Phoenix National Laboratories

Material analysis- it’s how we really look into the substructure of materials. Now, material analysis is like being a detective for… stuff! It’s all about figuring out what things are made of and how they behave. Picture it: we’ve got all these different materials around us, like metals, plastics, rocks. And they each have their own unique properties like strength, flexibility, and conductivity. So, to analyze a material, we put it under the microscope and run tests on it. We might zap it with lasers, squash it, heat it up, or even dunk it in chemicals to see how it reacts. Each of these tests gives us clues about the material's structure and composition. The newsletter article can be found at: https://lnkd.in/gEuQbPjv

Imagine you're a detective who’s looking for tiny cracks and flaws hiding in metal surfaces. But instead of a magnifying glass, we're using magnetism! First, we magnetize the metal object we’re testing. If there’s a crack or a defect on the surface, something strange happens. The magnetic field kind of leaks out of that crack, creating what's called a flux leakage field that doesn’t flow smoothly. So, magnetic particle testing is a way to find hidden cracks in metals using magnets and iron particles. Pictured here is wet fluorescent magnetic particle used for header examination in a coal power plant. You can read the article on PNL’s unknown services: https://lnkd.in/gVW-ayZs  

When a medical device makes it to the hospital, you know it’s been through a gauntlet of science! We’re entering the wild world of materials testing in the medical device field – you know, the stuff that makes sure medical devices are safe, strong, and ready for action! Imagine a hip implant; it’s like the MVP of body parts! Every step, jump, and dance move puts stress on it. Scientists mimic these movements in the lab by putting materials under intense pressure, bending, twisting, and stretching them to see if they can handle it. You can read the article on FTIR/micro analysis testing in our newsletter: https://lnkd.in/gBqhqazR #FTIR

You know, when people dig deep underground for coal, minerals, and all sorts of valuable stuff. Sounds pretty cool, right? But it's also super dangerous! That’s why we have the MSHA—the Mining Safety and Health Administration. It's like a superhero team for miners! Their mission? To make sure every miner goes home safe and sound. MSHA steps in with training programs, inspections, and special rules to help keep miners safe. They teach miners about using protective gear like helmets, goggles, and masks to protect them from all those hazards. And it doesn’t stop there! MSHA also makes sure the equipment in the mines is safe and working properly, so accidents don’t happen. Read the article on PNL MSHA training at: https://lnkd.in/dAebvmVa #MSHA

Did you know Arizona is booming with copper mining activity? That's right, copper – it's not just for pennies! This state is loaded with copper-rich rocks, and mining companies are on the hunt for the valuable metal to use in all kinds of tech. Think about it – the copper in your phone, in your computer, and even in electric cars? It could all be from Arizona! Now, what makes copper so awesome? It’s an incredible conductor of electricity, which means it’s the go-to metal for wiring and circuits. But that’s not all! Copper is also in demand for renewable energy, especially in wind turbines and solar panels. As the world looks to go greener, copper is one of the shining stars that helps make clean energy happen! Read the article about Arizona’s booming copper industry: https://lnkd.in/gHn9TMmv #MSHA

Today, we’re talking about the exciting world of acquisitions—when one company buys another. So, what’s the big deal? Let’s break it down! First up, synergy! That’s a fancy word for when two companies come together, and the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts. -Suddenly, you have something bigger and better than you started with! Then, we have resources, resources, resources! When a company is acquired, it often gets access to a larger pool of funds, technology, and expertise. It’s like upgrading your bicycle to a rocket ship. You can go faster, further, and do more amazing things! Next is market expansion. Let’s say you’re a small company operating in just one country. After the acquisition, you might suddenly be part of a global network. It’s like building a bridge to a whole new world of customers and markets. You can read the newsletter article on PNL joins ATS at: https://lnkd.in/gHKJWJky 

Today we’re going underground! That’s right—we’re diving deep into the world of underground mining. Now, mining is like a giant treasure hunt, but instead of finding coins or jewelry, we’re looking for valuable rocks and minerals—things like copper, gold, coal, or even diamonds! We create tunnels and shafts to get to those precious resources. The miners drill, blast, or use giant digging machines. Once they reach the mineral-rich zones, they start extracting it. How do they keep the tunnels from collapsing? They build supports with timber, steel, or even concrete to make sure the mine stays safe. It’s like building a secret underground city, with all the walls and ceilings reinforced so nothing comes tumbling down. Read the article Trials and Tribulations in underground mining at: https://lnkd.in/en_Ta-eQ

The October 2024 Quality Examiner outlines PNL’s support of the Arizona copper mining industry, presents a Tech Talk conversation about the underground mine experience, depicts the details of UTPA testing on mining equipment, takes another look at our MSHA training offering, and analyzes mine equipment asset code applications. Extra extra read all about it! The newest Quality Examiner edition: https://lnkd.in/g2PZNYYd

There’s more to it than meets the eye — quality testing! And yeah, I know, nondestructive testing, or NDT, is the cool kid on the block. It’s like using X-ray vision on your materials without destroying them! But hold on- there’s a whole lot more to quality testing than just NDT! First up, there’s tensile testing — this is where we grab a material by both ends and pull it apart until it snaps! Why? Because we need to know its breaking point — the exact moment it says, 'No more!' Then there’s pressure testing — hydrostatic and pneumatic- leak, proof and burst. But wait, there’s even more! We’ve got load testing — we put materials through cycles of stress, bending and flexing them over and over. It’s like running a marathon versus sprinting. Can it handle repeated use, or is it gonna give up after 10 laps? Read the Quality Examiner Newsletter article at: https://lnkd.in/gVW-ayZs