University R&D
Composites in the News Last Week
The PSP Southampton Boat show will showcase everything from eco-friendly yachts, classic fishing smacks and WWII launches, when it starts on September 10. Scottish Adventurer Jock Wishart plans a rowing expedition, using composite boats, to the North Pole. According to the latest reports, aerospace manufacturer TenCate sales doubled in the first half of 2010.... »
Composites in the News Last Week
Under the U.S. financial Reform Bill, which is about to become law, auto, marine and RV dealers will be excluded from the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Speaking of dealers, the Small Business Administration Dealer Floor Plan program is set to end in September if an extension doesn’t pass. »
Composites in the News Last Week
The infrastructure industry was looking a little green this week, as New Polymer Systems Inc. announced it plans to commercialize a bio-based additive from lignocellulose fiber for use in landscaping, roofing and drainage pipes applications. Meanwhile, fiberglass siding may soon become a more widespread option for residential homeowners. The National Association of Home Builders... »
Composites in the News
Staying offshore with renewable energy, the Department of Energy confirmed it is committing $20 million to further the development of deepwater offshore wind energy development. Michigan-based Energetx Composites was awarded $3.5 million to manufacture large scale composite turbines as part of the state’s overall Clean Energy Advanced Manufacturing program grants. The University of Houston... »
Composites in the News
Automotive topped the news this week, as Congress is expected to exempt auto loans from its overhaul of the financial structure of a new consumer agency. In an effort to win more buyers, Ford is stepping up its efforts to incorporate bio-based materials such as soy foam and natural fiber-reinforced plastics through nearly its... »
In Pursuit of the New: Shear Fortitude
In the process of developing a new composite product, you must often consider the shear stiffness of the material (its elastic property) and the shear strength (how much shear stress a material can take). University of Utah Professor Dan Adams has worked on tests specifically designed to establish the shear properties of composites. His... »
Composites in the News Last Week
China has established its first national laboratory to focus on the application of polymers and composites in aerospace. German composites manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited will design and manufacture more than 100 basic trainers for the Indian Air Force. In the U.S., Parkway Products plans to expand its Boone County, Kentucky aerospace and defense production... »
In Pursuit of the New: Composites Use Wheat in Auto Thinning
Listen to the latest announcements from Ford Motor Company, and you’ll hear a recurring theme: renewable technologies. One of the first major product announcements related to renewable energy was the implementation of wheat straw-reinforced plastic in the 2011 Ford Flex. »
Composites in the News Last Week
As the World Cup kicked off this weekend, it’s notable that Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa features fiber-reinforced concrete panels, which manufacturer Rieder Smart Elements says are 10 times lighter than conventional materials. In other infrastructure news, Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, Calif. said it is incorporating composite landscape... »
In Pursuit of the New: A Composite Vision in Green
These days, environmentally-friendly composites are permeating the marketplace and the technology is seen as a viable alternative. But, these solutions weren’t always smiled upon. Just ask University of Mississippi Professor Ellen Lackey, who began working on natural fiber composites at the turn of the century. “We faced skepticism from the composites community because people... »
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