Wind/Energy

Autoclave 1 Feb 2015

Thermoplastic composite pressure vessels for FCVs

U.K. consortiums address durability, weight, cost of high-pressure tanks for hydrogen fuel-cell powered vehicles.

Aerospace 1 Feb 2015

Can IACMI propel us out of adolescence, into adulthood?

On Jan. 9, the US Department of Energy (DoE) announced that it will add US$70 million to the US$189 million already committed to the University of Tennessee’s Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI) for composites R&D. CW's editor-in-chief Jeff Sloan asks, "What will come of this investment?"

Wind/Energy 19 Jan 2015

BNSF Logistics and TTS cut wind blade transport costs

BNSF's Blade Runner service uses a single universal fixture for ocean, rail, truck and storage improving clearance, load factors and efficiency while TTS uses high density fixture to pack 42 blades per train.

Defense 12 Jan 2015

Part design criteria (2015)

Designers of composite parts can choose from a huge variety of fiber reinforcements and resin systems. That makes knowledge of how those materials work together a critically important aspect of part development. Here's a short description of what that knowledge entails.

Sustainability 12 Jan 2015

Supply and demand: Advanced fibers (2015)

Demand for advanced fiber, virgin and reclaimed, is on an upswing after a dip during the recent recession. Fiber suppliers are gearing up to meet an expected increase in demand as manufacturers in a number of composites end-markets scale up or start up part development and production programs.

Out of Autoclave 9 Jan 2015

U. of Tennessee consortium awarded National Composites Manufacturing Institute contract

The long-awaited $70 million commitment from the US Department of Energy goes to a consortium led by the University of Tennessee's Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI), which includes 122 partners who have promised an additional $259 million.

Automotive 8 Jan 2015