TechBlog

In a revolutionary leap that could transform solar power from a marginal, boutique alternative into a mainstream energy source, MIT researchers have overcome a major barrier to large-scale solar power: storing energy for use when the sun doesn’t shine.

Until now, solar power has been a daytime-only energy source, because storing extra solar energy for later use is prohibitively expensive and grossly inefficient. With this announcement, MIT researchers have hit upon a simple, inexpensive, highly efficient process for storing solar energy.

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SiC MEMS Pressure Sensors: Technology, Applications and Markets

Silicon Carbide: Material Platform for Harsh Environment Solutions Silicon carbide (SiC) has been used for many conventional applications that require mechanical and chemical stability at high temperatures. Mechanical stability is defined as the ability of a particular material to preserve its mechanical properties – elasticity, fracture toughness, hardness – at temperatures below and above room temperature.

Chemical stability is similarly defined as the ability of a particular material to preserve its composition at temperatures below and above room temperature. For high temperature applications, mechanical properties tend to deteriorate and chemical stability is compromised as corrosion processes occur.

Any material that can overcome these mechanical and chemical limitations becomes a candidate for what are called “harsh environment” applications. Harsh environment means a combination of media properties that can interact with the exposed material and alter its originally intended behavior. Harsh environments can be classified in three broad categories: 1) mechanically aggressive: high loads, vibration, shock; 2) thermally aggressive: high temperature; and 3) chemically aggressive: corrosive media.

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CRYSTEX Composites

Mykroy/Mycalex (MM) Glass bonded mica material is a trade name of CRYSTEX Composites LLC. Since 1921, Mykroy/Mycalex composite remains the most versatile and efficient electrical and thermal-insulating materials refined to meet the exacting demands of technical markets. MM material is the only mineral, fully inorganic material, to bridge the performance gap between organic plastics and mineral ceramics. Mykroy/Mycalex material is a union, under simultaneous pressure and heat, of finely powdered electrical quality glass and precisely defined and classified mica. The resulting stone-like, dense ceramic, inherits all the insulating advantages of both constituents. It can be easily machined to close tolerances or transfer molded into intricate shapes with or without metal inserts. MM material is impervious to moisture, and does not outgas under high temperature or in vacuum environments. It manifests exceptional dimensional stability even at high temperature. It does not burn or carbonize and has an unlimited shelf life.

Unique in the United States, CRYSTEX Composites LLC has produced its own Synthetic Mica since 1955.

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