Vector Aerospace Signs Engine Services Agreement with John Hopkinson and Associates Ltd

Vector Aerospace Corporation a leading providers of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services informed about the signing of a service agreement between Vector Aerospace Engine Services-Atlantic, Inc (Vector) and John Hopkinson & Associates Limited, based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

The three-year service agreement requires Vector to provide John Hopkinson & Associates Ltd. with comprehensive fixed-wing engine repair and overhaul support for the Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) JT15D and PT6A series engines from its P&WC Distributor and Designated Overhaul Facility (DDOF) located in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Canada. The work performed in Summerside will be augmented by Vector’s four other North American satellite centres located in Atlanta, Georgia; Calgary, Alberta; Dallas, Texas; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

John Hopkinson, president of John Hopkinson & Associates Ltd., says, “We are very proud to be entering into this Service Agreement with Vector Aerospace.” John Hopkinson & Associates Ltd. is Canada’s oldest and largest aircraft brokerage and aviation consulting firm; having been in business for over 40 years. JH&A have facilitated the purchase or sale of over 3,500 new and pre-owned aircraft during that time period and continue to be an industry leader in providing both individuals and corporations with comprehensive service from the planning stages, right through to the completion of the transaction and beyond. The timing of this agreement coincides with the firm’s acquisition of 25 Cessna Citation Ultras purchased from Embraer.

GE Expands Smart Grid Portfolio, Extends its Reach in Ireland

GE apprised that it has finalized the acquisition of Ireland-based FMC-Tech, a leading provider of smart grid technology equipment providing real-time power line monitoring capabilities. The acquisition, first announced in May, marks another milestone in both GE’s dedication to smart grid excellence and its commitment to smart grid development in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

“GE is committed to innovatively solving our customers’ toughest challenges with more efficient, reliable and sustainable energy solutions,” said Keith Redfearn, general manager—Digital Energy for GE Energy in Europe. “FMC-Tech solutions are at the forefront of a new wave of technologies allowing utilities to remain competitive and capable of meeting the challenges of the 21st century grid.”

FMC Tech comes to GE with utility experience and backing. ESB Networks has worked with the FMC-Tech team on pilot trials of their intelligent network sensors. According to ESB, the deployed system has proven to be highly effective in the areas of network monitoring and fault detection, delivering a significant reduction in outage duration.

GE has also demonstrated its commitment to smart grid development in Ireland by supporting Smart Grid Ireland (SGI). SGI is a group of international and local businesses facilitated by the Center for Competitiveness, focused on articulating the benefits of smart grid to promote sustainability and economic growth throughout the region.

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Quickstep Receives First Purchase Order for F-35 fighter Parts

Australian advanced materials company Quickstep Holdings Limited informed that it has received its first Purchase Order to manufacture parts for the international F-35 Lightning II, Joint Strike Fighter military aircraft, marking the first contract in what is expected to be a 20 year plus manufacturing program.

Under the framework established in the LTA, Quickstep is set to deliver the first F-35 Lightning II parts in 2012. The Company will supply a variety of F-35 components, including a large number of composite doors and panels.

The Purchase Order covers production of Group 1 components for the F-35 over the next 12 months, as scheduled under the Long Term Agreement (LTA) Quickstep signed with principal F-35 subcontractor Northrop Grumman, in February 2011. The value and scope of the manufacturing contract will remain confidential.

The contract was awarded after Quickstep successfully passed its Tollgate review set by Northrop Grumman, which required Quickstep to successfully demonstrate production readiness for F-35 Group 1 part manufacturing. This included the completion of all qualification requirements and the manufacture of a demonstration part using Quickstep operated facilities, tools, systems, staff and business processes.

Managing Director of Quickstep, Mr Philippe Odouard, said the receipt of the first Purchase Order was a landmark occasion for the Company, and represented an outstanding effort by the Quickstep team in successfully passing QPL .

"This order for the F-35 components represents Quickstep's first aerospace global supply chain manufacturing contract – a huge achievement for the Company following a long and arduous qualification process," Mr Odouard said. "Quickstep's LTA to manufacture Group 1 parts contemplates a 20 year production timeline, representing a long term income stream for the Company."

