Dragonflies inspire new medical rubber

The remarkable, rubber-like protein that enables dragonflies, grasshoppers, and other insects to flap their wings, jump, and chirp has major potential uses in medicine, scientists conclude in an article in the journal ACS Macro Letters. It evaluates the latest advances toward using a protein called resilin in nanosprings, biorubbers, biosensors, and other applications.

Zero gravity helps design better materials

Researchers from Northeastern University, Boston, Mass., are among many scientists helping NASA use the weightlessness of space to design stronger materials here on Earth.   Structural alloys are produced through solidification-a process similar to the making of ice cubes.

University of Manchester to build Multidisciplinary Characterization Facility

The University of Manchester, UK, has received $28 million from the UK Research Partnership Investment Fund (UKRPIF) to set up a state-of-the-art Multidisciplinary Characterization Facility.  The new facility at Manchester will focus on the United Kingdom’s strategic development in advanced materials and manufacturing, and will provide the necessary expertise to accelerate innovation from the laboratory to market.

Aziz Asphahani joins QuesTek as CEO

Dr. Aziz Asphahani, FASM, is joining QuesTek Innovations LLC, Evanston, Ill., as the new chief executive officer effective July 1, 2013. He will lead the company’s efforts in growth and business development. Asphahani has an extensive background in both metallurgy and business, having acted as Director of Technology/R&D at Cabot Corporation, vice president of sales and marketing at Haynes International, and President at both CABVAL and CARUS Chemical Company.