The prospect of creating new tools continues to inspire innovators, engineers and designers around the world to share their know-how and help make affordable products efficient.

This month's Letters to the Editor concern the recent article "Myth v. Fact" and the GE-Hitachi Prism reactor.

This month, News & Notes includes "Play a Plant," "Electric Latitudes?" and "Three Coal Plants Switching to Biomass."

The May 2011 Computing section includes "Human Moves," "Ship Finder" and "Stress Buster."

Materials & Assembly is the theme of this month's Tech Focus column, which features "Robot Maker to the Stars" and "Laser Metal Sintering: The Course."

Recently published books for engineers and those interested in engineering.

One of the first security codes was probably the combination lock, which dates back to the Roman Empire.

A second look at a piece of sculpture led to a promising technology.

Jet engines dominate the gas turbine industry, but other sectors are also primed for growth.

Boiling water reactors of the Fukushima vintage were constructed with multiple, overlapping alternatives for removing decay heat during shutdown situations.

By reaching kids at the critical age, the culture of innovation and creativity may be revived.

Nuclear stockpile stewardship is a simulation challenge.

The ASME standard for verification and validation in computational solid mechanics is helping research organizations come up with scientific and engineering innovations.

News from the ASME Nuclear Engineering Division for May 2011.

The IronCAD Design Collaboration Suite and SolidWorks 2011 are featured in this month's Software Exchange section.

New Products this month include a power measurement device, top-entry agitators and a pressure-reducing valve.