Appliance Design - August 2008 - (Page 13)

NEwS watch have introduced waterproof cell phones, many of which are capable of submersion in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes. AuthenTec’s TouchStone package allows for easy integration into various waterproof industrial design configurations and provides the durability and water resistance required for this new class of handsets while adding Power of Touch features including security, convenience, personalization, and navigation. AuthenTec’s TouchStone-packaged sensors are based on its TruePrint technology, which reads below the surface of the skin to the live layer where a person’s true fingerprint resides. as the European Union and China each graduate more university-educated scientists and engineers every year than the U.S. The researchers encourage U.S. policymakers to make it easier for foreign students who have graduated from U.S. universities to stay in the country, and make it easier for highly skilled labor to immigrate to the U.S. The report also found that U.S. investments in R&D have kept pace, growing even faster than what has been seen in Europe and Japan. While China is investing heavily in R&D, it does not yet account for a large share of world innovation and scientific output, which continues to be dominated by the U.S., Europe, and Japan. from The Freedonia Group, a Clevelandbased industry research firm. Advances will slow from the historical pace due to rising fuel and food prices, which are increasing costs for food industry participants such as distributors, retailers and restaurants at a time when consumers are increasingly cost-conscious. These factors combine to result in narrowing profit margins, which will discourage many operators from investing in new equipment. Other factors such as slowing construction of hotels and motels will further limit demand for commercial refrigeration equipment. Foodservice is expected to remain the largest market for commercial refrigeration equipment through 2012. About 49 percent of consumer food expenditures in 2007 occurred outside the home at foodservice outlets such as restaurants, bars and cafeterias, and this share is expected to rise, benefitting commercial refrigeration equipment demand. The food and beverage retail market will post gains, due to the rising number of food retailers in the U.S. In addition, consumers’ growing appetite for a widening range of refrigerated foods (such as organic meat) will increase the amount of refrigeration equipment per store. Commercial refrigeration products expected to experience the best demand growth are cryogenic equipment, display cases, and transportation equipment. Cryogenic equipment will benefit from the rising level of expenditures on health care in the U.S., as well as from increasing medical and scientific research. Display cases will benefit from the need of retailers to maintain new, aesthetically pleasing displays to encourage impulse purchasing. In addition, the number of display cases per store is expected to rise as the average size of food stores rises. Transportation refrigeration equipment will continue to be the largest product segment, due to the high unit cost of this equipment and to the rising level of refrigerated food shipped within and from the U.S. Gains in this segment will be adversely affected by high fuel prices, which will continue to affect profit margins for fleet operators. < SUPERPaPER. Researchers in Sweden and Japan have developed a new type of paper that resists tearing or breaking when pulled. The new material, “cellulose nanopaper,” is made of submicroscopic particles of cellulose that could open the way for expanded use of paper as a construction material and in other applications. Cellulose is a substance obtained from plants and cellulose-based composites have high strength attributes, but existing materials are brittle and break when pulled. Researchers say they have solved this problem by exposing wood pulp to certain chemicals to produce the nanopaper. They say it has tensile strength that exceeds that of cast iron and its tensile strength can be adjusted by changing the paper’s internal structure. ScIENcE LEaDERS. Researchers with the RAND Corp. say the U.S. remains the dominant leader in science and technology worldwide, despite perceptions that the U.S. is losing its competitive edge. According to the study, the U.S. accounts for 40 percent of the world’s scientific research and development, employs 70 percent of the world’s Nobel Prize winners, and is home to three-quarters of the world’s top 40 universities. An influx of foreign students, engineers, and scientists, have helped the U.S. build and maintain its worldwide lead, which is critical if the country is too keep its edge DOw BUYS ROhM aND haaS. The Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Mich., and Rohm and Haas, Philadelphia, announced a definitive agreement, under which Dow will acquire all outstanding shares of Rohm and Haas common stock for $78 per share in cash. Andrew N. Liveris, Dow chairman and CEO, said the acquisition is part of Dow’s transformational strategy to create a high value, diversified chemicals and materials company that has a leading global position in performance products and advanced materials. Dow said that the acquisition of Rohm and Haas gives Dow an excellent position in significant growth areas such as electronic materials and coatings. Rohm and Haas also has a strong presence in areas such as water solutions, adhesives, personal care, biocides, and building and packaging materials. The transaction, which has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies, remains subject to approval by Rohm and Haas shareholders, customary conditions and receipt of regulatory approvals. The companies are targeting completion of the transaction by early 2009. REFRIGERatION cOOLS OFF. Demand for commercial refrigeration equipment in the U.S. is forecast to rise 3.9 percent annually through 2012, reaching $9.2 billion, according to Commercial Refrigeration Equipment, a new study www.applianceDESIGN.com applianceDESIGN August 2008 13 http://www.appliancedesign.com

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Appliance Design - August 2008 Contents Editorial Shipments/Forecasts News Watch Plastics Switches Noise & Vibration Control Joining New Products Design Marts Association Report: CEA Advertiser’s Index

Appliance Design - August 2008

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