wiredInUSA February 2017

EDITOR

Fabrics could soon be generating electricity – thanks to the efforts of scientists at the US department of energy’s SLAC national accelerator laboratory. The team have used slivers of diamond to assemble electric wires just three atoms wide, paving the way for the electricity generating fabrics. The atoms are put together ‘Lego-style’ and could potentially be used to build tiny wires for applications using both electricity and light, and for materials conducting electricity without any loss. See page 9 for the full story. Everyone knows there is a new president in town – and there’s also a new one occupying the hot seat at the Wire Association International. David Hawker took over as 64 th president of the association on 1 st January. During his one- year term he will also serve as chairman of the board of directors, and serve on the WAI’s conference programming committee. He currently works as vice president and general manager of Nexans Energy Cable North America. Turn to page 11 for the full details. Southwire is closing its manufacturing facility in Flora, Illinois, although it will operate at a limited capacity until the fourth quarter of this year. The company’s plan also includes moving operations at the Dallas customer service center in Arlington, Texas, to Denton, Texas. Find all the details on page 12.

David Bell Editor

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wiredInUSA - February 2017