Wildfires release vast amounts of carbon into the atmosphere. Their broader impact is far more complicated.
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Sunday, January 12, 2020
A new approach to making airplane parts, minus the massive infrastructure
A modern airplane’s fuselage is made from multiple sheets of different composite materials, like so many layers in a phyllo-dough pastry. Once these layers are stacked and molded into the shape of a fuselage, the structures are wheeled into warehouse-sized ovens and autoclaves, where the layers fuse together to form a resilient, aerodynamic shell.
Now MIT engineers have developed a method to produce aerospace-grade composites without the enormous ovens and pressure vessels. The technique may help to speed up the manufacturing of airplanes and other large, high-performance composite structures, such as blades for wind turbines.
The researchers detail their new method in a paper published today in the journal Advanced Materials Interfaces.
“If you’re making a primary structure like a fuselage or wing, you need to build a pressure vessel, or autoclave, the size of a two- or three-story building, which itself requires time and money to pressurize,” says Brian Wardle, professor of aeronautics and astronautics at MIT. “These things are massive pieces of infrastructure. Now we can make primary structure materials without autoclave pressure, so we can get rid of all that infrastructure.”
Wardle’s co-authors on the paper are lead author and MIT postdoc Jeonyoo Lee, and Seth Kessler of Metis Design Corporation, an aerospace structural health monitoring company based in Boston.
Out of the oven, into a blanket
In 2015, Lee led the team, along with another member of Wardle’s lab, in creating a method to make aerospace-grade composites without requiring an oven to fuse the materials together. Instead of placing layers of material inside an oven to cure, the researchers essentially wrapped them in an ultrathin film of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). When they applied an electric current to the film, the CNTs, like a nanoscale electric blanket, quickly generated heat, causing the materials within to cure and fuse together.
With this out-of-oven, or OoO, technique, the team was able to produce composites as strong as the materials made in conventional airplane manufacturing ovens, using only 1 percent of the energy.
The researchers next looked for ways to make high-performance composites without the use of large, high-pressure autoclaves — building-sized vessels that generate high enough pressures to press materials together, squeezing out any voids, or air pockets, at their interface.
“There’s microscopic surface roughness on each ply of a material, and when you put two plys together, air gets trapped between the rough areas, which is the primary source of voids and weakness in a composite,” Wardle says. “An autoclave can push those voids to the edges and get rid of them.”
Researchers including Wardle’s group have explored “out-of-autoclave,” or OoA, techniques to manufacture composites without using the huge machines. But most of these techniques have produced composites where nearly 1 percent of the material contains voids, which can compromise a material’s strength and lifetime. In comparison, aerospace-grade composites made in autoclaves are of such high quality that any voids they contain are neglible and not easily measured.
“The problem with these OoA approaches is also that the materials have been specially formulated, and none are qualified for primary structures such as wings and fuselages,” Wardle says. “They’re making some inroads in secondary structures, such as flaps and doors, but they still get voids.”
Straw pressure
Part of Wardle’s work focuses on developing nanoporous networks — ultrathin films made from aligned, microscopic material such as carbon nanotubes, that can be engineered with exceptional properties, including color, strength, and electrical capacity. The researchers wondered whether these nanoporous films could be used in place of giant autoclaves to squeeze out voids between two material layers, as unlikely as that may seem.
A thin film of carbon nanotubes is somewhat like a dense forest of trees, and the spaces between the trees can function like thin nanoscale tubes, or capillaries. A capillary such as a straw can generate pressure based on its geometry and its surface energy, or the material’s ability to attract liquids or other materials.
The researchers proposed that if a thin film of carbon nanotubes were sandwiched between two materials, then, as the materials were heated and softened, the capillaries between the carbon nanotubes should have a surface energy and geometry such that they would draw the materials in toward each other, rather than leaving a void between them. Lee calculated that the capillary pressure should be larger than the pressure applied by the autoclaves.
The researchers tested their idea in the lab by growing films of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes using a technique they previously developed, then laying the films between layers of materials that are typically used in the autoclave-based manufacturing of primary aircraft structures. They wrapped the layers in a second film of carbon nanotubes, which they applied an electric current to to heat it up. They observed that as the materials heated and softened in response, they were pulled into the capillaries of the intermediate CNT film.
