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Vast Executes VS1 Engineering Contracts Advancing Toward Construction of 288 MWh Concentrated Solar Thermal … – GlobeNewswire

April 16, 2024 | Author: admin

SYDNEY, Australia, April 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vast Renewables Limited (Vast) (Nasdaq: VSTE), a renewable energy company specialising in concentrated solar thermal power (CSP) systems that generate zero-carbon, utility-scale electricity and industrial process heat, today announced it has executed key engineering contracts with Afry, FYFE, Primero and Worley to complete Front-EndEngineeringDesign (FEED) on its VS1 project.

VS1 is a 30MW / 288 MWh CSP plant to be located in Port Augusta, South Australia. Utilising Vasts proprietary modular tower CSP v3.0 technology, VS1 will generate clean, low-cost, dispatchable power with over 8 hours of thermal energy storage. The project is anticipated to create dozens of green manufacturing jobs, hundreds of jobs during construction and long-term plant operations roles.

Todays announcement with Afry, FYFE, Primero and Worley follows Vasts appointment in May 2023 of Worley and its specialist consulting division, Worley Consulting, to complete VS1 basic engineering. FEED is expected to be completed by August ahead of a Final Investment Decision in Q3 2024 and construction starting in late 2024.

Afry, FYFE, Primero and Worley bring extensive experience designing, engineering and building major energy projects in remote Australia and around the world.

Craig Wood, CEO of Vast said, "This is a major step forward for Vast and VS1, putting this historic CSP project on the path to construction. Afry, FYFE, Primero and Worley will bring the right combination of global and local expertise to VS1, which will utilise our industry-leading technology to capture and store the suns energy during the day before generating heat and dispatchable power during the day or night.

Vasts proprietary CSP v3.0 technology has received significant support from the Australian Government, including the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), announcing it has approved up to AUD$65 million in funding to support the construction of VS1.

VS1 will be co-located with Solar Methanol 1 (SM1), a world-first green methanol demonstration plant. In February, Vast, along with its consortium partner, announced that they signed funding agreements to receive AUD$19.48 million and EUR13.2 million from a collaboration between the Australian and German governments, respectively. SM1 will use zero-emissions dispatchable electricity and heat from VS1 to produce green methanol for use as a sustainable shipping fuel.

Vasts 1.1 MW CSP Demonstration Plant in Forbes, Australia was operated for 32 months

About Vast Vast is a renewable energy company that has CSP systems to generate, store, and dispatch carbon-free, utility-scale electricity, industrial heat, or a combination to enable the production of green fuels. Vasts CSP v3.0 approach utilises a proprietary, modular sodium loop to efficiently capture and convert solar heat into these end products.

On December 19, 2023, Vast listed on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol VSTE, while remaining headquartered in Australia.

Visit http://www.vast.energy for more information.

About Afry

AFRY provides engineering, design, digital and advisory services to accelerate the transition towards a sustainable society. With 19,000 devoted experts in the industry, energy and infrastructure sectors, AFRY is seeking to create impact for generations to come. The company has Nordic roots with a global reach, net sales of 27 BSEK and is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm.

About Fyfe

Fyfe is a fully integrated engineering, environment, planning and survey firm, employing 465+ staff across major capital cities and regional centres in Australia.

About Primero

Primero, a subsidiary ofNRW Holdings, is a multi-national engineering, procurement and construction business with a global reach. Primero was founded in 2011 with a vision to create a vertically integrated business in the mineral processing, energy, iron ore and non-process infrastructure (NPI) market segments as a turnkey project solution provider.

From major greenfield projects through to brownfield projects on operating sites, Primeros team of professionals work with clients from the outset to solve complex engineering challenges and create fit for purpose design and construction solutions.

About Worley

Worley Limited is a global company headquartered in Australia and listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: WOR). The company is a leading global provider of professional project and asset services in the energy, chemicals and resources sectors. As a knowledge-based service provider, Worley uses its knowledge and capabilities to support customers to reduce their emissions and move towards a low carbon future.

Contacts For Investors: Caldwell Bailey ICR, Inc. VastIR@icrinc.com

For US media: Matt Dallas ICR, Inc. VastPR@icrinc.com

For Australian media: Nick Albrow Wilkinson Butler nick@wilkinsonbutler.com

Forward-Looking Statements

The information included herein and in any oral statements made in connection herewith include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included herein, regarding VS1, SM1, Vast's future financial performance, as well as Vast's strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. When used herein, including any oral statements made in connection herewith, the words anticipate, believe, "could," estimate, expect, intend, may, project, "should," will, the negative of such terms and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on Vast managements current expectations and assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release, about future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, Vast disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. Vast cautions you that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of Vast. These risks include, but are not limited to, general economic, financial, legal, political and business conditions and changes in domestic and foreign markets; the inability to recognise the anticipated benefits of Vasts recent business combination; costs related to that business combination; Vasts ability to manage growth; Vasts ability to execute its business plan, including the completion of the Port Augusta project (including VS1 and SM1), at all or in a timely manner and meet its projections; Vasts ability to comply with its, and its counterparties respective compliance with their, respective obligations under the FEED contracts, funding agreements related to VS1 and SM1 and Vasts other financing and commercial agreements; potential litigation, governmental or regulatory proceedings, investigations or inquiries involving Vast or its subsidiaries, including in relation to Vasts recent business combination; changes in applicable laws or regulations and general economic and market conditions impacting demand for Vasts products and services. Additional risks are set forth in the section titled "Risk Factors" in the final prospectus, dated March 11, 2024, as supplemented, and other documents filed, or to be filed with the SEC by Vast. Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties described herein and in any oral statements made in connection therewith occur, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and plans could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements.Additional information concerning these and other factors that may impact Vasts expectations can be found in Vasts periodic filings with the SEC. Vasts SEC filings are available publicly on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0aefddee-19f6-41b0-b9e3-120a46d23161

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Misagh Daraei’s innovations: Optimizing structural designs for weight reduction in mechanical engineering with genetic … – Raver Mag.

