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Materials World April 2011

An online survey of over 2,200 UK-based environmental practitioners, has revealed that one in five had received a pay rise as a direct result of gaining additional professional qualifications. The research, carried out by ENDS Report, in collaboration with The Society for the Environment and the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management, also reveals that 'despite many organisations facing tighter budgets, the level of employer support for professional development remains generally high'.

In this issue of Materials World, we carry a special section that focuses on professional development. It strives to explore whether these benefits of professional qualifications are being felt in other disciplines, and how the difficult economic climate is impacting on pursuing such activities.

The purpose and value of education varies for individuals and organisations, and these opinions can also shape the value afforded to continuing professional development. Whether education, training and professional development should be for intellectual or economic merit, or both, will probably always remain a source of debate. We present results of an anonymous survey of our readership who offered their thoughts. Hopefully, this and our other articles on 'T-shaped people', tackling skills shortages in industry, and personal perspective on a career in academia will spark debate. 

To contribute your views, comment on individual articles, contribute to our forum or email materials.world@iom3.org

 

News

Materials World reader survey and special section on professional development

stylised graphic of businessman riding unicycle
Materials World has conducted an anonymous survey of its readers asking them key questions on the topic of education, training and professional development.
Materials World Magazine, 03 Apr 2011

People power - tackling skills shortages

As chronic skills shortages in science and engineering compromise a wide range of industries around the world, we examine how nuclear and natural resources are offering a microcosm of current efforts to tackle this.
Materials World Magazine, 03 Apr 2011

Stay in the frame - EU Seventh Framework Programme (FP7)

Optimum preparation for the EU’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) for research and technical development is essential to survive the critical stages of elimination. Paul Drath of Singleimage Ltd, Cambridge, UK, gives guidance on how to get it right first time.
Materials World Magazine, 03 Apr 2011

Point of view – life in academia

Academics must evolve to stay apace in a rapidly changing workplace. Professor Ian Williams, of the School of Civil Engineering and the Environment, at the University of Southampton, UK, provides a personal perspective.
Materials World Magazine, 03 Apr 2011

Time for T-shaped people

With the recession slashing training budgets, Michael Bennett finds out other ways employees can widen their skill set.
Materials World Magazine, 03 Apr 2011

Game-changing technology - sports engineering

The subtle machinations of sports engineering were discussed at a recent conference at Loughborough University, UK.
Materials World Magazine, 03 Apr 2011

The hard-headed approach - advances in helmet technology

From thermal burden to visor mist tests, advances in helmet technology were analysed at a recent conference held in London, UK.
Materials World Magazine, 03 Apr 2011

Silicon battery energy potential

A pilot plant that produces silicon anodes could transform the battery manufacturing sector by creating devices that can store ten times the quantity of lithium than a carbon anode. Ledetta Asfa-Wossen explores Nexeon’s Oxford, UK, based facility.
Materials World Magazine, 03 Apr 2011

Optical result for laser technology

An optical fibre composed of a zinc selenide, rather than silica glass, core could facilitate more dynamic laser technology. It enables light to be transported over longer wavelengths.
Materials World Magazine, 03 Apr 2011

Stretchable electronics in surgery

Intimate integration of high quality flexible electronics onto medical devices for cardiac procedures is the focus for a team of scientists and electrical engineers at the University of Illinois and Northwestern University, USA.
Materials World Magazine, 03 Apr 2011

Features

Ready salted - seawater in mineral processing

Scientist doing lab-scale tests using saline waters at CSIRO
Michael Forrest talks to Hal Aral, from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Australia, about trials employing saline or seawater in mineral processing.
Materials World Magazine, 03 Apr 2011

Unearthing new energy potential

Aerial view of the Saskatoba project
The CEO of Saturn Minerals talks about his company’s mining developments in Saskatchewan, western Canada, and their growing importance as a provider of energy now and in the future.
Materials World Magazine, 03 Apr 2011

Striking out with materials R&D

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter
The Aerospace, Aviation and Defence Knowledge Transfer Network reveal the scope of the KTN’s Materials and Structures National Technical Committee.
Materials World Magazine, 03 Apr 2011

Retrofitting for reinforcement - reinforced concrete structures

Damage caused by the Oklahoma City bomb, 1994
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.
Materials World Magazine, 03 Apr 2011

Standing firm - ultra-high performance concrete

modern office blocks mishmoshimoshi. Image licensed under CC BY 2.0 page on Creative Commons (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
Ultra-high performance concrete improves structural integrity under extreme loads. Dr Christoph Mayrhofer and Oliver Millon from the Fraunhofer-Institute for High-Speed Dynamics, Ernst-Mach-Institut, Freiburg, Germany, report.
Materials World Magazine, 03 Apr 2011

Last line of defence - protective combat clothing

mannequin wearing combat helmet GS MkVI
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.
Materials World Magazine, 03 Apr 2011

Material Matters

If you go down to the woods today - ownership of England's forests

Was it right to consider whether the Public Forest Estate should remain in public ownership? To answer the question, it is important to consider the historical context of the UK’s timber production, says the regular Materials World columnist.
Materials World Magazine, 04 Apr 2011

Book reviews

Understanding Human Error in Mine Safety

Understanding Human Error in Mine Safety

Materials World Magazine, 04 Apr 2011
Concepts in Thermal Physics

Concepts in Thermal Physics

Materials World Magazine, 04 Apr 2011
Biodiesel Science and Technology – From Soil to Oil

Biodiesel Science and Technology – From Soil to Oil

Materials World Magazine, 04 Apr 2011