This new discovery could reduce energy consumption in the production of glass, according to Engineering.com. Charles McLaren, a doctoral candidate of Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Penn., placed a block of glass between a cathode and anode, then exerted pressure on the glass while heating it. McLaren discovered that doing so essentially reduced the melting temperature of glass, thus reducing the need for higher levels of energy to produce the heat. This could have big impacts in things like the production of supercapacitors that enhance the performance of everything from high-powered batteries to solar panels.
Himanshu Jain, Lehigh Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, said in a statement that the technology is especially relevant to companies seeking the next wave of portable, reliable energy. This new discovery not only could help glass manufacturers reduce costs but also could offer new opportunities in energy efficiency for the whole world. The discovery was documented in Applied Physics Letters.
In addition to making glass formulation possible at lower temperatures, it also could give designers a tool to make precise manipulations that are not possible with heat alone. “A breakthrough in the use of glass for power storage could unleash a torrent of innovation in the transportation and energy sectors, and even support efforts to curb global warming,” said Jain.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, glass manufacturing is an energy-intensive industry fueled mainly by natural gas. Glass manufacturing accounted for 1% of total industrial energy use in EIA’s most recent survey of the manufacturing sector. Most of the energy consumed in the process is from natural gas combustion to heat furnaces to melt raw materials to form glass. The EIA said there is “substantial potential” for energy efficiency improvements in glass manufacturing and that estimates rage from 20%-25% alone in the melting and refining process.
Glass manufacturers have long been looking for ways to reduce energy consumption and have been investing in things such as waste heat recovery systems, which capture heat from furnaces, then convert them back into energy.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
