	Vision and Mission. A company's vision and mission is the driving force behind what they do. So what drives Future Materials? ---more
	Future Materials Capabilities Database. Including details of expertise, research facilities and equipment the Capability Database is a great tool for matching industry need with university supply ---more

Future Materials Weblog

FM Awards 2006
Congratulations to the finalists and winners ---more

Case Histories

Extensive case history file.
The following represents a small selection of the way in which the resources of Future Materials have been utilised ---more

Partners and Sponsors

Supporters and Sponsors
Sponsored by AusIndustry, Future Materials brings together the resources of Australia's foremost materials technology research institutions---more

Corporate Sponsors

Future Materials News


	Lagging in science and engineering ---more

Research News
	Getting smarter with intelligent polymers Traditionally, polymers are engineered to be non-responsive to their environment. But researchers are discovering that much can be gained by exploring the capacity of polymers to react and respond to what’s going on around them. The Intelligent Polymer Research Institute (IPRI) at the University of Wollongong has been an international pioneer in this field for over ten years. They have demonstrated that intelligent polymers can serve in an incredible range of applications from corrosion protection to artificial muscles. ---more

Tin Tacks
	Extracting more oil from oil fields Nanotechnology to help extract more oil from oil fields has been developed by researchers from the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology. With oil companies forced to leave behind as much as two barrels for every barrel of oil they produce, this revolutionary technology could help reduce the cost of supplying petrol to the market. ---more

Know your material
	Aluminium foam sandwiches Aluminium foam is exactly what its name suggests – a foam made from an aluminium alloy. Besides being stiff and light, aluminium foam is a good sound dampener, an excellent electromagnetic shield, provides good thermal insulation and it’s great for high impact energy absorption. Now researchers are looking at using it with polymer facings to make it even stronger. ---more

Sensational Materials
	Flash bricks – bricks from fly ash Researchers at the University of New South Wales have developed a strong, lightweight building material from waste fly ash that could generate a new ‘green’ industry for countries such as China and India. ---more


	Growing wheat under plastic Early results from field trials on wheat crops show that a special plastic film that goes over crops during planting accelerates plant growth and encourages vigorous, high-quality crops despite dry field conditions. The plastic eventually degrades in the sunlight. ---more


	Metal bull bars are bad news for pedestrians A major study by the University of Adelaide’s Centre for Automotive Safety Research has found that metal bull bars fitted to four wheel drive vehicles increase the risk of serious injuries to pedestrians. ---more

Archive News

Editor - David Salt