Recruitment, retention and development of high-calibre scientists is discussed with reference to the SET 2005 awards. Projects in the materials trophy judged by IOM3 were Self assembled peptide hydrogels for tissue engineering, Effect of grain refiner poisoning on intermetallic phase selection in 6XXX aluminium alloys and Superplasticity in magnesium alloys.
In the second of two articles looking at superplastic forming in the UK, Richard Curtis reports on work being carried out at King’s College London and in Japan that has enabled the formation of complex medical and dental prostheses.
Superplastic forming is a process that has been used since the 1960s for manufacturing complex, lightweight and strong components. In the first of two articles looking at the process, Materials World reviews the commercial growth of the technique in the UK and its use in the transport sector.
