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Materials World August 2011

In news, we investigate termite enzymes being used for the saccharification of second-generation feedstocks, a synthesised polyesteracetal polymer developed to replace PLA in plastic products and a silver-based additive hailed for its anti-viral properties. We also report from the Nuclear New Build 2011 and the Boatbuilding With Composite Materials conferences.

Our lead feature looks at recycling rare earth magnets for high-tech applications, while the role played by composites in the oil and gas industry is assessed and the processing benefits of micromachining are analysed. Elsewhere we quiz John
Armitt, Chairman of the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), about scientific research and funding.

Minerals and mining features look at how rising gold prices have encouraged mining companies to renew exploration, and Keith Marshall from Rio Tinto discusses the transition from open-pit to underground mining.

In Material Matters Craig Durham considers the aesthetics of electricity pylons, and books reviewed include Advanced Power Plant Materials, Design and Technology and The History of Stainless Steel.

 

News

Paving the way for composites

Slipless ball slide
While much is known about the mechanical performance of composite paving materials such as asphalt, its complexity exceeds that of most conventional composites. Researchers at UK and US universities are collaborating on feasibility studies to address the knowledge gap.
Materials World Magazine, 01 Aug 2011

Cellular beams under fire

A study of the performance of cellular composite floor beams at elevated temperatures could benefit long-span construction and steel industries.
Materials World Magazine, 01 Aug 2011

Sustainable sailing - Boatbuilding with Composite Materials conference report

Academics, composite scientists and manufacturers gathered last month to discuss how best to navigate the sustainability issues affecting the modern boatbuilder at the Boatbuilding with Composite Materials conference held in Southampton, UK.
Materials World Magazine, 01 Aug 2011

Silver lining for anti-bacterial additive

A silver-based additive has been found to have antiviral properties, cutting H1N1 swine flu virus incidents by more than 99.9%, claims a UK company.

Materials World Magazine, 01 Aug 2011

T-ray laser gains probe potential

A milestone in imaging and spectroscopy using terahertz (THz) frequency radiation may transform methods for probing chemical and biological materials.
Materials World Magazine, 01 Aug 2011

Biodegradable film to replace PLA?

A polymer that could replace PLA and lead to more degradable plastic bags is being spearheaded by chemists at the University of Florida, USA.
Materials World Magazine, 01 Aug 2011

Out of the ashes - Nuclear New Build 2011 conference report

Hankering for a ‘nuclear renaissance’ to preserve the UK’s energy reserves, investors, material engineers and environmentalists swarmed to reinstate a flailing energy sector at Nuclear New Build 2011 in London, UK.
Materials World Magazine, 01 Aug 2011

Termite guts to boost biofuels

Termites may provide the key to breaking down woody biomass for more efficient biofuel production.
Materials World Magazine, 01 Aug 2011

Features

The future is underground - from open-pit to underground mining

Mine at Chuquicamata, Chile
Keith Marshall, Global Practice Leader of Underground Mining for Rio Tinto, discusses the opportunities but also the risks associated with the inevitable transition from open-pit to underground mining.
Materials World Magazine, 01 Aug 2011

Value at depth - gold mining in Australia

gold mining
The escalating price of gold is encouraging companies to revisit exploration targets and mines in the expectation that high prices will transform their economics, and that there may be more gold to be found.
Materials World Magazine, 01 Aug 2011

Investing in science - EU research and technical development programmes

microscope with a 500-euro note under lens
Jeremy J. Ramsden, Chair of Nanotechnology at Cranfield University, UK, gives his thoughts on the EU research and technical development programmes.
Materials World Magazine, 01 Aug 2011

Leading the way - Q&A with John Armitt

"Question mark" image courtesy of Chris Baker
John Armitt, Chairman of The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Olympic Delivery Authority, talks about the work being done to encourage and promote the furthering of science.
Materials World Magazine, 01 Aug 2011

Rare earth recovery

hard disk drive
Dr Allan Walton, Senior Science Research Fellow and Dr Andy Williams, Head of the Magnetic Materials Group, both at the University of Birmingham, UK, outline methods to retrieve crucial elements that are in short supply.
Materials World Magazine, 01 Aug 2011

Confidence in composites - composites in the oil and gas industry

oil refinery
Dr Rod Martin and Dr Morris Roseman from the Materials Engineering Research Laboratory Ltd (MERL), outline the essential functions being performed by composites in the oil and gas industry.
Materials World Magazine, 01 Aug 2011

Full beam - materials processing applications using lasers

Laser cut SS and polymeric stencils. Image courtesy of LPKF
Dr Ronald D. Schaeffer, Chief Executive Officer at PhotoMachining Inc, Pelham, USA, looks at the processing benefits micromachining provides over existing technology.
Materials World Magazine, 01 Aug 2011

Material Matters

Form and function - electricity pylons

As a competition is launched to encourage a new generation of electricity pylons, the regular Materials World columnist ponders their materials and design requirements.
Materials World Magazine, 01 Aug 2011

Book reviews

The History of Stainless Steel

The History of Stainless Steel

Materials World Magazine, 01 Aug 2011
The Chemistry of Textile Fibres

The Chemistry of Textile Fibres

Materials World Magazine, 01 Aug 2011
Advanced Power Plant Materials, Design and Technology

Advanced Power Plant Materials, Design and Technology

Materials World Magazine, 01 Aug 2011