — and once again, aluminum is a big part of it. The Volkswagen XL1 is still an experimental vehicle, one that will see limited production over the 2013 calendar year, though it’s certainly notable for its eye-popping 261 MPG. That’s two gallons of fuel required to drive between the Bay Area and Los Angeles. It also features an all-electric mode that supports a range of 31 miles.

The XL1 weighs in at approximately 1700 lbs — in comparison, the Model S weighs in at 4600 lbs while the Toyota Prius comes in at 2900 lbs. This mass savings stems from a variety of design choices, including heavy use of aluminum and composite (carbon fiber-reinforced plastic) as primary materials construction. From Plastics Today:

A total of 21.3% of the new XL1, or 169 kg, consists of CFRP. In addition, Volkswagen uses lightweight metals for 22.5% of all parts (179 kg). Only 23.2% (184 kg) of the new XL1 is constructed from steel. The rest of its weight is distributed among various other polymers (e.g. polycarbonate side windows), metals, natural fibers, process materials and electronics.

Thanks to CFRP, the XL1 is not only light in weight but also very safe as well. This is due in part to the high-strength and yet lightweight CFRP monocoque. In an emergency, it provides driver and passenger with the necessary survival space. The intelligent design of the load paths, including the use of sandwich structures in the monocoque, is responsible for this. In addition, the aluminum structures of the front and rear sections absorb the majority of the impact energy.

These principles were likewise implemented in the design of the CFRP doors, where an aluminum absorbing beam is responsible for the absorption of the energy; moreover, a stiff CFRP door frame minimizes the intrusions into the CFRP safety cell. The rescue of the passengers was also given a great deal of attention: In case the XL1 overturns and comes to a rest on the roof, pyrotechnical separating screws facilitate the opening of the doors (swing doors).

Of course, the XL1 isn’t going to be available at your local VW dealer. Only 250 vehicles will be produced in 2013, primarily for the European market. Still, with the world’s focus on fuel efficiency, it makes sense that this concept car may go from a mid-2000s pipe dream to occupying dealership space at a lot near you…someday.

1 05, 2013

How Durable Is A Phone’s Aluminum Body?

2017-01-26T23:37:30+00:00May 1st, 2013|

One of the more popular uses for aluminum recently has been in mobile devices — more specifically, giving smartphones a sleek and durable outer body.

Just how durable can it be? PhoneBuff.com decided to put the HTC One’s aluminum body to the test. Try putting yourphone against a key, a steak knife, and a mallet to see what will happen. If your phone withstands as much punishment as the HTC One’s aluminum body, then you you should be pretty good. From LatinosPost.com:

The One’s screen uses Gorilla Glass, which has proven to be very resilient to scratches and shattering. As expected from the results of other videos, the One’s display handles the keys without a problem.

The same goes for the steak knife, and it holds up perfectly to a pounding by a rubber mallet.

The aluminum back of the phone is a bit less tough. The keys leave noticeable marks, but those wipe off with a soft cloth.

The knife is barely more successful, but a little buffing with the cloth removes the evidence.

The full video is available at YouTube.

24 04, 2013

Aluminum Irons Your Clothes For You (Or Close To It)

2017-01-26T23:37:30+00:00April 24th, 2013|

While aluminum is getting more and more usage in all sorts of cutting-edge technology, most people think about its uses around the home — namely, aluminum foil: the roll of thinly sliced aluminum used for wrapping potatoes for baking or soda cans to keep cool. Aluminum foil comes with many uses due to its thermal properties, making it a kitchen favorite for decades.

If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know that Taber Extrusions is known for our industrial aluminum manufacturing, but that doesn’t mean we can’t share a friendly household tip using our favorite metal every now and then. To that end, the folks at the HouseHold Hacker have found another way to use aluminum foil. No, it’s not in the kitchen; get your ironing board and prepare to be amazed. From YouTube (hat tip to LifeHacker).

It’s in your iPhone, it makes your car get better gas mileage, and now it’s cut your ironing time in half. Aluminum – what other wonders can it do?

16 04, 2013

New Study Shows Just How Much Aluminum Improves MPG

2017-01-26T23:37:30+00:00April 16th, 2013|

One of the recurring topics on this blog is the automotive industry’s shifting focus to aluminum over steel. The big names have all expressed support for this as a means of increasing fuel efficiency through a lighter material, all without sacrificing strength or durability. But do we know just how much aluminum can improve the ever-important MPG specification?

