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Materials World September 2009

The September issue looks at iron and steel. Related features examines steel in modern aviation and how the hydrometallurgical industry is using duplex stainless steel.

News focuses on blow-moulding PET foam and drug-dispensing contact lenses.

News

Mining with bacteria

Mixture of materials
A biotechnological technique for selecting and separating zinc and copper sulphides from ore slurries, without the use of expensive chemicals, has been developed by researchers at the University of British Columbia, Canada. They say it could be more effective than froth flotation.
Materials World Magazine, 01 Sep 2009

Blow-moulding PET foam

A foamed PET blow-moulding process that creates lighter weight bottles has been developed, according to polymer researchers in the USA. They say the technique creates recyclable, decorative and textured PET containers.
Materials World Magazine, 01 Sep 2009

Lining up flexible electronics

Scientists in the USA have developed a dual-tone photo-resist for novel multiwavelength photolithography. This is said to overcome the problems of poor registration and alignment when patterning multiple layers on polymers and metal foils for flexible electronics.
Materials World Magazine, 01 Sep 2009

Sourcing the stresses in composites

Researchers at the University of Southampton, UK, are working to create a more coherent calibration strategy for thermoelastic stress analysis (TSA) to better characterise and engineer complex composite components. The aim is to eventually create non-contact inspection tools and systems, enabling industry to obtain real-time measurements.
Materials World Magazine, 01 Sep 2009

Raising the bar in non-volatile memories?

European researchers have engineered a Schottky zinc oxide diode/selector to help pave the way for crossbar architecture. Crossbar may eventually replace flash technology in non-volatile memory devices.
Materials World Magazine, 01 Sep 2009

Home and dry – lime mortar

A low-energy drying technique for aggregates in hydraulic lime mortar has been developed by a UK consortium. The research aims to make lime mortars commercially viable for new build projects, as they have the ability to make bricks easier to recycle and contain around 45% less embodied CO2 than cement mortars.
Materials World Magazine, 01 Sep 2009

An eye for drug delivery

A drug-eluting contact lens that dispenses a constant amount of medication for over 30 days may provide an alternative to eye drops for treating conditions such as glaucoma.
Materials World Magazine, 01 Sep 2009

Proving CMOS for future wireless use

Optimised circuit designs for complementary metal oxide semiconductors (CMOS) are said to have proven the commercial potential of 45nm chips for high-speed and low-powered wireless applications. Participants in the European NANO-RF project have adapted digital circuitry for radio frequencies (RFs) beyond 60GHz.
Materials World Magazine, 01 Sep 2009

Features

Surface issues for power - surface engineering for power plant

During 2007, the UK’s Materials Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) carried out technology roadmapping analysis to identify opportunities for particulate materials/products to make a significant contribution to satisfying the future performance needs of power generation plant. This article looks at the surface engineering challenges presented by future systems of energy generation.
Materials World Magazine, 01 Sep 2009

What’s the alternative? - Surface engineering in alternative energy

Catastrophic failure of super-heater tube
This item describes the benefits of surface engineering in alternative energy power stations considering recent tests and looking at the future of such plant.
Materials World Magazine, 01 Sep 2009

100 not out – a century of professional standards in mineral resource reporting

Describing early attempts to standardise professional mineral resource reporting.
Materials World Magazine, 01 Sep 2009

Zimbabwe – a new beginning? The outlook for mining in the country

The Great Dyke from space
Morgan Tsvangirai, Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, gave the keynote address at the 6th Annual International Mining in Africa Conference held on 23 June in London, UK. He spoke of his plans for the country and its development.
Materials World Magazine, 01 Sep 2009

Hitting the heights - steel in aeroplanes

aeroplane
Despite the rise in composites, steels still play a vital role in modern aviation. This article considers the use of the metal and its alloys.
Materials World Magazine, 01 Sep 2009

Desirable Duplex stainless steels in the hydrometallurgical industry

Design of storage tank in LDX 2101
The use of duplex stainless steels in the hydrometallurgical industry is explored. These materials offer advantages in terms of corrosion resistance and price.
Materials World Magazine, 01 Sep 2009

Floating metal - steel in ships

Submarine built by BAE Systems Submarine Solutions
Improved steel strength is enhancing the security of warships and affecting manufacturing routes
Materials World Magazine, 01 Sep 2009

Book reviews