The resulting composite lacked voids, similar to aerospace-grade composites that are produced in an autoclave. The researchers subjected the composites to strength tests, attempting to push the layers apart, the idea being that voids, if present, would allow the layers to separate more easily.
“In these tests, we found that our out-of-autoclave composite was just as strong as the gold-standard autoclave process composite used for primary aerospace structures,” Wardle says.
The team will next look for ways to scale up the pressure-generating CNT film. In their experiments, they worked with samples measuring several centimeters wide — large enough to demonstrate that nanoporous networks can pressurize materials and prevent voids from forming. To make this process viable for manufacturing entire wings and fuselages, researchers will have to find ways to manufacture CNT and other nanoporous films at a much larger scale.
“There are ways to make really large blankets of this stuff, and there’s continuous production of sheets, yarns, and rolls of material that can be incorporated in the process,” Wardle says.
He plans also to explore different formulations of nanoporous films, engineering capillaries of varying surface energies and geometries, to be able to pressurize and bond other high-performance materials.
“Now we have this new material solution that can provide on-demand pressure where you need it,” Wardle says. “Beyond airplanes, most of the composite production in the world is composite pipes, for water, gas, oil, all the things that go in and out of our lives. This could make making all those things, without the oven and autoclave infrastructure.”
This research was supported, in part, by Airbus, ANSYS, Embraer, Lockheed Martin, Saab AB, Saertex, and Teijin Carbon America through MIT’s Nano-Engineered Composite aerospace Structures (NECST) Consortium.
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France summit: Sahel crisis in danger of slipping out of control
Olympic athletes could be suspended if protesting occurs during Tokyo games
Black athletes taking a knee, or even holding up a fist in solidarity of their rights and injustices, won’t be seen at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics… without a fine or suspension attached to it.
On Thursday, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) released a three-page guideline for athletes participating in the games that reiterates Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter. This rule explains just how athletes can protest in the 2020 Tokyo games, according to CBS News.
Athletes are banned from protesting of any sort while on the field of play. Protesting is also banned in the Olympic Village, as well as during medal or other official ceremonies. The only time athletes can protest freely is in meetings and on traditional or social media, outside the Olympic Village.
“We believe that the example we set by competing with the world’s best while living in harmony in the Olympic Village is a uniquely positive message to send to an increasingly divided world. This is why it is important, on both a personal and a global level, that we keep the venues, the Olympic Village and the podium neutral and free from any form of political, religious or ethnic demonstrations,” the IOC said in a statement.
READ MORE Colin Kaepernick is still not on a NFL team and that’s shameful
The consequences of disobeying these rules could get you suspended from participating for a year or more. Silent protests happened just last August at the Pan-American Games in Peru. Hammer thrower Gwen Berry and Fencer Race Imboden kneeled and raised fists in protest during medal ceremonies. Both now face 12-month probation, which has disqualified them from competing in the Tokyo games, CBS News reported.
But this isn’t the first time we’ve seen athletes take a stance on the Olympic stage and get chastised for it.
In the 1968 Olympic games American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists in protest of racial discrimination in the U.S. and were then suspended from the team only to become homeless and unemployed. However, 51 years later, the duo was recently inducted into the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Hall of Fame. In recent years, kneeling has become a means of protest that was brought into the mainstream by former NFL star Colin Kaepernick.
The IOC said this implementation of rules is so that the games remain unified. “The mission of the Olympic Games to bring the entire world together can facilitate the understanding of different views, but this can be accomplished only if everybody respects this diversity,” it said.
The Tokyo Games’ will kick off on July 24 with its opening ceremony.
The post Olympic athletes could be suspended if protesting occurs during Tokyo games appeared first on TheGrio.
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Kobe Bryant buys out Philly theater for ‘Just Mercy’ premiere weekend
NBA Legend Kobe Bryant bought out a Philadelphia movie theater this weekend so people in his hometown were able to see the new legal drama Just Mercy.
Just Mercy was released nationwide on Friday starring Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx. The film is based on a true story about attorney Bryan Stevenson, played by Jordan, who decides to take the appeal case of a Black man Walter McMillian, played by Jamie Foxx, that was wrongfully imprisoned in 1986 for the murder of a white woman.
