The range of uses rare earth ions provide for technological development
are seemingly endless. Professor Daniel Hewak, head of the Novel Glasses
for Optoelectronic Devices Research Group at The University of
Southampton, UK shows how this valuable commodity is already changing
the world.
Azrul Mutalib and Hong Hao from The University of Western Australia show
how pressure-impulse diagrams for fibrereinforced polymer-strengthened
concrete columns can be used to predict failure behaviour.
Charlotte Meeks, Senior Scientist, and Andy Foreman, Principal Scientist
at QinetiQ, UK, discuss shape memory alloy reinforced composites in
delivering reduced foreign object damage for aircraft.
Composites that can store electrical energy while also performing a
structural function could offer dramatic weight savings for devices and
vehicles. Dr Emile S Greenhalgh outlines the progress of research into such
materials.
Although unmanned aerial vehicles save lives, their development and
manufacture can be costly. Andrew Mills, Principal Research Fellow in
Composites Manufacturing, from Cranfield University, UK, proposes
solutions.
Making buildings and structures safer in the event of a terrorist attack
is key to national security. Scientists from the University of Bath, UK, explore how to predict the
behaviour of reinforced concrete columns that are strengthened with
fibre-reinforced polymers.
Modern personal protective combat clothing has evolved through impact
simulation, and improved material strength and behaviour. Professor Ian
Horsfall and Dr Debra Carr at the Impact and Armour Group at Cranfield
University outline the developments and challenges.
Transparent glass matrix composites for use in high resistance
structures and security windows are being explored by a team at Imperial
College London.