April 16, 2024 | Author: admin

Misagh Daraei ( ) chatted about optimizing structural designs for weight reduction in Mechanical Engineering with Generic Algorithms. #Powerjournalist Markos Papadatos has the scoop.

In the fast-evolving landscape of mechanical engineering, the quest for lightweight yet robust structural designs stands as a cornerstone of innovation. Misagh Daraei, a pioneering researcher in the field, has been at the forefront of this endeavor, employing genetic algorithms to revolutionize the optimization process.

Structural design optimization plays a crucial role across industries, from aerospace and automotive to civil engineering and beyond. The traditional approach involves exhaustive iterations and simulations to find the optimal configuration, often resulting in time-consuming and resource-intensive processes. However, Daraeis groundbreaking work has introduced a paradigm shift by harnessing the power of genetic algorithms to streamline and enhance this optimization journey.

Genetic algorithms, inspired by the principles of natural selection and evolution, offer a powerful solution to the complex optimization challenges faced in structural design. By mimicking the process of natural selection, genetic algorithms iteratively generate and refine potential solutions, favoring those that exhibit desirable traits such as reduced weight while maintaining structural integrity and performance.

Daraeis research endeavors have yielded remarkable insights and advancements in this domain. By integrating genetic algorithms into the design optimization workflow, he has demonstrated significant reductions in weight without compromising on safety or functionality. Whether its the design of aircraft components, automotive frames, or high-rise structures, Daraeis methodologies have consistently delivered solutions that push the boundaries of whats possible in lightweight engineering.

One of the key advantages of Daraeis approach lies in its ability to explore vast design spaces efficiently. Genetic algorithms excel at navigating complex, multidimensional search spaces, allowing engineers to uncover novel design configurations that may have remained elusive through traditional methods. This capability not only accelerates the optimization process but also enables the discovery of innovative solutions that defy conventional wisdom.

Moreover, Daraeis research extends beyond mere optimization to encompass holistic considerations such as manufacturing feasibility, sustainability, and lifecycle performance. By integrating these factors into the optimization framework, he ensures that the resulting designs are not only lightweight but also practical and environmentally conscious, aligning with the evolving needs of modern engineering practices.

As the demand for lightweight, energy-efficient structures continues to grow in an increasingly interconnected world, Daraeis contributions stand as a beacon of innovation. His pioneering work not only advances the frontiers of mechanical engineering but also inspires future generations of researchers and practitioners to push the boundaries of whats achievable in structural design optimization.

In conclusion, Misagh Daraeis research on optimizing structural designs for weight reduction in mechanical engineering using genetic algorithms represents a transformative leap forward in the quest for lightweight, high-performance structures. By leveraging the power of genetic algorithms, Daraei has redefined the optimization process, unlocking unprecedented possibilities for innovation and sustainability in engineering design.

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An engineer’s life: What the heck are railroad fusees for? – Trains – TRAINS Magazine

April 16, 2024 | Author: admin

Railroad fusees Taken many years ago at Baring, Wash., on the Scenic Subdivision (Stevens Pass), my conductor is giving a back-up sign, while we wait for a westbound meet. I didnt take my tripod to work very often. Replace the lantern bulb for the red of a fusee and you can imagine the story. Michael Sawyer

My first memory of using railroad fusees [flares] for signaling was on an early winter morning in 1978. Coming back from lunch on the midnight shift at Auburn yard, the scenery had turned very foggy. Lanterns, while not useless, were hard to see at a distance in that kind of weather.

During those days, we normally only had one portable radio per crew. The foreman on the switch job had the radio; that way the yardmaster could make a change to the switch list when needed. The fieldman would borrow the radio from the foreman when hand signals could not be used due to the distance.

At Auburn, when the fieldman got the whole train together, they would throw the fusee into the air as high as they could signaling to the rest of the crew that the track was together this was in lieu of borrowing the radio.

I joined the naval reserves in 1983 near the end of a three-year furlough from the railroad. I returned home from active duty after graduating from the U.S. Naval Schools of Photography in Pensacola, Fla., summer of 1984 as a Photographers Mate.

I didnt have any good railroad options for working near Seattle, so I ended up moving to Spokane in eastern Washington. One night I was working the fieldman position at Yardley. After I had the track together, I threw the fusee as high as I could. I heard the air go, meaning the engineer had placed the train brakes into emergency, and everything came to a stop. The foreman marched down to where I was. He was upset wanting to know why I gave him the washout, thus his emergency stop. I said that I gave a highball so he asked where I was from.

Ah, right, youre one of those Coasties. Well, that has exactly the opposite meaning in Spokane, he said. Which I found interesting, considering both were Northern Pacific yards.

On my first solo trip as an engineer on the Mojave Subdivision out of Bakersfield, my conductor got a late call. I was standing around the yard office when the road foreman came up to me and told me to keep an eye on this guy, he was a little different. Nice kid; I do not recall the trip until we were between the siding of Jimgray and Hinkley on the old ATSF to Barstow.

The dispatcher (DS) called and said, I want you to pull in the clear; you are going to have to cut the crossing. Hinkley was the last siding eastbound before the hump yard at Barstow. As we started into the siding my conductor pulled the emergency brake handle on his side. I looked over in disbelief. He was not happy about the long wait. He explained that this way the DS could wait. I didnt even bother to rip him apart about what trains can do when they go into emergency. I was just trying to get the first solo trip over with.

