Polyethylene pipe systems may provide solutions for the global water challenge. It is argued that they are cost effective accross the lifecycle and that ease of laying offers environmental benefits.
Professor Dame Julia Higgins, former Principal of the Faculty of Engineering at Imperial College London, UK, explains neutron scattering with reference to the £200m second target station to complement the
existing neutron source at ISIS, UK, which will be optimised for the production of
long-wavelength neutrons.
The Microscale Polymer Processing initiative links industry research groups to eight university teams with
expertise in physics, chemistry, engineering, mathematics and computer
science. The aim was to design new plastics at the molecular
level, with all the subsequent processing and product properties
targetted from the design of the polymerisation itself. The group now knows the basic rules connecting molecular structure to
process performance in polymer melts, and how to tailor the rules for
any chemistry of polymer chain.
When first developed, pneumatic tyres used vulcanised natural rubber (polyisoprene), synthetic rubber took over and now advances in materials science offer tyre manufacturers the chance to significantly reduce their environmental impact, making a product that is ‘greener’ in terms of manufacture and service.
David Read is determined to secure a fair trading environment for flexible packaging in the face of regulatory burdens and rising environmental awareness. The Chairman of the Packaging and Films Association talks to Gary Price about providing a voice for industry.
While much sports apparatus must be light and stiff, favouring composites and polymers, the transfer of force from product to athlete needs to be considered. The ability to alter dynamic properties in polymeric and polymer-matrix composites allows optimisation of these materials for sport.
A new in-mould painting process, called ‘IN-SPIRE’, it coats injection mouldings with a thermoset paint during production. The process is likely to find application in many sectors, with the automotive industry a major beneficiary.
A new polymer could lead to cheaper fuel cells. ElectroPhen is a thermoset polymer, whose polymerisation generates nanostructures of conductive pathways. For bipolar plate applications, graphite is used as the filler.
The EU aims to meet 20% of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2020. Organic photovoltaics — solar cells made from plastics — could be one promising avenue. They take the form of a flexible, light film that can be easily attached to other materials and adapted to different colours and designs. This has led to potential commercial applications in the construction industry, where plastic cells could be used as a thin film on roofs, windows and facades. Moreover, they could feature in foldable chargers for mobile phones and other gadgets on car roofs, or in clothes.
