Laboratory Equipment News

Greater understanding of what goes on in the ocean is starting to become a reality – thanks to growing use of unmanned surface and underwater vehicles and developments in biological sensing. Elaine Maslin takes a look at what a team at MBARI has been doing.Gathering biological data from the oceans remains a significant challenge for oceanographers. Now, an increasing range of unmanned vehicles that are able to work together is becoming available, as is an ability to collect biological data using them.It sounds straight forward…

The Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor completed a landmark year in 2017 and is poised for significant future growth as a result of several historic developments. In addition to handling an 8 percent increase in cargo shipments in 2017, the port doubled the size of its bulk terminal, attracted a nationally-renowned stevedore in Metro Ports, handled its most valuable cargo ever, and announced a $20 million expansion made possible by earning one of only 10 "FASTLANE" small project grants awarded in the U.S. last year.

It's a career-defining moment for 36 college and university faculty April 30, as the Department of the Navy announces the recipients of its 2015 Young Investigator Program, one of the oldest and most selective scientific research advancement programs in the country. Collectively, awardees will receive $18.8 million in grants to fund research across a range of naval-relevant science and technology areas. This is a banner year for the program, administered by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), which increased funding by 50 percent over last year. "These recipients demonstrate the type of visionary, multidisciplinary thought that helps the U.S. Navy anticipate and adapt to a dynamic battlespace," said Dr. Larry Schuette, ONR's director of research.

Metso has received an order for a Metso DNA automation system to a fisheries research vessel. The Fisheries Research Vessel is contracted at STX Finland Oy, Rauma shipyard, by the Namibian Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources. The vessel is 65m long with a beam of 14m. It is designed with special care about laboratory equipment, propulsion and power generating systems. High serviceability and low maintenance costs has got special attention. The vessel's task will include monitoring of fish stock, as well as sorting, processing, freezing and storage of fish.

STX Finland Oy and Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources of the Republic of Namibia have, on 11.2.2011, signed a contract for the construction of a fisheries research vessel. The ship, with a contract value of approximately EUR 35 million, will bring some 250 man-years of labour to STX Finland’s Rauma shipyard, with delivery scheduled for spring 2012. This versatile specialized vessel will be approximately 62 metres long and will provide accommodation for 45 crew members and research personnel. The research vessel is specifically designed for the purposes of Namibian fisheries research. The vessel meets the latest standards set for this type of vessels requiring, in particular, special care in the design of laboratory equipment, propulsion and power generation system.

Burger Boat Company and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources signed a contract for the construction of a 60-ft research vessel to support expanded study and survey work of the Lake Michigan fisheries. Named after the fish genus that includes: Lake Whitefish and Lake Herring, the new RV Coregonus will be capable of gill netting and allowing fisheries staff to continue the work done on the previous research ship—the RV Barney Devine. The RV Coregonus will also have expanded features including onboard laboratory equipment…

The MS Oosterdam is Holland America Line's (HAL) second 1,848-passenger Vista-class ship. Delivered by Fincantieri Cantieri Navali Italiani, S.p.A., the ship includes some of the most sophisticated technical and environmental advances of any ship afloat. Many advances are below deck, well outside of the view of the passengers. For example, the engines are situated in two separate spaces that can be completely closed off from each other so that in the event of an emergency in one engine room, power systems in the other will still provide sufficient propulsion and electrical power to return the ship safely to port. The General Electric…