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Materials World May 2008

This month we take a look at energy. Related articles focus on the opportunities for the UK's energy materials sector, mapping the materials supply chains in power generation, and tips on how to measure and minimise energy use. In other features we investigate the use of modern machines and software used in mining operations, and the legal situation delaying the Rosia Montana Gold Project in Romania.

In our news section, the Materials World team reports on plastic optical fibres that could help deliver faster broadband speeds, and cheaper and greener methods for titanium dioxide extraction.

 

News

Speedy solutions for broadband

Broadband speed in households could be increased by replacing copper wires with plastic optical fibres, according to the results of an EU-sponsored research project. The initiative, Paving the Optical Future with Lightning-Fast Links, has focused on making polymethyl methacrylate cost effective and capable of high data capacity for transmission, improving on glass optical fibres.
Materials World Magazine, 01 May 2008

New look at titanium dioxide extraction

A simpler, cheaper and greener method of extracting higher yields of white titanium dioxide powder from mineral ore has been developed, as a result of research conducted at the University of Leeds, UK.
Materials World Magazine, 01 May 2008

Single-layer fuel tanks

A single-layer polyurethane and nylon film fuel bladder that is crash resistant and uses 60% less volatile organic compounds than traditional bladders has been developed by GKN Aerospace, based in Reddich, UK.
Materials World Magazine, 01 May 2008

Customising rapid manufacture

The EU Custom-Fit project has developed techniques for the rapid manufacture of customised helmets, surgical implants, car seats and prostheses made from multiple materials.
Materials World Magazine, 01 May 2008

Smoother catheter coating

A hydrophilic, polymeric coating for urinary catheters that makes them more durable and smooth has been developed by Lombard Medical Technologies, based in Sheffield, UK.
Materials World Magazine, 01 May 2008

Manufacturing cheaper organic light emitting diodes

GE Global Research has developed a roll-to-roll process, similar to that used in newspaper printing, to mass-produce organic light emitting diodes. The company claims this technology will lower the cost of producing organic electronic products, which will be key if these devices are to succeed in the marketplace.
Materials World Magazine, 01 May 2008

Extreme UV lithography to power electronics

US computer processing company AMD, in collaboration with IBM, has announced the development of a 22x33mm working test chip using extreme ultraviolet lithography for the critical first layer of metal connections across the entire chip.
Materials World Magazine, 01 May 2008

Lead paste recycling

A more environmentally friendly technique for recycling lead paste from lead acid batteries has received a proof-of-concept grant from the UK’s East of England Development Agency (EEDA). The method reduces energy consumption as well as carbon and sulphur dioxide emissions, compared to existing approaches.
Materials World Magazine, 01 May 2008

Features

Chimney sweep — how traditional power stations reduce emissions

The Large Combustion Plant Directive (LCPD) sets limits for the emission of sulphur dioxides, nitrogen oxides and dust from power stations, petroleum refineries and other industrial processes powered by gas, liquid or solid fuel. To comply with the targets, UK coal-fired power stations have either opted out of the LCPD, meaning they have only 20,000 hours operation remaining from January 2008, or are using, or installing, a flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) system.

Materials World Magazine, 01 May 2008

Save energy, save money — energy management

Energy management is a task of growing importance in materials processing, but there is no structure for measurement, assessment and prediction. Dr Robin Kent, Managing Director of Tangram Technology Ltd, a UK consultant engineering firm specialising in energy management in plastics processing offers hints on how to measure and minimise energy use.

Materials World Magazine, 01 May 2008

Under the microscope — polarising microscope use to investigate building materials

How a polarising microscope is used to investigate the fabric and mineralogy of concrete as a building material.
Materials World Magazine, 01 May 2008

Wait in gold — delays to Romanian mining

A gold mining project in Romania has been delayed for over eight years. Fergus Anckorn, Technical Director of global consultants AMEC Earth & Environmental, presents his view of the situation arguing that NGOs have unduly held up the process.

Materials World Magazine, 01 May 2008

Running a mine with a mouse — modern mine monitoring

Neil Battison, Electrical Engineer at UK Coal’s Daw Mill Colliery, reports on the move to a new mine operating system.

Materials World Magazine, 01 May 2008

Power supply — the mapping of UK materials supply chains for the power sector

A discussion of a report on the mapping of materials supply chains in the UK’s power generation sector, issued by Materials UK.

Materials World Magazine, 01 May 2008

Energy materials – meeting the challenge

Derek Allan, chair of the Energy Materials Working Group, reviews the Materials UK Energy Materials Strategic Research Agenda and describes the opportunities it presents.
Materials World Magazine, 01 May 2008

Material Matters

Metallurgy and Iran's atomic power

'Dawn of a new nuclear age’ was a headline in the Guardian on 22 March.Materials World Magazine, 01 May 2008

Book reviews

Electronic and Optical Properties of d-Band Perovskites

Electronic and Optical Properties of d-Band Perovskites

Materials World Magazine, 01 May 2008