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Persico Teams Up with Structura/IQ Holding to Create a New Thermoplastic PBT Composite Material

Italy-based Persico has teamed up with Structura/IQ Holding to create a new thermoplastic PBT composite material. For the material the company impregnates thermoplastic PBT with fibres such as glass, carbon and basalt. The resulting thermoformable material is recyclable, environmentally friendly and made without VOCs or toxic emissions.

Persico supplies the material in coils ready for thermoforming. The pre-forms is heated at temperatures in excess of 250°C, put into a cold male/female mould and left to cool down under pressure. The high crystallization temperature of the PBT makes the forming process extremely fast making the line's production potential very high.

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World’s Only Rapid Prototyping System Able to Jet 2 Materials at the Same Time to Produce Advanced Composite Materials Launched

Objet Ltd., the innovation leader in 3D printing for rapid prototyping and additive manufacturing, today revealed the Objet260 Connex, a compact and attractively priced addition to Objet’s family of multi-material 3D printers. The Objet260 Connex is based on the company’s patented inkjet 3D printing technology – the world’s only rapid prototyping system able to jet 2 materials at the same time. This technology allows users to select from a large range of composite materials when building 3D models, such as Objet’s recently released ABS-like material. The system can also print a model replica made of up to 14 individual materials in a single print run.

Commenting on the new 3D printer, David Reis, CEO for Objet said, “The compact Objet260 Connex brings our high-resolution, multi-material 3D printing to new levels of accessibility for front-line designers and engineers who demand the highest quality prototypes and true-product representation. And all this in a system that is quiet, reliable and small enough to run in the corner of any office.”

The Objet260 Connex allows users to create prototypes containing distinct material elements, such as rigid walls with flexible, rubber-like joints or models combining transparent and opaque parts.

Gold River Productions Introduces Lightweight, Durable, All-Composite Sea Freight Containers

Gold River Productions, a developer and designer of patented and patent-pending renewable energy technologies and all-composite products, apprised about details of its latest innovation for the marine industry, the all composite sea freight container. The Company's sea freight containers can reduce the weight of today's standard products by up to 60%, are extremely durable, will not rust or corrode, and cost less to produce due to its lightweight, thermoplastic material.

Gold River's proprietary technologies and fiber-reinforced thermoplastic sheets are thermo-fused to a honeycomb or insulated foam core to create a superior lightweight, highly impact resistant and very durable sandwich panel. By using its custom-designed, high-speed panel manufacturing processes, the Company is able to manufacture sea freight containers using all-composite materials that are up to 60% lighter than those in use today. No volatile organic compounds are emitted during the process, and containers are recyclable at the end of their useful lives. Since the panels are thermoplastic rather than steel, they also have the ability to enhance border security imaging, screening and detection processes.

John Ohlin, president and CEO of Gold River Productions, Inc., stated, "Five years ago, our company began the research and development of a breakthrough concept in designing large structures, specifically, sea freight containers and pre-fabricated housing, using our newly developed materials. Now we are excited to move forward with our latest sea freight technology and containers that can help solve current economic and environmental challenges affecting the global marine industry."

Composites-intensive Hybrid Electric Airplane Developed by Siemens

Siemens AG, Diamond Aircraft and EADS presented the world's first aircraft DA36 E-Star with a serial hybrid electric drive system at the Paris Air Show Le Bourget 2011. The two-seater motor glider successfully completed its maiden flight on June 8 at the Wiener Neustadt airfield in Vienna, Austria. The aircraft was built by the three partners to test the hybrid electric drive concept. In the future, the technology, which is intended for later use also in large-scale aircraft, will cut fuel consumption and emissions by 25 percent, compared to today's most efficient aircraft drives.



Electromobility is now making inroads into the world of aircraft. The technology of the series hybrid electric drive is scalable and will be used in small and medium-sized aircraft and, in the medium term, larger planes. It will make aviation greener.

"A serial hybrid electric drive can be scaled for a wide range of uses, making it highly suitable for aircraft as well," said Dr. Frank Anton, the initiator of electric aircraft development at Siemens. "The first thing we want to do is test the technology in small aircraft. In the long term, however, the drive system will also be used in large-scale aircraft. We want to cut fuel consumption and emissions by 25 percent, compared to today's most efficient technologies. This will make air travel more sustainable."