After I recovered the air, we pulled into the clear and cut the crossing as instructed. After a 2-hour wait, the DS called and said it was our turn. My conductor could not find his lantern. The head end of the trains was about 30 car lengths over the crossing, so I was not going to see his hand signals in the dark. We would have to use fusees.

I told him to light up the fusee, while I whistled three times to show I would be slowly starting back. I had told him to give me two big circles at ten cars and one circle for five cars, then the normal signs for 4-3-2-1-stop. We had the train back together. As he was walking back up to the lead unit, I saw him in my mirror and noticed he was walking weird. He had both arms out from the shirts shoulders with his arms hanging down, like a sad scarecrow.

As he got back into the cab, I looked over at him with part concern and part amusement he had peppered himself with the slag of the burning fusee. As he stood there, he had a dozen or so tiny holes in each arm still smoldering.

He had never used a fusee and was waving it around like a lantern. When I figured out the only thing hurt was his pride and his brand-new coat from his wife, it took everything I had to not bust out laughing. Ah, karma. Highball.

Like this column on railroad fusees? Read the last one, An engineers life: Mojave Green.

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Thomas Viaduct Railroad Bridge Recognized as Landmark : CEG – Construction Equipment Guide

April 16, 2024 | Author: admin

Photo courtesy of The American Society of Civil Engineers

Opened in 1835, the Thomas Viaduct was the first multiple-arch, stone railroad viaduct in the United States.

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) dedicated a marker recognizing the Thomas Viaduct in Elkridge, Md., as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

The Thomas Viaduct is the first multiple-arch stone railroad viaduct built on a curving span in the United States. Construction on the Thomas Viaduct started in 1833 and opened in 1835. The 614-ft.-long, 58-ft.-tall span remains a crucial link in Maryland's rail infrastructure today, carrying freight and passenger traffic between Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

The dedication ceremony at Patapsco Valley State Park was led by ASCE's Maryland Section, The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Transit Administration, CSX Railroad and the B&O Railroad Museum.

ASCE represents more than 160,000 members of the civil engineering profession worldwide. It is the oldest national engineering society in the United States. ASCE recognizes historically significant civil engineering projects, structures, and sites worldwide. More than 270 projects have earned the prestigious title for creativity and innovation; almost all are executed under challenging conditions.

"As civil engineers build the infrastructure of the future, they take inspiration from the projects which helped shape communities today," said Marsia Geldert-Murphey, ASCE president. "The Thomas Viaduct played a huge role in developing rail service on the east coast nearly 200 years ago and remains a vital link every day for freight service, which delivers so many of the items we need to live our lives, along with providing efficient commuter service for thousands of people every day. The work of a civil engineer can impact a community for centuries, which is why it is so important to design projects for the future."

The Thomas Viaduct became necessary as the Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) railroad planned the first rail line into the nation's capital. Civil engineer Benjamin Henry Latrobe Jr. (1806-1878), who served as the railroad's engineer, designed the project. Latrobe faced several challenges in designing the Thomas Viaduct because crossing the Patapsco River required a curved path for the railroad. To achieve this, Latrobe designed the crossing using eight arches and piers in a trapezoid shape.

When it opened, the 63,000-ton granite viaduct was immediately recognized by engineers as an engineering success. It has survived significant floods that damaged other nearby viaducts. During the Civil War, the Thomas Viaduct was on the only rail line in and out of Washington, D.C., and Union troops heavily guarded it to ensure its safety.

The Thomas Viaduct became a National Historic Landmark in 1964, and ASCE first recognized the project as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 2010. The April 13th event featured the unveiling of a marker to recognize the Thomas Viaduct as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

For more information about ASCE's Historic Civil Engineering Landmark Program, visit http://www.asce.org/about-civil-engineering/history-and-heritage/historic-landmarks.

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UMaine College of Engineering and Computing to build new facility on campus The Maine Campus – The Maine Campus

April 16, 2024 | Author: admin

The University of Maine College of Engineering and Computing (MCEC) was granted funding for the construction of a new facility on campus, which will begin in fall 2024. In January 2023, its Dean, Dr. Giovanna Guidoboni, led the establishment and development of the MCEC. The rationale for the college was previously developed by UMaine System leaders and several students, faculty, and staff members across the system with community input.

The new building actually is designed with the goal of enabling the convergence of engineering, computing, humanities, social sciences and so on, Guidoboni said. There will be new spaces where this convergence can actually take place. And also new classes and new programs that will be developed thanks to that.

The bold vision of UMS stems from a desire to collaborate across the system. Every campus has its strengths and serves different types of student populations. For instance, Guidoboni commends the material characterization labs, space applications and electrical circuits at the University of Southern Maine. UMaine Orono is known for its biomedical, computing and mechanical research. Students will achieve similar learning objectives working on their labs and then unite for larger projects.

Engineering and computing are disciplines that together can achieve much more than just the sum of their parts, said Guidoboni. Actually, their application and impact really stem from applied technologies. You could see, for example, in construction or the 3D printing of a boat or a house. Then the two new energy systems like offshore wind or solar panels. And then the design of the materials in them.

Aspects related to the social sciences or humanities will also play an important role in critical consideration of the findings. Questions such as How do you interact in a new workplace where you have people and robots? or How are innovations perceived by users? will be addressed as new technology is introduced to students and faculty. The reason for catalyzing convergence between engineering and computing is not only to intentionally combine disciplines but also to enable impact on a much broader spectrum.

Guidoboni emphasized that while a fundamental knowledge in math, chemistry and physics is true everywhere, exploring possibilities on how to join forces provides more opportunities for students. The objective is to bridge knowledge gaps in math and physics to provide students with an easier entryway into engineering or computing programs.

