Insights & Publications

The Flaney Associates Blog

57 articles and publications on materials engineering — polymers and composites, nanotechnology, sustainable materials, protective coatings, and the growing role of AI in materials discovery.

57Articles
21Read online
12Topics

Empowering Smarter Corporate Boards with AI
Advanced Materials EngineeringBoard Room Governance

Empowering Smarter Corporate Boards with AI

Artificial intelligence is changing how organizations think, decide, and lead. What began as a set of technical tools for data analysis has become a strategic capability reshaping boardroom conversations around governance, risk, innovation, and ethics…

December 15, 2026 7 min read
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The New Materials Changing Everything Around You
Advanced Materials EngineeringGlasses and Optical DevicesMaterials Engineering Innovations

The New Materials Changing Everything Around You

You woke up this morning and touched dozens of materials that didn’t exist fifty years ago. The screen you’re reading this on is coated in a scratch-resistant glass that was originally developed for car windshields, reformulated in 2007 at the…

July 1, 2026 6 min read
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BoardGPT — Using AI in the Boardroom
Artificial Intelligence (AI)Board Room Governance

BoardGPT — Using AI in the Boardroom

Artificial intelligence is changing how organizations think, decide, and lead. What began as a set of technical tools for data analysis has become a strategic capability reshaping boardroom conversations around governance, risk, innovation, and ethics…

February 15, 2026 7 min read
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Redefining Plastic Waste with Cleaner and More Sustainable Solutions
Advanced Materials EngineeringSustainable Materials Technology

Redefining Plastic Waste with Cleaner and More Sustainable Solutions

This document introduces green plastics, also known as bioplastics, based on insights from the literature. It covers what bioplastics are, why they matter, their benefits and challenges, and what the future holds. What Are Green Plastics? Green plastics are…

December 27, 2025 4 min read
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Sustainable Solutions: Materials for a Greener Tomorrow
Sustainable Materials Technology

Sustainable Solutions: Materials for a Greener Tomorrow

In the face of climate change and resource depletion, the materials we choose to build our world matter more than ever. From the concrete in our cities to the plastics in our packaging, the future of sustainability lies in rethinking what we’re made of…

October 15, 2025 2 min read
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How Smart Materials Mean Smarter Sustainability
Advanced Materials EngineeringSustainable Materials Technology

How Smart Materials Mean Smarter Sustainability

In the race toward a more sustainable future, performance is no longer the only metric that matters. While strength, durability, and efficiency remain critical, the conversation is shifting toward something deeper: lifecycle design. At the heart of this…

September 15, 2025 2 min read
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How AI and ML Are Changing New Materials Discovery
Advanced Materials EngineeringArtificial Intelligence (AI)

How AI and ML Are Changing New Materials Discovery

A New Era in Materials Research Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are changing how we find and make new materials. These tools help scientists solve tough problems faster than ever. They can predict how materials will behave, model tiny…

July 15, 2025 5 min read
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Sustainable Solutions: Materials for a Greener Tomorrow
Advanced Materials EngineeringSustainable Materials Technology

Sustainable Solutions: Materials for a Greener Tomorrow

Reimagining Our Material World In today’s climate-conscious world, the materials we use in everyday products are being transformed through innovation and thoughtful design. This transformation isn’t just about recycling—it’s about…

May 9, 2025 7 min read
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Building the Future: Innovations in Construction Materials
Advanced Materials EngineeringOrganic-Inorganic Hybrid MaterialsSustainable Materials Technology

Building the Future: Innovations in Construction Materials

The construction industry is undergoing a quiet revolution. While cranes, concrete, and steel still dominate the skyline, behind the scenes, new materials are reshaping how we build —making structures stronger, more sustainable, and better equipped to handle…

April 13, 2025 4 min read
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How AI is Transforming Scientific Research
Advanced Materials EngineeringArtificial Intelligence (AI)

How AI is Transforming Scientific Research

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming how we conduct scientific research. This document explores the impact of AI on materials discovery at a typical research and development (R&D) laboratory, highlighting key findings and their implications for…

April 5, 2025 4 min read
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The Future of Medicine: How Biomaterials Are Transforming Healthcare
Advanced Materials EngineeringNanotechnologyOrganic-Inorganic Hybrid Materials

The Future of Medicine: How Biomaterials Are Transforming Healthcare

Medicine is evolving at an incredible pace, and biomaterials —innovative materials designed for medical use—are at the forefront of this transformation. New breakthroughs are improving biocompatibility, durability, and functionality, leading to better…

March 21, 2025 4 min read
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Plastics Made to Measure: Smart Solutions for a Cleaner World
Advanced Materials EngineeringSustainable Materials Technology📄 PDF on request

Plastics Made to Measure: Smart Solutions for a Cleaner World

Plastics are indispensable to modern life, and the environmental cost lies in how they are formulated, used and recovered rather than in the materials themselves. Life-cycle design choices decide whether their benefits are realised without the harm.

