16 Sep 2021

Researchers Discover Unexpected Interaction Between Electrons in New Metal

Scientific discoveries continually improve and shape the foundations of our daily lives.  This has again proven true with the discovery of a new metal that allows electrons to flow like liquid filtered through a pipe. Atoms typically move in metal by loose electrons also known as free electrons that group together to form negative charges near the positive charges. In a new study, done by experimental physicists at Boston College, the goal was to find out how electrons can move like liquid inside of a new superconductor called Ditetrelide (NbGe2). It was found that interactions with phonons, small “particles” of heat or vibrational energy, can cause drastic shifts. The new metal is a combination of Germanium and Niobium. It was also noted that with this liquid metal combination, the laws of hydrodynamics could still be obeyed. By interacting with these phonons, the electron-phonon liquid can be created. 

Three different methods were used to study the metal to give it a more scientific breakdown. Electrical resistance testing was able to display high mass electrons. Raman scattering showed different levels of vibration in the Ditetrelide (NbGe2) due to the differential flow in the electrons. The final method was x-ray diffraction showing in detail the structure of the metal. With further experimentation, the electron mass was found to be three times larger than initially predicted. Sometime soon, it is hoped that Ditetrelide (NbGe2) can be used in new medical devices, including portable patches.

Click here, to read more about the study.  

To read past blog entries from Lenox Laser, click here.

9 Sep 2021

Ingenuity Performing Far Beyond Expectations

NASA’s Mars Ingenuity helicopter has been giving us some of the most breathtaking views of the planet. Two flights were successfully completed recently, flight number 12 on August 15 and number 13 this past Labor Day weekend. Fight 12 astounded scientists because of how far the simple prototype had come. The helicopter only weighs 1.8 kg and was initially designed to show what a simple vehicle could achieve exploring the planet. The original plan for the flight was to go to South Séítah, flying at a 10m altitude and traveling about 235m to get side-by-side detailed images of surface terrain clear enough to make a full 3-D image. During this time over 10 images would be captured, and then given to the Perseverance rover to determine further areas of the planet for study. Ingenuity has dealt with Mars’s harsh winds, dusty, rocky surfaces, craters, and volcanic activity.  The helicopter had been through an extremely rough flight from Earth when it was launched back in April of this year for its first trip. The goal of each flight is to learn as much as we can about Mars. With the atmosphere being only 1% of the density of Earth’s, ingenuity is navigating the planet with a high degree of difficulty, making exploration a bigger obstacle. 

Flight 13 was able to fly closer to the planet than any previous attempt, 13 also covered a shorter distance than its predecessor traveling 690 feet compared to 1476 feet on flight 12. The helicopter was never designed to be flying cameras when in prototype stage, so the fact it is accomplishing such feats and lasting long enough is astonishing to scientists. The photos from different directions may help uncover more angles and reveal hidden points of interest.  Overall, the team is excited by the results. We are excited to see what answers these discoveries will unlock about the red planet. 

To read the original article by NASA, click here. 

For past coverage Lenox Laser has written about Perseverance and Ingenuity, click here. 

26 Aug 2021

Recent Advancements in Semiconductor Manufacturing

Semiconductors have been a part of the manufacturing world for many decades now. They continue to evolve by the day with varying capabilities. The idea of cultivating electric components for semiconductors has caught the imagination of a team at the University of South Wales. With assistance from Cambridge University, they hope to make components smaller and faster and avoid oxidation or other damaging effects. These can be built by manufacturing an ultra-small and wafer-thin metal gate within the semiconducting crystal. The electric flow needs to be in close quarters with the switch to turn the transistor on and off at any time, this also needs to be done while maintaining a steady frequency response.  

A frequent problem the new process will try to solve is the issue of oxidation. Making the devices smaller and with more singular circuitry, surface oxidation unfortunately is an unavoidable factor. While oxidation is an issue with this process currently, there are also many advantages like making them smaller to avoid scattering, when electron pathways fail to communicate. It will also increase conductivity by two and a half times. 

With this innovative design, the team hopes to eliminate excess electrical charge stored in the semiconductor. Even with reduced scattering the team still faces the challenges of scattering preventing high-frequency components from being used inside transistors. Surface charges could cause fluctuations resulting in a short or miscommunication of pathway signals. If the project proves successful, whatever form these new semiconductors may take, they can hopefully be used for a variety of products and applications.  

19 Aug 2021

A Look into the Development of Brain Computer Interfaces

The human brain is a tool, full of mystery, and evolving every day. Imagine for a moment that there was a way to completely unlock and understand the mind in ways that science never imagined possible. This is the goal a team of neuroscientists at Brown University, University of California at San Diego, and Qualcomm is hoping to achieve. The hope is that research into brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) with advanced sensors will one day assist in eliminating or slowing the progress of brain and spinal cord injuries. BCIs are implanted computers with thousands of neural pathway sensors that detect and interpret brain signals and may eventually be given the capacity to produce stimuli where the brain is lacking. The systems being developed at Brown University, which are currently being tested on mice, have proven to surpass currently available technology. The sensors would be packed into a small wearable skin patch about the size of a fingerprint and readings would be sent to a computer or portable device. The goal of the study is to achieve as many signals as possible from living brain tissue. 