The EDAG Group, the world’s leading independent engineering partner for the mobility industry, recently released findings from its study on the use of aluminum in cars. From the Manufacturing & Technology eJournal:

A new study released today shows that an all-aluminum vehicle can shed more than 40 percent body mass, boosting fuel economy by 18 percent when combined with secondary mass savings and other design changes. The study helps explain why car and truck makers are shifting away from steel to aluminum, and supports projections that aluminum-intensive vehicles will become more common in the marketplace with continued demand for more fuel efficient vehicles.

“Automakers are putting cars and trucks on a major diet to get better gas mileage, and are saying they’re reaching the limits of using advanced steels to lose weight.”

The research, conducted by EDAG Group and commissioned by the Aluminum in Transportation Group of the U.S. Aluminum Association, was presented today at the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) World Congress during a panel discussion on advances in lower weight materials. It comes at a time when automotive aluminum use is at an all-time high, with automakers announcing plans to incorporate more of the metal into vehicle designs – doubling aluminum’s 2008 share of the automotive metals mix by 2025.

How much does 18 percent impact mileage? Think about it this way — if you have a 40 MPG hybrid, that will take your mileage up to about 48 MPG. If you’re driving a 25 MPG sedan, you can boost that up to 30 MPG. Now, factor that into the life cycle of a vehicle and the big picture becomes clearer.

For more details, the study is available to read at Drive Aluminum’s website.

10 04, 2013

The Aluminum Housing Revolution?

2017-01-26T23:37:30+00:00April 10th, 2013|

Japan’s constant innovations have pushed the boundaries of modern electronics. So, when a Japanese aluminum manufacturer considers the issue of housing and living space, what do they come up with?

 

An aluminum house, of course. Well, that’s more like a portable aluminum dorm room. At the equivalent of $29,000, it’s a cozy living for those that can handle a minimalist lifestyle. From Kotaku:

 

Dubbed “T2”, the interior of this housing unit measures seven feet by 12 feet across. The ceiling is over seven and a half feet high. The dwellings look cozy, and probably are not exactly ideal for claustrophobes.

 

“T2” is short for “Transfer Technology Unit”. Each T2 is built in a factory and then delivered to the residence site via flatbed. T2 is the brainchild of the SUS Corporation, an aluminum parts manufacturer.

 

Inside, there are modern conveniences: A unit comes with a bed, a toilet, a shower, a sink, a kitchenette (with a fridge, a microwave, and a portable stove, etc.), a TV, and air conditioning as standard. And yes, most of the interior fixtures are made of, you guessed it, aluminum.

 

Of course, aluminum is a well-known conductor of heat, so the T2 units are insulated with urethane foam. A little cramped? Perhaps, but for innovation on a budget, it’s better than many alternatives.

3 04, 2013

About That Aluminum Car Battery…

2015-06-18T15:33:36+00:00April 3rd, 2013|

Last week, we told you about the new Citroen vehicles powered by an aluminum-air battery made by Phinergy. We’ve done some digging around and have further details about how this works. In theory, it is indeed a sustainable process that utilizes recycled aluminum and swapping stations. From Phinergy’s website:

Widely available, aluminum contains high amounts of energy (8kWh/kg). It is also easily recyclable, making it an attractive material for energy systems.

Thanks to its revolutionary components, Phinergy’s aluminum-air energy systems use the energy released by the reaction of aluminum with oxygen to generate electric power. Our proprietary air electrodes transform Phinergy’s aluminum-air energy systems into highly effective, robust, and reliable clean energy sources.

Our proprietary process of anode production results in increased use of aluminum energy, while reducing unwanted chemical reactions to minimum.

Phinergy also utilizes an advanced battery management system for ever so increasing the energetic utilization of the battery.

Our aluminum-air energy systems are superior to conventional batteries in terms of energy density and specific energy. Our systems are mechanically reloaded, avoiding long charging time.

The life cycle of aluminum enables to maintain global energetic balance. Phinergy’s aluminum is produced in places where energy is clean and cheap, such as electricity from waterfalls. It then serves as a means for transporting this energy to places where it is required.

When used in an aluminum-air battery, aluminum turns into aluminum hydroxide. Aluminum hydroxide can then be recycled in the aluminum factory, enabling a closed and sustainable life cycle.

Green Energy News quickly noted the phrase “mechanically reloaded,” which is a fancy way of saying swapped out. One California start-up called BetterPlace has a similar idea floating around. Using a switchable battery model, BetterPlace envisions a world where battery switch stations have replaced gas stations.

While there isn’t a clear leader in the electric vehicle landscape (unless you can afford an award-winning Tesla), it’s great to see these competing technologies push metals like aluminum into new innovations — all while committing to a greener world. No matter which system wins the marketplace, in the end, we all win.

27 03, 2013

Aluminum + Water = Car Power Of The Future?

