polymerguru

It's the stuff of dreams that became a reality in a University of Southern Mississippi laboratory. Inspired by his own dream of a technology now considered revolutionary in the world of plastics research, polymer science professor Marek Urban developed a unique type of plastic material that turns red or "bleeds" when damaged. When the damage occurs, or when stressors mount that portend damage to the material, the molecule links that span along chains of chemicals within the material split and release a color simulating bleeding. After exposure to sunlight or change in temperature, the material begins repairing itself in much the same way human skin does. "I dreamed of developing this after thinking about how human skin repairs itself when damaged, and how blood coming from the injury works as a sign of that damage," Urban said. "Sometimes, damage to material may not be visible to the human eye, but with the release of the colors that mimic bleedi

Arkema Inc. announces that Underwriters Laboratory (UL) has granted a final Relative Thermal Index (RTI) rating of 150°C mechanical and 140°C dielectric for its black Kynar® film, used in the construction of photovoltaic backsheet. This RTI rating is among the highest that has been granted by UL. The new, black version of Kynar® film will enable solar panel module makers to source black Kynar®-based backsheets to produce modules which can be more visually appealing and consistent in color to the dark silicon cells. The backsheet provides insulation and protection from electric shock. The Kynar® film typically is the outer layer of the backsheet laminate structure, where  PET  film is used as the primary dielectric layer. However,  PET  weathering performance and hydrolysis resistance is poor. "The primary function of the Kynar® film is to protect the PET such that the backsheet does not degrade over the life of the module," said Ron Partridge, senior business developm

Quadrant Engineering Plastic Products (EPP) is riding on a wave of medal-worthy achievements, as it celebrates its part in the success of the 2012 Summer Olympics and in the forthcoming 2014 Royal Commonwealth Games in Scotland. Chosen to design, manufacture and supply the deck pool grating & channel rail system for the three major pools and circular plunge pool at the London 2012 Olympic Park Aquatics Centre, Quadrant has also been awarded the contract for the development and manufacture of the innovative new pool deck grating used at The Royal Commonwealth Pool in Edinburgh. The venue will host the diving events for the Glasgow 2014 Royal Commonwealth Games. The grating provides the cover for the front end of the filtration system and substantially increases the return rate of water in all three major competition swimming pools. Unlike the new build completed for the 2012 Summer Olympics, the Royal Commonwealth pools have been refurbished, presenting a differen

Aerospace, automotive, and electronics engineers have been tasked with finding material solutions that can reduce weight, improve functionality, and help consolidate or miniaturize parts in some of the most demanding environments. VICTREX® 90-Series high flow  PEEK  polymers were developed specifically for thin-walled, intricate component applications and offer higher mechanical properties with improvements in modulus, toughness, and coefficient of thermal expansion. Available in unfilled, carbon and glass-filled grades, these specialty polymers help facilitate the replacement of metals, thermosets, and ceramics due to their ability to reduce weight up to 80% and improve reliability due to their inherent thermal and mechanical properties. When Mold Craft, a mold designer that specializes in small, intricate components, was challenged with molding a funnel tip with a 0.038cm (0.015in) wall by 0.945cm (0.372in) long followed by a 0.020cm (0.008in) wall by 0.254cm (0.100in) long, the

Luxfer Holdings PLC (Luxfer Group), the global materials technology company serving the environmental, healthcare and protection markets, has entered into an arrangement agreement with Dynetek Industries Ltd. (Dynetek) to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Dynetek. The Dynetek board of directors, led by Executive Chairman Douglas Pigot, has unanimously recommended that Dynetek shareholders approve the transaction. Luxfer Group is a manufacturer of high-pressure gas cylinders through its Luxfer Gas Cylinders division. Six manufacturing plants in the US, UK, France, China and a joint venture in India produce cylinders for a diverse range of applications, including containment of compressed natural gas (CNG). Dynetek produces CNG cylinders and alternative fuel (AF) systems for buses and heavy-goods vehicles and is a global authority on portable hydrogen containment. The company operates manufacturing facilities in Canada and Germany. Dynetek’s 2011 sales rev

One way to effectively protect food from metal-particle contamination is to install an electric metal detector. Any goods affected are then rejected. Plastic bearing expert igus®, located in East Providence, Rhode Island, has developed its range of available self-aligning bearing materials to meet this requirement. At this year's Hannover Industrial Fair in Hanover, Germany, igus presented a new extension to its igubal® product line; a polymer material that can be recognized by metal detectors. The complete igubal® range includes lubrication and maintenance-free rod end bearings and clevis joints, flanged units, press-fit and pedestal bearings. Both the housing and spherical balls are made from detectable plastic. Standard metal-detection systems can detect all potential plastic residues, even down to the tiniest particle, and then select these for rejection. The self-adjusting bearings are manufactured completely from tribo-optimized polymers. They are easy to install, adju

Faster, higher, stronger! In 2012, the UK capital of London will, for the third time, embrace the Olympic motto. When some 15,000 athletes from all over the world congregate in London to battle it out for medals in the Olympic and Paralympic Games, LANXESS products generally will not be very far away. Specialty chemicals are found in balls, mats, running tracks, gym floors, shoes and much more. They make sure that the athletes can trust their equipment. Without LANXESS products, top performances and world records would often simply not be possible. High-tech shoes The most important equipment for a runner is the shoes. Today's shoes use a technology similar to that used in modern, fuel-saving tires: "Silica technology that gives the tires good grip and makes them economical also ensures that the soles of the running shoes have good grip on a wet track," says Martin Mezger, a rubber expert at LANXESS. The LANXESS material is called Krynac: It is particularly durable