The obstacles of testing come from precisely probing of the brain. If successful, this new BCI could not only help with spinal cord injuries but neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s, motor skill impairments, and even dementia as well as assist in the treatment of brain injuries. Finding a comfortable yet secure prosthetic is the other hurdle teams are facing, with devices needing to produce accurate readings while avoiding a massive hinderance to mobility. 

The scientists involved in the project have an extremely positive outlook for what this study could mean for the future of neuroscience and medicine in general.

For more information on the development of BCIs, click here, or here. 

12 Aug 2021

Perseverance Faces Setback Following Initial Collection Attempt

In an unfortunate turn of events, the Mars Perseverance rover has hit a snag while attempting to collect its first sample of Martian rock for analysis. Data sent to Earth indicated that the sample collection tube was empty after the collection process concluded. The team at NASA responsible for overseeing the mission are currently investigating the issue to determine the best course of action moving forward with future sample collection. They plan to utilize the WATSON (Wide Angle Topographic Sensor for Operations and eNgineering) camera located on the rover’s arm to collect initial data about the bore site in the hopes of drawing conclusions as to why the sample was not collected. The team remains optimistic that they will find a solution and be able to move forward with the mission. 

NASA has run into similar issues attempting to sample extraterrestrial matter in the past. The Phoenix mission sampled “sticky” soil that made collection and transport difficult, requiring multiple attempts before being successful. Curiosity encountered problems with Martian rock being harder and more brittle than expected. Most recently, the heat probe of the InSight lander failed to penetrate Mars’s surface as planned. 

Efforts are ongoing to formulate procedures moving forward with future sampling attempts. Success will provide scientists with immeasurable information about Mars and the possibility of, not just past microbial life, but also the viability of human colonization. 

To read more about this latest update from NASA, click here. 

If you are interested in last week’s blog covering the Perseverance Rover, click here. 

To read about Lenox Laser’s past involvement with space exploration efforts, click here. 

5 Aug 2021

Collecting a Sample from Mars – NASA Perseverance Rover

Mars has always been an endless treasure trove of mysteries, but thanks to the ongoing efforts of the Perseverance rover and the team behind it, we may soon have answers to some of the questions surrounding our red, rocky sister planet. Perseverance launched earlier this year on February 18th and has since been documenting the Martian surface with the powerful camera integrated into its system. Alongside high-resolution photography, the rover recorded 16 minutes of audio which captured the sound of winds blowing across the landscape. However, the team behind Perseverance plans to up the ante, looking to collect a physical rock sample to examine. The first sample will be taken from a section of the Jezero Crater called the “Cratered Floor Fractured Rough.” This task is scheduled to take 11 days due to the delay in communication between mission control and the rover itself. It is one of four samples to be collected over the next year of exploration, which will be stored within the rover’s body until missions can be sent to retrieve them for examination. During this time, Perseverance will perform rudimentary tests on the samples to provide preliminary data. The rover was fitted with several instruments that allow it to collect a range of data points. Key among these is SHERLOC (Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman & Luminescence for Organics & Chemicals), PIXL (Planetary Instrument for X-ray Lithochemistry), and the WATSON (Wide Angle Topographic Sensor for Operations and eNgineering) camera, which will provide mineral and chemical analysis of the sample rock. Using this data, scientists may be able to piece together more about the history of Mars and the viability of future exploration missions. Until now, procuring an extraterrestrial sample for examination was a monumental advancement only achieved by Niel Armstrong and the Apollo 11 crew when they collected moon rock from the Sea of Tranquility basin.

The key objective of Perseverance’s mission is to advance the field of astrobiology and look for definitive proof of microbial life having existed on Mars. Utilizing the data collected by the rover, the team hopes to pave the way for human exploration of the planet. Future NASA missions, with cooperation from the European Space Agency, plan to collect the samples stored within Perseverance’s frame and ship them to Earth for more extensive analysis that cannot be performed by the equipment built into the rover. Years of effort made this feat possible and will vastly expand our understanding of the wider universe around us.

If you are interested in reading more, click here for the article from NASA themselves, or click here for the LiveScience coverage. Want to learn more about past missions that Lenox Laser has covered, click here.

22 Jul 2021

Join Lenox Laser at 2021 PACK EXPO

The 2021 PACK EXPO will be one of the first major in-person healthcare product events since the COVID-19 lockdown last year. The expo will encompass many different companies and experts in the healthcare field discussing various packaging and processing methods. It is estimated that over 20,000 experts will be in attendance when the event takes place this September 27-29 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. PACK is expected to have an estimated 1,500 exhibitors showing off their products. Topics covered will include cost-effective digital printing solutions in pharmaceuticals, recyclable, and bio-based packaging. The expo will also have an exhibit that will take visitors through the evolution of processing and packaging in the pharmaceutical industry and more. The expo sponsors and hosts include the Reusable Packaging Association, the National Confectioners Association, and many more.

