Johnson Matthey Technology Review - Volume 59, Issue 3, 2015

Electrical resistivity values for both the solid and liquid phases of the platinum group metals (pgms) palladium and platinum are evaluated. In particular improved values are obtained for the liquid phases of these metals. Previous reviews on electrical resistivity which included evaluations for the pgms included those of Meaden (1), Bass (2), Savitskii et al. (3) and Binkele and Brunen (4) as well as individual reviews by Matula (5) on palladium and White (6) on platinum.

Aqueous suspensions of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs + deionised water) have been synthesised. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were derived by chemical vapour deposition (CVD). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements show the formation of MWCNTs. Three samples of CNT-based aqueous nanofluids having MWCNT concentrations of 0.01 vol%, 0.03 vol% and 0.05 vol% were prepared with the help of ultrasonic irradiation. A very small amount of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was used as a surfactant to minimise the agglomeration of the MWCNTs. An effective enhancement in thermal conductivity was observed at different temperatures. The obtained results are explained with percolation theory.

The effects of hot isostatic pressing (HIP) on castings produced in a variety of platinum alloys was investigated. A number of benefits were observed, including a reduction in porosity and improvements to the microstructure and mechanical properties. Differences in the response to HIP of individual alloys is evaluated as well as some inherent limitations of the HIP process.

The use of various sintering technologies, allied to suitable powder metallurgy, has long been the subject of discussion within the global jewellery manufacturing community. This exciting, once theoretical and experimental technology is now undoubtedly a practical application suitable for the jewellery industry. All parts of the jewellery industry supply and value chains, and especially design and manufacturing, now need to become aware very quickly of just how unsettling and disruptive this technology introduction has the potential to become. This paper will offer various viewpoints that consider not only the technology and its application to jewellery manufacture but will also consider the new design potentials of the technology to the jewellery industry. It will also briefly consider how that design potential is being taught to future generations of jewellery designers at the Birmingham School of Jewellery. We shall also discuss in some detail the economics of and potential for new and different business models that this technological paradigm might offer the jewellery industry.

The supply chain for metal powders used in additive manufacturing (AM) is currently experiencing exponential growth and with this growth come new powder suppliers, new powder manufacturing methods and increased competition. The high number of potential supply chain options provides AM service providers with a significant challenge when making decisions on powder procurement. This paper provides an overview of the metal powder supply chain for the AM market and aims to give AM service providers the information necessary to make informed decisions when procuring metal powders. The procurement options are categorised into three main groups, namely: procuring powders from AM equipment suppliers, procuring powders from third party suppliers and procuring powders directly from powder atomisers. Each of the procurement options has its own unique advantages and disadvantages. The relative importance of these will depend on what the AM equipment is being used for, for example research, rapid prototyping or productionisation. The future of the metal AM powder market is also discussed.

Computational methods are a burgeoning science within industry. In particular, recent advances have seen first-principles atomic-scale modelling leave the realm of the academic theory lab and enter mainstream industrial research. Herein we present an overview, focusing on catalytic applications in fuel cells, emission control and process catalysis and looking at some real industrial examples being undertaken within the Johnson Matthey Technology Centre. We proceed to discuss some underpinning research projects and give a perspective on where developments will come in the short to mid-term.