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A D V A N C E D M A T E R I A L S & P R O C E S S E S | A P R I L 2 0 1 7
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METALS | POLYMERS | CERAMICS
in even the most advanced systems—
could support an array of applications
on this planet as well. The Center for
the Utilization of Biological Engineering
in Space (CUBES) will advance research
into a multi-function, multi-organism,
bio-manufacturing system to produce
fuel, materials, pharmaceuticals, and
food, eliminating the need for resup-
ply missions from Earth. Each institute
will each receive up to $15 million from
NASA’s Space Technology Mission Direc-
torate over a five-year period.
nasa.gov/
spacetech.
CERAMIC MANUFACTURING
METHOD ROCKS EFFICIENCY
Materials scientists at ETH Zurich,
Switzerland, developed a new cold sin-
tering method of manufacturing ceram-
ics inspired by the geological process
that creates limestone. To create the
ceramic, the scientists added water
to a calcium carbonate nanopowder
then compacted it at room tempera-
ture for just an hour—an approach far
more energy efficient than typical firing
processes, which require temperatures
well above 1000°C. “Our work is the first
evidence that a piece of ceramic mate-
rial can be manufactured at room tem-
perature in such a short amount of time
and with relatively low pressures,” says
André Studart, professor of complex
materials. So far, the scientists have
produced material samples about the
size of a quarter using a conventional
hydraulic press, while larger workpieces
require more pressure. Tests show that
the new material can withstand about
High performance materials and structures are needed for safe and affordable
next-generation exploration systems such as transit vehicles, habitats, and power
systems. Courtesy of NASA.
Bonnell Aluminum,
Newnan,
Ga., a subsidiary of
Tredegar
Corp.,
Richmond, Va., acquired
Futura Industries Corp.,
Clear-
field, Utah, for approximately
$92 million. Futura designs and
manufactures extruded alumi-
num products as well as OEM
components for applications
such as truck grills and solar
panels. Futura will operate as a
division of Bonnell.
bonlalum.com.
Ryerson Holding Corp.,
Chica-
go, a distributor and value-add-
ed processor of industrial met-
als, acquired
Guy Metals Inc.,
Hammond, Wis., a metal service
center. Guy Metals processes
stainless and nickel alloy prod-
ucts including its trademarked
“Pit Free Dairy” and “Super4”
finishes used in food, dairy,
pharmaceutical, and beverage
applications.
ryerson.com.
BRIEFS
Zekelman Industries,
Chicago, acquired
American Tube Manufactur-
ing Inc.,
Birmingham, Ala. The deal expands the structural tubing mar-
ket presence of Zekelman and its Atlas Tube operating division into the
southeastern U.S.
zekelman.com.
NASA LAUNCHES
TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTES
NASA, Washington, selected pro-
posals for the creation of two multi-
disciplinary, university-led research
institutes that will develop technolo-
gies critical to Earth-independent space
exploration missions. The Institute for
Ultra-Strong Composites by Computa-
tional Design (US-COMP) is comprised
of university faculty, industrial part-
ners, and the U.S. Air Force Research
Lab. It aims to develop and deploy
carbon nanotube-based, ultra-high
strength, lightweight aerospace struc-
tural materials for exploration applica-
tions such as next-generation transit
vehicles, habitats, and power systems.
These materials—which must be lighter
and stronger than those currently used