NZ – TechConnect Briefs

Composite Wool – Natural Product Antimicrobial Textiles

Aljohani, S., Johnston, J.H., Victoria University of Wellington, NZ

Wool textile products are widely used in apparel, furnishings and floor coverings. They also find use in medical, and healthcare applications such as bandages and masks where unfortunately they can provide environment favourable for microbial [...]

Nanostructured Calcium Silicate Phase Change Materials for Thermal Buffering in Packaging and Construction Applications

Johnston, J.H., Victoria University of Wellington, NZ

This paper presents the formation and use of a novel composite nanostructured calcium silicate phase change material with significant thermal buffering capacity for use in thermally responsive packaging and construction materials. Phase change materials (PCMs) [...]

Combining a Fluoroalkylsiloxane and Ion Implantation for Hydrophilic/Hydrophobic Patterning

Cook, M.J., Johnston, J.H., Leveneur, J., Victoria University of Wellington, NZ

We present a novel method of producing hydrophilic/hydrophobic patterning on several different substrates using a novel two-step process. The developed process involves a simple surface functionalization with a fluoroalkylsiloxane (FAS), followed by masked ion implantation. [...]

Sound Attenuating Performance of Nanofibre Materials

Beckermann, G., Revolution Fibres, NZ

Filming from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV’s) has gained significant market acceptance within industry for commercial applications, including cinematography and live broadcasts, and is gaining momentum within the civil market. The noise generated from UAV operations [...]

The Improvement of Carbon Fibre Composites Using Nanofibre Interleaving Veils

Beckermann, G.W., Hosie, I., Revolution Fibres, NZ

Revolution Fibres have developed Xantu.Layr®, the world’s first commercially available nanofibre interleaving veil for use in carbon fibre reinforced composite materials. Produced using a proprietary production method (Sonic Electrospinning Technology), Xantu.Layr® is a non-woven web [...]

Discovery of the dichroic effect in cuprous oxide particles for the development of novel composite materials that change colour with direction of light source

Johnston, J.H., Wrigglesworth, E.G., Victoria University of Wellington, NZ

When a material displays one colour in transmitted light, but a different colour in reflected light, it is known as the dichroic effect. The oldest and most famous example of this effect is the Lycurgus [...]

Properties and characterisation of an aluminum – silicon nitride fiber powder metal composite

Dougherty, T., Xu, Y., Nuenz Limited, NZ

There is an increasing demand for new light-weighting materials to improve fuel-efficiency in the automobile and aerospace industries. This has led to an increase in the use of aluminum over traditional metals, such as steel, [...]

Optimising the Properties of Polymer Composites: Low Weight/ High Strength Composites for Commercial Applications

de Silva, K., Dougherty, T., Hayward, M., Johnston, J., Victoria University of Wellington, NZ

Vinyl ester polymers have an excellent resistance to harsh and corrosive environments. This results in their wide-spread use as a polymer composite material for multiple applications in various industries such as marine materials, swimming pools [...]

ActiVlayr Nanofiber Technology

Hosie, I., Revolution Fibres Ltd, NZ

Revolution Fibres Ltd is New Zealand’s premier advanced materials company and a global leader in nanofibre production. Its mission is to enable companies to produce superior products using Revolution Fibres technology for creating functional electrospun [...]

A Novel Composite Nanostructured Calcium Silicate – Calcium Carbonate Material Produced from Geothermal Water and its Environmental Remediation and Industry Applications

Borrmann, T., Johnston, J.H., Victoria University of Wellington, NZ

We have developed a novel nanostructured calcium silicate – calcium carbonate composite material with excellent whiteness, chemical reactivity and physical absorbent properties, from the problematic silica contained in separated geothermal water. It is an environmentally [...]