The new Innovative Materials 2024 volume 3 has just been released
ShAPE: new way to extrude materials
ShAPE stands for Shear Assisted Processing and Extrusion and is a new alternative for extruding materials. It delivers cost and energy savings as well as improvements in material properties, which, according to the technology’s developers – the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) – are of interest to a range of sectors, including automotive, aerospace, energy , healthcare and the recycling industry.
More sustainable with alternative reinforcement techniques
The concrete industry faces a major challenge to become more sustainable. An important aspect here is the smart application of concrete mixture compositions, so that as little (Portland) cement as possible is used in the base. The share of emissions achieved by reinforcing steel should also not be ignored: it is estimated that this accounts for approximately 21 percent of total CO2 emissions.
Artificial geysers may be able to solve mineral deficiencies
By imitating nature, it may be possible in the future to extract essential minerals from the seabed with a kind of artificial geysers. At the same time, green energy could be generated from the hot water of such geysers. Norwegian scientists think they can develop such a process in an environmentally friendly way, without causing any damage to the seabed.
Maximize track life
The modern railway industry faces many challenges due to the arrival of faster trains and constantly increasing axle loads. Of these challenges, Rolling Contact Fatigue (RCF) is of particular concern due to its significant effects on rail service life. RCF can cause cracks in the track, which can lead to catastrophic rail failures, causing serious safety risks and operational disruptions.
Brick Award 2024
Every two years, Wienerberger presents the Brick Awards and honors the most creative examples of modern and innovative brick architecture. The company wants to inspire both architects and enthusiasts from outside the profession to explore new building forms. The Brick Awards were announced during the Brick Award Ceremony held on June 6, 2024 in Vienna.
