Best to come out of NASA: Composite Materials

Interesting article about some of the best technology advances to come out of NASA... Including composite materials...

Also included: solar energy, forest management, environmental controls, oil spill control, water purification, home insulation, smoke detectors, water reduction technology, energy storage systems, structural analysis, air quality monitors, virtual reality, green building, advanced lubricants, and more.

So lets hear it for more funding for space exploration... How about Mars?

Read the article: examiner.com

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Nanotech Material Setting up in Ohio

With the help of "congressionally approved research funding" of $3.6 million, a nanotechnology materials company (I am assuming nano-composites) is setting up shop in Dayton, Ohio.

Read the article: Dayton Daily News

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Plastic's and the Auto Market

Composites and plastics play a large role in each automobile. In fact, the American Chemistry Council (ACC) estimates that each automobile contains $2,200 dollars worth of chemistry. (ie composite resins, plastics, adhesives, rubber hoses, coatings, etc.) With the "Big 3" reporting 2008 demand dropped by 3 million vehicles, my calculations say that $6.6 BILLION less dollars of chemical based auto components were used in '08... Thats nothing to shake a stick at.

But, with darkness comes the hope of light. The demand for fuel efficiency only increasing, there is hope that more and more composite materials, plastics, and other lightweight chemical based products will replace steel and metal components in the future. And then there is hope, that the economny will turn around.

More info: Article by ICIS.com

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Machining Composite Materials

Interesting article about machining composites: machinery.co.uk

Photo Credit: Ebert Composites Corporation

Offshore Wind Farms Should Probably Use Composites

The list of benefits for offshore wind farms is growing. The more consistent wind, and open space is a lure for energy developers. However, the cost to install turbines out at sea needs to be lower in order to speed up the adaption and development.

Current offshore wind turbines are located in areas where the ocean depth is relatively shallow, such that the towers can be affixed to the sea floor. With such turbines, the tower foundation size, weight, and complexity, will be directly proportional to the weight of the tower, turbine, and blades. The heavier the tower, turbine, and blades are, the larger and more expensive a foundation is needed. This is where composites could be used.

Besides the obvious benefit of corrosion resistance, composites could play a major role in offshore towers and structures to help minimize weight. Doing so could dramatically lower the install cost and change the overall economics of the turbines...

On another note, recently a floating offshore turbine has been deployed, more information here.

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