March 14, 2025
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Next-Generation Solar Energy Materials Innovation
Advanced Materials EngineeringNanotechnologySustainable Materials Technology

Next-Generation Solar Energy Materials Innovation

Advancements in solar cell materials like organic photovoltaics and tandem cells are crucial for overcoming the limitations of traditional silicon-based panels. These innovations promise higher efficiencies, lower costs, and improved sustainability, driving…

February 27, 2025 5 min read
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Nanotechnology in Materials Science: Revolutionizing Properties and Applications
Advanced Materials EngineeringNanotechnologyPolymers and CompositesProtective CoatingsSustainable Materials Technology📄 PDF on request

Nanotechnology in Materials Science: Revolutionizing Properties and Applications

Nanotechnology reshapes materials science by manipulating matter at the atomic and molecular scale, where surface area and quantum effects dominate. Controlling structure there unlocks properties unattainable at bulk scale, from coatings to medicine.

February 14, 2025
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Enhancing Polymer Performance with Quasicrystal Composites
Advanced Materials EngineeringNanotechnologyOrganic-Inorganic Hybrid MaterialsPolymers and Composites

Enhancing Polymer Performance with Quasicrystal Composites

A novel class of polymer/quasicrystal composites is set to transform material science by significantly enhancing mechanical properties. Researchers, including Joshua U. Otaigbe, have combined polymers with Al–Cu–Fe quasicrystals to improve wear resistance…

January 14, 2025 1 min read
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Revolutionizing Polyamide Performance with Nanocomposites
Advanced Materials EngineeringNanotechnologyPolymers and CompositesProtective Coatings

Revolutionizing Polyamide Performance with Nanocomposites

The fusion of phosphate glass nanoparticles and polyamide-6 (PA6) is revolutionizing material science. Researchers, including Joshua U. Otaigbe, have demonstrated how the addition of phosphate glass (Pglass) promotes the formation of the γ-phase in PA6, a…

January 14, 2025 1 min read
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Shifting to Greener Coatings Utilizing Waterborne Polyurethanes
Advanced Materials EngineeringPolymers and CompositesProtective CoatingsSustainable Materials Technology📄 PDF on request

Shifting to Greener Coatings Utilizing Waterborne Polyurethanes

Environmental challenges posed by the evaporation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during the production of coatings, inks, and paints are significant, leading to various air quality issues. In response, regulatory bodies have implemented stricter…

December 14, 2024
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Advancing Materials Science Through Nanocomposite Innovation
Advanced Materials EngineeringNanotechnologyPolymers and Composites📄 PDF on request

Advancing Materials Science Through Nanocomposite Innovation

How do tiny particles shape the performance of advanced materials? Shahab Kashani Rahimi and Joshua U. Otaigbe investigate this by studying the impact of cellulose nanocrystals on the crystallization behavior of polyamide 6, a widely used engineering polymer.

December 10, 2024
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Carbon Composites: Today’s Impact, Tomorrow’s Potential
Advanced Materials EngineeringOrganic-Inorganic Hybrid MaterialsPolymers and CompositesProtective CoatingsSustainable Materials Technology📄 PDF on request

Carbon Composites: Today’s Impact, Tomorrow’s Potential

Carbon fiber composites technology holds immense potential for industries like aerospace, automotive, wind energy, and more. Despite challenges like high production costs and recycling hurdles, ongoing R&D efforts are paving the way for wider adoption.

December 9, 2024
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Innovations in Sustainable Carbon Fiber
Advanced Materials EngineeringSustainable Materials Technology📄 PDF on request

Innovations in Sustainable Carbon Fiber

Carbon fiber production is evolving with new breakthroughs in sustainable materials like lignin, a natural polymer found in wood. This exciting research explores lignin’s potential as a low-cost alternative in carbon fiber manufacturing, addressing the…

November 9, 2024
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AI-The Dawn of a New Era in Materials Engineering
Advanced Materials EngineeringArtificial Intelligence (AI)Board Room GovernancePolymers and Composites📄 PDF on request

AI-The Dawn of a New Era in Materials Engineering

AI in materials engineering accelerates discovering and optimizing materials by analyzing large datasets and predicting properties. Key steps include gathering and cleaning data, selecting relevant features, and training AI models.

