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Materials World December 2007

Welcome to the December issue of Materials World, which this month focuses on new materials. Drs Robin Rogers and Gabriela Gurau, both from Queens University in Belfast, UK, explore the development of ionic liquids, while Jerome Ville of Fibroline, Ecully, France, discusses a new dry powder impregnation technique to treat materials. Related articles focus on the thermal properties of diamond-based materials, and the use of auxetic materials. In other feature stories, Michael Forrest takes a look at minerals exploration, and talks to John Menzies, CEO of Euromax Resources Ltd, Canada, about mining in Eastern Europe.

In our news section, the Materials World team investigates the development of electroluminescent garments to improve personal safety and developments in medical laser manufacturing.

 

News

Non-stick coating reduces food waste, facilitates recycling

Plastic bottles

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institutes in Germany are using plasma processing technology and novel thin films to explore the potential for using non-stick packs in reducing food waste and making recycling easier.

Materials World Magazine, 01 Dec 2007

Semiconductor chip detects environmental parameters

A semiconductor chip whose surface can sense parameters such as temperature, humidity, light and certain gases is being developed by wireless sensor manufacturers ChipSensors.

Materials World Magazine, 01 Dec 2007

Glow in the dark garments

Battery-powered electroluminescent (EL) yarns are being developed at The University of Manchester, UK, to create clothing that glows in the dark, allowing the wearer to be visible in all lighting conditions, improving personal safety.

Materials World Magazine, 01 Dec 2007

Laser processing of medical devices

A conference on Opportunities on 7 November 2007, Laser-based Manufacturing in the Medical Sector held in West Bromwich, UK, discussed the need for novel and more lucrativate laser tooling applications for the production of medical devices.

Materials World Magazine, 01 Dec 2007

Twinning induced plasticity (TWIP) steel improves car safety

The Max Planck Institute for Iron Research (MPIR) in Dusseldorf, Germany is seeking to further the development of twinning induced plasticity (TWIP) steel which has has been engineered to absorb energy in the event of a vehicle collision.

Materials World Magazine, 01 Dec 2007

Tax on packaging

The Netherlands’ Ministry of Finance is to introduce a carbon-based tax on packaging from January 2008. The fee for packaging processors is likely to be levied according to a calculation of CO2 emissions from the production of each kilogramme of packaging.

Materials World Magazine, 01 Dec 2007

New science diploma

A science diploma for 14-19 year-olds covering core functional skills in English, mathematics will be introduced in 2011 by the UK's Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).

Materials World Magazine, 01 Dec 2007

Proskills refines packaging industry training

Education and training in packaging could get a boost from the UK Sector Skills Council (SSC) Proskills, which represents processors and manufacturers in paper, print, coatings/inks and glass. It plans to refine qualifications and develop opportunities through apprenticeships and foundation degrees.

Materials World Magazine, 01 Dec 2007

Features

On the green - Ionic liquids

Ionic liquids are now seen as tunable materials, can be used for a range of applications including lubricants, solvents and thermal fluids.

Materials World Magazine, 01 Dec 2007

Positive developments in negative materials - Synthetic auxetic materials

Auxetic materials may be exploited in developing enhanced materials to create textiles and fibres for sports garments or energy absorbing equipment.

Materials World Magazine, 01 Dec 2007

Balkan exploration - European mineral exploration revival

According to John Menzies CEO of Euromax Resources Ltd the company has employed geological mapping and geochemical sampling techniques to find new and significant levels of minerals in eastern Europe.

Materials World Magazine, 01 Dec 2007

Powder Performance - Dry powder impregnation technique

A new dry powder impregnantion technique involves charging powder particles which are then impregnated into different materials to enable the creation of new products thus reducing the cost and the ecological footprint.

Materials World Magazine, 01 Dec 2007

On the up - Minerals exploration budget increases

The spending budget for metals and minerals exploration in 2007 reached record levels. This may be attributed to the rising costs of drilling, fuel and geologist's services, but also represents a substantial rise in exploration activity on the ground.

Materials World Magazine, 01 Dec 2007

A precious mixture - Diamond-silicon carbide composites

A new family of Diamond-Silicon Carbide composites (Skeleton Cemented Diamond) creates low-cost materials with improved thermal and mechanical properties.

Materials World Magazine, 01 Dec 2007

Material Matters

A question of life or death – Radiation caused by atmospheric testing and Jesuit involvement in seismic stations

The installation of automatic recording seismic stations at sensitive locations has its origins in the detection of thermonuclear testing by US Jesuits. Health implications of nuclear fall-out from atmospheric testing are briefly described.
Materials World Magazine, 01 Dec 2007

Book reviews

The Chemistry of Gold Extraction

Materials World Magazine, 01 Dec 2007

The Superalloys – Fundamentals and Applications

Materials World Magazine, 01 Dec 2007

Smart Electronic Materials – Fundamentals and Applications

Materials World Magazine, 01 Dec 2007