For the incoming class this year, we will have a Research Learning Experience that is called Charismathic to discover the charisma of math, Guidoboni said. We will have four sections here at UMaine and one section at USM. Students will be guided by different advisors but we will work together to actually show how they will be learning in their introductory classes. It will be impactful for the courses to come, for their research or the things that they could do in the workplace.

Space on the first floor will be accessible from the Collins Center for the Arts parking lot and function as an open environment similar to that of Ferland. A hands-on, immersive lab will be established on the right side. According to Guidoboni, students can learn how to use a printer with robotic arms that are not confined to specific methods or materials. Furthermore, censors will collect real-time data amidst printing for users to identify defects.

The primary purpose is to encourage interaction with the machine and redirect printing. It serves as an integration of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, material science and computing applying fundamental sciences including chemistry, physics and geometry in controlling the robot.

The second floor will have active learning classrooms, which open opportunities for group projects. Some team members may be downstairs in the lab while others work in classrooms upstairs. Participants can stay connected remotely with a computer to share data or use a commanding pad to communicate with members. Students can gain knowledge and experience upstairs and apply it to innovations downstairs.

In a sense, the innovative technologies that have been developed at ASCC in collaboration with many faculty across campus is driving the vision of the need for convergence of disciplines to lead to groundbreaking innovations, said Guidoboni. And the educational spaces in the new building like the labs and interactive classrooms will enable us to develop programs where students can experience and learn that from year one.

The new printer will scale up efforts for 3D printing regarding the house and boat on campus in contribution to the UMaine BioHome project. From the lab and interactive spaces, there will be an open view for visual connection to the larger printers.

What is really important to me is how we can have in the design process, in our programs and in our industry, a diverse group of people, Guidoboni said. The more perspectives you have, the more likely it is that we come up with solutions that are actually usable and effective and that are adoptable not only by a small segment of the population.

Guidoboni emphasized women in particular must feel that it is also a space for them. There will be a multipurpose room on the second floor to host activities for middle and high schoolers, such as workshops for girls in particular to show that engineering, computing and discovery-driven learning is for everyone.

Developers are in a position to alter plans as new advancements in technology and design arise throughout the next two years. One of the questions to be addressed is How can we build something that is not just for what we know now but for what could be in the future? It is one of the drivers of the design of the building. Guidoboni believes that technological advancements will originate from the building itself.

Should new technologies come along, we can twitch them, or we can upgrade them, Guidoboni said. The important thing, though, that will not change is that the space is open, it is inclusive, it is flexible, and you can access it both physically and visually.

UMaine facilities, including Boardman, Crosby, the Advanced Manufacturing Center and Geness will undergo a re-envisioning to make the spaces conducive to the MCEC vision of openness, collaboration and inclusivity. Guidoboni encourages students to share their wishes to help fuel capital plans. All perspectives are welcome.

I would like to emphasize how amazed I am by the enthusiasm and the passion and the energy of studentsAs I talk about the plans and the visions for the college and also for the building, what I find is eagerness for this to come and the many opportunities that we have in front of us, said Guidoboni.

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Full educational programme for Smart Manufacturing & Engineering Week announced – The Manufacturer

April 16, 2024 | Author: admin

The education programme for Smart Manufacturing & Engineering Week has been announced, with nearly 150 free-to-attend sessions taking place across eight solutions theatres during the live events on 5-6 June 2024 at Birminghams NEC.

The full programme of keynote presentations and other sessions is available at: http://www.mandeweek.co.uk/educational-content-2024. Visitors are encouraged to plan their programme in advance, and this can be easily done using the individual theatre exploration tools available on the website. There are eight solution theatres in total covering the topics of: Digital Transformation, IIoT & Connectivity, Industrial Data & AI, Innovation, Maintenance, Drives & Technology, Air-Tech Solutions, Fluid Power & Systems.

Highlights from the keynote presentations include Neelofar Ansari, Senior Manufacturing Engineer, BAE Systems, who is presenting on the intriguing topic of Human Augmentation: Connecting with Manufacturing Environments in the IIoT and Connectivity Theatre on day one. Additionally, Daniel Smalley from Siemens, along with Ian Clarke from InControl Systems, will talk about Demystifying Digitalisation and Growth on day two.

Meanwhile, in the Design & Innovation Theatre, Sam Tilley from Omron will be joined by Carl Diver from Manchester Metropolitan University to give a presentation on day one entitled How does the Skills Gap Affect the Future Technology Sector. Also, Roy Haworth, Head of Digital Mock Up Process and Implementation, Airbus Defence & Space will be talking about Using CAD data to drive data fusion and 3D visualisation on day two.

Elsewhere in the Drives & Technology Theatre, David Santos, Head of Manufacturing Engineering & Automation, Chelton will be talking about SMEs and Automation: Overcoming complexity and challenges during and after implementation whereas Krishna Mistry, VP of Series Engineering, Verge Motorcycles will be covering Agile Engineering Cycles: Optimising Design, Development, and Deployment in Manufacturing.

Also appearing in the Drives & Technology Theatre is David Barret-Hague from Schneider who will be joined by Grant Coffin from Rockwell Automation to give a presentation on day one entitled Industrial Automation Trends, Past Present and Future. This is followed on day two by Patrick Dion-Fehily from Mitsubishi Electrics who will be joined by Martyn Williams from COPA DATA to present The Importance of Sustainable Manufacturing.

Visitors to the Digital Transformation Theatre will be able to take in a presentation from Ian Kingstone, UK Director Strategy & Change, Columbus entitled: Turning Green into Gold: How manufacturers must harness ESG for both the planet and the bottom line.

