— SHINE Technologies plans to offer a new radiation testing service to the aerospace and defense industries.
The service will be provided at a dedicated facility at SHINE’s Janesville campus, where customers’ “mission-critical” components will be tested for susceptibility to radiation.
Objects in outer space are constantly exposed to cosmic radiation, as they don’t have the protection of Earth’s atmosphere. According to a release from the company, neutron radiation poses a major risk to electronics, both through long-term cumulative effects and instances of exposure.
The company says such effects can “prove catastrophic” for spacecraft, satellites and other defense and aerospace systems. By conducting radiation effects testing on components before they’re used, SHINE aims to reduce those risks.
The testing service is called FLARE, which stands for Fusion Linear Accelerator for Radiation Effects. The company expects to begin offering it later this year, the release shows
SHINE founder and CEO Greg Piefer notes the components that will be tested “are relied on to protect life, ensure mission effectiveness, and reinforce the defense of our country.” He says the new service will enable faster and more accurate testing than was previously available.
See an earlier story on the company: https://www.wisbusiness.com/2022/shines-medical-isotope-facility-set-to-go-online-next-year/
See a recent story on the Midwest space industry: https://www.wisbusiness.com/2023/chicago-nonprofit-touting-potential-of-midwest-space-industry/
— Members of a watershed protection group based in Lafayette County have nearly tripled the number of acres covered by conservation practices, according to a recent release.
After launching about seven years ago, the Lafayette Ag Stewardship Alliance now includes 36 farm members in southwestern Wisconsin that collectively have more than 40,000 animals, including cows, beef cattle and pigs. The group works with environmental groups, university researchers and others to pilot conservation practices such as cover crops, soil sampling and nutrient management.
Since 2018, the number of acres covered by conservation practices among alliance members has grown from 75,946 to 218,969.
Last year alone, members planted 13,251 acres of cover crops, which is equal to about 10,000 football fields, the release shows. Plus, members also practiced reduced soil tillage on 32,841 acres last year.
Based on the latest modeling analysis, these and other practices last year prevented an estimated 184,109 pounds of phosphorus from leaving farm fields. Just one pound of phosphorus in a lake or stream can cause up to 500 pounds of algae to grow, reducing water quality.
Meanwhile, conservation practices also reduced sediment erosion by an estimated 101,921 tons. By comparison, a mid-sized dump truck can carry about 10 tons of sediment. And they reduced carbon dioxide equivalents by an estimated 14,937 tons — equal to 2,920 fewer cars on the road. Those figures came from DATCP, Farmers for Sustainable Food and The Nature Conservancy, per the release.
See more in the release: https://www.wisbusiness.com/2023/lafayette-ag-stewardship-alliance-cover-crops-provide-soil-and-feed-savings-on-cooper-family-farm/
— The Wisconsin Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association is rebranding itself as the Wisconsin Fuel and Retail Association.
According to a release yesterday, the change aims to “better align with the evolution of the fuel and retail industry.”
The group was founded in 1926 and has since grown to more than 300 members operating at least 2,000 stores in the state. Members collectively employ nearly 30,000 workers, the release shows.
“As our membership continues to evolve, and similar rebranding is being done across the country, we felt like the timing was right for the change,” WFRA President and CEO Matthew Hauser said in a statement. “We look forward to remaining a strong voice and resource for our industry.”
See the new website here: https://wfra.org/
— Milwaukee’s port anticipates another record or near-record year impact from the cruise industry as Great Lakes cruises continue to increase in popularity.
“For one, there’s a new market,” Jackie Carter, director of Port Milwaukee, said on WISN’s “UpFront,” produced in partnership with WisPolitics.com. “So they’re building bigger vessels. Viking has now built ships that are specific for Great Lakes cruising, so they’re the biggest vessels that can come into the seaway.”
In 2022, Milwaukee welcomed a record 13,611 cruise passengers, many from international roots. Their arrival will include a new south shore cruise dock, funding that included $3.5 million from a state tourism grant.
Carter said she also expects opening the port’s new Agricultural Maritime Export Facility in May. Officials estimate the terminal will generate $63 million each year in statewide impact.
“That means that the farmers and producers and growers in the state and the region have an avenue to get their products to market,” Carter said. “We expect that we’re going to have products that will be going over to Europe, some products to Africa, so those are the markets that we’re looking at.”
See more from the show: https://www.wisn.com/upfront
<br><b><i>Top headlines from the Health Care Report … </b></i>
— Republican lawmakers have circulated a bill that would expand health care facilities’ obligation to allow visitors for patients and residents.
Meanwhile, Attorney General Josh Kaul says Department of Justice attorneys will be reviewing materials and holding moot court practice in preparation for the May 4 hearing challenging the state’s 1849 abortion law.
<i>For more of the most relevant news on COVID-19, reports on groundbreaking health research in Wisconsin, links to top stories and more, sign up today for the free daily Health Care Report from WisPolitics.com and WisBusiness.com.</i>
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#TOP STORIES#
# 150 police calls, 7 in one day: Life at Madison’s ‘M Block’ apartments
# Universities in Wisconsin and beyond line up to serve those impacted by Cardinal Stritch University closure
# Wisconsin-themed golf apparel business wins top prize on Project Pitch It
#TOPICS#
# AGRIBUSINESS
– Wisconsin agriculture industry struggles with labor shortage
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=443&yr=2023
# CONSTRUCTION
– Regency Mall redevelopment spurred by Racine and Hull Property Group $39.4 million agreement
– Rural bridge collapse sparks calls for statewide inventory, safety assessment
# EDUCATION
– Cardinal Stritch closure will cost 476 employees their jobs
– New Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center opens April 24 at UW-Madison
– Tour the new Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center at UW-Madison
# ENVIRONMENT
– Mississippi River flooding reaching record-high levels, still rising along western Wisconsin
# HEALTH CARE
– Eau Claire planning more uses for ARPA funds
# MANUFACTURING
– Krones Inc. planning to acquire majority stake of Ampco Pumps Company
– Steele Solutions moves HQ from Franklin to South Milwaukee
# POLITICS
– Dairy farmers share priorities with lawmakers in capitol hill meeting
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=442&yr=2023
# REAL ESTATE
– Steele Solutions, Inc. selects South Milwaukee as new corporate headquarters
– Steele Solutions moves HQ to former Bucyrus campus in South Milwaukee
– Ballpark Commons team and former Mandel exec create development firm with projects in Franklin, Cudahy
– Mayor finalizes $15.75 million for Vel R. Phillips Plaza as city seeks restaurant operator
# RETAIL
– Wisconsin’s remaining Bed Bath & Beyond stores on brink of closure under bankruptcy
# PRESS RELEASES
<i>See these and other press releases:
https://www.wisbusiness.com/press-releases/ </i>
