As a result of its unique properties, aluminum has been of key importance in many of the developments of the past century. Why only a century or so? Because although aluminum is the most abundant metallic element in the earth’s crust (8%), metallic aluminum was produced for the first time just 200 years ago.

The following is a complete list of feature articles that appeared in the pages of Industrial Heating in 2011.

Are you up to speed with nanotechnology? Nanotechnology, which is literally the understanding and control of materials on an atomic or molecular scale, has the potential for major improvements in a variety of applications. For this reason, the U.S. government has invested more than $10 billion dollars in nanotechnology over the past decade.

Listen to Industrial Heating's podcast from December 15, 2011.

Listen to Industrial Heating's podcast from December 1, 2011.

To fish, you need the right equipment, which definitely includes a hook. Have you noticed there are hooks of various sizes and shapes, some with barbs and some without? Why do the differences exist?

Listen to Industrial Heating's podcast from November 17, 2011.

Listen to Industrial Heating's podcast from November 3, 2011.

Without heat treatment, many of the products we use daily, and take for granted, would need to be designed differently or would not function as effectively. One of these is the automotive seat-belt clasp.

Listen to Industrial Heating's podcast from October 20, 2011.