Materials

Nanostitching, 'fuzzy fibers' boost composites’ through-plane properties Polymer composites made with fibers covered in "forests" of carbon nanotubes are tougher than traditional unmodified fiber-reinforced polymer composites. Read full story

Extending PCD to tuned cutting-tool geometries Traditional application of polycrystalline diamond (PCD) to cutting tools poses a number of problems. MegaDiamond's solution is to produce carbide tool blanks for routers and drills with complex geometries formed or pocketed into them. Diamond powder is filled into the pockets and sintered into PCD. Read full story

Linking design and manufacture With growing composites use, engineers are making more extensive use of simulation to better understand manufacturing operations and how design decisions impact production. Read full story

Fuel cells offer opportunity for stainless Both proton exchange membrane (PEM) and solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) types present new opportunities for stainless steel—for example, in heat exchangers, humidifiers, combustors, and plates. “All of those different components could be made up of metallic materials, and very often stainless steel represents the best optimal point between costs and performance,” said Scott Weil, a staff scientist at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Read full story