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Materials World March 2007

The theme for this issue is transport. It seems that at present we can hardly get away from the topic. Reports on climate change cite transport as a leading contributor to global warming and there has been a public outcry in the UK over related airport taxes. The Downing Street website was brought to a halt last month by attempts to sign a petition against ‘pay as you use’ road pricing, and much fuss was made over Tony Blair’s e-mailed response. Meanwhile, the congestion charge zone in London has been extended, leading to discussions over its usefulness in combating congestion. All this just goes to show how important transport is to our modern lives.

 

News

Global laboratory allows remote access to materials analysis equipment

Man at computer

Researchers at Imperial College, London, UK, can remotely operate the aberration-corrected electron microscope at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, USA, while teams at Oak Ridge and the Georgia Institute of Technology can use Imperial's nuclear magnetic resonance facility. The Global Lab is part of a joint venture between Imperial, Georgia, and Oak Ridge to investigate future energy solutions.

Materials World Magazine, 01 Mar 2007

Energy efficient bearings from SKF

Bearings from SKF, based in Sweden, use 30% less energy as a result of design innovations relating to surface topography, raceway profiles, optimised internal geometry, a special polymer cage, lower friction grease and, for tapered roller bearings, an optimised set of rollers. This will be exploited in heavy industry, wind energy and conveyors and extruders for materials processing.

Materials World Magazine, 01 Mar 2007

Environmentally sustainable manufacture of printed circuit boards

The results of the Towards a Zero Discharge printed circuit board Manufacturing Plant (TAZDIS) initiative announced in March 2007. Reduced metals waste generation and lower water consumption has been achieved the prototype plant.

Materials World Magazine, 01 Mar 2007

First soluble monoclonal nanoscale molecular imprinted polymers developed

Through the process of living polymerisation, researchers at Cranfield University, UK, claim to have developed the first soluble monoclonal nanoscale molecular imprinted polymers (nanoMIPs) for potential application in analytical chemistry, pharmacology, crime prevention and the food industry.

Materials World Magazine, 01 Mar 2007

Corus launches roadside restraint systems

International steel company Corus has launched a new range of roadside restraint systems that it claims exceeds the performance levels and test criteria stipulated by the European EN1317 standard. The hot-dip-galvanised rectangular hollow tubular steel sections are designed to reduce the severity of vehicle road accidents.

Materials World Magazine, 01 Mar 2007

Self-healing anti-corrosion mechanism uses encapsulated corrosion inhibitors

A self-healing method for structural and functional materials developed by the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Germany, and the University of Aveiro, Portugal, combines passive barrier and active anti-corrosion mechanisms in one system. Conventional anti-corrosion silica-zirconia sol-gel film matrices are doped with ‘polyelectrolyte nanocontainers’ that release encapsulated organic corrosion inhibitors.

Materials World Magazine, 01 Mar 2007

Features

Ship-shape combination - copper-nickel hulled vessels

Forty years after her launch, the Asperida sailing yacht is proving that copper-nickel hulls have the longevity required for the open waves. The 70:30 copper nickel hulled boat was assessed using ultrasonic thickness measurements and visual methods.

Materials World Magazine, 01 Mar 2007

A clear view - optical film technology for electronic and liquid crystal displays

Optical films have been developed which eliminate problems associated with reflection and glare. An example is a product designed jointly by MacDermid Autotype (USA) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy (Germany) which replicates the nanostructures found in the eyes of moths.

Materials World Magazine, 01 Mar 2007

Lighter, stronger and cheaper - the use of composites in the transport sector

Lightweight composites applications are reviewed for the automotive, marine, railway locomotive and aerospace industries. Materials include reinforced thermoplastics, long-fibre composites, sheet moulding compounds, alumina trihydrate formulations, fire-resistant thermoset resins and carbon fibre composites.

Materials World Magazine, 01 Mar 2007

As good as gold - gold exploration in Tasmania

Greatland Gold is carrying out exploration drilling to increase reserves at its Firetower project in Australia where 2.5 g/t of gold has been measured in rock chip samples. The company has listed on the London Stock Exchange AIM market.

Materials World Magazine, 01 Mar 2007

Audits in perspective - the Nadcap programme

Nadcap is a cooperative programme of major aerospace and automotive companies to manage a cost-effective consensus approach to special processes and products. Fountain Plating presents the supplier perspective.

Materials World Magazine, 01 Mar 2007

Mount Isa - Large-scale mineral deposits abound in Australia

Mineral deposits and their formation in the Mount Isa area are described, including lead-zinc-silver and copper mineralisations. Geochemical exploration and modelling is being used by Summit Resources Ltd to identify iron oxide-copper-gold and uranium deposits.

Materials World Magazine, 01 Mar 2007

Material Matters

The habit of a lifetime – The debate surrounding the lifespan of Britain’s Trident submarines

Discussing the proposal to replace Britain's Trident submarines, the political issues involved and what it means for the UK's commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Materials World Magazine, 01 Mar 2007

Book reviews

Micro-tectonics – Second Edition

Materials World Magazine, 01 Mar 2007

Grain Size Control

Materials World Magazine, 01 Mar 2007