Increased TeXtreme Usage in Kitesurfing

North Kiteboarding has once again chosen to use TeXtreme to reinforce their latest models of the high-performance Select and Team Series Kiteboards. TeXtreme Spread Tow Fabrics have contributed in reducing weight, improving surface smoothness and enhancing stiffness of the boards.

“The unique Spread Tow structure of the TeXtreme carbon fabric results in benefits which no other carbon reinforcement can match. To meet our weight and stiffness requirements TeXtreme was an obvious choice”, says Jurgen May, Product Engineer at manufacturer Boards & More.

When developing a high-performance Kiteboard the technical demands are quite challenging, getting the rider preferences and high demands in balance with the manufacturing possibilities. From a manufacturing perspective, achieving the ideal balance lies in constructing a board that while being very responsive still retains control in all kinds of waters. This requirement places strong demands in terms of the carbon reinforcement to ensure that different levels of stiffness in different directions are provided.

To achieve the desired weight savings and required mechanical properties the best material proved to be an unbalanced TeXtreme Spread Tow Fabric, which ensures extreme stiffness in one direction.

Apple to Manufacture Colorful, Durable Carbon Fiber Devices

Apple's concept for coloring carbon or even glass fiber devices was revealed in a patent application published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office entitled "Composite Laminate having an Improved Cosmetic Surface and Method of Making Same," it describes a composite laminate placed over the frame of the device, including a "scrim layer," to allow a product like a MacBook Pro to be painted a variety of colors.

The application notes that carbon fiber composites offer many benefits, as they can serve as a strong, lightweight housing for electronic equipment. But carbon fiber composites are also typically black, and the fibers themselves are usually visible on the surface of the device. Apple said the fibers of such material are usually variable in construction, offering a varied appearance on the surface. As a result, carbon fiber can feature cosmetic imperfections that would reduce the aesthetic appearance of a device.

Apple's solution is a composite laminate that includes a plurality of sheets that could be colored. These sheets would be formed of fibers pre-impregnated with resin. The composite laminate surface placed on the outside of the device could allow it to retain a color, and an exterior scrim layer would give a device enclosure a "consistent and pleasing cosmetic surface," Apple said.

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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.