October 23, 2024
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Discover Silicon’s Transformative Power
Advanced Materials EngineeringPolymers and Composites📄 PDF on request

Discover Silicon’s Transformative Power

Silicon, abundant in the Earth’s crust, has revolutionized human civilization. It powers the digital age with semiconductors, drives renewable energy through solar panels, and fosters global connectivity. Silicon has driven economic growth, enabled global…

October 4, 2024
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Building Trust Through Corporate Board Governance
Board Room Governance📄 PDF on request

Building Trust Through Corporate Board Governance

Flaney Associates is committed to maintaining the highest standards of corporate governance. Our governance framework ensures accountability, fairness, and transparency in our relationships with all stakeholders, including shareholders, employees, customers…

September 25, 2024
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Next-Gen Bioglass Fibers
Advanced Materials EngineeringPolymers and Composites📄 PDF on request

Next-Gen Bioglass Fibers

Researchers have developed a method to produce durable phosphate glass fibers with uniform diameters directly from the glass melt state. This breakthrough optimizes temperature and haul-off speed to create fibers with remarkable durability, even under severe…

September 20, 2024
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Advancing Foam Polyimides: New Innovations in Composites
Advanced Materials EngineeringOrganic-Inorganic Hybrid MaterialsPolymers and Composites📄 PDF on request

Advancing Foam Polyimides: New Innovations in Composites

Discover how changing the chemical composition of foam polyimide prepolymers can significantly enhance their properties! Researchers found that modifying components like diamines and dialkyl esters improved the processing and strength of foam polyimide…

July 11, 2024
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Revolutionary Hybrid Polymer Enhances Tissue Engineering
Advanced Materials EngineeringPolymers and Composites📄 PDF on request

Revolutionary Hybrid Polymer Enhances Tissue Engineering

Researchers have developed a new type of hybrid polymer called PEU/POSS, which shows great potential in tissue engineering.

July 3, 2024
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Elastomeric Fiber Innovations: Advancements and Applications
Advanced Materials EngineeringPolymers and Composites📄 PDF on request

Elastomeric Fiber Innovations: Advancements and Applications

To create high-quality fibers from polymers, the materials must have long, flexible chains, small polar side groups, be meltable or soluble for extrusion, and capable of orientation under flow.

June 1, 2024
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Revolutionizing Plastics: Low-Temperature Glass and Polymer Blends
Advanced Materials EngineeringOrganic-Inorganic Hybrid MaterialsPolymers and CompositesProtective Coatings📄 PDF on request

Revolutionizing Plastics: Low-Temperature Glass and Polymer Blends

In the plastics industry, combining different polymers is a cost-effective way to improve material properties without creating entirely new polymers. A new type of hybrid material has been developed by mixing low-temperature phosphate glass with polymers…

May 19, 2024
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Boosting Polymer Magnets: The Power of Surface Treatments
Advanced Materials EngineeringPolymers and CompositesProtective Coatings📄 PDF on request

Boosting Polymer Magnets: The Power of Surface Treatments

Researchers have innovated polymer-bonded magnets, essential for their design flexibility and cost efficiency, by improving their heat resistance and magnetic capacity.

April 6, 2024
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Custom-Refraction: Tunable Polymer Blend Microparticles
Advanced Materials EngineeringBoard Room GovernanceNanotechnologyOrganic-Inorganic Hybrid MaterialsPolymers and Composites📄 PDF on request

Custom-Refraction: Tunable Polymer Blend Microparticles

Introducing a groundbreaking advancement in materials science: Our research team has developed a sophisticated method for fabricating homogeneous polymer blend microparticles. This innovative technique, capable of processing even non-miscible polymers…

March 23, 2024
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Turning Waste to Clean Energy: From Coal Ash to Cleaner Fuel
Sustainable Materials Technology📄 PDF on request

Turning Waste to Clean Energy: From Coal Ash to Cleaner Fuel

Unlocking Sustainable Energy Solutions: Dive into our groundbreaking approach that transforms coal fly-ash, often regarded as industrial waste, into a key component for creating cleaner, sulfur-reduced fuel.