Lenox Laser will be in attendance at booth #6817, showcasing our Container Closure Integrity Testing (CCIT) methods and services, which we have continued to evolve in our excellent 40 years in business. We are privileged and very honored to be a part of the expo and cannot wait for you all to see what we have in store. Given the immense challenge 2020 presented, an event like this will prove significant. To all those attending and showcasing, we hope you enjoy the expo and send our best wishes. See you in September. 

For more information and registration on PACK EXPO, please click here. You can join Lenox Laser at PACK EXPO using our comp code here.

15 Jul 2021

A Look into Our CCIT Capabilities

Picture of Pharmaceutical Vials
Courtesy of National Cancer Institute

As the pioneer in laser drilling, Lenox Laser takes pride in the various services that we provide to our customers. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of Container Closure Integrity Testing (CCIT) has become abundantly clear. Confidence in pharmaceutical packaging is vital to prevent widespread damage caused by the failure of critical seals. Lenox Laser assists in this process by producing standards that calibrate leak-detection systems in order to assure the quality and safety of the packaging.

By utilizing lasers, Lenox drills precise, microscopic imperfections in a wide variety of packaging. Our systems are capable of drilling metals and alloys, glass, plastics, and more. We can accommodate custom materials and requirements upon request. All orifices drilled for CCIT are calibrated to NIST secondary standards using our proprietary flow calibration processes, ensuring precise measurements. Recalibration services are also available to ensure the accuracy of previously drilled parts. Our standard products are optically measured, but when a greater level of accuracy is required, Lenox Laser can drill orifices to produce a specific flow rate for custom applications. Calculate a custom orifice diameter based on your specifications with our orifice calculator.

On top of CCIT, Lenox Laser provides other services such as laser machining, laser engraving, and more. Lenox Laser also offers standard products for optical and flow applications. For any questions you have about our capabilities, please contact us.

We thank our customers for their continued support over the past 40 years. It is with your help that Lenox Laser continues pioneering in the small-hole industry.

8 Jul 2021

SpaceX First Starship Launch

Courtesy of SpaceX

SpaceX has had quite a rich history and has come a long way since its maiden launch of the Falcon 1 rocket on September 28, 2008. Falcon 1 became the first privately funded liquid-fueled rocket to successfully reach orbit. In the following year, they became the first privately funded company to launch a satellite in orbit. Little did they know at the time, this would lead to something massive like the Starlink program. This program aims to launch a network of satellites designed to provide fast Internet speeds to areas without access. The Starlink program could also be used for military and government applications as well as other telecommunications.

In 2014, the now-famous Dragon crew was unveiled with its first successful launch six years later in 2020. The mission was successful in sending two astronauts into space to study aboard the International Space Station. This was particularly impressive given the challenges faced that year. Several Dragon crew missions are in the works for the near future.

SpaceX’s next challenging endeavor is the launch of its Starship program, which as of now, is tentatively set to launch in July of this year. Starship rockets would be reusable for long-duration cargo missions and passenger flights. The first obstacles include ensuring the program follows all government regulations from NASA, FAA, and other branches. Filings with the FCC began on May 13, 2021. If successful, SpaceX hopes to have a fully integrated continuous working network that would work together with Starlink.

If you would like to read more about SpaceX’s Starship launch, click here. To read more about past SpaceX blogs, click here. If you are interested in Lenox Laser’s coverage of past aerospace endeavors, read our blog on NASA and their planned launches to Venus.

2 Jul 2021

Lenox Laser’s Free Orifice Calculator

For 40 years now, Lenox Laser has been a pioneering force leading the industry of laser hole drilling and critical flow orifice fieldwork. As the industry is constantly evolving, we are continually learning new methods to streamline the ease of use of our products and services. We offer many solutions to custom applications, all produced with a critical laser drilling process. Our laser-drilled calibrations will deliver immaculate accuracy and consistency of flow rates every single time — we guarantee it. All of this is done with the utmost care and immense cost efficiency to deliver the best product to our customers. 

At Lenox Laser, we believe in ease-of-use and understanding for our customer base. We have created a simplistic, straight-to-the-point orifice calculator that allows customers to calculate custom orifice sizes for a required flow rate. The calculator can be easily found by accessing this link. 

Upon visiting our calculator, you can enter your desired inlet pressure, outlet pressure, type of gas, and temperature to calculate for either flow rate or orifice diameter. The calculator will then display the resulting hole size, which Lenox Laser can drill, calibrate, and certify for your specific application. For a list of our standard products, please visit our online store. Custom parts and materials are available for drilling with a setup fee through this form.

Lenox Laser is dedicated to providing stellar services that support a wide array of industries. As new challenges arise, we continue to grow and evolve to meet the needs of our customers. Thank you all for being with us these past 40 years. We look forward to serving you for many more.

1 2 3 4 5 6 … 15