Everything Material in Material Science

On October 6, 2025, NSL’s Dr. Ross Cunningham presented at the ASTM International Conference on Advanced Manufacturing (ICAM) in Las Vegas. Dr. Cunningham joined more than 1,100 scientists, engineers and industry leaders from 35 countries who attended the flagship event for additive and advanced manufacturing. Below is a summary of Dr. Cunningham’s presentation.   The…

A lot has changed in the past 18 years in the materials testing and technology industries. Just ask Roxanne Skinner, Director of Analytical Lab Operations at NSL Analytical Services, Inc. During her time at NSL, Roxanne has been witness to many developments in testing methods, advancements in technology and even the materials themselves with the…

The aerospace sector must operate with an unwavering commitment to quality, safety, and performance. From the smallest fasteners to large load-bearing structural beams, every aircraft component must meet the most stringent standards and comply with regulations before it can be certified airworthy.   Comprehensive materials testing forms the foundation of this assurance. It verifies that each…

At NSL Analytical, our people and their expertise have been the most vital part of our success over the past 80 years. That is why we are kicking off the new NSL Analytical Staff Spotlight Series with the Director of Science and Technology at NSL, Dr. Ross Cunningham.  We were delighted to take a deeper…

This year marks a significant achievement for NSL Analytical Services, Inc., as we celebrate our 80th year in business!   From new technologies, emerging markets and investing in new facilities, NSL has evolved a lot over the past eight decades – all while staying true to our core mission.   “Like many legacy companies, ours began with…

Reliable and predictable powder behavior is critical to the success of Additive Manufacturing (AM) processes. As this industry continues to grow and applications become more demanding, new testing methods are being developed to ensure your powder meets specifications and behaves the right way every time.  Additive manufacturing is quickly becoming the go-to process for complex,…

How can manufacturers trust that their powders will result in a quality, high-performing product? Powders can pose unique challenges to characterize, because unlike most materials where you’re dealing with one solid material, you need to describe millions – or even billions – of tiny individual particles that contribute to a collective property or behavior. No…

Earning accreditations is a critical asset for a third-party materials testing lab because it provides independent validation of technical competence, impartiality, and consistent operation. Here at NSL Analytical, we understand these certifications bolster the trust and reliability our customers expect. Industry accreditations give our clients confidence, knowing that their test results are consistently accurate, dependable,…

Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) and LECO (Combustion Analysis and Inert Gas Fusion) testing are the leading industry methods for testing the elemental composition of metals, ceramics, and other materials. Each brings a unique capability to accurately and repeatably generate reliable testing results on various materials. When used in conjunction, however, they allow manufacturers and engineers…

The materials behind today’s products matter as much – or more – than the design itself. Whether for standard components for heavy machinery or complex parts for mission-critical applications, material performance and integrity can mean the difference between meeting strict compliance standards and missing your important timeline goals. This is where objective materials testing from…