The former NBA star shared with Twitter this week that he was buying out the Regal UA Riverview Plaza in South Philly for 1 p.m. screenings of the film on Saturday. Bryant made sure viewers had a guaranteed ticket by providing an RSVP link for tickets. The event quickly sold out and required some to join a waitlist, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
PHILLY! @JustMercyFilm is a powerful film starring my friends @michaelb4jordan, @iamjamiefoxx, @OsheaJacksonJr & @brielarson. Everyone should absorb its msg, so I bought out the @regalmovies UA Riverview Plaza on Sat. Jan 11 @ 1pm. Claim ur ticket here – https://t.co/3YrJjAbvS7 pic.twitter.com/udp8fzbnB2
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 8, 2020
In 2014 Stevenson wrote about his lived experience as a novel with the same title.
READ MORE Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx talk ‘Just Mercy’ and taking action
“I felt really strongly the movie had to be curated in exactly the right way, that there wouldn’t be a Hollywood compromise, or a reversion to formula,” Stevenson said to the Philadelphia Inquirer. “But working with Michael and [director Destin Daniel Cretton] they have been responsive and thoughtful throughout.”
Just Mercy’s limited release on Christmas Day received lots of positive reviews and even scored an 82 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, making it a “Certified Fresh” film among critics. Bryant’s comments about the movie aligned with its rating, he said “everyone should absorb” its message and that it is a “powerful film.”
READ MORE Inclusion in action: Michael B. Jordan mandated hiring diverse staff for new film ‘Just Mercy’
Bryant isn’t the only celebrity giving viewers a chance to see the film for free. Celebs such as Common, John Legend, Lena Waithe, and Kim Kardashian West bought out theaters for the film. The Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, and San Francisco 49ers have also joined the ranks of theater buyouts for the film.
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Kevin Hart’s ‘Night School’ turns into a TV show
Kevin Hart is bringing Night School back to a screen near you, but this time directly into your home.
The Philadelphia native has signed on to be the executive producer of a new NBC comedy show that is based on the hit 2018 movie Night School that he wrote, produced, and starred in with actress Tiffany Haddish. The Universal Studios film Night School opened in September 2018. It opened at the box office with $27 million and grossed 103 million in total.
The pilot, hailing from Universal TV, will be very similar to the film. The series will follow a group of adults in night school prepping to take the GED. Although the group of students are very different, they find commonalities and similar life experiences in and out of the classroom that bring them together, Hollywood Reporter said.
READ MORE Kevin Hart gets deep about cheating scandal, other drama in trailer for new Netflix docu-series
Writer and Producer Chris Moynihan of NBC’s Marlon is writing for the comedy and will also will executive produce with Hart alongside Will Packer, Sheila Ducksworth and Malcolm D. Lee. Packer produced the 2018 film and Lee directed.
The Universal TV pilot project will also be produced by Hart’s Heartbeat Productions, Will Packer Media and Moynihan’s Bicycle Path Productions.
The writers, producers and directors of the pilot aren’t rookies in Hollywood. Packer and Hart have produced several projects prior to this. Packer, whose had a long working relationship with Universal has also produced Girls Trip and Little, in addition to Night School.
READ MORE Kevin Hart returns home after accident, ‘shocked’ to be alive
Hart recently produced and hosted FXX’s upcoming comedy Dave and CBS’ game show TKO: Total Knock Out and also his own Netflix docuseries Don’t F**k This Up. The new series will continue his hectic schedule and career that was temporarily in jeopardy.
In September, TheGrio reported Hart getting into an almost fatal car crash in his 1970 Plymouth Barracuda that steered off the road and down into an embankment in California. Hart suffered several spinal injuries during the crash but has recovered since this then.
The post Kevin Hart’s ‘Night School’ turns into a TV show appeared first on TheGrio.
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NBC boss pledges ‘new practices if necessary’ at ‘AGT’ after Gabrielle Union allegations
Gabrielle Union was fired from the hit talent show America’s Got Talent in November after allegations of racial insensitivity and now NBC has pledged change.
