Researchers at NASA's Langley
Research Center in
Hampton and AeroTech Research of Newport News,
developed an automatic in-flight turbulence reporting
system for use on aircraft. The system broadcasts turbulence
reports to other aircraft and ground stations for flight
planning purposes. The Turbulence Auto-PIREP System
is being tested on Delta passenger jets. (Press
release)
Afton Chemical Corp., a Richmond-based chemical
products developer, introduced a new tractor hydraulic
fluid additive intended to extend the working life
of high-performance agricultural and construction equipment. (Business
Wire)
Dan River Inc., a Danville textile manufacturer,
received a patent for a new process to manufacture
fabric designed to trap odors in such a manner that
they would be released only in the washing process.
Dan River intends to develop a number of products related
to the new fabric. (Press release)
Flooring Adventures Inc. of Richmond, a developer
of commercial flooring materials, introduced a line
of flooring for use in aviation environments. The Tuff-Seal
Aviation Flooring line is a interlocked system of secure,
watertight and seamless flooring surfaces for hangars,
workshops, basements and other areas. The tiles will
not chip or break and can be removed and re-laid as
needed. (Press release)
Northrop Grumman Newport News,
a Newport News shipyard and major defense contractor,
marked a milestone
in development of the Navy's next-generation aircraft
carrier by cutting the first pieces of steel for CVN
78, the lead ship of the CVN 21 program. Overall construction
on the vessel will begin in 2007 with a price tag of
$8 billion. (Press release)
