Technology Briefs Feb. 17-24

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The Latest Headlines:


Aether to Outfit 2,400 CFI Trucks

Aether Systems Inc. said Feb. 19 that it has reached an agreement with Contract Freighters Inc. to outfit the Joplin, Mo.-based company’s entire 2,400-truck fleet with its MobileMax vehicle communication system.

The system automatically switches from land-based to satellite communications connection, Aether said.

The new hardware and software replaces a product from @Track, a company whose assets Aether bought in March 2002, Aether said.



Aether said that MobileMax transmits dispatch information, shipping and GPS data to and from trucks on the road. Transport Topics

( for the full press release.)


Clean Diesel Claims Tests Produced Lower Emissions

Clean Diesel Technologies said Monday that in several tests of commercial ultra low-sulfur diesel with its fuel-borne catalyst and emission control aftertreatment devices showed that up to 13% of nitrogen oxide and 90% of particulate matter could be eliminated from an engine’s emissions.

The company said more than a dozen tests were performed at the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio on a 1998 Detroit Diesel Series 60 diesel engine with ultra low-sulfur diesel fuel from New England, Texas and California.

Truck manufacturers have been searching for solutions to diesel emissions issues since the federal government began imposing tougher air-quality standards. Transport Topics

( for the full press release.)


Smithfield to Use Hog Waste to Produce Biodiesel

Pork producer Smithfield Foods Inc. said Feb. 21 it plans to build a $20 million facility to convert swine waste into biodiesel fuel.

The project, a collaboration with BEST BioFuel LLC, will be built near Smithfield’s swine production facility near Milford, Utah.

Biodiesel, which has been touted as a renewable, more environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum diesel, is fuel blended from biomass like animal fats or plants. Transport Topics

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