Here’s what we know about Tremont, Illinois: It’s a small village in Tazewell County, (population 2,400+), holds an annual summer turkey festival (quite popular) and the courthouse is a famous historic site where politician James Shields challenged an “up-and-coming” lawyer named Abraham Lincoln to a duel with cavalry broad swords (they showed up, but the duel never materialized). In 2016, you can add FIRST Robotics Competition World Champion to the village’s rather eccentric list of accomplishments.

In 1941, the federal Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory set up shop in Cleveland, Ohio. This year, and several name changes later, what is now the NASA Glenn Research Center celebrates its 75th anniversary. As part of the year-long festivities, Glenn’s adjunct Lewis Field main campus will be open to the public May 21 and 22, and Plum Brook Station in Sandusky, Ohio will hold its open house June 11 and 12.

For Mark Findlay of UK specialist driveline consultancy Drive System Design, reducing gear noise to suit the low noise levels in an electric vehicle cabin has meant throwing away the rule book.

A reader asks: I have heard that new axles no longer need a break-in period. True or false?

It is a simple fact: better lubrication can lead to dramatic energy savings and an improved bottom line. This ought to interest any plant manager who is looking for ways to reduce operating costs, and it is especially significant at a time when stricter government regulations are in direct contradiction to reducing costs. Lubrication reliability is the solution; this article will describe how manufacturing plants can use “lubrication reliability best-practices” to reduce their energy consumption, emissions and operating costs—all at the same time.

Energy-challenged industries--and countries--can benefit from improved motor design and materials.