The motor glider, which is based on Diamond Aircraft's HK36 Super Dimona, is the only aircraft of its kind in the world. It is the first to use a so-called serial hybrid electric drive, which has been utilized to date only in cars, as an integrated drive train. The plane's propeller is powered by a 70kW electric motor from Siemens. Electricity is supplied by a small Wankel engine from Austro Engine with a generator that functions solely as a power source. A Siemens converter supplies the electric motor with power from the battery and the generator. Fuel consumption is very low since the combustion engine always runs with a constant low output of 30kW. A battery system from EADS provides the increased power required during takeoff and climb. The accumulator is recharged during the cruising phase. "The serial hybrid electric drive concept makes possible a quiet electric takeoff and a considerable reduction in fuel consumption and emission," said Christian Dries, the owner of Diamond Aircraft. "It also enables aircraft to cover the required long distances."


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Nanocomposite Material Provides More Fire Protection in a Polymer

Materials scientists from the University of Maryland (UMD) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have demonstrated that a nanocomposite material provides more fire protection when the extensively and evenly dispersed nanoscale clay plates of clay are in a polymer. In tests conducted on five specimens with varying dispersions of clay plates, but with equal amount of nanoscale filler, the sample that had the widest dispersion was more resistant to burning, igniting and degradation.

The NIST-UMD scientists used a polymer normally used in insulation and packaging products and also in cutlery and other products filled with montmorillonite nanometer scale plates. Montmorillonite is a kind of clay having a sandwich-type molecular arrangement. The montmorillonite clay was filled in the polymer, and the combination lead to a superior material. The team subjected the specimens to a number of flammability tests and characterization methods. The tests provided a comprehensive picture of the dispersion of nanoscale clay plates and the response of the material to heat influx. Studies suggested that the dispersion, stacking or clumping of clay plates in polymers impact the characteristics of the resultant material.

When nanoscale plates of clay were better dispersed they got entangled more easily when subjected to heat. They formed a network structure with fewer gaps and had a lesser likelihood of getting cracked.. The resultant structure was a heat shield that had the ability to reduce flammability and the rate of degradation. Scientists are now exploring other avenues of reducing flammability by using novel techniques and advanced materials.

Dow and Ube Form Joint Venture to Manufacture Electrolytes for Lithium-Ion Batteries

The Dow Chemical Company and Ube Industries, Ltd. (Ube) informed about an agreement to form a joint venture to manufacture and market formulated electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in energy storage applications. The 50-50 joint venture, named Advanced Electrolyte Technologies LLC, is expected to be finalized later this year, pending regulatory approval.

The joint venture complements the growth strategy of Dow’s Energy Materials business by adding formulated electrolytes to an integrated product portfolio that addresses the rapidly expanding energy storage industry.

“The growing demand for alternative energy production and energy storage systems places technologies such as advanced batteries for electric/hybrid vehicles and power generation at the very center of the global mega-trends,” said Heinz Haller, Dow executive vice president and chief commercial officer, “Partnering with an electrolyte industry leader like Ube gives Dow the ability to provide cell manufacturers with a robust offering of material technology that meets demanding battery performance requirements.”

The new joint venture will also allow Ube to strengthen its global supply network and improve cost competitiveness for its electrolyte technology outside of Japan. This will enable Ube to take advantage of other rapidly growing geographical segments with its world class formulated electrolyte technologies. The joint venture’s first manufacturing facility is expected to be built at Dow’s Michigan Operations’ site in Midland for startup in 2012.

BMW M3 CRT Debuts Carbon Fiber Technology

BMW M3 Carbon Fiber Technology debuts new production process for CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic) components that are used in the upcoming i3 and i8.

M3 CRT uses the same engine as the M3 GTS Coupe, 450 horsepower at 8,300 RPM and 324 lb-ft torque at 3,750 RPM. Top speed is limited to 180 mph and the carbon-fiber dressed M3 runs to 62 mph in just 4.4 seconds.

The BMW M3 CRT (Carbon Racing Technology) is a limited-edition high-performance sports car based on the BMW M3 saloon and it utilizes carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) to minimize weight. The use of CFRP in the construction of the car helps it achieve a weight-to-power ratio of 3.5 kg per horsepower.

