The challenge research teams face in the development of artificial limbs for humans is to be able to get the data from the sensors to the wearer's brain so that it can directly respond to the stimulation. A team is currently working on a patch of skin with a surface that resists water and can sense changes in temperature and pressure. The water-resistant top layer will be made from a specially designed nano-structured material. Progress in nanotechnology has the power to restore functional capability, as well as dignity to users of artificial limbs. Read in Artificial polymer skin could feel a sensation of cold and hot
The last decade has witnessed a remarkable change in the approach to waste management across Europe, resulting in a significant increase in the recycling of all materials as well as more recovery of energy from combustible waste. Both recycling and energy recovery of plastics waste in Europe continue to increase. Recovery of plastics including mechanical recycling and energy recovery exceeded 50% in Europe for the first time in 2006, 3% higher than in 2005. Half of all post-consumer plastics ending up in waste was recovered. Read details in Plastics recovery reaches 50% in Europe by 2006
Assuming Indian population of 100 crore and an average of 5 persons dwelling unit and an average weight of 44 kgs of PVC Doors and Windows per dwelling unit with a market penetration of 3%, the estimated potential of PVC Doors and Windows in India would be 3,00,000 tpa. The consumption of Polyvinyl chloride doors and windows in India in 2007-08 was 40,000 tpa. Thus a significant gap exists between potential demand and projected supply, providing a sound investment opportunity for entrepreneurs. Read in UPVC Window and Door Profiles in India: New Investment Opportunities for Entrepreneurs
The new Tamarins Road project is the largest construction project ever undertaken in the Indian Ocean zone. For the new road, project engineers opted for a geotextile with elongation resistance of 95 kN/meter. Between them, the two structures required several thousand square meters of geotextile. The embankments are made from layers of landfill (crushed local basalt) interspersed with layers of geotextile. Read in Geotextiles to stabilise road embankments using metallocene polypropylene
High strength fiber commonly used in bullet-resistant body armor is a key component in curtains that can protect windows and doors during hurricanes. The fibre incorporated in the curtains enables them to resist high winds and resulting debris. Besides being extremely lightweight and non-corrosive, they have a host of properties that have enabled them to get approved under the State of Florida 's building code for Wind Zone 4. Read in High-Strength fiber makes hurricane-resistant curtains
A new low-cost approach in the form of liquid silicon used as a modifier, restores the properties of recycled PET bottle flakes to produce new food-grade preforms and pellets. The new material produced is called as modified PET. It has better elasticity and better oxygen barrier. PET-M has received food-contact approval from the FDA. Clarity is slightly less than that of virgin PET. Read in Modifier restores properties of recycled PET container to new food-grade preforms and pellets
