National critical technologies report.

  • Office of Science and Technology Policy
Date:
1995
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: National critical technologies report. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    122/226 (page 96)
    Rapid solidification processing Rapid solidification processes allows the creation of new alloys. Some metals, when together in a melt, segregate. By spraying or otherwise adding the metals | in controlled amounts directly into the solid phase, new compositions can be fabricated. In some cases, these alloys have unusual temperature properties, or — high strength. Rapid solidification processing strengthens the industrial base for both commercial and military applications by improving the ability to work with difficult to shape materials. As a result, parts with better characteristics can be created in the longer term. - Both Europe and Japan are slightly behind the United States in rapid solidification processing, or powder metallurgy technology, and are expected to remain in that position over at least the next several years. Development of powder metal technology within Europe has been led by turbine engine manufacturers in the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. Capabilities have grown through a combination of indigenous development and acquisition of technology through joint ventures with U.S. companies. Japanese firms also have a strong powder metallurgy R&D program established for both the automotive and aerospace industries, with laboratory work rivaling that of the U.S. leaders. However, they tend to lag the United States in applications. The Japanese - appear to be content to remain near the leading edge of technology, without undertaking the increased risk of pushing the technologies to new levels. CONTINUOUS MATERIALS PROCESSING This technology area concentrates on the developments of most importance to industries such as chemicals, petrochemicals, and some solid materials which are characterized by continuous production, the end products of which are usually then used in other processes or products. These industries, and thus these technologies, are important both economically and to support the military. These technologies also often have the potential to reduce the harmful environmental consequences of certain processes. Catalysts Catalysts are materials which speed up a chemical reaction without being consumed by it. In many cases, this speed-up makes a reaction commercially important, and the catalyst vital. An example of such criticality is the catalyst in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. At the low temperature of that fuel cell, about © 100°C, the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen that produces the power would proceed at such a slow rate as to be only a curiosity. Noble metal catalysts make the rate useful for a host of applications, perhaps including transportation. As our ability to design materials on the atomic level has grown, new possibilities seem promising, as for artificial zeolites. Very different catalysts are those