Composites in the News Last Week
The week was full of exciting announcements from universities. Researchers at Imperial College London are developing a new nanoscale material, a mix of carbon fiber and polymer resin, which could eventually act as both the battery and body of electric cars. Meanwhile, another U.K.-based university is teaming up with Airbus and GKN to research the use of curved carbon fiber structures in an effort make air travel more green. The University of Kentucky in Lexington will receive $75,000 from the Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation to create and test a new carbon fiber material that will be used to strengthen existing reinforced concrete and steel bridges and buildings.
In aerospace, a new compression molding process coupled with carbon-composites is focused on manufacturing lighter, stronger brackets for aircraft. Another possible benefit for aerospace entrepreneurs is President Obama’s proposal to cancel manned space flights, which they see as an open door to expand their presence in the industry. Other companies expanding their presence include Cobham, which won a contract with Sikorsky to supply composite rotor blades for the CH-53K helicopter, and Boeing, which says they see signs of a healing with an increased demand for commercial airplanes.
Some high-performance automakers made announcements this week. Lamborghini commemorated the Murcielago selling its 4,000th model. The 12-cylinder sports car with a carbon-fiber body is outpacing sales of its predecessor, the Diablo. Meanwhile, Audi unveiled a smaller version of its e-tron concept car. The vehicle, which features carbon fiber reinforced plastic body panels, will be the lightest car in Audi’s lineup and is expected to go on sale in 2012.
German-based composite materials producer FutureCarbon successfully manufactured a new non-dusting carbon nanotube, compared by some to instant coffee. EntoGenetics was one of five companies to receive a grant from North Carolina for its spider silk production technology, which it says can be used in many composite applications. On the wind energy front, the 73 percent of Kansas companies that currently don’t serve the wind industry met in the Kansas Blue Green Alliance to discuss how they could. And in Europe, Norway plans to manufacture the world’s most powerful wind turbine, roughly three times more powerful than ordinary turbines. However, Norwegian developers are cutting back on their proposed Lake Michigan wind farm after local negative reactions.
In infrastructure news, Alcan Composites has joined PPG Industries’ new Certified Metal Panel Program. Alcan will supply its Alucobond composites to be used in metal and aluminum building components. Down in South America, Amitech, the largest Brazilian manufacturer of FRP pipes, won four public biddings opened by Embasa, a water and sanitation company from the State of Bahia. The projects include construction of the Integrated Water Supply System of the city of Jacobina.
Turning to the seas, the America’s Cup finally commenced after years of legal battle, signifying a return to increased yacht-manufacturing. On the business side of the waters, Vitters Shipyard in the Netherlands purchased all shares in the composite boat/yachtbuilder Green Marine, while Ameracat expanded its business with great success, starting with a powered catamaran.
Element 21 Golf Company’s E21 Carrot Stix brand fishing poles will be the presenting sponsor at the 2010 Professional Anglers Association Bass Pro Shops Tournament Series. The poles use carrots to incorporate the first nano-bio-fiber technology. On the ground, Earthbound RV LLC, a maker of fuel-efficient composite and aluminum recreational vehicles, will create a new manufacturing operation in Marion, Indiana, creating up to 300 new jobs by 2013.
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