Also happening in the Industrial Data and AI Theatre is a technical discussion that will include real data from robot applications including welding, aerospace drilling and additive manufacturing. Entitled How IONA improves robot performance and why this is essential for modern-day manufacturing and presented by Craig Davey, COO INSPHERE this session is suitable for anyone working within robots and automation.

Bringing together many of the common headaches in the maintenance sector is a presentation from Lewis Bratcher of ERIKS Industrial Services in the Maintenance Theatre entitled Improving productivity by changing the MRO supply chain dynamics. This presentation presents the findings of the 2023 Indirect Supply Chain Survey and the subsequent report, The MRO Supply Chain that was produced in association with the IET.

Meanwhile, in the Air-Tech Theatre Alice Quinn, Senior Manufacturing Technology Engineer, 3M will be talking about Why IT/OT Projects Fail whereas Ioana Hera, Head of Improvement, Rolls Royce will be presenting on Harmonising People, Skills, and Technology: The Path to Manufacturing Innovation and Efficiency.

Additionally, in the Fluid Power Theatre Colin Guttridge, Principal Manufacturing Engineer, Baker Hughes will be talking about Navigating the People and Skills Landscape in Manufacturing and Engineering whereas Dale Crow, Electricity & Automation Leader, Nestle will be covering Leveraging Technology to Maximise Functionality and Performance.

As well as the free to attend educational content there are also two summits that run alongside the exhibitions namely the Industrial Data and AI Summit and the Manufacturing Digitalisation Summit. Now in its 7th year the Industrial Data & AI Summit takes place on 5 June and focuses on Data Management and Data Insights. The structure of the summit includes four keynote presentations, a panel discussion and two 60-minute roundtable discussion sessions. The summit allows senior leaders to hear from the sectors most respected experts as well as to share their knowledge and experiences with their peers. The roundtable sessions offer a unique opportunity for in-depth discussions on topics ranging from Data Integration and Management to Developing a Data Driven Business to Generative AI.

Taking place on both the 5th and 6th June is The Manufacturing Digitalisation Summit. This summit includes eight keynote presentations, two panel discussions and four 60-minute roundtable discussion sessions. The Summit focuses on how digitalisation is changing the way in which products are designed, produced, used and maintained as well as transforming the operations, processes and energy footprints of factories and supply chains. This summit is broken down into two streams: the Enterprise stream is for those working within businesses with revenues more than 100m, while the Growth stream is for those less than 100m.

As well as the two summits, the Automation & Robotics Accelerator Symposium, taking place on 6 June, is intended for manufacturing executives interested in leveraging automation and robotics within their organisations. This half-day event, organised by The Manufacturer, focuses on the implementation and optimisation of automation to drive business growth. Its an essential event for those at any stage of automation integration, offering insights into best practices, technology deep dives, and the impact of automation on the workforce. Attendees will benefit from discussions on a range of sectors including aerospace, automotive, and FMCG.

In addition to the education programme a myriad of other activities will be taking place at Smart Manufacturing & Engineering Week. The main days are 56 June 2024 with Smart Factory Expo, Design & Engineering Expo and Maintec in Hall 4 at the NEC and Drives & Controls, Fluid Power & Systems and Air-tech in Hall 5.

Other exhibitions are also taking place at the NEC during the week, and these include TCT 3Sixty from Rapid News Group and Subcon from the Mark Allen Group. A single visitor registration to Smart Manufacturing & Engineering Week 2024 provides access to these co-located expos.

To register for a free pass, please visit: http://www.mandeweek.co.uk

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Tesla’s SVP of Engineering Drew Baglino and VP Rohan Patel leave the company amid news of 10% layoffs – Tesla Oracle – Elon Musk, Tesla, SpaceX News

April 16, 2024 | Author: admin

Tesla (TSLA) is facing a big loss of two top executives leaving the company today. This has happened amid news that the electric automaker is laying off 10% of its global workforce.

Teslas SVP of Powertrain and Energy Engineering Drew Baglino announced on X (Twitter) yesterday that he is leaving the company. For the last few years, Drew has been Elon Musks top guy in battery technology.

Drew Baglino left Tesla after an 18-year-long career at Tesla. He joined the company as an Electrical/Firmware in March 2006. It was a time when Tesla was just a small company and the 1st-generation Roadster was in its development phase. He helped build multiple components and firmware of the original Roadster during his first role at Tesla. He described his early achievements at Tesla on his LinkedIn profile as:

Part of a small group who completely re-architected the control electronics and firmware of the Roadster power electronics module. Led firmware development for motor, traction, and driveline control for the Roadster.

I made the difficult decision to move on from Tesla after 18 years yesterday, Drew Baglino posted on X (Twitter). I am so thankful to have worked with and learned from the countless incredibly talented people at Tesla over the years, he added.

After Drew, Teslas Vice President, Public Policy and Business Development Rohan Patel also posted his leaving note on X (Twitter). The past 8 years at Tesla have been filled with every emotion but the feeling I have today is utmost gratitude, Rohan wrote in his post.

Thanks for everything youve done for Tesla. Much appreciated, Elon Musk replied to Rohans post on X.

Tesla has lost two of its top performers in two different areas of the company. Drew Baglino was a powerhouse in its engineering and battery technology development and Rohan Patel was doing great on the business development side.

Rohan Patel joined Tesla in January 2017. This was a very difficult period at Tesa as the automaker was struggling with ramping up production of its newly-launched Tesla Model 3 midsize electric sedan. The years 2017 and 2018 are known at Tesla as Production Hell.

