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Materials World April 2008

The April 2008 issue of Materials World looks at the environment and sustainability. Related articles focus on diamond-like carbon coatings for aircraft, materials joining and processing techniques for lightweight automobiles, and the importance of packaging in reducing food waste. In other features we investigate a flood alleviation project in Bristol, UK, and structural geology techniques for assisting mineral exploration and resource development. 

In our news section, the Materials World team reports on a polymeric 3D hologram that can be erased and re-written, and a polymer nanocomposite with adaptive mechanical properties.

 

News

Novel heat treatment solution for die cast aluminium

Automotive seat base made from die cast aluminium. Image courtesy of Bühler Group AG, Switzerland

The automotive industry could benefit from a novel heat treatment process for high-pressure die cast (HPDC) aluminium components which enables doubled mechanical strength and higher fatigue resistance. Scientists at the Light Metals Flagship of Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) believe the resulting cost effective and resource efficient HPDC components could replace sand-cast and permanent mould cast aluminium alloys and wrought products in certain applications.

Materials World Magazine, 01 Apr 2008

Exploring plastic components with electronically active surfaces

Coating thin films of electronically active surfaces onto plastic components by exploding the layers into the moulding tool during injection is the focus of a £300,000 research programme at the University of Warwick, UK. The team is looking to refine the technology for products such as packaging with moving displays.
Materials World Magazine, 01 Apr 2008

Re-writeable 3D holograms

A polymeric 3D hologram that can be erased and re-written in a matter of minutes has been created by scientists at the University of Arizona in Tucson, USA. This is the first updatable 3D display ever made, according to the research team, and shows potential for medical, industrial and military applications. The plastic film is sandwiched between two pieces of glass coated with transparent electrodes. Images are written into the polymer using laser beams and an externally-applied electric field.
Materials World Magazine, 01 Apr 2008

Holographic sensor gets smart

A smart holographic sensor made from hydrophilic polymeric hydrogels which respond to stimuli has been developed by a spin-out company from Cambridge University, UK. It could have applications in medical and aerospace monitoring, for example, to measure the water content in aviation fuel tanks.
Materials World Magazine, 01 Apr 2008

Tougher bonds

An adhesive bonding technology for endoscope lenses that can better withstand the fluctuating temperatures of repeated sterilisation has been developed by scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Applied Materials Research in Bremen, Germany. The technique makes use of UV light curing and heat treatment to harden the adhesives. 
Materials World Magazine, 01 Apr 2008

Low pressure for gas storage

Using the crystal barium organotrisulfonate, researchers at the University of Calgary, Canada, have created molecular valves that can help trap and store gases at high densities without the need for high pressures. The could lead to a safer and more efficient means of storing carbon dioxide or hydrogen for environmentally friendly vehicles.
Materials World Magazine, 01 Apr 2008

Materials KTN – Second AGM

The second Annual General Meeting of the Materials KTN was held in London, UK, on 24 April 2008. Dedicated to the future of materials science and technology, 'Materials in the Space Age – A Universe of Opportunities' was the theme of the event.
Materials World Magazine, 01 Apr 2008

Biomimetic smart polymer goes from hard to soft

A new polymer nanocomposite that turns from hard to soft and vice versa on exposure to chemical stimuli, such as water, could be used in bulletproof vests and implants for artificial nervous systems to treat strokes or spinal cord injuries, say US researchers.

Materials World Magazine, 01 Apr 2008

Measured approach

Professor John Pethica, Chief Scientific Advisor at the UK's National Physical Laboratory (NPL), describes his career leading up to the NPL, the materials testing specifications and standards adhered to by the organisation, and what steps he thinks the UK should take to foster a successful science industry.

Materials World Magazine, 01 Apr 2008

Unlocking uranium’s chemistry

Scientists at the University of Edinburgh, UK, have taken the most common form of uranium, uranyl dication (UO22+), found in the natural environment and nuclear waste, and converted the chemically un-reactive compound into a reactive molecule. The team believes this could improve understanding of nuclear materials and waste, and the ability to handle them.

Materials World Magazine, 01 Apr 2008

Features

In diamond health – diamond-like coatings for medical devices

Researchers from Brunel University, UK, explore the use of diamond-like coatings for medical devices to reduce metal ion migration in human tissue.
Materials World Magazine, 01 Aug 2008

Bearing up — Recruitment at SKF

Successful companies need to build on their accomplishments and come up with the next generation of products. Katherine Williams spoke to Alan Begg of Swedish bearing company SKF Group about his experience as a materials scientist and recruiter.

Materials World Magazine, 01 Apr 2008

Sparkling touchdown — coatings for landing gear

Diamond-like carbon coatings on aircraft can offer environmental and health benefits. Medical and electronic applications, including surgical implants and hard-disk heads, benefit from this versatile material, which has recently been used on razor blades and for high-performance manufacturing applications.

Materials World Magazine, 01 Apr 2008

Bottom up materials from down under — New Zealand biomaterial research

PVA-epoxy nanocomposite
New Zealand has maximised its advantage of being small but well connected, in the field of biopolymers and biocomposites. Scientists are testing the potential of electrospun proteins and polysaccharides as industrial raw materials. These spun materials have exceptional mechanical properties and high specific surface areas that can be exploited to make low-pressure-drop selective active filtration elements.
Materials World Magazine, 01 Apr 2008

Automotive advances — joining technologies

The high velocity thermal spraying process

Developments in materials and joining processes which are improving on-road and environmental performance.

Materials World Magazine, 01 Apr 2008

The question of waste — packaging to reduce food waste

Packaging has a positive role to play in the prevention of food waste, both in getting food to the consumer and in providing them with better ways to manage their food inventory.

Materials World Magazine, 01 Apr 2008

Structural secrets — mining software

Structural restoration allows 2D and 3D to be tested for validity

Structural geology techniques can assist in mineral exploration and resource development. Structural restoration and validation of 2D and 3D models allows the prediction of palaeo-surface geometries, fault architecture and fluid migration pathways, through geological time.

Materials World Magazine, 01 Apr 2008

Fixing flooding — new sewers in Bristol

A typical Bristol street

The UK’s Bristol flood alleviation project involved digging a 805m long sewer beneath the historic city.

Materials World Magazine, 01 Apr 2008

Material Matters

Painting the Forth Bridge

Recalling how money saving led to a disruption in the painting of the Forth Bridge in the UK, and how developments in paint have elipsed the saying ‘it's like painting the Forth Bridge'. The lifespans of concrete and steel bridges are evaluated.
Materials World Magazine, 31 Mar 2008

Book reviews

Molecular Organic Materials

Molecular Organic Materials

Materials World Magazine, 01 Apr 2008
Metal Fatigue

Metal Fatigue

Materials World Magazine, 01 Apr 2008
Handbook of Fiber Chemistry - Third Edition

Handbook of Fiber Chemistry - Third Edition

Materials World Magazine, 01 Apr 2008
Wearable Electronics and Photonics

Wearable Electronics and Photonics

Materials World Magazine, 01 Apr 2008