White Papers
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How Surface Characterisation is Helping the Automotive Industry to Meet Environmental Targets
Automotive & Transport
The global automotive industry faces the greatest technological development challenge since its inception over 100 years ago. The Kyoto protocol of 1997 set targets for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, which came into force in 2005. These amount to an average decrease of five per cent against 1990 levels over the five-year period 2008- 2012. Many governments have translated these targets into operational objectives for various industries and the automotive industry, in collaboration with other research institutions, has participated in a major programme of vehicle developments aimed at meeting the requirement for lower carbon emissions. In many cases, these technical advances depend critically on an understanding of surface and interface functionality from both a chemical and physical standpoint. In this paper, we give some examples of where surface characterisation techniques are continuing to make a major contribution to these endeavours to reduce the environmental impact of the automotive industry in both the short and long term.
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The Monitoring and Quality Control of Waste to Energy for Landfill Gas and Biogas
Energy & Environment
This white paper discusses the conversion of waste to energy in the form of landfill gas (LFG) and biogas, along with the necessary testing and monitoring involved with the generation and utilisation of the gases.
The transferral of waste to energy addresses the concerns of sustainable energy and waste management. With tighter carbon emissions management and ever increasing fuel costs, waste is quickly becoming a substantial fuel source. Such energy requires testing and monitoring to confirm its suitability for use, dependent upon the fuel’s composition and how it will be utilised.
The majority of UK waste is sent to landfill, whether it be business, household or industry waste; these landfill sites contain a higher proportion of biodegradable waste than most other European countries. It is therfore no surprise that several legally binding commitments and regulations have been established to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the amount of waste sent to landfill sites. The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2007(1) implemented the European Landfill Directive and Council Decision 2003/33/EC, establishing the criteria and procedure for the acceptance of waste at landfills. The Directive aims to reduce the negative effects of land filling on the environment and human health through waste minimisation and increased levels of recycling and recovery, along with the specification of technical standards for the construction, operation and monitoring of landfills.Login or register to download this whitepaper
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Cost-Effective Design using Construction Test Methods
Construction, Metals
With the construction industry facing one of its toughest times to date, anyone involved in design and build, whether for new construction projects or for the refurbishment of existing buildings, is looking to reduce costs, particularly costs associated with materials and length of construction. This white paper examines the valuable role that testing can play in relation to reducing such construction costs. The advantages of testing over following traditional Codes of Practice are outlined and examples from CERAM given as to how testing can be implemented throughout the design, construction, handover and refurbishment stages.
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Guide to Purchasing Monolithic Refractory Materials
Refractories
This paper provides guidelines and good practice for the refractory user to ensure that the material specified by the designer is delivered on site according to the quality required for the application. The differences between data sheets, product specifications and test certificates are discussed. A series of suggested checks to be made during the various procurement and supply process stages is also given.
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How a Detailed Understanding of Materials is Playing a Vital Role in the Evolution of Medical Device
Healthcare, Medical Devices
With the most important healthcare innovations yet to happen, medical device manufacturers are investing in product enhancing innovations in a diverse range of applications, including orthopaedic implants, vascular drug-eluting stents, microelectronics, and bio-materials for grafts and cements. The materials technology in metal alloys, advanced ceramics, polymers, bio-materials, composites and electronics will have a profound effect on healthcare in the 21st Century.
The development of medical devices with advanced materials requires a fundamental understanding of materials used, their properties and their interaction with the body in any given healthcare application. Researchers, designers, engineers and quality managers must all have access to better materials evaluation data in order to make informed decisions on material selection, substitution, qualification, and quality assurance programs, to meet biocompatibility and regulations of the industry. A clear understanding of critical material characteristics reduces time, cost and risk in design and regulatory approvals.Login or register to download this whitepaper