The Innovation in Enamel Symposium at University of West England in Bristol, UK, drew an earnest crowd eager to discuss the possibilities of a material weighed down in tradition. Ledetta Asfa-Wossen reports
A recycling method could see carbon fibre-reinforced composites upcycled into more demanding applications. Researchers at Loughborough University, UK, claim to have converted the
composite’s thermoset polymer matrix into a ceramic, which could be
used in ‘friction applications’ such as brake discs for high-end cars.
UK researchers are playing their part in the long-term quest to
incorporate single molecules into electronic circuits for nanoscale
high speed devices. This technology would not rely on a material’s bulk
properties to perform electronic functions such as switching or logic.
UK scientists exploring the safe storage of hydrogen for powering vehicles have developed an organic polymer capable of storing three per cent hydrogen by weight.
A processing technique for the deposition of thin and super thin polymer
films on substrates could provide a more 'cost-effective' coating
method for fuel filtration systems in
automotives and aircraft, say researchers at Nottingham
University in the UK.
Software that may help manufacturers and product designers, reduce the costs and CO2 emissions associated with transporting and storing goods is said to have been used for the first time by a major UK retailer on beverage packaging.
The amount of waste from liquid crystal displays is increasing at an alarming rate. With disposal in landfill or incineration no longer acceptable in most
European countries, new solutions are needed.
Making aluminium alloys easier to work with for car manufacturers is the focus of research at Imperial College London, UK, enabling them to exploit the light metal, improving fuel economy and reducing emissions.
As CEO of the British Glass Manufacturers’ Confederation, Dave Dalton wants to persuade his members and the UK Government that investment is urgently needed to ensure the industry’s future prosperity. Gary Price learns how he intends to fight for change in a sector that he has worked in for almost 30 years.