It was announced last fall that Union, alongside Julianne Hough, would not be returning for season 14 of the show. Union alleged a hostile work environment that included comments about her hair and racial bias against contestants. According to Yahoo News, NBC is now prepared to address those concerns.
During the network’s Television Critics Association press tour, on Saturday, the president of NBC Entertainment Paul Telegdy said the situation is, “in the middle of an investigation,” saying the matter is “really serious.”
READ MORE Gabrielle Union warns against being the ‘happy negro’ bowing to the status quo
“I can’t deny it, and that’s being handled by lawyers.”
“We certainly take anyone’s critique who comes to work here incredibly seriously, if we learn something, we’ll certainly put new practices in place, if necessary,” Telegdy said.
Variety reported in November that Union and Hough said at times they were subjected to “excessive notes” on the way they looked physically. Furthermore, Union was also told her constant change in hairstyles were “too black” for AGT‘s audience.
READ MORE Gabrielle Union has ‘productive’ meeting with NBC execs over AGT toxic workplace complaints
On Dec. 4 Union disclosed she sat down with NBC and AGT production company to express how concerned she was over the racial insensitivity and a toxic culture at the show.
The show is produced by Fremantle and Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment.
In a joint statement, Syco Entertainment, Fremantle and NBC said, “We remain committed to ensuring a respectful workplace for all employees and take very seriously any questions about workplace culture. We are working with Ms. Union through her representatives to hear more about her concerns, following which we will take whatever next steps may be appropriate.”
Also taking to Twitter to explain more about the meeting, Union wrote, “We had a lengthy 5-hour, and what I thought to be, productive meeting yesterday. I was able to again, express my unfiltered truth. I led with transparency and my desire and hope for real change.”
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Uniontown treasurer blocked from taking office sues for racial bias
A city official in a Pittsburgh, Penn. suburb of Uniontown has filed a lawsuit against the same City Council that she is now a part of.
Treasurer-elect Antoinette Hodge was elected as the first African-American City Council treasurer in Uniontown, Penn. But this accomplishment didn’t come without a little drama first.
Hodge is alleging the Uniontown City Council denied her seat in office because she is Black. She’s giving credit for her denial to the city clerk and a City Council member that she believes conspired together to withhold her from getting the required insurance bond to take office, according to Pittsburgh Action News 4.
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Under Pennsylvania law, some elected officials have to fulfill the requirement of being bonded. Hodge says the bond was denied because City Council member Martin Gatti, said a racist comment to the bonding company.
Hodge’s attorney, Joel Sansone said, “This councilman told the bonding people ‘this colored girl’ shouldn’t sit as the treasurer for the city of Uniontown.”
“It was like, you’ve got to be kidding me, because by now you would figure people are over that. We’ve had a black president,” Hodge said.
This alleged chain of events led Hodge to file a federal lawsuit against the city of Uniontown, Gatti, and Gatti’s sister-in-law, City Clerk Kim Marshall. This lawsuit was filed on Wednesday, the same day the bond was approved.
By Thursday, the city solicitor said, Hodge will be able to take office, according to Pittsburgh’s Action News 4.
“This is the most blatant form of ignorance that I have ever seen or heard of in my 50-plus years of living,” Pennsylvania NAACP President Kenneth Houston said, at a news conference about the lawsuit.
READ MORE Ava DuVernay slams Michael Bloomberg’s ‘non-answers’ pertaining to Central Park Exonerated Five
Gatti released a statement on Wednesday, responding to the lawsuit, saying: “I did not nor have I ever made a political or professional decision based on race. I had every right to follow up on her bond status and whether or not all the facts were provided when the (bond) company found out that information had been withheld.”
City officials said the only way a bond is denied if Hodge has a poor credit score rating. Hodge said she was once the victim of identity theft, and if negatively affected her credit rating. However, this didn’t stop her from initially getting approved for the bond.
“It was about race. It was not about my credit because if it was my credit, the bond never would have been issued in the first place,” she said.
Hodge is set to be sworn in on Monday.
The post Uniontown treasurer blocked from taking office sues for racial bias appeared first on TheGrio.
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Yahya Jammeh warned not to return to The Gambia
Lamine Diack: Former athletics chief's trial set to start in Paris
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