May 2011 - Amtil

Tech News
Germany: Lightning-fast materials testing using
ultrasound
Ultrasound has been a valuable tool in non-destructive
materials testing. However, the demands of modern production
conditions are increasing all the time. Researchers
at Fraunhofer have now developed a new, more reliable
process that delivers testing results at a rate that is up to
a hundredfold higher. By adapting the conventional sonar
procedure, they have generated 3D images with the aid
of innovative software and increased the testing rate a
hundredfold. They no longer use the sonar method that
emits a sound field in just one particular direction. Instead,
a probe is used to generate a defocused, non-directional
wave that penetrates the material. Imperfections are
easy to identify. The startling thing is that a fissure is
now visible even if the ultrasound was not specifically
directed at it.
Fraunhofer
Canada: Power tool vibration research
Workers who employ handheld power tools can be exposed
to large levels of vibrations in their hands and upper arms.
Such vibrations are not without consequence. "Prolonged
exposure to intensive tool vibration can cause hand-arm
vibration syndrome," says Subhash Rakheja, a professor
in Concordia University. He has published widely on
the ills of vibration overexposure and prevention and has
worked extensively to develop best workplace practices,
which have led to International Organization for Standardization
(ISO) for whole body vibration (ISO 5982) and
for hand-arm vibration (ISO 10068). A world standard for
anti-vibration gloves is now being investigated.
Concordia University
Germany: Extreme testing for rotor blades
Wind turbines are growing bigger and bigger – the diameter
of their rotor blades could soon reach 180m. But that
creates a need for larger test rigs capable of accommodating
the blades for load testing. One of the largest-ever
experimental test rigs, for blades measuring up to 90m
in length, will shortly go into operation. The prototypes
of new blades have to be tested and certified before they
can go into production, and that requires equally as large
testing facilities. Fraunhofer’s IWES Institute will be
inaugurating a new facility with the capability of testing
rotor blades up to 90m long. The central feature will be
a tiltable 1000 metric ton steel and reinforced concrete
mounting block. Hydraulic cylinders used to tilt the block
and additional cylinders to load the blade will allow the
rotor blade to be easily bent. A unique testing setup allows
for the blade tip of 90m blades to be bent through
a distance of 25 meters. The hydraulic tiltable mounting
block allows the setting up of the ideal configuration for
conducting tests with high precision in a minimum amount
of time. During the testing, the blade is subjected to the
same loads that it would normally have to withstand in
20 years of operation
Fraunhofer
Canada : Permanent anti-fog coating
Researchers at Université Laval have developed the
first permanent anti-fog coating. which could eliminate
the fog on eyeglasses, windshields, goggles, camera
lenses, and on any transparent glass or plastic surface.
Researchers used polyvinyl alcohol, a hydrophilic
compound that allows water to spread uniformly. The
challenge was to firmly attach the compound to the
glass or plastic surface. To accomplish this, researchers
applied four successive layers of molecules, which
formed strong bonds with their adjoining layers, prior
to adding the anti-fog compound over this base. The
result was a thin, transparent, multilayered coating
that does not alter the optical properties of the surface
In addition, the chemical bonds that join the different
layers ensure the hardness and durability of the entire
coating. Existing anti-fog treatments don’t have these
properties and won’t withstand washing, whereas this
coating is permanent.
Université Laval
Poland: Innovative new laser
The Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy
of Sciences and the Warsaw University work have
started construction of an innovative laser. The compact
device will make use of a unique light amplification
technology to allow single laser pulses to reach the
power of tens of terawatts with world record-breaking
amplification parameters.
Polish Academy of Sciences
USA: Progressing towards hydrogen vehicles
Researchers have revealed a new single-stage method
for recharging the hydrogen storage compound ammonia
borane. The breakthrough makes hydrogen a
more attractive fuel for vehicles. Hydrogen is in many
ways an ideal fuel. It possesses a high energy content
per unit mass, and it can be used to run a fuel cell,
which in turn can be used to power a very clean engine.
On the down side, H2 has a low energy content per
unit volume. The crux of the hydrogen issue has been
how to get enough of the element on board a vehicle
to power it a reasonable distance. Work has focused
on chemical hydrides for storing hydrogen, with one
material in particular, ammonia borane. Ammonia
borane is attractive because its hydrogen storage capacity
approaches 20% by weight - enough that it should,
with appropriate engineering, permit hydrogen-fueled
vehicles to go farther than 480km on a single "tank," a
benchmark set by the U.S. Dept of Energy. This simple
scheme regenerates ammonia borane from a hydrogen
depleted "spent fuel" form (called polyborazylene) back
into usable fuel via reactions taking place in a single
container. This "one pot" method represents a significant
step toward the practical use of hydrogen in vehicles
by potentially reducing the expense and complexity of
the recycle stage.
Los Alamos National University
18 May 2011 Australian Manufacturing Technology