Material benefits

摘要

Metals that can bend into 'memorised' shapes and multi-property protective coatings are just two of the technologies Rolls-Royce is exploring to fine-tune its aero engines. Dr John Webster produces something that looks like a paint stripper from his bag underneath the table. It is, he explains, an industrial heating unit. He cranks it up and directs it at the twisted, curled-up piece of wire he is holding in his hand. As the wire heats up, it begins to bend and move. At first, the movement looks random. Slowly but surely, however, the wire rearranges itself into two overlapping capital Rs. As if by magic, it has become a little black representation of the Rolls-Royce logo.