March 23, 2024
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Pglass & PET Crystallization Breakthrough
Advanced Materials EngineeringBoard Room GovernanceOrganic-Inorganic Hybrid MaterialsPolymers and CompositesProtective Coatings

Pglass & PET Crystallization Breakthrough

Discover how Pglass transforms PET polymers, making them more adaptable for high-tech applications. By integrating ultra-low Tg phosphate glass, we unlock enhanced thermal stability and faster crystallization, revolutionizing materials for aerospace…

March 14, 2024 1 min read
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Facile Route to Nature Inspired Hydrophobic Surface Modification of Phosphate Glass Using Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane with Improved Properties
Advanced Materials EngineeringPolymers and CompositesProtective CoatingsSustainable Materials Technology📄 PDF on request

Facile Route to Nature Inspired Hydrophobic Surface Modification of Phosphate Glass Using Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane with Improved Properties

Creating water-repellent surfaces is essential in various sectors, from waterproofing to advanced electronics. A team has innovatively enhanced the hydrophobicity of a material known as tin fluorophosphate glass (Pglass).

March 1, 2024
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Rheological Properties of Southern Pine Oleoresins
Polymers and Composites📄 PDF on request

Rheological Properties of Southern Pine Oleoresins

Pine tree oleoresins, complex mixtures of phytochemicals, have historical and ongoing commercial importance, traditionally used for waterproofing boats and contributing to the naval stores industry.

February 22, 2024
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Development of New Sustainable Inorganic Flame Retardant Additive System
Protective Coatings📄 PDF on request

Development of New Sustainable Inorganic Flame Retardant Additive System

In the quest for safer, environmentally friendly materials, scientists have made a significant leap by enhancing the flame resistance of polyamide 6,6, a widely used plastic in electronics and textiles, through the incorporation of phosphate glass.

February 16, 2024
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Structure and Biocompatibility of Bioabsorbable Nanocomposites of Aliphatic-Aromatic Copolyester and Cellulose Nanocrystals
NanotechnologyPolymers and Composites📄 PDF on request

Structure and Biocompatibility of Bioabsorbable Nanocomposites of Aliphatic-Aromatic Copolyester and Cellulose Nanocrystals

Exploring groundbreaking bioabsorbable nanocomposites, researchers have merged aliphatic-aromatic copolyester with cellulose nanocrystals, unveiling materials with enhanced mechanical properties and biocompatibility.

February 10, 2024
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Novel Porous Bioabsorbable Phosphate Glass Matrix Nanocomposites Incorporating Trisilanolphenyl Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane Prepared By Extrusion
Glasses and Optical DevicesNanotechnology📄 PDF on request

Novel Porous Bioabsorbable Phosphate Glass Matrix Nanocomposites Incorporating Trisilanolphenyl Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane Prepared By Extrusion

This study introduces a groundbreaking approach to developing porous phosphate glass matrix nanocomposites, enhanced with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS), through extrusion processing.

February 2, 2024
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Optical Devices and Their Method of Assembly
Glasses and Optical Devices📄 PDF on request

Optical Devices and Their Method of Assembly

Delving into the world of optical technology, we uncover the timeless innovation of an early 2000s patented technique that revolutionized optical device assembly.

January 26, 2024
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A Comparative Study on The Mechanical and Barrier Characteristics of Polyimide Nanocomposite Films Filled with Nanoparticles of Planar and Tubular Morphology
Nanotechnology📄 PDF on request

A Comparative Study on The Mechanical and Barrier Characteristics of Polyimide Nanocomposite Films Filled with Nanoparticles of Planar and Tubular Morphology

Polymer nanocomposites are cutting-edge materials created by integrating ultra-fine inorganic particles—no larger than 100 nanometers—into organic polymers.

January 18, 2024
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The Materials Marriage of Wonder: Graphene-Polymer Aerogels with Enhanced Benefits
Advanced Materials EngineeringPolymers and Composites📄 PDF on request

The Materials Marriage of Wonder: Graphene-Polymer Aerogels with Enhanced Benefits

Delve into the realm of advanced materials with our graphene-polymer aerogels—structures where feather-light meets Herculean strength.

January 14, 2024
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Graphene-Polymer Sensors and Their Promising Future: Fact or Fiction?
Advanced Materials EngineeringGlasses and Optical DevicesPolymers and Composites📄 PDF on request

Graphene-Polymer Sensors and Their Promising Future: Fact or Fiction?

