Feb 10. Thermal Imager Sees More IR. A new, cooled, thermal imager fusing the 1.3 to 5.5? range can see both medium and short wave IR thermal emissions simultaneously. This unique feature range allows the system to see long distances through thick fog, snow, heavy rain, etc. It utilizes a 320 x 240 high performance InSb, FPA detector, powerful electronic processor and proprietary software algorithms. The ability to merge short and medium wave IR gives more depth and information to the thermal image stream to provide clear images of buildings, ground data and other visual data enabling full situation awareness of the environment. The system is extremely sensitive with a NETD down to 0.005ºC ensuring stunning detail. The system has a very high acquisition rate up to 300 frames/second making it suitable for aircraft landing in adverse weather conditions and is FAA approved. These features also make it a first choice solution for large ships and tankers to assist in docking and situation awareness whilst at sea. Analogue and digital outputs are available, the digital being 14 Bit over fiber optics. Remote control of the system is RS422 or RS232 again over fiber optics. A built in anti-blooming mechanism cancels interference from irrelevant sources of light and heat. A very high dynamic range ensures clear images of scenes containing extreme temperature differences. This new system can provide situational awareness in the most challenging and extreme environmental conditions helping to ensure the safety of all involved. For further information please contact:
27 Jan 10. Findings of a new study by Iranian scientists at Isfahan University of Technology revealed a new nanocomposite based on Iron Aluminide with an ordered structure to be used in aerospace, auto and material production, involving high temperatures, industries. The researchers managed to produce (Fe,Ti)3Al-Al2O3 nanocomposite via mechanical alloying and perform essential characterizations. “So far, no report has been published on the synthesis of such material in the world. When commercialized, the prepared nanocomposite can be used in aerospace, auto, material production involving high temperatures industries,” Mehdi Rafiei, the researcher in chief, said to the News Service of INIC. Using high energy ball-milling, the researchers succeeded in synthesizing (Fe,Ti)3Al-Al2O3 nanocomposite from powdery mixture of Fe-Al-TiO2.Samples of such powder were ball milled for different durations and their morphological variations and their structures were investigated and characterized. Also, to study thermal behavior of the prepared powder, annealing operations were conducted at 900 oC which lasted for an hour. The structural changes of powder particles during mechanical alloying were investigated by X-ray diffractometery. Morphology and microstructure of powder particles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. It was found that during mechanical alloying Al first reacts with TiO2 leading to the gradual formation of crystalline Ti and amorphous Al2O3 phases.