Latest with Boeing and the 787

Many who follow composite materials like to keep an extremely close eye on Boeing, and in particular, the development of the new 787 Dreamliner. Randy Tinseth, the vice president of marketing for Boeing Commercial Airplanes in Seattle has a great blog (Randy's Journal), which is a must read for staying up to date with all things Boeing.

Photo Credit: markjhandel via flicker

New Humvee Door Design

Here is an article from Defense News talking about new BAE Systems armor kits for the Humvee and how they reduce weight by 500 lbs. (Which actually doesn't seem like that much). What I found most interesting in the article, is that they redesigned the doors which:

"feature front and rear doors that swing open like cabinet doors, providing combat troops front- and rear-armor protection."

Most all military vehicle doors open like conventional automobiles, in parallel. However, it makes perfect sense to reverse this. The doors, up armored with composites, act as shields and protect from the front and rear.

I am willing to bet money this will save more then one life, and it is often the simple ideas which can have a great impact. Perhaps in other military and composite applications designers and engineers should take a step back, and question why.

Photo Credit: US Army Military Command via flicker

BPA in Composite Materials

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an organic compound that is widely used in plastics. The majority of BPA is used as a monomer in the manufacturing of polycarbonate (think 5-gallon water bottles), but there is a large amount being used as an additive in epoxy resins. Recently, BPA has been shown to act much like the hormone estrogen; causing concern for consumer products containing BPA. (In particular baby bottles and water bottles.)

Concerns over BPA in the structural composites industry are yet to come to light as the majority of epoxy based composite products do not allow for human ingestion. However, one use of epoxy does, and this is causing some concern.

Many epoxy dental sealants commonly use BPA, in a recent survey among dentists, 25% reported being "very worried" about the use of BPA in dental sealants. Here is the American Dental Association's take on BPA.

It will be interesting to see the future of BPA in consumer products, plastics, and epoxy...

Photo Credit: ^@^ina via flicker

Lamborghini Sponsers University of Washignton Composites Center

Italian car manufacturer Lamborghini has donated $1 million to the University of Washington's: Automobili Lamborghini Advanced Composite Structures Laboratory. (Not a bad sponsor...)

Here is the research labs mission statement:

"Our mission is to provide research and education solutions in the field of composite materials and structures that are of particular relevance to ensuring the safety of current and future air and ground vehicles.

The research conducted in the group includes foreign object damage resistance and tolerance, crash worthiness, lightning strike protection, and certification by analysis supported by test evidence. "

More info: Seattle Times

Photo Credit: OmniNate via flicker

Reducing Aviation Emissions

Interesting article by MITs Technology Review on how the aviation industry can reduce global warming emissions. Obviously, using lightweight composite materials is a start; further carbon reductions can come from improved logistics, improved wing/airplane design, and using bio-fuels.

Read the article here.

Photo Credit: Rob Shenk via flicker