Delve into the realm of cutting-edge sensor technology with graphene-polymer composites. These sensors, ultra-thin yet exceptionally powerful, are set to transform how we monitor health, environment, and much more. Graphene’s conductivity combined with…

January 6, 2024
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New Phosphate Glass Polymer Hybrids Current Status and Future Prospect
Glasses and Optical DevicesOrganic-Inorganic Hybrid Materials📄 PDF on request

New Phosphate Glass Polymer Hybrids Current Status and Future Prospect

Multiphase polymeric materials like polymer blends and composites are crucial in meeting global material needs. These materials’ ability to be tailored for specific applications has driven significant growth in the polymer blend industry.

December 29, 2023
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Green Hybrid Composites from Cellulose Nanocrystal
NanotechnologyOrganic-Inorganic Hybrid Materials📄 PDF on request

Green Hybrid Composites from Cellulose Nanocrystal

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are an exciting advancement in material science, derived from natural cellulose fibers. These nanoscale particles are notable for their exceptional mechanical properties, such as high strength and low density, making them ideal…

December 21, 2023
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The Synthesis, Characterization and Biocompatibility of Poly(ester urethane) Polyhedral Oligomeric Silesquioxane Nanocomposites
NanotechnologyPolymers and Composites📄 PDF on request

The Synthesis, Characterization and Biocompatibility of Poly(ester urethane) Polyhedral Oligomeric Silesquioxane Nanocomposites

Researchers have developed biodegradable and biocompatible polyurethane/POSS nanocomposites, offering potential in biomedical applications like tissue engineering. These nanocomposites, combining silicon-based POSS with polyurethane, exhibit improved…

December 20, 2023
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Stabilization of Hot-Melt Extrusion Formulations Containing Solid Solutions Using Polymer Blends
Polymers and Composites📄 PDF on request

Stabilization of Hot-Melt Extrusion Formulations Containing Solid Solutions Using Polymer Blends

In this study, researchers worked on improving the stability of a medication called clotrimazole, commonly used in treating fungal infections. They used a technique called hot-melt extrusion, blending two types of polymers – hydroxypropyl cellulose and…

December 19, 2023
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Modeling of Magnetic Properties of Polymer Bonded Nd–Fe–B Magnets with Surface Modifications
Advanced Materials EngineeringPolymers and Composites📄 PDF on request

Modeling of Magnetic Properties of Polymer Bonded Nd–Fe–B Magnets with Surface Modifications

The effects of surface modification on the magnetic properties of polymer-bonded Nd–Fe–B magnets have been studied.

November 22, 2023
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Materials Selection Consultancy: Fact or Fiction
Artificial Intelligence (AI)📄 PDF on request

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Materials Selection Consultancy: Fact or Fiction

AI is revolutionizing materials selection by automating data analysis and suggesting new materials, creating databases tailored to industry needs.

November 20, 2023
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New Protective Coatings for Rare Earth Magnets Prevent their Corrosion and Oxidation
Protective Coatings📄 PDF on request

New Protective Coatings for Rare Earth Magnets Prevent their Corrosion and Oxidation

Commercial rare-earth alloy powders such as neodymium-iron-boron (Nd-Fe-B) or "neo alloy” ribbons into platelets with varying sizes and distributions (mean particle size approximately 200 µran).

March 10, 2022
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Controlling the Water Absorbency of Agricultural Polymers
Polymers and CompositesSustainable Materials Technology📄 PDF on request

Controlling the Water Absorbency of Agricultural Polymers

Blending special bioab­sorbable polyphosphate fillers, biodegradable soy protein isolate, plasticizer, and adhesion promoter in a high-shear mixer followed by compression molding resulted in a rel­atively water-resistant, biodegradable soy-pro­tein polymer…

February 28, 2022
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Atomise Polymers to Maximise Profits
Polymers and Composites📄 PDF on request

Atomise Polymers to Maximise Profits

The difficulties of mass-producing micron-sized high-quality powders from molten polymers can be avoided by using high pressure gas atomisation methods.

February 10, 2022
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Hybridize Materials to Maximize Profit and Performance
Advanced Materials EngineeringBoard Room GovernanceOrganic-Inorganic Hybrid Materials📄 PDF on request

Hybridize Materials to Maximize Profit and Performance

The plastics industry expects a lot from advanced materials, but the relatively few that are commercially available cannot satis­fy all applications and expectations. In this context, nanostructured hybrid organic-inorganic glass thermoplastic materials…

January 16, 2022
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About this archive

Articles marked 📄 PDF on request are published papers and trade articles. They are listed here by title, date and abstract; the full text and a PDF copy are available on request. Ask for a copy and name the article you want.

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