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Boeing Forecasts $150 Billion Market for 1320 New Passenger Airplanes in India

Boeing forecasts a $150 billion market for 1320 new passenger airplanes in India over the next 20 years as the economy aims for double-digit growth, stimulating strong demand for new and replacement airplanes.

"Robust growth with new economic prosperity amongst a massive Indian population, discretionary incomes, business progress and access to airports will increase airplane demand,” Boeing India President Dinesh Keskar said. "In 2011, the economy continues to do well. Indian air carriers are becoming profitable and we expect the GDP to maintain its upward trend in the long-term. As a result, both the air travel and air cargo markets will grow.” Keskar also said that airline revenue and yields were up, but high inflation and volatile fuel prices will play a pivotal role in the health of the industry.

Passenger traffic, which has reached 53.6 million domestic (fiscal 2011) and 13.1 million international, is expected to grow at 8.1 percent annually over the long-term.

“The economic and air-traffic growth will in turn stimulate demand for a variety of aircraft types,” Keskar said. “The need is great for new airplanes that can efficiently and profitably fly short and long-haul routes. This demand is driven by growth in developing and emerging cities, demand from low-cost carriers and the need to replace an aging fleet.”

The biggest demand will be for single-aisle airplanes. In that category is the Next- Generation Boeing 737, the most widely flown jetliner in the world. To keep up with demand, Boeing recently announced it will boost production to a record 42 737s per month by the first half of 2014.

Boeing airplanes currently dominate India’s long-haul international fleet, with 777s and 747s in service, soon to be joined by the 787 Dreamliner. “The super-efficient 787 will offer significant economic improvement for airlines, increased comfort for passengers and better environmental performance,” Keskar said.

India’s airlines have been growing rapidly by taking advantage of geography, demographics, airplane technology and well-coordinated growth and investment plans. Some carriers, like Air India also are looking for replacement airplanes as they retire aging and less-efficient jets. Boeing predicts that India-based airlines also will grow by responding to passenger preference for more flight choices, lower fares and direct access to a wider range of destinations.

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Elastomeric Coating Bag Which Can Protect Planes from Bombs in Passenger Luggage Designed

Academicians from the University of Sheffield working within University spinout company Blastech Ltd and an international team of scientists have designed a bag, which can protect planes from bombs in passenger luggage.

The bag, named the Fly-Bag, features multiple layers of novel fabrics, composites and coatings and is designed to be filled with passenger luggage and then placed in the hold of a plane. If there were a bomb in the luggage in the bag which exploded during the flight, the resulting blast would be absorbed by the bag due to its complex fabric structure, preventing damage to the plane. Fundamental to the design of the bag is the internal elastomeric coating and impregnation of fabric with Shear Thickening Fluids (STF).


STFs work by increasing in viscosity in response to impact. Under normal circumstances, the particles in STFs repel each other slightly, however following sudden impact, the extra energy in the system proves stronger than the repulsive forces, causing the particles to clump together in structures called hydroclusters, which bump into each other, consequently thickening the fluid.

Ahlstrom Starts Production of Specialty Reinforcements for the Wind Energy Market in China

The production of glass fiber reinforcements, which is used among other things to strengthen wind mill blades, will be started by the fourth quarter 2011 at Ahlstrom's Binzhou plant in the Shandong province on China's eastern coast. Ahlstrom will install multiaxial machines to its existing Binzhou site, which currently manufactures transportation filtration materials and employs 170 people.

"China has become a global power house in wind energy and through this investment we can better serve our global and local customers in the country. This gives us a good platform for further growth in the fast growing wind energy markets in China and elsewhere Asia," says Laura Raitio, Executive Vice President, Building and Energy.

The wind energy market is estimated to grow at an annual rate of approximately 15 percent in China in the next five years. In 2010, Ahlstrom's total net sales grew by almost 50 percent in the Asia Pacific-region and the company made an acquisition of a filtration plant and announced a joint venture in China for the production of masking tape substrates and medical papers. In addition, the company announced an investment to wallcover materials manufacturing in China on June 14, 2011.

