1999 From: Institute of Materials
Materials World -- July issue tip sheetTechnology lifts-off in time for new space shuttle A new composite curing technology that uses high energy electron beams is set to allow composite materials to take centre stage in the development of new aircraft such as the proposed Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) and the Space Shuttle replacement, Venture Star. The next generation of aircraft could have entire wings built from a single moulding of high-tech composite materials that will be stronger and lighter than many of the traditional materials used today. page 398 Smart masts for intelligent yachts An intelligent yacht mast that can sense the potentially catastrophic stresses and strains caused by high winds has been developed by engineers at Smart Fibres Ltd in Southampton, UK. By incorporating optical sensing technology into composite mast structures, the engineers have been able to build a smart mast that can provide sailors with a real-time picture of the stresses being placed on the yacht. The technology will also provide engineers and designers with longer term structural data and can feed into black-box recording in case of a catastrophic event. page 406 Carbon goes for gold in the 2000 Olympics Increased demand, lower costs and new manufacturing techniques mean that carbon fibre reinforced plastics could be providing the winning edge in the yachting events at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia. These composite materials outperform traditional materials and have opened the doorway to new devices that fit within existing regulations but give sailors that extra added advantage. page 403 Looking through a nanotube The UK's first microscope for examining the deposition of layers at the atomic level has been built by researchers at the North East Wales Institute of Higher Education. The device could allow researchers to inspect carbon nanotubes that could be developed into nano-sized transistors or sensors. The research team are using the technology to examine the layers of materials used to form semiconductors, to investigate flaws and develop processes for improving deposition techniques. page 409 Also in this issue . . . XPS reveals all about the state of a surface X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is an ideal technique for quantitative chemical analysis of surfaces. page 412 Networking in cure monitoring Ivana Partridge describes the aims and activities of Curenet, a network promoting cure monitoring, and examines the achievements and future developments of this UK-based network. page 401 PLEASE MENTION MATERIALS WORLD AS THE SOURCE OF THIS ITEM For further information please contact Andrew McLaughlin on: Tel: 44-171-451-7395 Fax: 44-171-839-2289 Email: [email protected] Notes For Editors 1. These items are due to appear in the July issue of Materials World, Volume 7, Issue 7. 2. Materials World is the journal of The Institute of Materials, the professional organisation of materials scientists and engineers working throughout the world in areas involving the use and application of plastics, rubber, steel, metals and ceramics. 3. Brief contents of Materials World are also available on the web: www.materials.org.uk 4. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the views of the author and are not necessarily the views of Materials World, IoM Communications or any other organisation with which they are associated.
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