Natural fibres threaded into satellites for safer missions

A natural fiber that once wrapped early Egyptian mummies and was worn by Roman aristocrats has found a space-age purpose. Threading fibers from the flax plant through satellite panel material can help space missions burn ...

Image: Mesh reflector for shaped radio beams

This prototype 2.6-m diameter metal-mesh antenna reflector represents a big step forward for the European space sector: versions can be manufactured to reproduce any surface pattern that antenna designers wish, something ...

How plantains and carbon nanotubes can improve cars

A luxury automobile is not really a place to look for something like sisal, hemp, or wood. Yet automakers have been using natural fibers for decades. Some high-end sedans and coupes use these in composite materials for interior ...

Building bricks from plastic waste

Revolutionary 'green' types of bricks and construction materials could be made from recycled PVC, waste plant fibers or sand with the help of a remarkable new kind of rubber polymer discovered by Australian scientists.

Epoxy resins: Hardening at the push of a button

Within seconds the new material can be completely transformed. Initially, the material is transparent and either in liquid or paste form; then, when any part of it is irradiated with the appropriate light, the entire resin ...

Germany to support 'bio-economy' with 3.6 bn euros

German ministers on Wednesday agreed an action plan for the "bio-economy" worth 3.6 billion euros to help sustainable resources replace material of fossil origin in everyday products.

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