Ahlstrom's Building and Energy Business Area currently serves the European, North American and Asian wind energy markets from its plants in Mikkeli, Finland and Bishopville, South Carolina, USA.

Defence Minister Shri AK Antony Inaugurates DRDO’s Composite Propellant Processing Facility at Nasik, Maharashtra in India

Defence Minister Shri AK Antony has inaugurated the DRDO’s state-of-the-art composite propellant processing facility – ACEM (Advanced Centre for Energetic Materials) at Nasik in Maharashtra and dedicated the facility to the Nation. “I am happy to dedicate this modern propellant processing facility to the nation. I congratulate all of you for reaching this milestone. I am sure the team of young scientists, guided by their experienced colleagues will deliver world class rocket motors and requirements for various strategic projects. The responsibility of making this facility one of the best in the world and making it Advanced in every sense of the word lies collectively upon all of you”, Shri Antony said in his inaugural speech.

The facility has been set up by HEMRL (High Energy Materials Research Laboratory), a Pune based DRDO laboratory engaged in research and development of high energy materials including solid rocket propellants. Expressing satisfaction that most of the plant and machinery under embargo had been constructed indigenously. He stressed that to be more meaningful and to be sustained for a longer term, the indigenization process must be total and irreversible.

ACEM has been set up as a dedicated facility, to meet the requirements of composite propellants for solid rocket motors during their development phase as well as the limited series production. The facility is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and machinery operated remotely through PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition), thus, avoiding human exposure to hazardous processes.

DuPont Becomes World’s First Thin Film Solar Module Manufacturer to Earn LEED Gold Rating

DuPont, through its wholly owned subsidiary DuPont Apollo, informed that its Shenzhen, China, production facility has received a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification for Existing Buildings, Operations and Maintenance (EB: O&M) from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). According to USGBC records, the facility is the first LEED certified thin-film photovoltaic module production facility and the first LEED-EB certified photovoltaic module manufacturing plant in the world to receive this accreditation. The gold certification is the latest recognition for DuPont Apollo’s environmental initiatives and is consistent with the DuPont goal to help reduce the world’s dependence on fossil fuels. DuPont Apollo specializes in silicon-based thin film photovoltaic solar modules.

“We believe that DuPont Apollo thin-film solar modules should come from a facility designed with environmental responsibility in mind,” said David Chu, chief executive officer -- DuPont Apollo. “We are very pleased to know that our efforts to maximize energy efficiencies in the daily operation of our production facility were recognized by USGBC, and we hope this is one of a number of actions by DuPont Apollo that sets an important example for other businesses. Thinking globally and acting locally to affect positive environmental change helps create a healthier working environment for our employees and the larger community, and becomes a principle that is key to continued, sustainable growth and to reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

Composite Technology Announces Line Installation Project in Scotland

Composite Technology Corporation (CTC) has apprised that Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Ltd (SHETL) has selected and successfully installed ACCC Oslo conductor for a new line between St. Fergus and Peterhead in the northeast of Scotland.

The eleven kilometer, three-phase line operates at 132kV and is strung on a trident wood pole design. Installation of the conductor began in February 2011 and was successfully completed and the line energized in May 2011.

SHETL selected the ACCC 318 mm2Oslo conductor for this line because of its ability to run at higher temperatures than conventional conductors, bringing increased capacity to the line.

Stewart Ramsay, President of CTC Cable Corporation, commented: “We are very pleased that SHETL selected ACCC conductor for this project. We believe that the superior performance of ACCC conductor, including its higher capacity and the lowest line losses on any conductor available today, will bring real benefits to both the transmission company and its customers, and will contribute towards the UK meeting its CO2 emission reduction targets. We look forward to working with SHETL on other transmission network projects in the future.”

SHETL Group Design Manager Landel Johnston said: “This project is a significant investment in the electricity transmission infrastructure in Scotland, ensuring a safe and reliable electricity supply for years to come. We are always looking at innovative solutions and new developments within the industry worldwide and are delighted to be the first in the UK to install the ACCC® conductor on this strategic project in Scotland. It has been selected for this installation and will form part of an ongoing assessment as a possible future alternative for our numerous reconductoring projects if the technology proves cost effective operating on our network.

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