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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 | M A Y / J U N E 2 0 1 9 9 pumps and marine components, and now we are turning our attention to many other potential applications for our discovery.” The team is testing their new alloy on valves, fittings, and fixtures outside the plumbing and marine industries. Trumble says the economic advantages of using manganese have been drawing interest frommanufacturers across sev- eral industries. purdue.edu . CARBON FIBERS GIVE BRAKES A BOOST A group of researchers from UBC Okanagan, Canada, Sharif University of Technology, Iran, and the University of Toronto has designed brakes that are self-lubricating. By mixing carbon fibers into polymer-based brakes, the team created durable brakes that have better frictional properties than other brakes currently on the market. Brake pad ma- terials are typically available in three categories: metallic, ceramic, and or- ganic. All have benefits and weakness- es inherent to their design such as cost, durability, noise, or slow response time. “No researcher in Canada is cur- rently working in this area,” says Mo- hammad Arjmand, one of the lead re- searchers. “As we continue to develop nanomaterials and mix them with poly- mers to develop multifunctional com- posite cocktails that can address issues such as friction, wear, and heat distri- bution at the molecular level, we will continue to help the industry evolve.” Cast Cu-Mn alloy showing nondendritic or cellular structure completely free of solidification microporosity. Courtesy of Purdue. Mohammad Arjmand examines a new polymer-based brake pad that could revolutionize braking systems in cars and trains. The newly designed carbon fiber polymer brake technology could lead to smaller brake pads that are more ef- ficient and cost-effective because the small pads can withstand greater fric- tion and temperatures, say research- ers. They believe their nanomaterial contributions will help the automotive and locomotive industries to evolve and make cars and trains more afford- able, efficient, and functional. www.ok. ubc.ca .