2015-06-18T15:33:36+00:00March 27th, 2013|

The last year has given us plenty of headlines about aluminum manufacturing in cars — but cars powered by aluminum? That’s a new one. However, it’s not that far-fetched. You’re not going to win any races with Citroen’s cutting-edge car powered by Phinergy’s new aluminum-air batteries but you’ll get from Point A to Point B in relatively easy fashion with nothing more than water as fuel. From Clean Technica (appreciate the British spelling of aluminum):

The car has lithium-ion batteries that enable it to travel 100 miles per charge, and if the driver needs to make rare trips that are longer than 100 miles, she or he can use the aluminium-air batteries to travel an additional 1,000 miles or so.

The aluminium-air batteries (from Phinergy) are not rechargeable in the conventional sense, however. They have to be refilled with distilled water every 200 miles.

The aluminium-air batteries are strictly for backup. If you want to make long trips often, these batteries should not be used. They just prevent stranding, and facilitate occasional long trips. This is because these batteries’ aluminium electrodes are depleted with use. They have to be replaced more often than conventional EV batteries.

There’s no word if the manufacturing process uses recycled aluminum but considering the recyclable properties of our favorite metal, it would make sense that a clean-energy company would take that into consideration.

 

25 03, 2013

The Many Lives Of Your Aluminum Can

2017-01-26T23:37:30+00:00March 25th, 2013|

Renewal and regeneration are pretty natural things. We see it in all walks of life, from the changing of the seasons to mega-popular sci-fi TV show Doctor Who. And, of course, chances are you’ve got some examples of this in your kitchen cabinets or pantry. Aluminum cans are one of the world’s most recycled metals thanks to its ability to melt down and reform with nearly zero loss in materials. So what exactly happens in the life of that can of Sprite sitting in your pantry?

Step 1. At a manufacturing plant, cans are filled and pressurized with your favorite beverage before shipped out to store shelves.

Step 2. A thirsty person gets the can, either from the grocery store or ordered out at a restaurant.

Step 3. The can, now empty, gets put in with other recycling. It’s also most likely crushed down to maximize space and capacity.

Step 4. Recycling is picked up by the local waste management company, where it’s then delivered to a scrapyard to be scrapped and baled.

Step 5. The bales of aluminum are purchased by a processing company.

Step 6. To recycle the aluminum, the bales are melted down, then cast into new sheets. The sheets are then formed into new cans and shipped to manufacturing plants.

Step 7. Now an empty, clean piece of metal, the aluminum can is ready to be filled and pressurized again – now living its second, third, or possibly even eleventh lifetime.

That’s what makes aluminum cans such a valuable property – and why you can get such a good price for it at local recycling centers. Rather than add waste to the planet, aluminum recycling can become a self-contained system that gives us what we want without ever impacting the planet. And, from an economic point of view, it invests in green jobs thanks to the collection and processing parts of the recycling process. In short, everyone wins – who knew such a little piece of metal could be so fantastic?

15 03, 2013

Professors Developing Inexpensive Aluminum-Based Solar Oven

2015-06-18T15:33:36+00:00March 15th, 2013|

Can aluminum save the world? If the vision from University Of Iowa professors comes to fruition, it just might. Professors Meena Khandelwal and H.S. Udaykumar aren’t striving for the world’s ultimate energy source or some miracle diplomacy between world powers, but their current project does address deforestation, hunger, and women’s health in developing-world conditions.

 

Khandelwal, an anthropology/women’s studies professor, and Udaykumar, a mechnical engineering professor, may make for an unlikely pair but their project affects both of their fields: an inexpensive solar-powered cooker that minimizes the need for firewood, enables cooking at all hours, and reduces the risk of lung cancer. From the Daily Iowan:

 

Three billion people worldwide use firewood for cooking.

 

The women of Karech Village in western India alone harvest 70 pounds of firewood a day to use for that reason.

 

This constant use of firewood leads to rapid deforestation and also puts women in grave danger — smoke inhalation is the fifth-largest killer in India.

 

Students and faculty gathered at the University of Iowa Obermann Center for Advanced Studies on Wednesday night to hear of two UI professors’ efforts to develop an inexpensive solar cooker that they believe will address both problems.

 

Udaykumar said the solution to this problem was to create a solar cooker that could be used during non-daylight hours.  He said the affordable solar cooker is planned to consist of a lens, a cube-shaped storage device made of aluminum, and an inside solar source.

 

Think about it: a simple aluminum cube and some solar technology may help save the environment, reduce the risk of lung cancer, and strengthen the health and well-being of populations in developing countries. While we talk about the latest news using aluminum in cars and smartphones, this might be the most innovative, most impactful idea of them all.

Go to Top