08/03/2016
Detecting micro-cracks or damage to structures has always been the bane of engineers. Here, Engineering Materials looks at research that could make hidden damage visible, as it happens.
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08/03/2016
A high temperature plastic has been metallised by Albis Plastic to make a car reflector. Using vapour application, a thin metal layer is applied to the surface of the thermoplastic inside a vacuum.
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08/03/2016
Researchers in the US have sprayed a fluorescent oil on a wind tunnel model to visualise the flow of air over the wing and body of an aircraft.
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08/03/2016
UK product design consultancy 3form Design has designed a helmet for US ballistic protection equipment manufacturer United Shield. The helmet known as RAID needs to carry and hold numerous pieces of equipment, meet ballistic requirements while also ‘looking good’. It should be so cool, says 3form,that Tom Cruise will be wearing it in his next movie.
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09/12/2015
Automotive researchers and engineers are looking for ways to knock the fat off nearly every part of a vehicle in their efforts to achieve higher fuel economy.
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09/12/2015
Computer giant IBM has used its computational nous to develop a new type of polymer that is stronger than bone, self healing and fully recyclable. Engineering Materials charts the progress of this breakthrough.
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09/12/2015
As testing equipment gets ever more capable, manufacturers also have to make it flexible to respond to the cross-industry trend of changing material choices.
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09/12/2015
The development of silicon carbide matrix composites is giving rise to host of initial applications in the aerospace industry and beyond. For example, General Electric (GE) is to ‘mass-produce’ ceramic matrix composites (CMC), following an announcement that the company will build two CMC factories in Alabama at a cost of $200million.
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09/12/2015
Despite manufacturers already experimenting with quantum dots, legislative change in the EU could stop a boom in uptake before it ever started.
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09/12/2015
Self repairing materials are showing evermore impressive results. Here we look at two recent impressive examples that could soon be set for real world application.
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09/12/2015
In the immortal words uttered by Nigel Tufnel of spoof 80s band Spinal Tap, “It’s like, how much more black could this be? And the answer is, none. None more black.” Justin Cunningham finds a material that is laying claim to the sentiment.
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09/12/2015
What started off as a course project has developed in to a process of printing glass that is both transparent and structurally sound.
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09/12/2015
There is a global trend to lightweight parts across all industries. But while the materials have existed for decades, the manufacturing processes are only just coming of age.
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09/12/2015
The Fraunhofer Institute in Germany has developed a process to recycle permanent magnets. Up until now, extracting rare earth elements from magnets has been both laborious and expensive.
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09/12/2015
The second largest diamond ever has been extracted from a mine in Botswana.
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09/12/2015
Laser manufacturer TRUMPF has increasingly established itself in the field of additive manufacturing. Its laser metal fusion (LMF) and laser metal deposition (LMD) machines have been well received by those looking to prototype and make small volume parts.
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11/09/2015
While many associate exotic materials with weight reduction, the aluminium industry is keen to remind engineers it is also part of the solution. Justin Cunningham reports.
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11/09/2015
We talk to an engineer whose day job it is to bend and even break goliath wind turbine blades, and find out what can be learnt as the materials are put through their paces. Justin Cunningham reports.
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11/09/2015
Additive manufacturing is having a profound effect on the way some engineers produce plastic parts. Ben Hargreaves and Justin Cunningham look at some pioneering aerospace examples that could see the technology exploited more widely.
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10/09/2015
We catch up with the inventor and instigator of the original Polimotor to see what has changed, and why the project is returning to frontline development. Justin Cunningham tells the story.
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10/09/2015
With composite manufacture relying heavily on skilled individuals, the industry is making moves to standardise training and increase its workforce.
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10/09/2015
After years of development, graphene is set for commercialisation. Here, we find out the applications that are likely to benefit and the techniques that have been developed to make series production possible. James Bakewell reports.
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23/06/2015
As the demand for wind power continues to rise, manufacturers are having to build ever larger wind turbine blades. But can the materials cope, or does it require a rethink?
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23/06/2015
The proliferation of engineering plastics in to all industrial sectors continues at speed. These days, nothing seems to be off limits and some incredible products have come to market replacing components traditionally made from metals. The automotive market seems to be on the frontline of this materials sea change, with everything from interior panels to structural parts being made from polymers.
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22/06/2015
While simulation has become a vital development tool, it still can't do everything. But with the high cost of physical acting as a barrier, it seems neither is ideal. Engineering Materials looks at how both are upping their game to offer more.
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