Rohan and Drew were both at Tesla during the Production Hell era and helped the company recover from it when the majority of Wall Street analysts were predicting the companys doom soon.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk sent the following email to all Tesla employees globally. A screenshot of which leaked on X through the Chinese social media.

Elon Musks email specifically mentions that the company is laying off 10% of its global workforce. According to Musk, the primary reason for these layoffs is cost reductions and increasing productivity.

Laying off 10% of the Tesla workforce equates to around 14,000 employees out of 140,473 total. Musk wrote to employees:

Over the years, we have grown rapidly with multiple factories scaling around the globe. With this rapid growth there has been duplication of roles and job functions in certain areas. As we prepare the company for our next phase of growth, it is extremely important to look at every aspect of the company for cost reductions and increasing productivity.

As part of this effort, we have done a thorough review of the organization and made the difficult decision to reduce our headcount by more than 10% globally. There is nothing I hate more, but it must be done. This will enable us to be lean, innovative and hungry for the next growth phase cycle.

I would like to thank everyone who is departing Tesla for their hard work over the years. Im deeply grateful for your many contributions to our mission and we wish you well in your future opportunities.It is very difficult to say goodbye.

For those remaining, I would like to thank you in advance for the difficult job that remains ahead. We are developing some of the most revolutionary technologies in auto, energy and artificial intelligence. As we prepare the company for the next phase of growth, your resolve will make a huge difference in getting us there.

Thanks, Elon

This was a general email sent to the entire company yesterday. The next emails were to be sent to employees who were laid off. One of such employees at the companys Fremont factory shared the following screenshot on Reddit.

The Tesla employee who posted the above email screenshot shared his experience on Reddit after getting the emails. According to him, at least 2 associates from every department and 1 supervisor from each shop at the Fremont factory were laid off.

I work at the Fremont Factory, and we got this email around 11:40 PM. Workers that got two emails instead of one, when it got sent, had got laid off. 2 Associate Per Department (From what we experienced) 1 Supervisor from all shops. We are all shocked, nervous, and scared; hoping we didnt get a second email. No one saw it coming, you knew because you didnt have access to the Tesla Systems, and you couldnt badge in through security.

Laid-off employees will be offered severance packages and benefits the same way it happened at Twitter in 2022. Elon Musk had already predicted earlier this year that 2024 will be a slow year for Tesla in terms of growth.

Teslas vehicle delivery numbers dropped by 20% QoQ in Q1 2024. However, this is not the case with Tesla alone, the US EV-makers archrival BYD from China lost 40% of its sales in the 1st quarter of 2024. With the rest of the year ahead, Tesla is adjusting itself for the next phase of growth. This also means that employees who havent been laid off will have to perform even better to meet Elon Musks standards.

Tesla (TSLA) share price has already dropped by more than 50% as of this writing. A Tesla share is trading at $162.26 (15 Apr, 3:06pm GMT-4).

Stay tuned for constant Tesla updates, follow us on: Google News|Flipboard|RSS (Feedly).

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Tesla's SVP of Engineering Drew Baglino and VP Rohan Patel leave the company amid news of 10% layoffs - Tesla Oracle - Elon Musk, Tesla, SpaceX News

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Why quantum computing is a threat to encryption, and what to do about it – New Hampshire Business Review

April 16, 2024 | Author: admin

Impacts of quantum computing threats of tomorrow will change how we use encryption today

Our business and personal lives depend on many things we do not often think about including encryption. Normally this area evolves under its own steam without most business decision-makers having to pay attention, but over the next few years that has to change or else you might inadvertently cede your secrets to adversaries both known and unknown.

A lot has been made of how quantum computing will change the world, but most of these pronouncements are long on hyperbole and short on actual details.

Quantum computing does have a great deal of promise and will eventually change the world in areas such as material science. The more immediate impact of a medium-scale quantum computer is the threat it and those that come after it will pose to how we all use encryption today. To make sense of this, and therefore understand how to mitigate the risk now, we have to back up and define some things.

Encryption today

As of this writing, there are two general types of encryption in use today: symmetric and asymmetric encryption. Symmetric encryption is when the sender and receiver both have the key that is used to encrypt and decrypt the protected data. This is used almost everywhere, but it is often enabled by the use of asymmetric encryption to exchange that key, given many parties need secure communications without meeting. The latter type is where quantum computers expose a major weakness.

Quantum computing

To make sense of this next part, your understanding of quantum computing does not have to go too deep, but you have to accept some strange truths in exchange. The best way to get through this is to remember the last superhero movie you saw and recall that to enjoy the film you had to suspend disbelief and not question how that person is flying or shooting lasers from body parts in ways that defy logic.

Quantum computing leverages the strange world of quantum mechanics, which fails to make sense when held to our day-to-day experiences. The bit to grasp is that a quantum calculation can evaluate all possible values at once rather than having to walk through each possible value one at a time the way a classical computer would have to approach a problem.

A brilliant mathematician at MIT named Peter Shor created an algorithm that could use this quantum weirdness to enable a sufficiently powerful quantum computer to break the hard math problem that lies at the heart of all mainstream asymmetric encryption in use today. We are all awaiting the day (or year) when a sufficient quantum computer breaks our encryption and guts our current security.

Post quantum encryption

Rather than just waiting for the end, the U.S. government has been busy evaluating replacement encryption mechanisms that can replace the soon-to-be vulnerable asymmetric mechanisms in use today. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is just about to crown Crystals Kyber and Crystals Dilithium (very geeky names indeed) as the heirs.

Swapping out your encryption is no easy task and will take time. The first step is to dig in and understand where you are using encryption in the first place, and then differentiating where the asymmetric encryption is employed. While not easy, this is likely the easiest part. Once you have completed this inventory, you have to make some complicated changes to code, ensure your vendors make these changes, or change solutions to a vendor who has, or soon will, make these changes.

