Materials

Polymers

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Technology Report
Materials

Altair Honors Innovations in Automotive Lightweighting and Sustainability

General Motors engineers opted for a battery structure comprised entirely of high-performance polymeric materials for the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray’s hybrid...

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Briefs
Aerospace

‘Nanostitches’ Enable Lighter and Tougher Composite Materials

To save on fuel and reduce aircraft emissions, engineers are looking to build lighter, stronger airplanes out of advanced composites. These engineered materials are made from high-performance fibers that are embedded in polymer sheets. The sheets can be stacked and pressed into one multilayered material and made into extremely lightweight and durable structures.

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Articles
Materials

Unlocking the Potential of 3D-Printed Polymers in Aerospace and Defense

As we look ahead, it’s evident that the aerospace and defense industries are at the forefront of leveraging the potential of additive manufacturing. They are the main reason for the advent of high-performance polymers in AM.

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Articles
Materials

How to Select the Right Silicone for Space Applications

Selecting the right silicone manufacturer with a proven track record of extensive experience in the application and customization of space-grade silicones is as important as considering the materials’ function, purity and process requirements when choosing a silicone for space applications.

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Briefs
Materials

Towards Sustainable Recycling of Epoxy-Based Polymers: Approaches and Challenges of Epoxy Biodegradation

Epoxy polymers are widely used in various industries. However, the disposal of epoxy polymers and composites thereof has become a significant concern due to their recalcitrant nature and the adverse environmental effects caused by traditional recycling methods.

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News
Materials

Magna Introduces 100% Melt-Recyclable Foam for Seating

Magna last week announced the development of EcoSphere, which it calls an industry-first product that will prevent one category of material — seat foam padding and trim covers —...

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Briefs
Materials

New Polymer Coating Could Boost EV Batteries

Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have developed a conductive polymer coating – called HOS-PFM – that could enable longer lasting, more powerful lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles.

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News
Materials

Yokohama Rolls out Latest Off-Highway Radial

Yokohama announced a new off-highway radial tire as well as new sizes for existing tire families at CONEXPO 2023 in Las Vegas. The Galaxy Hippo all-steel radial high-traction loader tire was the...

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News
Materials

Hyundai Bears down on EV Charging, Sustainability

Inoperative public charging stations are a major irritant to both EV owners and to Hyundai Motor North America, asserts Olabisi Boyle, the company’s VP of product planning and mobility...

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Briefs
Green Design & Manufacturing

Biobased Carbon Fibers and Thermosetting Resins for Use in DOD Composites Applications

The aim was to use renewable resources derived from plants and other sources to prepare high-performance carbon fiber and thermosetting matrix resins with high strength and high thermal resistance.

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Articles
Materials

Solving Signal Interference Challenges in Aerospace and Defense Electronics

As the complexity of signal challenges in aerospace and defense technology increases, design engineers need to creatively combine materials to solve multiple problems at once.

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News
RF & Microwave Electronics

SAE International Extends Call for Abstracts, Seeks Submissions for AeroTech Conference

Engineering Events staff at SAE International in Warrendale, Pennsylvania, have extended the call for abstracts through September 21 for the...

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Articles
Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Advancing Metrology at Mach Speed

Drone-mounted inspection tools are breaking barriers for the F-35.

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Articles
RF & Microwave Electronics

Using Open-Cavity Plastic Packages in Avionics Applications

See which methods can help semiconductors meet very tight time-to-market windows.

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Briefs
Materials

Bio-Based Polyurethane Containing Isosorbide for Use in Composites and Coatings

Polyurethane can be easily molded or cast into a film at ambient conditions.

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Articles
Materials

Developing Thermoplastic Composites for Use in Commercial Aircraft

Thermoplastic composite materials (TPC) are gaining momentum for use in commercial airplanes and other aerospace applications, including electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

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Articles
Nanotechnology

Weaving a New Future for Composites

The advantages of composites are rarely debated. Born mostly from aerospace research, incredibly light but strong creations such as carbon fiber have upended mass-to-strength formulas, changing the way...

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Briefs
Aerospace

Biobased Carbon Fibers and Thermosetting Resins for Use in DOD Composites Applications

Advanced bio-based fibers and high-performance thermosetting resins will help reduce the dependence of military composites on high-cost petroleum.

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Briefs
Materials

Flexible, Thin-Film Battery

Computers or smartphones with folding screens, smart clothing, and wearable sensors all require an energy source, which is usually a lithium-ion battery. These are typically heavy and rigid, making them fundamentally...

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News
Materials

A Cool New Dimension to Automotive Plastics’ Testing

R&D testing in extreme temperatures has long been part of ensuring required longevity and performance of automotive materials. That is particularly so regarding plastics, the...

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Briefs
Materials

Design of New Piezoelectric Composites Using Nanocellulose

Using cellulose crystals as building blocks for the design and development of new low-density functional polymer composites.

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Technology Report
Green Design & Manufacturing

Plastics Exec Calls for Standards to Drive New Material Opportunities

The plastics industry is rethinking its next generation of automotive materials to meet new demands in what it calls “the ACCESS framework” – Autonomy,...

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News
Materials

Carbon Fiber Research Eyes Roof Frames, Doors

It’s not just for exotic “supercars” and motorcycles anymore. The performance-enhancing attributes of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics continue to be explored by global automakers as they seek...

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Briefs
Energy

Deformation Sensing in Soft Bio-Surrogate Materials

Accurate measurement of deformations occurring within or on soft materials will advance the next class of soft robotics and wearable biomedical sensors.

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News
Photonics/Optics

A Solution for Ice-Free Sensors

Sensor surfaces that are exposed to weather need to be kept clean so that ADAS and autonomous driving systems can function safely. Ice build-up in cold conditions is of particular concern, but Canatu thinks it...

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News
Propulsion

2019’s Best Automotive Plastics Innovations

The Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) annual Automotive Innovation Awards Competition, now in its 49th year, is considered the “Oscars” for those developing polymer and...

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Briefs
Photonics/Optics

Energy Harvesting for Soft-Matter Machines and Electronics

A new class of soft multifunctional materials could be used to convert mechanical deformation from vibrations and stretching into electrical energy.

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Application Briefs
Manufacturing & Prototyping

Metal-Plated, High-Temperature Plastics

Imagine a material that lightens fuel loads and cuts costs every time a rocket blasts off from the launch pad.

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Briefs
Electronics & Computers

Molecular Engineering for Mechanically Resilient and Stretchable Electronic Polymers and Composites

The ability to predict the mechanical properties of organic semiconductors is of critical importance for roll-to-roll production and...

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