Loading ...A review conducted by the Canadian and American wind industry associations found no medical basis for the health complaints that arise from large wind-farm projects. That’s good news for states like Maine, which has identified three offshore wind-power test sites that could generate power equivalent to 100 nuclear plants. At the same time, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg hopes to build the largest offshore wind power complex in the world to power the booming city.
R&D renewables consultants Narec announced plans to build a new £15 million testing facility for offshore turbine blades up to 100 m in size. LM-Gasfiber landed a 5-year wind deal for wind blades with Samsung.
In aviation and aerospace news, Northrop Grumman’s advanced composite mate joint passed NASA testing for its new Composite Crew Module. Arkema and Fulcrum SP Materials signed a collaboration agreement to develop high performance composite parts for aeronautic applications. Regulations from the International Air Transportation Association (IATA) and other agencies provided a four-pillar strategy that lays down the guidelines for the implementation of green measures to lower fuel consumption and emissions for the aerospace and defense industry. The S-76D helicopter program entered production, signifying the latest milestone in the program for the next generation model of the popular S-76 helicopter. Finally, in celebration of the upcoming holiday season and in appreciation of our service men and women, Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) transported Santa Claus and one of his elves to 10 military facilities across the United States next week to spread holiday cheer.
Some notable composites-enhanced supercars were unveiled last week. Kepler Motors debuted its limited-run Motion model at the Dubai International Motor Show, while the Lightning car company unveiled the U.K.’s first electric GT sportscar. Also, Advanced Composites Group Inc. signed a long-term supply agreement with the US F1 Team, the only US-based team to take the grid for the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship.
In defense-related news, Supacat’s SPV400 development program successfully underwent blast testing. A composite crew pod, developed in conjunction with NP Aerospace and mounted on a V-shaped hull, deflected the majority of the blast away from the vehicle. Goodrich was awarded a production contract by Lockheed Martin to produce submarine composite structures to be used in the acoustic sensors of the S-80 diesel-electric submarine. The Indian Navy’s Project 28 is about to open bidding to provide Kolkata-based Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers with technology to build the superstructure of its anti-submarine covettes completely out of lightweight composites.
Despite the recession, composites still find their way into construction and infrastructure projects. The German government has built a glass-reinforced plastic bridge over the Hamburgerstrasse highway near Hamburg. The bridge was made using composites from Danish manufacturer Fiberline. Hydro One, the largest electricity transmission and distribution company in the province of Ontario, has signed a 3-year agreement to use and install composite poles from Resin Systems Inc. Fibrwrap, Fyfe Co., and UC-Irvine received a grant from the Department of Commerce to build a robot model that would restore and enhance older water lines. The technology would apply a carbon fiber reinforcement to the insides of the pipes without excavation or replacement.
In other news, Luminox is launching the Essential Gear Sea, Air and Land Series of timepieces. All three models feature 44mm cases crafted from carbon reinforced polymer. Luminox supplies such sectors as military, law enforcement, SWAT teams, Navy SEALs, and fighter pilots; and the models are designed for the different domains in which these users operate.
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