Many pundits are assuring all who will listen that we have a long time before this threat becomes real, but that is, at best, wishful thinking and, at worst, a disaster in the making. The truth is we do not know. It could be 30 years, but many concede that it could be just a few years. It is not today or tomorrow, but it is so close that it is widely accepted that some threat actors are already storing encrypted data in anticipation of being able to use a future quantum computer to decrypt it. They are betting that this threat will come home to roost sooner rather than later. How will you bet?

Patrick Hynds is the CEO of DTS, a cybersecurity solutions provider in Derry.

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Why quantum computing is a threat to encryption, and what to do about it - New Hampshire Business Review

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Encryption shield installed to protect Chinese quantum computer from attack – South China Morning Post

April 16, 2024 | Author: admin

The new methods are to replace the conventional public-key cryptography system, which could be vulnerable in the face of quantum computers with powerful computing capabilities.

01:58

China denies accusations of state-sponsored hacking from US, UK and New Zealand

China denies accusations of state-sponsored hacking from US, UK and New Zealand

The report quoted Dou Menghan, deputy director of the Anhui Quantum Computing Engineering Research Centre, as saying the anti-quantum attack shield was developed and used for the first time by Origin Quantum, the developer of the computer named after the Monkey King of Chinese mythology.

This shows that Chinas home-grown superconducting quantum computer can play both offence and defence in the field of quantum computing, he said.

This is also an important exploration of the application of new data security technologies in China.

The third-generation Wukong is powered by a 72-qubit home-grown superconducting quantum chip, also known as the Wukong chip.

In January, the superfast computer opened remote access to the world, attracting global users from countries such as the US, Bulgaria, Singapore, Japan, Russia and Canada to perform quantum computing tasks.

In traditional computing, a bit is the basic unit of information that represents either zero or one. A quantum bit, or qubit, takes it a step further by being able to represent zero, one, or both simultaneously.

Lawmaker urges China to safeguard tech production chain for a quantum edge

Because quantum computers can simultaneously represent multiple possibilities, they hold theoretical potential for significantly faster and more powerful computation compared to the everyday computers we use now.

But the subatomic particles central to this technology are fragile, short-lived and prone to errors if exposed to minor disturbances from the surroundings. Most quantum computers operate in highly isolated and extremely cold environments to avoid disruption.

The normal operating temperature of the Wukong chip is close to absolute zero, or minus 273.15 degrees Celsius. It is stored in a special fridge before being installed in a vacuum environment for operation.

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Encryption shield installed to protect Chinese quantum computer from attack - South China Morning Post

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The best encrypted messaging apps in 2024 – Tom’s Guide

April 16, 2024 | Author: admin

The best encrypted messaging apps are ideal to protect your messages from any prying eyes, and even preserve your privacy against the very companies that make them.

That's because these apps come with encryption methods so heavy that even government agencies can't bust into them. The most common method is end-to-end encryption, which is used by Signal, Threema, WhatsApp and others meaning only the sender and recipient of a message can see its contents.

Apples iMessage protocol uses end-to-end encryption as well but its Messages app which is used to view encrypted messages also handles unencrypted SMS text messages. This makes it easy to get confused which is why youre better off using one of the best encrypted messaging apps instead if you want to ensure that all of your chats are secure. It's worth noting that Google's Messages app can also use end-to-end encryption but both people need to have RCS chats turned on.

These are the best encrypted messaging apps available right now for Android and iOS.

The best encrypted messaging app for most people

Cost: Free

Platforms: Android, iOS

Open source and encrypted

Disappearing messages

Can secure the app with a password

Phone number required for sign up

Signal is a fantastic messaging solution for security-conscious mobile users. It's a free all-in-one messaging, voice-call and group-chat solution that uses its own end-to-end encryption protocol.

You can send text messages, voice calls, group messages, media and attachments to your phone contacts, all without having to mess with PIN codes or special login credentials. Updates to the app have added user-friendly features such as custom wallpapers and animated stickers, and Signal group video chats can now have up to 40 participants.

All Signal messages can be set to self-destruct after a certain amount of time while a Chrome browser plugin lets you use Signal from your desktop as well. You can transfer Signal accounts from one Android phone to another and from one iOS device to another. In fact, you can even change phone numbers while keeping Signal account data as long as you're staying on the same device.

Signal's encryption protocol is so strong that WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger use it too. But unlike Facebook, Signal's parent company is a non-profit foundation created by an anarchist cryptographer and one of the founders of WhatsApp.

Ease of use and strong, open-source, regularly audited encryption makes Signal a favorite of the security-conscious, with accolades from Edward Snowden and other privacy advocates. User-friendliness without compromising on security makes Signal a fantastic option for users looking for an encrypted messaging and calling app. Here's our guide on how to use Signal.

Download Signal: Android, iOS

An increasingly popular cloud-based, secure messaging app

Cost: Free

Platforms: Android, iOS

Intuitive interface

Syncs seamlessly

End-to-end encryption isn't enabled by default

Like Signal and WhatsApp, Telegram lets users link their phone number to a Telegram account to send fast, encrypted messaging over the internet, with client-server encryption for standard chats.

But Telegram is much more than just a messaging service. It has grown into a worldwide social-media platform, with huge user groups and broadcasts that let accounts reach millions of followers in an instant. It has uses far beyond secure messaging.

However, end-to-end encryption is not enabled by default on Telegram. To get it, you'll have to switch to Secret Chat mode. You can set messages to self-destruct, share videos and documents and participate in group chats of up to 200,000 users.(Yes, Telegram really does support group chats that large.) However, chats with more than two participants won't be end-to-end encrypted.

