NanoSteel wins fifth R&D 100 award from R&D Magazine

NanoSteel's unassuming applications engineering shop on Shoup Avenue, in downtown Idaho Falls.

Nanosteel, a 10-year-old company with its roots in the Idaho National Laboratory, has received its fifth R&D 100 award from R&D Magazine.

This year, the company has been recognized for NPM 3100, a new class of high-strength nano-structured stainless steel in powdered form. Because the steel molecules of this substance are 10 times smaller than the molecules in any other stainless steel on the market, parts made from it are much more resistant to corrosion and wear.

Nanosteel's corporate headquarters are in Providence, R.I., but its research and development and applications engineering take place at two locations in Idaho Falls, one off Hitt Road and the other downtown, across Shoup Avenue from the Frosty Gator. The company was started by Dan Branagan, who took processes and patents he developed at the INL and spun them out for licensing to industry.

Company spokesman Greg Nixon said NPM 3100 is already for sale, but a full product rollout still has to take place. He said it should be particularly useful in the oil and gas industry for pipeline and slurry valves. The company has also been involved in "hard banding" metallic coatings for drill pipes.

NanoSteel employs 13 full-time people in Idaho Falls. "Everything originates in Idaho," Nixon said.

Earlier this week, the company announced it has developed three classes of advanced high-strength steel that will give automakers new ways to safely stretch steel in the design of lighter, more fuel-efficient vehicles. “Previously, sheet steel made of nano-structures was considered too brittle (no elongation) to form the shapes required for automotive parts," Branagan said. NanoSteel’s materials are based on newly discovered mechanisms to form nano-structures during production which eliminate the cause of this brittleness.”

By using conventional steel processes and avoiding the use of exotic alloying elements, it also should allow the auto industry to continue using the steel industry’s existing infrastructure. This would preserve scale and efficiencies that would be lost by switching to other lightweight materials with higher costs, longer cycle times and limited availability.

Relay for Life approaching; businesses encouraged to 'go purple'

Idaho Falls may notice something different around town next week with the appearance of purple-painted windows, decorations on homes and businesses and banners in support of the Bonneville County Relay for Life.

The American Cancer Society fundraiser is scheduled for July 13 and 14 at Thunder Stadium near Bonneville High School. Teams in our community have been raising funds throughout the year with car washes, garage sales, fashion shows, dinners, "Dancing With the Idaho Falls Stars," etc.

The American Cancer Society is aware that many small local businesses and individual people do not have a lot of money to support Relay For Life. Nevertheless, there are many different ways to get involved at little or no cost.

Paint the Town Purple was created to help generate cancer awareness in fun and creative ways. Businesses and individuals can show support without spending a lot of money but by simply showing some purple pride, said Liza Leonard of Ball Ventures, who is chairing the effort.

Starting Monday, local businesses are encouraged to decorate their offices, shops and restaurants as creatively as they want with the official Relay For Life color, purple. "We are not all personally affected by cancer, but if we come together we can help raise the spirits of those battling with the disease and restore hope for many," Leonard said.

If you have any questions or ideas, call her at 208-201-4133 or email lizaleonard@hotmail.com.

Better communication = More sales; want to know more?

What's $15 bucks to you if it will help you turn around a huge sale?

You have until 4 p.m. this afternoon to make your reservation to have lunch and hear from Brent Bean, a communications professor and organizational guru at BYU-Idaho who will be talking to the Idaho Falls Advertising Federation about overcoming barriers, better teamwork, seeing processes differently and communicating more effectively.

"It's a can't miss," said Lisa Fischbach of MCS Advertising, who lined Bean up to speak. "No matter how far you are into your career these types of communication issues can creep up and confound our efforts. I chose this speaker specifically because I need the help, and I hope to see you there."

The lunch is at 11:30 a.m. at the Whitewater Grill, 355 River Parkway. Cost is $12.50 to members, $15 to non-members, $5 for lemonade and learn. RSVP to Tina@mightymcs.com.

Here's a happy family at last year's Idaho Falls Fourth of July parade. According to the caption where we found this photo (engineergirls.blogspot.com), we have (from left) Pooh Bear, Drama, E-man, Roo, The Boss, Grandma Tina and Bea. In back are brand-new cousin Roman with his dad.   

