Loading ...In the news this week, a Boeing executive said potential for commercial composites in aerospace now dwarfs military work. However, the company has yet to decide if its 737 replacement will get a composite fuselage. Meanwhile, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) selected Hartzell’s ASC-II advanced composite propeller for its new KC-100 aircraft. Sikorsky Aircraft’s contra-rotating coaxial X2 technology demonstrator achieved a forward speed of 181 knots in a test flight, putting the prototype closer to its goal of 250 knots. The University of Dayton is set to receive $3 million from the state towards a project aimed at aerospace and other composite material applications. India began feasibility study to design and develop a 90-seeat civilian aircraft, forming nine sub-committees including engine, composite materials, avionics and landing gear.
A host of recent developments point to the growing trend that polymers and composites are driving the automotive market–and the developments keep coming. BMW has officially set a 2013 release date for its upcoming Megacity carbon fiber electric vehicle. KraussMaffei signed a deal with Germany-based Dieffenbacher which could result in adoption of more high-pressure resin injection systems at auto manufacturers of CFRP parts. A U.K. startup is developing low carbon composite materials that aim to be cheap enough to be used in the braking systems of mass market cars. Another composite manufacturer is starting up a company that could make organic cars out of materials like paper and honeycomb.
Infrastructure companies take note: The Construction Safety Council plans to roll out a new national Health Hazards Awareness Program for the construction industry by late summer. International pipe producer HOBAS has opened a new research center for glass fiber-reinforced plastics (GRP) pipe systems in Wietersdorf, Austria. Yet, the National Composite Center was denied $3 million in state funds to explore the implementation of carbon fiber in industries such as construction and wind energy.
Speaking of renewable energy, the ongoing dispute between GE and Mitsubishi over wind turbine patent infringements flared up when Mitsubishi filed another complaint in the U.S. District Court. Green Mountain Power unveiled its new wind project, consisting of 21 turbines along one of Vermont’s northern towns. A new report estimates that by 2050, Britain could harness wind, tidal and wave power to generate six times its current energy consumption. Northern Power shipped out its 100th community scale wind turbine, while SGS announced Dr. Pavel Novak as the new manager of the Wind Energy Technology Center in Tianjin, China. Goldwind Science and Technology, China’s leading wind turbine developer, made its overseas debut at the 2010 Wind Power Conference in Dallas.
New energy was the focus of U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu’s decision to visit the University of Maine’s Advanced Engineering Wood Composites Center in June to learn more about offshore and deepwater wind energy. Elsewhere in education, the University of Dayton received funding to develop a nanomaterial which would allow composite materials to produce additional energy. Meanwhile, a recent graduate of Boise State University won a NASA internship, where she will help develop thermally fail-safe composites.
For the most vibrant marine action last week, you had to go down under. Dubois’ 36.8m composite sloop was launched in Auckland, New Zealand, and Pearson Composites launched its Alerion Express 33 electric composite boat. Elsewhere in the world, MC Products was appointed UK Distributor for3M’s entrance matting system, made of PVC composites. And, after Christensen Shipyards won a $1 million federal stimulus grant to retool its yacht-building business, the company created Renewable Energy Composite Solutions, which fired up its first production line this week.
In other news, the federal government of Pakistan is considering establishing a product development center for composite-based sporting goods. An independent designer has discovered another use for carbon fiber by developing a full-carbon backpack. Malama Composites primarily serves the recreation market, but it is diversifying by introducing eco-friendly materials to the wind power industry.
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