A caveat? Telegram uses its own custom MTProto encryption rather than a more proven system. Here's our guide on how to use Telegram.

Download Telegram: Android, iOS

A secure messaging app many of your contacts likely already use

Cost: Free

Platforms: Android, iOS

End-to-end encryption

Messages and images can self destruct

Widely used

Requires phone number

Owned by Facebook

The world's most popular stand-alone chat and call app, WhatsApp has used Signal's end-to-end encryption protocol on all messages since 2016.

Its developers are continuously adding tweaks to the app's security and privacy features, such as fine-tuned group invitations and controls so that you're always aware who is reading your group chats.

The app is also testing transfers of chat history when switching between iOS and Android phones and using a single account on four different devices at once. Updates to WhatsApp have made it possible to have end-to-end-encrypted backups and have added the ability to make disappearing chats the default. You can also transfer your chat history from iPhone to Android, and the iOS beta suggests an Android-to-iPhone transfer feature is coming soon.

In 2014, WhatsApp was bought by Facebook, which later broke its promise that it wouldn't "monetize" the service which led its founders to leave and one of them co-founded Signal. Some WhatsApp user behavioral data is now shared with Facebook, which has created more demand for WhatsApp alternatives, but the messages remain entirely walled-off.

No matter who owns it, WhatsApp remains one of the easiest ways for anyone to use end-to-end encrypted messaging. If you're not comfortable with Facebook's presence, there are plenty of other options on this page.

Users who want to be absolutely sure about their security can verify each chat's 60-digit security-verification code or QR code that you can compare with a contact to ensure that your conversation is encrypted.You'll also want to make sure your messages are backed up with WhatsApp itself and not with Apple's iCloud.

Combined with WhatsApp's ubiquity, ease of use and the ability to send voice messages, photos, and video messages, and conduct group chats, makes for a robust and fully encrypted mobile-messaging app.

Download WhatsApp: Android, iOS

A private messaging app worth paying for

Cost: $3.99

Platforms: Android, iOS

End-to-end encryption

Private chats

No phone number or email required

Not free

Few advanced features

Threema is a very secure end-to-end encrypted messaging app that uses the NaCl cryptography library to protect your communications.

When you fire up the app, it generates a unique Threema ID key, allowing you to use the app completely anonymously no names required. Otherwise, you can associate your account with an email address or phone number, which makes it easier for other Threema users to find you.

You'll also get a scannable QR code that you can present to other Threema users if you meet in person but don't want to exchange names.

In addition to the usual raft of messaging features such as encrypted text, voice, picture, and video messaging, the app also includes file sharing (20MB per file), emojis, group messaging and a polling system for getting feedback from friends and contacts.

While some other secure-messaging apps that haven't reached WhatsApp or Telegram adoption levels have pivoted toward the enterprise market to stay afloat, Threema still has one foot planted firmly in the consumer market. Charging a few bucks for the app makes that financially possible.

So what's the downside? Threema hasn't really caught on in the English-speaking world, so you may have a hard time finding other users unless you speak German. But its impeccable security is well worth spending $4 for.

Download Threema: Android, iOS

Secure messaging and collaboration for businesses

Cost: Free

Platforms: Android, iOS

End-to-end encryption

Independently audited

Easy to use

Email or phone number required

No two-factor authentication (2FA)

Wire features end-to-end encryption for instant messages, voice and video calls, with support for GIFs, audio and video clips, and sketches, and local and Dropbox file sharing. The app also offers multiplatform cross-device syncing and support for multiple accounts, allowing you to separate personal and work communications.

Wire uses its own Proteus encryption protocol based on the Signal protocol, and its code is open-source and subject to external security audits. The mobile and web versions of the app are free, with a premium tier available for businesses.

The parent company, Wire Swiss, was originally founded and run out of Switzerland which is famous for its privacy laws. The holding company moved to the United States in 2019, which alarmed some users, but then moved to Berlin in early 2021.

Like Silent Circle and Wickr, the company seems to have retooled its website to appeal primarily to business users. But you can still get Wire's free consumer desktop software from the "Download" link at the bottom of the site's main page, and its mobile apps on the Play Store or App Store.

Download Wire: Android, iOS

Secure messaging, voice and video calls all in one place

Cost: Free

Platforms: Android, iOS

End-to-end encryption

Disappearing messages

Hidden chats

Syncs across desktop and mobile

Not as popular as it used to be

Viber offers end-to-end encryption on all platforms.Originally developed in Israel, the app is now owned and operated by Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten. It offers many of the same bells and whistles as Telegram, including stickers and communities, and, most recently, augmented-reality filters to jazz up selfies.

A neat feature for Viber is a color-coded lock icon to quickly show users how protected a conversation is (gray for encrypted communications, green for encrypted communications with a trusted contact, and red in the event that there is an issue with the authentication key). Viber has self-destructing Secret Chats, included in group chats and on its desktop app, plus a Hidden Chats feature for hiding chatrooms on a shared device.

All of this is in addition to Viber's solid mobile-messaging feature set which includes text, voice, and group messaging all tied to your phone number. The app and communications with other Viber users are free, but you'll have to pay a bit for calls to non-Viber users.

Download Viber: Android, iOS

Encrypted messaging from the social media giant

Cost: Free

Platforms: Android, iOS

End-to-end encryption

Disappearing messages

Hugely popular

Familiar interface

Sending encrypted messages could be more intuitive

The near-ubiquitous Facebook Messenger may not be the first app you think of when it comes to encrypted messaging, but the mobile versions of the app include end-to-end encrypted communication options in the form of Secret Conversations.

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The best encrypted messaging apps in 2024 - Tom's Guide

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