Summer begins this evening, which means the Fourth of July is not far away. As usual, Idaho Falls will offer a lot to do on Independence Day. Much will be very familiar to anyone who's lived here for a year or more, but let's have a look at the schedule.

The Military Affairs Committee will start the day with the Firecracker 5K Fun Run, 7:15 a.m. at Tautphaus Park. Registration forms can be found at www.idahofallschamber.com.

(Personal note: Last year, I did this in slightly more than half-an-hour. This year, I need to do some serious roadwork in the next two weeks if I hope to finish at all.)

Once the run is over, South Boulevard will be cleared for the State of Idaho's largest Fourth of July parade. Beginning in the Idaho Falls High School parking lot, the route goes down Fourth Street, left on South Boulevard and all the way to Tautphaus Park.

At 9 a.m., classic cars and Idaho Falls Police Department will start the parade, the theme of which is "Pride in Patriotism.” There are 106 floats signed up, and more 50,000 people are expected to line the route. The chamber is excited to announce the return of the El Korah Kart Kore, the Mountain River Ranch Shootout, Snake River BMX Bike Club and D.A.R.E./Dr. Slaughters.

This year’s marshals include Officer Malin Reynolds and Capt. Mark McBride (City of Idaho Falls Police Department); Corp. Peter Sibus (Idaho State Police); Sgt. Jeff Edwards (Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office); Tyler Weddle (Idaho Falls Fire Department); Mark Pitcher (Idaho Falls Emergency Medical Technician); and Tami Lords (Air Idaho Rescue). There will be helicopter and jet fly-overs from Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, Utah Helicopter, National Guard Gowen Field and Hill Air Force Base.

The AT&T Liberty Festival on the Falls bridges the gap between the parade in the morning and the fireworks in the evening. Sponsored by Snake River Landing, Melaleuca and Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, it will be on Memorial Drive between Broadway and E Street. More than 25 food vendors and 50 businesses, including arts and crafts vendors, will showcase their products and services during the festival. Classic cars will line the center of Memorial Drive from noon until 4:30 p.m. There will be games, pie and watermelon eating contests for children and adults, Play-N-Trade video game competition, and Apple Athletic Club volleyball and basketball challenges. Onstage, there will be music by the Old Time Fiddlers, Happyville, 40 Something Band, Affection Collection, and dance performances by Ballet Folklorico del Sol.

In the evening comes the fireworks display, presented as the Melaleuca Freedom Celebration, frequently billed as the largest fireworks display west of the Mississippi River. I don't know how a claim like this is ever substantiated, or even how such a thing could be done. I do know, however, that Idaho Falls' fireworks show has a reputation as one of the big ones and it draws tens to thousands of people to town. Here's a little bit of video from last year's show, brought to you through the modern miracle of YouTube:

Want to know more? Go to the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce Web site, www.idahofallschamber.com, for a complete schedule of events.

New business aims to offer live "Call of Duty" style action

A city skyline silhouette goes up on the wall of Idaho Tactical Games, which opens Friday.

Idaho Tactical Games, 546 W. 21st St., will be holding a grand opening Friday.

Located on West 21st, just off Rollandet Avenue, the business aims to combine the action-packed world of first-person shooter video games like "Call of Duty" with adrenalin pumping, heart pounding physical activity.

Owner Mike DeFord has set up his business in an indoor facility that features the layout of a war-torn city, with buildings, bunkers, oil barrels and fences. Visitors can play paintball, airsoft or a new version of laser tag that uses real paintball guns and is similar to the military’s Laser Engagement System.

No matter which activity they choose, players battle their way through the streets, eliminating members of the other team and completing objectives. Players that work as a team and communicate are usually the winners.

“Team building and sportsmanship are two of our fundamentals here," DeFord said. "We focus on providing an A-plus experience for all players. The facility is designed to entertain new players with little or no experience and challenge veteran players, as well as being the ideal training facility for law enforcement and military personnel.”

The full-service facility includes an indoor playing field, pro shop and snack bar, and is open six days a week. For their grand opening, they are offering free field fees through June 28.

More information is available at http://www.idahotacticalgames.com/Info.html, and the Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/pages/Idaho-Tactical-Games/462674093759837