The effects of through-thickness reinforcement of carbon/epoxy laminates with thin pins on the in-plane tensile properties, tensile fatigue life and failure mechanisms are investigated. Tensile studies in the 0 fibre direction are performed on unidirectional and quasiisotropic laminates reinforced with different volume contents and sizes of fibrous composite z-pins. Microstructural analysis rev...

It is well known that a skin dose from high-energy x-ray radiation varies with the angle of beam incidence or the presence of a radiotherapy linear accelerator couch top material. This note investigates changes produced to the skin dose from a Varian carbon fibre grid couch top at differing angles of incidence for 6 MV x-rays as is often the case clinically. Results have shown that the skin dos...

Microalgae can serve as a carbon sink for CO2 sequestration and as a feedstock for liquid biofuel production. Methods for microalgal biomass and biofuel cultivation are progressing, but are still limited in the efficiency of light delivery and gas exchange within cultures. Specifically, current gas exchange methods are very energy intensive since they rely on mixing algal cultures at high flow ...

This work describes a highly active and stable acid activated carbon fibre and amorphous MoS(x) composite hydrogen evolution catalyst. The increased electrochemical-surface area is demonstrated to cause increased catalyst electrodeposition and activity. These composite electrodes also show an improved stability towards the mechanical degradation of the MoS(x) catalyst.

The prerequisite for more competent and cost effective transport has led to the evolution of innovative testing and evaluation procedures. Non-destructive testing and evaluation (NDT & E) techniques for assessing the integrity of composite structures are essential to both reduce manufacturing costs and out of service time of transport means due to maintenance. Smart methods for assessing the in...

We demonstrate the engineered growth of TiO(2) nanotube arrays on flexible carbon fibre sheets. The modification not only enables the textile to absorb ultraviolet light efficiently but also imparts large surface area and mesoporosity to the textile. This flexible nanoarchitecture greatly facilitates the purification of organic wastewater.

During a 4-year period (2001-2005) 09 animals were surgically treated because of abdominal wall defects (hernia). Out of 9 animals 8 were bovines and one caprine. In each case the defect was repaired with carbon fibre mesh. All the cases were successfully treated and no complication was observed up to six months postoperatively.

Structural, fibre reinforced, battery prototypes with two types of electrolyte matrix material, a gel and a solid polymer, have been manufactured. This was to confirm the concept of using carbon fibres as current collector in the anode as well as providing a mechanical load-carrying functionality. As a result, functioning batteries with gel electrolyte have been produced and their properties ha...